Clearing 2025 is now open
Find out more about clearing or call our friendly Admissions Team on +44 (0) 1603 751 485.
The newly acquired space opens up exciting possibilities for teaching, exhibitions, student services, as well as offering an enhanced social space.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ofield-Kerr said: “Acquiring this landmark building signals our ambition for the future of the University as an international centre of excellence in creative arts and technologies.”
The Grade II listed building in a prominent position at the top of Prince of Wales Road was once home to the newly founded Barclays Bank in 1775, and more recently home to the OPEN Youth Trust.
It will become the University’s 12th building in the creative quarter of the city, following the opening in September 2021 of Duke Street Riverside, which itself provides a new production theatre, performance spaces, teaching studios, student accommodation and public space on the River Wensum.
“Acquiring this landmark building signals our ambition for the future of the University as an international centre of excellence in creative arts and technologies.”
Professor Ofield-Kerr said: “Part of 20 Bank Plain’s appeal is the impressive interior — particularly the vast banking hall — which opens up exciting possibilities as a potential exhibition, library, studio, and production space. It provides the opportunity to create spaces that combine teaching, research, exhibition and collection and public access way beyond our existing estate and will become an important centre for both the university and the city.”
In other parts of the building, the University’s Student Services will be brought together to create a support hub. The thriving student population will be able access all support and wellbeing services in one location and the new space will enable further improvements to meet all student needs. Bank Plain will also have space and facilities for Norwich University of the Arts Students’ Union, the University café (provided by social enterprise The Feed) and extensive social space, including the already in place climbing wall.
“It provides the opportunity to create spaces that combine teaching, research, exhibition and collection and public access way beyond our existing estate and will become an important centre for both the university and the city.”
Professor Ofield-Kerr added: “The creative industries contribute £115.9bn in gross value add to the UK economy a year — which is greater than aerospace, automotive, life sciences and oil and gas sectors combined.
“All forms of science, technology and business require creativity. Our belief is that creative practitioners play an essential role in understanding and interpreting what is happening in the world today, imagining and producing better ways of living in the future through the use of established and emerging technologies.
“Combining existing services and bringing new resources into Bank Plain creates opportunities to expand the workshops we need as we develop new courses in Creative Computing and Creative Technology, alongside our world-renowned courses in Games Design.
“We are very grateful to Graham Dacre of the Lind Trust for making the property available to the University as a continued provision for young people in the city and region.”
Explore our city centre campusInstitution •
Norwich University of the Arts has officially opened Phase Two of its ambitious redevelopment at 20 Bank Plain — a landmark Grade II listed building in the heart of Norwich.
Read more about Norwich University of the Arts opens Phase Two of landmark Bank Plain building
Graduation •
Five leading figures from the fields of design, fashion, games and the visual arts will be awarded Honorary Professorships at the University’s graduation ceremonies next week.
Read more about Norwich University of the Arts announces five new Honorary Professors
Alumni •
Toby Hills, Senior Technician – Immersive & Virtual Production at Norwich University of the Arts, has been named Best Newcomer and awarded a prestigious Papin Prize during the UK Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS) 2025 held this week.
Read more about Toby Hills Wins Prestigious Papin Prize at HETS 2025
Alumni •
Norwich University of the Arts is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Ben Stopher as its next Vice-Chancellor.
Read more about Professor Ben Stopher appointed next Vice-Chancellor
BA Animation •
This summer saw the launch of the University’s new Sustainability Awards, alongside nominations for Norwich students for a range of high-profile industry awards.
Read more about Celebrating award-winning student work at our Undergrad Festival – and beyond
BA Graphic Communication •
Norwich students were awarded a total of five pencils at this year’s D&AD New Blood Awards, which showcase recent graduate work across design, advertising and craft.
Read more about Norwich students win at D&AD New Blood Awards 2025
International •
Gresham Global will act as the University’s official representative in India, widening access to world-class creative education.
Institution •
Dr Ellie Nixon and Dr Kirk Woolford have been recognised for their significant contributions to knowledge and high levels of academic achievement.
Read more about Norwich University of the Arts recognises two new professors
Alumni •
Richard Bracewell, Lecturer for BA (Hons) Film and Moving Image Production, worked with Norwich students and graduates to produce the Fens-based comedy.
Read more about Norwich lecturer celebrates world premiere of new film Chicken Town
Alumni •
Norwich University of the Arts has been ranked among the UK's top two specialist creative arts universities — and the highest outside London — in the 2026 edition of The Complete University Guide
Read more about Norwich University of the Arts moves up 25 places in The Complete University Guide
East Gallery •
We are delighted to offer two opportunities to join the University as an East Gallery Fellow – Creative Practice, for twelve months from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2026
Institution •
The UK games industry is now worth a staggering £7.82 billion, with East Anglia poised to become the next major growth cluster
Research •
Norwich University of the Arts presents a series of live performances and immersive video installations as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival.
Read more about Norwich University of the Arts at Norfolk and Norwich Festival
Winners announced in two age categories 11-15 and 16-19, and two theme categories ‘Responsible Production and Consumption’ and ‘Gender Equality’.
Institution •
Norwich University of the Arts is making a bold and exciting move toward a more sustainable future.
Read more about The big switch on: Norwich University of the Arts powers up with solar energy
BA (Hons) Illustration •
Gabriella discusses how her creative practice and wider University experience has helped to manage and communicate topics around mental health.
Read more about In conversation with Gabriella Mason, BA (Hons) Illustration
Develop the creative, technical, and professional skills required to become a successful actor for stage, screen, and recorded media.
Develop the creative and technical skills behind the latest Hollywood blockbusters and learn from award-winning studio professionals.
Push the boundaries of how we think about people, culture and the environment to create innovative and responsible design.
Be part of the Future. Take your digital creativity to a whole new level and equip yourself with the skills needed for a career in the creative tech and digital arts industries.
Explore how words and images can come to life on the page and screen to tell stories and deliver information.
Open the door to a career in physical tech. Build new skills that combine making with computer programming and creative flair.
Let your creativity take flight as you learn the essential creative design and practical skills of the global fashion industry.
Create original content and eye-catching campaigns that mirror the marketing strategies and visual communication skills driving the global fashion industry.
Unite your love for fashion innovation and business strategy as you delve into the marketing mechanisms of the global fashion industry.
Unleash your artistic vision by combining the art of creative storytelling with practical industry skills across various filmmaking mediums.
Explore and develop your skills of current game studio pipelines and be part of a collaborative, supportive department.
Want to explore your creativity, ideas, and instincts in a vibrant community of artists, thinkers and makers? And shape the future of contemporary art?
Love working with code and see yourself as a technical problem solver with a passion for games?
Ignite your passion for exploring visual ideas and brand communication from real-world problems to commercial briefs, across print and digital.
Be inspired to apply innovative and creative solutions to branding, packaging, and promotional design for commercial markets.
Experiment with different illustration mediums and tools as you build your creative identity and professional skills.
Turn your creativity and problem-solving skills into real-world solutions for how we live, work, and play.
BA (Hons) Textile Design at Norwich is the right choice for the curious and creative student with an interest in shaping our world as a responsible designer.
Think critically and creatively as you work practically to develop a distinctive portfolio that sets you apart.
Want to shape how people engage with the ever-evolving digital world? And understand the different ways users experience a design?
Get to the heart of how design shapes our understanding of issues, our environment and each other.
Take your Fine Art practise to another level in a supportive environment that encourages artistic innovation, exploration and debate.
Combine creative flair and technical skill and work in multi-skilled teams within a studio environment to create innovative and arresting art for games.
Take your film practice to new heights, refine your technical skills, and explore the cultural and historical context of your work.
Combining creativity, craft skills and technological innovation, and develop and refine your expert knowledge of textile design.