London has been a cultural hub for hundreds of years, spawning an incredible art scene that spans generations. This heritage is what makes London one of the best locations in the world to study art. The beauty of the city’s architecture and the melting pot of people from all over the world lend themselves to inspiration for any facet of art that you find to your liking. So, one of the best decisions you can make as an aspiring artist is to choose to study art in this amazing city. And to help you make your choice, here is a guide to some of the best art schools the city has to offer.

Royal Academy of Arts Schools

This school is impressively old, dating back to 1797, while at the same time being entirely privately run. It is a highly desirable school among those who credit themselves with artistic talent. One reason for this, is the incredibly thorough admissions process. The competition is fierce and only 17 students get admitted each year. The other reason is that it is free, making sure that students get into the program based on merit and not social class. There are also financial rewards for exceptionally excellent students to enable them to produce more works. Not to mention that the accommodation you receive is rather luxurious even by London standards.

City & Guilds of London Art School

This is another private and independent art school in London established back in the early 19th century, and it’s heritage is in close connection to the industrial revolution. It is known for the demanding nature of its curricula, with students expected to dedicate their entire days to classes and lectures. Nevertheless, it has good reason for it because historically the alumni of this school helped build the British nation in more literal ways than you’d expect. The unfortunate reach that the Nazi airforce during WWII had meant that a great deal of London was destroyed during the airstrikes. The City & Guilds of London Art School ran extensive courses on architectural restoration to help not only rebuild the nation after the war, but to restore the beauty of many historic buildings to former glory.

Royal College of Art

For many artists this institution represents the obvious choice of an art college, which is a testament to it’s hard-earned reputation. It is enviably located in some of the most prestigious and unaffordable parts of London – Kensington. The best part about this college is the sheer variety of choice that it offers – 24 course programs to be precise. So whatever the art you wish to dedicate yourself to, you’re likely to find it at the Royal College of Art.

Slade School of Art

It is always a good bet to enter a school established by someone with a bold vision. The Slade School of Art was established by Felix Slade. Felix felt that the arts were falling behind other humanities somewhat, and wanted to make sure that art is brought to its full potential. The school is a success in achieving that vision, evidenced by such exceptional alumni as Dora Carrington and Stanley Spencer.