This article reports on a survey of the expectations and experiences of first-year students who were enrolled in 2010 on programmes in Art & Design in the United Kingdom. The survey covered 20 institutions and received 778 usable responses. The results indicate considerable variation in both expectations and experiences, and provide a basis for assisting institutions in the UK to enhance their curricular provision at a time when they are faced with radical changes to their funding and to that of their potential students. The approach adopted in this study has a potential value that extends well beyond the boundaries of Art & Design in the United Kingdom.