How to apply for art and design at the University of Derby: three-year Fine Art, Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration and Interior Design degrees, offers based on grades with a strong portfolio turning them unconditional, Gaokao 50% accepted, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

The University of Derby is in the city of Derby in the English Midlands. Its art and design courses are taught at the Britannia Mill, Markeaton Street and Chandos Pole Street sites. This guide covers September 2027 entry using Derby's own website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Courses

The Art and Design subject page lists five degrees, and the fashion and photography subjects each have their own. All are full-time three-year BA (Hons) degrees. UCAS course codes and typical 2027 offers are in brackets:

• Fine Art (W100): 112 UCAS points (A Level BBC), Britannia Mill
• Animation (W615): 104 points (BCC), Markeaton Street
• Graphic Design (W211): 112 points (BBC), Markeaton Street
• Illustration (W220): 96 points (CCC), Markeaton Street
• Interior Design (W250): 112 points (BBC), Britannia Mill
• Fashion Design (W221): 104 points (BCC), Chandos Pole Street
• Photography (W650): 104 points (BCC), Markeaton Street

• Placement year: each course page describes an optional placement year, which adds a year to the degree.
• Foundation year: Fine Art, Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration and Interior Design are also offered with a Foundation Year, which the course pages suggest if you don't reach the typical entry points.
• International students can also take the International Foundation Programme.

2. Portfolio and conversation

All seven courses list "Portfolio: Recommended" under additional entry requirements. The course pages explain:

• Offers are made initially on your application, including predicted or achieved grades. Your offer letter may give you the opportunity to submit a portfolio, and if it is strong Derby will make you an unconditional offer.

The Fine Art portfolio page gives the most detail (the other courses have their own portfolio pages, which this guide didn't check one by one):

• Size: Derby recommends 10–15 pieces, showing sketch work and development as well as finished pieces you're proud of, and any artists or designers who have inspired you.
• Submission: email myportfolio@derby.ac.uk; photograph any physical work.
• Timing: submit within four weeks of the request, keeping an eye on key deadline dates on the website.
• Conversation: the academic team may contact you for a 10–15-minute conversation about your portfolio.
• You don't need to have studied the subject before; submit whatever shows your potential.

3. Entry requirements

UK qualifications (September 2027): points as above, plus GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or equivalent.

English: all seven courses ask for IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each area. Equivalents on the English language tests page include:

• PTE Academic 59 with no less than 59 in each component
• TOEFL iBT 79 (minimum 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking); for tests from 21 January 2026, an overall 4 with at least 3.5 in Reading and 3 in Listening, Writing and Speaking
• The how-to-apply page says that if you studied in a country where English is the first language (such as the UK, USA, Canada or Australia) you may not need a formal English qualification; each application is looked at individually

Students from China: the international qualifications page (Mainland China) says:

• First-year entry: Gaokao 50%, or the Zhongzhuan vocational certificate at 60%
• Degree with foundation year: Gaokao 45%
• International Foundation Programme: Certificate of Senior High School with a pass in Maths
• Third-year entry: a 2.5–3-year Zhuanke or Gaozhi diploma at 70%

Students from Canada:

• First-year entry: High School Certificate or GED with at least 65% across five Grade 12 subjects, and 65% in subject-specific requirements. The BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma) is listed, with a note that the number at the end of a course title shows its grade (for example, English Studies 12).
• Degree with foundation year: Grade 11 with all modules passed at an average of at least 50%.
• For the Ontario OSSD, U, M and C courses are accepted.

4. How to apply and deadlines

• International students: Derby says the quickest way is to apply directly through its online portal from the course page; one of its overseas representatives can help.
• You can also apply through UCAS using institution code D39; international applicants already living in the UK are advised to use UCAS.
• The Derby pages read for this guide don't give the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry; check UCAS or ask the International Admissions Team.
• After accepting an offer you pay an £8,000 tuition deposit to secure your place, then the balance in two instalments.

5. Fees and scholarships

• International fee: £17,500 a year (2026/27) for all seven courses; UK students pay £9,790. Fees for 2027/28 haven't been published.
• Some courses have mandatory costs not included in the fee, for example an international trip of about £500 on Fine Art and about £50 a year for materials on Illustration; Interior Design lists international trips of about £350 a year as optional.
• Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: £2,000 for the first year only. Self-funding overseas fee-paying students on a full-time course get it automatically at enrolment once they meet their offer conditions; no application is needed. The page currently lists April 2026, September 2026 and January 2027 starts; September 2027 arrangements haven't been published.
• Full Payment Discount: £1,000 off if you pay the year's fee in full before enrolment; it can be combined with the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship.
• The European and South-East Asia scholarships are for specific nationalities and don't apply to students from China or Canada.

6. Transfers

• The how-to-apply page says applicants wanting to join in Year 2 or 3 who have their transcripts should apply directly.
• Course pages say anyone thinking of transferring in (into the second year, for example) should contact the programme leader first.
• Chinese Zhuanke or Gaozhi graduates with 70% can apply for third-year entry (see above); other conditions aren't published, so ask the International Admissions Team.

7. Checklist by background

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao 50% for Year 1 (45% with a foundation year); IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each band
• Have 10–15 pieces ready, including process work, to send within four weeks of an invitation
• Apply directly on Derby's website or through UCAS (code D39)

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• At least 65% across five Grade 12 courses
• If you studied in English in Canada you may not need an English test; Derby decides case by case

Transfer students:

• Apply directly with your transcripts, and check with the programme leader whether you can join Year 2 or 3

Sources: University of Derby, Art and Design undergraduate courses; BA Fine Art; Fine Art portfolio guidance; BA Animation; BA Graphic Design; BA Illustration; BA Interior Design; BA Fashion Design; BA Photography; International entry requirements; English language tests; How to apply; International fees; International scholarships. Entry requirements are for September 2027; fees are published only up to 2026/27. Check Derby for the latest details.