Chelsea College of Arts Degree Show 2026: dates, venue, and what to expect
Chelsea College of Arts is the UAL college closest to Tate Britain, two minutes' walk along the Thames. Its 2026 Degree Show is split into three runs across June and July: the BA undergraduate show first, then MA Textile Design, then the postgraduate fine art show. Each is free, each opens with a public Eventbrite-RSVP private view, and all happen at the John Islip Street campus in Pimlico.
At a glance
- Undergraduate show (incl. BA Fine Art): 11 to 19 June 2026
- MA Textile Design: 29 June to 4 July 2026
- Postgraduate show (incl. MA Fine Art and MA Curating and Collections): 6 to 11 July 2026
- Venue: Chelsea College of Arts, 16 John Islip Street, London SW1P 4JU
- Admission: Free, Eventbrite RSVP for private views and entry
- Closest stations: Pimlico (Victoria line), Vauxhall (Victoria, rail)
Confirmation status: Dates and private view times confirmed by UAL on the Chelsea College of Arts page. Final opening hours for 2026 are still pending; we will update when the school publishes them.
When are the Chelsea Degree Shows 2026?
Chelsea splits its 2026 show calendar into three blocks.
- BA Undergraduate and Graduate Diploma Show: 11 to 19 June 2026. This is the headline run for BA Fine Art. Private view Thursday 11 June 2026, 6pm to 9pm.
- MA Textile Design Show: 29 June to 4 July 2026. Private view Monday 29 June, 6pm to 9pm.
- Postgraduate Show (MA Fine Art and MA Curating): 6 to 11 July 2026. Private view Monday 6 July, 6pm to 9pm.
Daily opening hours for 2026 are not yet published on the Chelsea page. Based on UAL's standard pattern, expect daily opening from around 12pm to 8pm with last entry 30 minutes before close.
Where to find it
Chelsea College of Arts is at 16 John Islip Street, London SW1P 4JU. The college sits opposite Tate Britain, with views of the Millbank towers across the river. The site is a single, compact campus and the show typically uses the gallery, the Triangle space, and the studios across multiple floors.
Getting there:
- Tube: Pimlico (Victoria line) is two minutes walk. Vauxhall (Victoria line, mainline rail) is eight minutes across the bridge.
- Bus: 87, 88, C10, 360 stop on Millbank or Vauxhall Bridge Road.
- Walk: From Westminster, walk south along Millbank, 12 minutes. From Tate Britain, two minutes.
Private view and opening night
Each of the three runs opens with a public Eventbrite-RSVP private view the evening before public hours start. RSVP is free. Tickets typically go live two to three weeks before each opening. Watch the Chelsea Degree Show microsite and @chelseaual for booking links.
- Undergraduate PV: Thursday 11 June 2026, 6pm to 9pm.
- MA Textile PV: Monday 29 June 2026, 6pm to 9pm.
- Postgraduate PV: Monday 6 July 2026, 6pm to 9pm.
Chelsea's private views feel different because of the location. Expect a mix of UAL alumni, Tate-adjacent visitors, and the wider London fine art community. The garden and the courtyard are usually busy.
Who is showing
The three runs cover, between them:
- Undergraduate: BA Fine Art (Painting, Sculpture, Photography, and other specialisms), BA Graphic Design, BA Interior and Spatial Design, BA Textile Design, plus Graduate Diploma students.
- MA Textile Design: the dedicated MA cohort.
- Postgraduate: MA Fine Art, MA Curating and Collections, MA Graphic Design Communication, MA Interior and Spatial Design, MA Textile Design (postgraduate).
Cohort sizes are not published for 2026. Historically, Chelsea BA Fine Art has graduated around 150 to 200 students per year, with MA Fine Art at around 60.
What makes Chelsea distinctive
Chelsea has a long history as a painting school, and the courtyard collection of British sculpture is part of its public face. The campus sits between Westminster, Tate Britain, and Pimlico's residential streets, which gives the show a different audience profile than New Cross or King's Cross. Buyers tend to be older, more institutionally connected, and used to the rhythms of Tate.
If you are doing a London grad-show day, Chelsea pairs naturally with Tate Britain (across the road) and Tate Modern (a 15-minute walk along Millbank).
Tips for visiting
- Pair with Tate Britain. It is two minutes away. Half a day will not be wasted.
- Eventbrite RSVP early. Tickets for the private views go quickly.
- Pimlico has limited cafes. The Tate Britain cafe is your most reliable lunch option.
- The site is compact. Allow 90 minutes to two hours to see the full BA show, less for the MA strands.
- Cycle along Millbank. Beautiful river ride from Westminster.
Are you a graduating artist showing at Chelsea?
If you are showing at Chelsea Degree Show 2026 and want every visitor to be able to see prices, reserve, or buy without an awkward DM, build your Etch page. Free during the show and for thirty days after, mobile-first, with printable QR labels for your spot in the gallery.
For pricing your work, see how to price your degree-show artwork. For the full grad-show calendar, see the UK Art Degree Shows 2026 calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Chelsea Degree Show 2026? The Undergraduate Show runs 11 to 19 June. MA Textile Design runs 29 June to 4 July. The Postgraduate Show (MA Fine Art) runs 6 to 11 July 2026.
Is the Chelsea Degree Show free? Yes. Admission is free. Private views require a free Eventbrite RSVP.
Where is Chelsea College of Arts? At 16 John Islip Street, London SW1P 4JU, opposite Tate Britain in Pimlico.
What time does the show open? Daily hours for 2026 are not yet published. Based on UAL's pattern, expect daily opening around 12pm to 8pm.
Can I buy work at the Chelsea Degree Show? Yes. Most graduating artists list work for sale, with payment arranged directly between buyer and artist.
How do I get a private view ticket? Free Eventbrite RSVP via the Chelsea Degree Show microsite and the Chelsea College of Arts page. Tickets typically go live two to three weeks before each opening.
Sources
Last updated 2 May 2026. Compiled by Etch from official UAL Chelsea listings. If you spot something out of date, email hello@etchapp.art and we will correct it within 24 hours.