University of Hertfordshire retains title as the UK’s best Creative Arts School for third consecutive year
The University of Hertfordshire's School of Creative Arts has been listed by independent rankings The Rookie Awards as the UK’s ‘best creative arts school’ for the third year running.
The Rookie Awards are annual global rankings by online creative platform The Rookies for creative media, design and entertainment schools. Judged by real industry professionals, rankings span multiple disciplines and are concluded based on submitted student portfolios.
This year, more than 38,000 professional assessments were submitted, with schools assessed for producing the strongest emerging talent across 12 creative disciplines.
The University of Hertfordshire beat all other UK universities to finish first in the UK for the 2026 Rookies Awards in five categories: Top Creative School, Production Excellence in Console Games, Production Excellence in 2D Animation, Best 2D Animation School, and Best 3D Animation School.
Dr Ian Willcock, Head of Screen, Music and Media at the University of Hertfordshire’s School of Creative Arts, said:
“To be ranked the UK’s top creative arts school for the third successive year, beating all other institutions, is a remarkable achievement.
“Topping the ‘Production Excellence’ categories is a particular badge of honour because the awards are judged on industry-style collaborations that mirror real-world practice. This success reflects the strength of our creative arts courses and the culture we have built at Herts, where students are immersed in professional production environments, supported to develop their creative, technical and teamwork skills, and encouraged to grow in confidence while remaining true to themselves.”
Dean of the University’s School of Creative Arts, Dr Stephen Partridge, added:
“Students make a university’s reputation what it is. I’m so proud of our students for their success in The Rookies. It shouts out to the world that Herts is a leading institution in the field of creative arts.
“It’s our students who win the awards and who have helped us to the top of The Guardian’s Good University Guide - where we finished first for animation and game design. That is why they secure roles working for prestigious employers such as Disney and Aardman.”
Earlier this year, the School of Creative Arts opened its Propeller Stage film and tv studio, a world-leading, collaborative model for film & tv production and creative, technical skills training.