Meet UAL's Pre-degree International Scholarship recipients

Meet Yashvi Harlaka and Sixu Xie, pre-degree students from India and China who received UAL’s Foundation and Pre-degree £7000 International Scholarship. We caught up with them about their first year at UAL, their future plans and what the scholarship has meant to them.

What’s the best thing about studying pre-degree at UAL?

Yashvi: Even in just a few months, I’ve noticed a shift in how I think and create. At UAL, we’re really encouraged to focus on finding our individuality, exploring ideas that matter to us, and embracing our personal creative process. I’ve started understanding my own visual language and developing my personal style.

What I love most is being surrounded by such a diverse, open-minded, and creative community—it constantly inspires me. I also appreciate the access to incredible resources across different campuses, from libraries to workshops. Being a UAL student also opens doors in the industry because of the reputation and connections, but even more than that, it’s the environment of creativity and support that makes it so special.

Sixu: UAL’s foundation courses are comprehensive and offer invaluable support in helping me discover the field I am truly passionate about and suited for. The teachers provide practical guidance to enhance our creative work. Studying a foundation course not only helps me adapt to life in the UK but also prepares me for the academic environment, laying a strong foundation for successful undergraduate study.

What does this scholarship mean to you?

Sixu: This scholarship is not only a significant recognition of my past work but also a powerful motivation and support for my future creative journey. Over the past year, I have used this scholarship to complete 2 projects for my undergraduate application: "Flowers and Feminism" and "Nuclear Wastewater Pollution.”

Yashvi: This scholarship means a lot to me—not just financially, but emotionally too. Studying at UAL has always been a dream, but coming from a modest background, it felt really difficult to make that dream happen. Especially as an international student doing a foundation course, the fees are high—and this scholarship genuinely helped ease that pressure.

It makes a real difference. It allowed me to be here and focus on my learning without constantly worrying about the financial burden on my parents.

But more than anything, this scholarship made me feel seen. It felt like the university believed in my story, saw potential in me, and chose to invest in it. That means so much. It gives me this push to prove that I am worth it—to grow, do well, and become someone who adds value to the community. This scholarship reminded me that I earned my place here.

What’s next for you?

Yashvi: My dream is to work in a role like a creative director or art director—something where I can bring a big vision to life and communicate it through the many forms of fashion communication. I’ve always been drawn to visual storytelling and creative narratives, and I want to use imagery, media, and different tools to share messages that are meaningful, emotional, and purposeful.

Next year, I’m going to be studying BA Creative Direction for Fashion at London College of Fashion. I love the idea of creating work that not only looks beautiful, but also says something—whether it’s personal, reflective, or socially relevant. I want to keep having fun with the process, stay curious, and keep learning and exploring new ways to express ideas. More than anything, I want to grow into a creative who can lead with vision, emotion, and intention.

Sixu: I am truly grateful and thrilled to have received an offer from BA Photography at London College of Communication. My dream career is to become an influential photographer, shooting editorials for magazines and having my work seen everywhere. Alternatively, I aspire to be an art educator because I’ve noticed that art education isn’t given enough attention in my country. I want to use my efforts to promote aesthetic appreciation and inspire more people to value and love art.

We enjoyed checking in on Yashvi and Sixu Xie during their creative journey at UAL. From Level 3 International Introduction to the Study of Design, Media and Screen to Level 3 International: Introduction to the Study of Fashion, UAL has a wide range of Foundation and Pre-degree courses for students to develop their creative practice and prepare for undergraduate study.

The UAL Foundation and Pre-degree £7000 Scholarship is a multi-year scholarship that provides a £7,000 tuition fee waiver for the full duration of Pre-degree and Undergraduate study. Up to 16 scholarships are available for overseas offer holders– learn more about the eligibility criteria and apply. Explore more about student fees and finance.