Continuing students
Continue your studies with ease, including how to re‑enrol, choose your next unit, pay your fees and understand your deadlines. If you need support with re‑enrolment or unit choices, contact the Student Success team.
Choose your next unit
How to select your unit and complete payment.
How to pay your fees
Once you've started your studies and are about halfway through each of your units, you'll be able to select your next unit as you progress through your course.
At this point, you'll also be asked to pay your next tuition instalment. Tuition fees are payable on a unit basis. If you're using a loan to help pay for your tuition fees, your loan payment instalment dates may not match our payment deadlines.
You'll have a 2-week window between week 7 and week 9 in your current unit to undertake 3 tasks:
- Select your next unit
- Confirm your personal details
- Pay for your upcoming unit
We'll email you to complete these tasks as part of your unit enrolment.
You should complete these activities as soon as possible. If you have any questions, speak to the Student Success Team. If you fail to meet the deadline for this window, we'll not be able to enrol you, and you'll have to take a break from studying in the upcoming teaching block.
If the unit you want to take next falls within another intake month, you'll have to take a break and wait for this unit to start. For more information, read how to schedule a break on this page.
Check deadlines for unit selection and payments
For continuing students choosing their next unit, the payment deadlines are below. Visit UAL Online's key dates and deadlines page for the most up-to-date information.
January 2027
- Window opens: 20 October 2026
- Payment deadline: 3 November 2026
May 2027
- Window opens: 23 February 2027
- Payment deadline: 9 March 2027
September 2027
- Window opens: 22 June 2027
- Payment deadline: 6 July 2027
January 2028
- Window opens: 19 October 2027
- Payment deadline: 2 November 2027
May 2028
- Window opens: 22 February 2028
- Payment deadline: 7 March 2028
September 2028
- Window opens: 20 June 2028
- Payment deadline: 4 July 2028
Understand unit types
All course units are strategically scheduled within specific teaching blocks throughout the year to give you a smooth, well-rounded online learning experience.
Mandatory units
Depending on your course, you must complete any starting units and a Capstone Project. These can take place in any of the 3 teaching blocks each year.
Optional units
Optional unit opportunities vary depending on your chosen course and award level. You can choose your preferred units (when available) to help support your interests, skills and career goals. These are only available during specific teaching blocks.
If you'd like to take certain units, you may need to take breaks between units based on your starting point and when your chosen units are available.
Need help choosing your units? Contact the UAL Online Student Success Team for guidance.
Watch the unit trailers below for an introduction to what you'll explore in each unit or visit the 'Course Units' section of your course page for full unit details.
Change your award level or course
If you're considering changing your course or award level, your first step is to speak to the UAL Online Student Success Team. We'll advise you on your options and break down the process with you. We can also help you file the necessary paperwork. Once you have discussed your situation with the team, you'll be ready to request your transfer using the request form.
Understand Sales Tax
A number of countries around the world require UAL to charge local Sales Tax on our online course fees when a student is a resident in their country. A list of countries where UAL is currently required to add Sales Tax is included on our Sales Tax information webpage, along with the rate that will apply. Please note that a number of countries around the world require UAL to charge local Sales Tax on our online course fees when a student is a resident in their country. UAL pays this tax to the relevant national authority, and it is not retained by UAL.
Please consult our Sales Tax information webpage and the UAL Online Fees Policy for further information. If you have any questions, please contact your Student Success Team.
Explore course units
Find out when each course unit runs and which ones are mandatory. To help you choose the units that best align with your goals and interests, watch the unit trailers to learn more about what you’ll study.
MA Fashion Marketing units
Your mandatory unit
Fashion Means Business
You'll start with this unit, whichever teaching block you join.
Choose your next unit
Explore the units available in each teaching block and watch the trailers to help you choose the option that best aligns with your goals and interests.
September
Unit trailer coming soon
Unit trailer coming soon
January
May
Unit trailer coming soon
Completing your MA
You'll complete your course with your Capstone Project.
MA Photography and Digital Practice units
Your mandatory unit
You'll start with this unit, whichever teaching block you join.
Choose your next unit
Explore the units available in each teaching block and watch the trailers to help you choose the option that best aligns with your goals and interests.
September
Unit trailer coming soon
January
Unit trailer coming soon
May
Unit trailer coming soon
Completing your MA
You'll complete your course with Major Project 1: Research and Major Project 2: Practice.
MA Illustration Practices units
Your mandatory unit
You'll start with this unit, whichever teaching block you join.
Choose your next unit
Explore the units available in each teaching block and watch the trailers to help you choose the option that best aligns with your goals and interests.
September
Unit trailer coming soon
January
Unit trailer coming soon
May
Unit trailer coming soon
Completing your MA
You'll complete your course with Major Project 1 and Major Project 2.
MA Graphic Design units
Your mandatory unit
You'll start with this unit, whichever teaching block you join.
Unit trailer coming soon
Choose your next unit
Explore the units available in each teaching block and watch the trailers to help you choose the option that best aligns with your goals and interests.
September
January
May
Unit trailer coming soon
Completing your MA
You'll complete your course with Major Project: Investigate and Major Project: Amplify.
MA Fashion Business units
Your mandatory unit
You'll start with this unit, whichever teaching block you join.
Choose your next unit
Explore the units available in each teaching block and watch the trailers to help you choose the option that best aligns with your goals and interests.
September
Unit trailer coming soon
Unit trailer coming soon
January
Unit trailer coming soon
May
Completing your MA
You'll complete your course with your Capstone Project.
MA Creative Leadership units
Your mandatory unit
You'll start with this unit, whichever teaching block you join.
Unit trailer coming soon
Unit trailer coming soon
Choose your next unit
Explore the units available in each teaching block and watch the trailers to help you choose the option that best aligns with your goals and interests.
September
Unit trailer coming soon
January
Unit trailer coming soon
May
Unit trailer coming soon
Completing your MA
You'll complete your course with Creative Leadership in Action.
Taking study breaks
What to do if you need time away.
Schedule a study break if needed
If you're considering a study break, the first thing you should do is speak to the UAL Online Student Success Team. We'll advise you on your options, including any financial, academic or logistical implications associated with taking a break. We can also help you file the necessary paperwork to submit your break request to UAL for approval. After this conversation, you'll be ready to fill out the study break form.
There are 2 types of breaks available to you.
- Study breaks are ordinarily used when you want to take a break from a single teaching block. They can be used for a break of up to 2 consecutive teaching blocks.
- Time out is used when you want to take a full year out from your studies.
You should note that you cannot take breaks in the middle of a teaching block. Breaks must be scheduled in advance, ideally before the enrolment window for the next block opens, but at latest by the date the enrolment window closes. The deadlines associated with these dates are below. The ‘Final deadline’ date is the latest date by which you must have filed your request to take a break.
If you select and pay for your next unit during this enrolment window without filing for a break by the deadline, you'll be committed to study in the next teaching block.
Enrolment window
September 2026
- Window opens: 23 June 2026
- Final deadline: 7 July 2026
January 2027
- Window opens: 20 October 2026
- Final deadline: 3 November 2026
May 2027
- Window opens: 23 February 2027
- Final deadline: 9 March 2027
September 2027
- Window opens: 22 June 2027
- Final deadline: 6 July 2027
January 2028
- Window opens: 19 October 2027
- Final deadline: 2 November 2027
May 2028
- Window opens: 22 February 2028
- Final deadline: 7 March 2028
September 2028
- Window opens: 20 June 2028
- Final deadline: 4 July 2028
Understand changes to loan payments while on a break
If you take a study break and are in receipt of a UK Postgraduate Master’s Loan to pay for your studies, your funding will ordinarily be paused during your break period. You don’t need to do anything. We’ll get in touch with the loan provider to advise them you're taking a break, and they’ll put your loan on pause.
As soon as you indicate that you’re ready to return to study, we’ll update your loans provider so they can resume your payments. Please note that there may be a delay in restarting payments, so your next instalment may not be sent to you before the payment deadline for your next unit.
More to explore
-
Babett Kurschner working on a laptop, London College of Communication, UAL | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson,
Key dates and deadlines
Get information on key dates and deadlines for teaching blocks, assessments, and grade release.
-
Image courtesy of UAL,
Student Centre
Explore the services and support available to UAL Online students.
-
Photograph: Alys Tomlinson,
Library resources
Access online Library Services and support.