Colleges unite to establish Britain's first university of creative arts

Britain could soon have its first university of the creative arts if the London Institute, a federation of five of the best-known art and design colleges, succeeds in its plan to become a university in its own right next year.

The colleges that make up the institute have been acclaimed for achieving some of the highest grades in Britain from the Higher Education and Funding Council, which assesses university research standards, for the quality of their art and design studies.

Sir Michael Bichard, rector of the institute and a former permanent secretary at the Department for Education and Employment, believes the move will enhance the status of design and fashion degree courses and, he hopes, establish the institute as the foremost university for creative arts in the world. "I think this is a major step which will make us unique," he said. "These are exciting times, made all the more so by the growing realisation that the arts, design and communications are central to economic prosperity as well as our cultural identity."

The institute's colleges are: the London College of Fashion, the London College of Printing, Camberwell College of Arts, St Martin's College of Art and Design, and Chelsea College of Art and Design.

At present, the institute is housed in 20 different sites around the capital, but is embarking on a development plan worth at least £20mover the next 10 years to concentrate on new sites.

The governors' plea will be submitted to the Quality Assurance Agency by next spring. The QAA, which advises on university status, will recommend to the Privy Council whether it can proceed.

The Institute is currently able to award university degrees, even though it is not a university in its own right.

The QAA said last night that it could take up to a year to decide on the application.

The institute's alumni include Stella McCartney, Anish Kapoor and Alexander McQueen. The institute was formed from a merger of colleges in 1986.