Established in the year 1883, Arts University Bournemouth (abbreviated as AUB) is a highly-ranked public institution of higher education in the coastal town of Poole, United Kingdom. The origin of the institution dates back to the first art school of Bournemouth founded in 1880. The school closed down in 1890 due to decreased student enrolment, which led to the transfer of remaining students to Bournemouth West School of Science and Art for completing their degrees. In 1979, it became the Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design after a merger between two arts and science schools. It evolved into the Arts Institute at Bournemouth in 1998, followed by another name change in 2009 when it became the Arts University College at Bournemouth. On 13 December 2012, the Privy Council granted it the full university status under its current name.