Creative Arts application processes

Applicants are selected on the basis of their UCAS application; also a portfolio submission and either an interview or design task in order to assess academic potential beyond that provided as part of the application.

Portfolio

Students are required to submit a portfolio of practical work. This provides an opportunity to show thinking through making, and the skills required to visualise and further realise ideas in the material world.

In recognition that students will be from different educational backgrounds and undertaking a variety of qualifications, it is expected that the portfolio will evidence the appropriate skills for students’ individual circumstances. For information relating to each course, please see the relevant tabs below.

The portfolio must demonstrate quality throughout a whole variety of work, from visual research, observational drawing, sketchbook and/or layout pad use, technical ability, and the presentation of finalised artefacts. Please note that you will be required to submit your portfolio digitally.

As a guide, work in the portfolio should evidence:

  • Initiation and development of substantive ideas through drawing and other forms of mark making;
  • Experimentation, exploration, evaluation and effectiveness through a wide range of materials and media;
  • Appropriate use of techniques and presentation skills at all stages of the creative process;
  • An ambitious, practical, inquiring and critical approach to work;
  • Not less than six substantial projects with associated development work.

Please note that Graphic Design applicants are not required to attend an interview. Instead, you will be requested to complete a short design task to assess your creative and academic potential. Details of the task will be sent to you via email along with the request for your portfolio.

Fine Art at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is a broad course that can include painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, new media (film, video, and IT) and soundbased practice, as appropriate. As a result we would like to see a portfolio that demonstrates that you can think independently, have an experimental approach to using materials and that the work is informed by contemporary and historical frameworks within art history and visual culture.

Your portfolio should include a diverse range of work including approximate 20 individual pieces plus sketch/drawing books. It is important that your portfolio has been edited to include the strongest pieces which highlight the key practice-based skills that you possess. Drawing will be very important, and we would hope to see a range of drawings that would be from observation and experimental. Using a range of processes, materials and techniques would also be appropriate as this allows us to gauge your ability to undertake independent study.

As a guide, work in the portfolio should evidence:

  • Approximately 20 pieces of work using a range of materials which reflects your own practice.
  • If appropriate to your practice, a selection of painting (exploring materials, processes, and techniques.)
  • Documentation of any sculpture work and installation.
  • Photography and its related processes where appropriate.
  • Video or audio work where appropriate.
  • Sketchbooks.

You are asked to restrict the amount of work you prepare to 1 x portfolio. Work should be presented using photographs with a clear indication of scale and materials used.

As a guide, work in the portfolio should evidence:

  • Evidence of visual research (to include sketchbooks of ideas, artist and designer reference, drawing and sketches which record inspiration, original photography and found images);
  • Development of ideas from initial concepts through to a conclusion (worksheets, storyboards, design development sketchbooks etc., experimentation with materials, colour inspiration);
  • Drawing (showing analytical and observational skills, this is often life drawing or drawing from sets or still life);
  • Finished work (samples, garments, products, costumes or installations);
  • Any other 3D, graphics, or Fine Art work which may be interesting (we do not expect to see only Textiles work in the portfolio).

Please note that Textile Design applicants are not required to attend an interview. Instead, you will be requested to complete a short design task to assess your creative and academic potential. Details of the task will be sent to you via email along with the request for your portfolio.

Your portfolio should showcase a diverse range of work, including approximately 20 pages of research, design, and making. It must be edited to have the most vital pieces that highlight the key practice-based skills you possess. Sketches in the form of fashion illustrations showing your exploration of designing for the body will also be a significant bonus.

  • Evidence of your knowledge and interest in fashion and apparel, including images of sketchbook ideas, artist, and designer references.
  • Development of ideas from initial concepts through to designs, fashion illustrations, and prototyping.
  • Worksheets, storyboards, design development sketchbooks, experimentation with materials, and colour inspiration.
  • Finished work including garments, products, costumes, or installations and possible styled photoshoots.
  • Other work could include any 3D, graphics, or fine artwork that may be interesting – we do not expect to see only fashion work in the portfolio.

Please note that Fashion Design and Technology applicants are not required to attend an interview. Instead, you will be requested to complete a short design task to assess your creative and academic potential. Details of the task will be sent to you via email along with the request for your portfolio.

Creative Arts portfolio guidance Read more advice and tips for producing a quality portfolio.

Interview (applies to Fine Art only )

Our interviews will run from December each year. If you have applied to study Fine Art and your application is shortlisted, you will receive an invitation to an interview session by email, which will give you the opportunity to choose a date to attend. Please note that all our interviews are currently being conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Once you have submitted your application, providing your personal statement is strong and you meet (or are predicted to meet) the entry criteria, you will receive an invitation to select a date to attend an interview.

The interviewer will want to ask you questions about your portfolio, about why you want to study the course and to find out more about you and your interests. The interview isn’t a test – it’s a chance for us to find out more about you, and for you to ask any questions you have about studying the course.

Interviews are usually around 20 minutes long and a member of staff will look through your portfolio with you. We will ask you questions about yourself, your work, your cultural life, your interests and your extra-curricular activities (we seek people who are actively engaged in the world around them.) We will give you the opportunity

to ask us questions, too – whether that's about us, the course you have applied to study, or the University. 

We will interview all students who meet or are predicted to meet the University entry criteria - for details of the entry criteria specific to each course, please see the relevant course page in our online prospectus. If the first stage of your application is successful, you will be sent a link via email requesting you to select an interview date, and providing further information.

 

Format guidelines

  • The portfolio file name should include both your full name and UCAS ID;
  • Please make sure your full name and UCAS ID are also included on at least the first page of your portfolio;
  • You may wish to use PowerPoint, as this will allow you to compress your images (recommended image size: max 150ppi resolution) and then save the whole file as a PDF;
  • Files should be a suitable size for email (no more than 20MB);
  • It is recommended that files are submitted in PDF or PPT format.

Graphic Design, Textile Design and Fashion Design and Technology applicants are not required to attend an interview, however, will be required to complete a design task, you will receive more information on this if your application is shortlisted:

Electronic submission

If your application is shortlisted, you will be sent information about how and where to submit your portfolio via email.