The GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe's leading university-level institutions for the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based approach to research and teaching, brings disciplines together to explore problems in new ways to find new innovative solutions. The studio creates the environment for inter-disciplinarity, peer learning, critical enquiry, experimentation and prototyping, helping to address many of the grand challenges confronting society and contemporary business.

Since the School was founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, as a centre of creativity promoting good design for the manufacturing industries, our role has continually evolved and redefined to reflect the needs of the communities we are part of, embracing in the late 19th century fine art and architecture education and today, digital technology. Then as now our purpose remains the same - to contribute to a better world through creative education and research.