Applying for rolesApplying for roles

Overview

To apply for a role at the University of the Arts London, you must submit your application through the official UAL job board, following the instructions in the job advert. Applications are reviewed using anonymised shortlisting and a structured scoring process to ensure fairness and consistency.

You can save your application and return to it before the vacancy closes.

Applying for a role

All applications must be submitted via the UAL applicant tracking system. Unfortunately, speculative applications or CVs sent by email cannot be accepted.

If you are applying for the first time, you will need to create an online account. Registration is quick and allows you to track the progress of your application. You may save your application and return to it at any time while the vacancy remains open.

Each job advert sets out the specific requirements for that role. Applications typically ask for one or more of the following:

• An application form, including employment and education history
• A CV (must be anonymised with no personal details such as name)
• A supporting statement
• Evidence of research or published work for academic/research roles

How applications are assessed

All applications are reviewed by a selection panel using anonymised shortlisting. This means that personally identifiable information such as name and diversity data is hidden during the review process.

Applications are scored using a standard scoring matrix:

• 0 – Not met
• 1 – Partially met
• 2 – Fully met
• 3 – Exceeds

Applications are assessed against the criteria set out for the role, which may include:

• Experience, knowledge and qualifications
• Communication skills
• Leadership and management
• Research, teaching and learning or Professional practice
• Planning and managing resources
• Teamwork
• Student experience or customer service
• Creativity, innovation and problem solving

UAL does not use any software or automated tools to score applications. All applications are reviewed by a trained selection panel.

Structuring your application

Applicants are encouraged to structure their responses using either the STAR or CARL method aligned to each competency (e.g. Communication skills: <enter evidence here>). Both approaches help demonstrate how your experience meets the requirements of the role.

STAR

• Situation: where, when and with whom
• Task: what you aimed to achieve
• Action: what you did and how
• Result: the outcome and impact

CARL

• Context: the background or setting
• Action: what you did and how
• Result: the outcome and impact
• Learning: what you learned from the experience

Example 1 using STAR for Communication and Teamwork

In my previous role as Student Experience Coordinator, I worked with academic and professional services teams to improve communication around assessment deadlines for over 500 students. We had identified recurring confusion and high volumes of student queries regarding submission processes. I led a cross departmental working group to review communications, map student touchpoints and redesign key guidance materials into clearer, student focused formats. I also introduced a shared communications calendar to improve consistency across teams. As a result, student enquiries relating to assessment submissions reduced by 35 per cent over one term and student satisfaction scores for ‘clarity of communication’ improved in the annual survey. This experience strengthened my ability to collaborate across teams and communicate complex information in an accessible and user focused way.

Example 2 using CARL for Creativity, Innovation and Problem Solving

While working as Programme Administrator in a busy higher education environment, I identified that manual timetabling processes were creating delays and inconsistencies across multiple courses. To address this, I reviewed the existing workflow, consulted stakeholders across academic planning and registry teams and designed a new centralised tracking system using shared digital planning tools. This improved visibility of scheduling dependencies and enabled earlier identification of clashes and resourcing issues. Following implementation, timetable production was completed two weeks earlier than in previous cycles and staff feedback highlighted improved confidence in the process. Through this work I learned the value of combining analytical problem solving with stakeholder engagement to deliver practical operational improvements.

Using AI tools in your application

UAL recognises the growing use of AI tools in professional and creative settings. You may choose to use such tools to support your application; however, applicants are encouraged to consider carefully how this adds value.

UAL is particularly interested in hearing your own experiences, insights and aspirations. Applications generated primarily using AI can feel impersonal and may not reflect the authenticity that selection panels value. Using your own voice helps panels better understand how you align with the role, team and values of UAL.

Frequently asked questions