How to apply for art and design at the University of Sunderland: five three-year degrees in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration and Design, Animation and Games Art and Photography, a 10–20-piece portfolio for all of them, an integrated foundation year option, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

The University of Sunderland is in the city of Sunderland in north-east England. This guide covers September 2027 entry using Sunderland's own website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Courses

Five art and design degrees are taught on the Sunderland campus for September 2027, all full-time three-year BA (Hons) degrees. UCAS course codes are in brackets:

• Fine Art (W100)
• Graphic Design (W214)
• Illustration and Design (W215)
• Animation and Games Art (W221): the subject page says it is based in the David Puttnam Media Centre
• Photography, Video and Digital Imaging (W651): the subject page says students use the Northern Centre of Photography

• All five can be started with an Integrated Foundation Year, and part-time study is also listed.
• The Graphic Design and Illustration and Design pages say you can apply for an optional placement year in industry between your second and final years (a sandwich degree).
• Advertising and Design and Fashion Product and Promotion are offered only through overseas Study Centres, not on the Sunderland campus.
• When this guide was written, all five course pages said "Applications opening soon".

2. Portfolio

All five courses ask for a portfolio. The course pages and the applicant interviews page say:

• Size: quality over quantity; aim for 10–20 pieces.
• Format: a PowerPoint presentation, a ZIP file, or links to websites or videos.
• Content: show a range of styles and techniques; work from inside or outside your studies; ideas that didn't work; research such as design sheets or sketchbooks and things that inspire you; photographs of 3D or large 2D work; and work in progress.
• If you apply for more than one course, make sure the portfolio is relevant to each.
• Submission: Sunderland emails you the details (check your junk folder); you then log into myApplication and upload the portfolio in the checklist section.
• For further guidance, email admissions@sunderland.ac.uk.
• The agents' admissions page says decisions on applications that need a portfolio assessment or interview are normally made within five working days.

3. Entry requirements

UK qualifications: the typical offer is 96–112 UCAS Tariff points from Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, Access to HE or the IB, plus GCSE Maths and English at C or 4. Eligible applicants may get a reduced offer of up to 16 points.

International qualifications: the agents' admissions page says an undergraduate degree normally needs the equivalent of at least two A Level passes, and each application is assessed individually. Each course page shows country-specific requirements only after you choose a country, and they didn't display on the pages read for this guide. So the specific requirements for students from China (including the Gaokao) and Canada aren't published here; choose your country under "International Requirements" on the course page or ask the International Office.

English: the course pages link to the English language requirements page, which doesn't give the IELTS score for these courses, so the score isn't published there; check the course page. The English page says:

• IELTS is valid for two years before the course start; a secondary or high school English qualification is valid for five years.
• A "taught in English" letter may be accepted for some regions; email immigrationcompliance@sunderland.ac.uk first.

4. How to apply and deadlines

• Direct: click "Apply now" on the course page.
• UCAS: institution code S84.
• You can also apply through Sunderland's overseas offices or in-country representatives.
• UCAS key dates for 2027 (how to apply page): 13 January 2027 is the equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses; UCAS Extra opens on 25 February and closes on 1 July; Clearing opens on 2 July.
• After applying you get a reference number and a myApplication login. Offers are usually conditional and normally need to be accepted within 30 days.
• Non-EU applicants pay a £3,500 deposit (non-refundable unless a visa is refused) before a CAS is issued; the balance is paid in five instalments.
• International students who don't meet direct-entry requirements can take the International Foundation Programme.

5. Fees and scholarships

• International fee: £18,500 a year (shown for September 2027 entry on the course pages); UK students pay £10,050 in the first year of 2027/28.
• The scholarships pages read for this guide only cover items such as travel bursaries for UK applicants, so international undergraduate scholarships aren't published there; ask the International Office at international.office@sunderland.ac.uk.

6. Transfers

• Course pages say students with an HND or Foundation Degree may be able to enter the final year; email admissions@sunderland.ac.uk.
• The agents' admissions page says qualifications equivalent to one or two years of a UK honours degree may allow entry to Year 2 or 3. Decisions on these applications are normally made within five working days.

7. Checklist by background

Students at high schools in China:

• Choose "China" on the course page to see Gaokao and English requirements, or ask the International Office
• Prepare 10–20 pieces as a PowerPoint, ZIP file or links
• Submit through UCAS (S84) by 13 January 2027, or apply directly on Sunderland's website

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

• Choose "Canada" on the course page to see the grades needed; whether high school English can meet the English requirement depends on the course page and the International Office
• Prepare the same portfolio and upload it to myApplication when emailed

Transfer students:

• With an HND, Foundation Degree or one or two years of university study, ask admissions whether you can join Year 2, Year 3 or the final year

Sources: University of Sunderland, Art and Design subject page; BA Fine Art; BA Graphic Design; BA Illustration and Design; BA Animation and Games Art; BA Photography, Video and Digital Imaging; Applicant interviews and portfolios; How to apply as an international student; English language requirements; How to apply and UCAS key dates; International admissions and entry requirements; Scholarships and bursaries. Details are for September 2027 entry. Check Sunderland for the latest information.