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Freelance and business support

Illustration of a person multitasking
Illustration of a person multitasking
Starting A Business by Gracie Dahl

Browse our resources for freelancers and business owners

Are you interested in working for yourself? Do you have an idea for a creative business?

Our enterprise team can support you with many aspects of setting up and running a successful business or freelance practice.

We provide:

  • online business resources and events
  • enterprise one-to-ones
  • opportunities to showcase and sell your work
  • funding and awards
  • guidance on how to protect your intellectual property (IP).

Take a look at the resources on this page or email enterprise@arts.ac.uk with your questions or to request a one-to-one.

Are you a UAL student or graduate who works for yourself?

Complete our UAL Freelance and Business annual survey for the chance to win £100.

Support and funding

  • Graphic of overlapping rectangles and circles outlined in white and teal on a black background
    Lauren Vaughan, Image by Lauren Vaughan

    Showcase Ready

    Final year student? Be prepared to get the most from your graduate showcase with this free programme of careers events!

  • A student sitting on the floor reading a book amidst piles of colourful fabric
    Rochelle Saunders, MA Arts and Cultural Enterprise, CSM. Photo by Alys Tomlinson

    Pitch It

    Do you have an idea for an enterprising creative project but need funding?

  • Graphic showing disc shapes in pink and blue light
    Lauren Vaughan, 2019 MA Fine Art, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL, Image courtesy of UAL

    Creative Business Accelerator

    The Creative Business Accelerator is a programme of business development tailored to support the needs of UAL graduates.

  • Illustration of 9 boxes, each showing head and shoulders of a smiling person waving or reaching out to their neighbour
    Credit Illustration by Gracie Dahl

    Join our Founders and Freelancers network  

    Work for yourself or want to in the future? Sign up to be part of our Founders and Freelancers group on The Dots!

Business resources

  • Man looking at typographic piece.
    Archive Research by Damilola Ayo-Vaughan. Photo Alys Tomlinson.

    How to be self-employed

    We explain the terminology and things to consider when planning and launching your own business.

  • Daisy Hristova from MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation in front of a rack of magazines and working on a laptop.
    Daisy Hristova studying in the Library © Alys Tomlinson

    How to work as a freelancer

    Read our guidance on how to launch and maintain a successful freelance career.

  • Two people talking at the part time job fair
    Photo by Unai Mateo

    How to pitch

    Read our tips to help you to feel confident and ensure your pitch presentation has impact.

  • Silhouette of somebody speaking into a microphone
    Image courtesy of UAL

    Self-promotion and marketing

    Get advice on self-promotion and marketing yourself as a creative professional.

  • Stationary products
    Selection of products from not just a shop. Photo Yeshen Venema.

    How to price your work (PDF 434KB)

    Read our step-by-step guide to make sure you're charging the right price for your products.

  • Student adding notes to a board
    Image by Alys Tomlinson

    How to manage your IP

    Read our tips and advice on how best to manage and benefit from the value of your intellectual property (IP).

Exhibit and sell your work

  • Retail interior with a minimalist aesthetic. The counter reads
    not just a shop. Photo by Damian Griffiths.

    not just a shop

    If you're a student or graduate from UAL you can apply to sell your work in not just a shop through our open calls.

  • Three people are engaged in a conversation at a booth in a trade show. The booth has various items displayed, and signs for the event and directions are visible in the background.
    Image Courtesy UAL.

    Top Drawer trade show

    Every year, UAL presents a stand of emerging student and graduate businesses at leading gift trade show, Top Drawer.

  • Exhibition space with white ceramic cups on display.
    Photo by Damian Griffiths

    Exhibitions and trade shows

    Find out how to choose the right opportunities and make the most from being at exhibitions and trade shows.

  • People at an exhibition
    Made In Arts Londone exhibition at Free Range

    Made in Arts London  

    Made in Arts London is the Students' Union's selling platform. Current students can submit work to be considered for sale.

Enterprise events

Stay in touch with Careers and Employability

Links

Contact

Email

careers-employability@arts.ac.uk