How to apply for art and design at the University of Suffolk: three-year Fine Art, Graphic Design, Graphic Illustration and Photography and Visual Media degrees in Ipswich, all with a portfolio and an interview for Fine Art, Gaokao 75% or five Grade 12 Bs in BC, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

The University of Suffolk's main campus is in Ipswich in the east of England. Its art and design courses sit in the School of Business, Arts, Social Sciences and Technology. This guide covers September 2027 entry using Suffolk's own website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Courses

Four art and design degrees are taught in Ipswich for September 2027. All are BA (Hons), three years full-time (part-time is also possible), with a typical offer of 112 UCAS points (A-Level BBC, BTEC DMM, T Level Merit):

• Fine Art (UCAS code W100): Year 1 covers painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation, lens-based media and life drawing, and Years 2 and 3 focus on your own area; teaching is on campus three days a week, with independent studio access outside those hours
• Graphic Design (W212): the course page lists a professional placement option and an optional extra placement year or study abroad year
• Graphic Design (Graphic Illustration) (W293)
• Photography and Visual Media (W601)

There is also a BA Visual Art (W102) taught at partner college East Coast College in Lowestoft, but its course page says it is not open to students who need a Student visa, so international students cannot apply.

Suffolk's UCAS institution code is S82.

2. Portfolio and interview

• All four course pages say applicants need to submit a portfolio.
• The portfolio reviews page says you will get an email after applying. Depending on the course, you will either be invited to an on-campus Portfolio Review or asked to send an electronic portfolio; if you cannot attend a review, you can send an electronic one instead.
• Fine Art: the portfolio and interview are both essential parts of the application. Staff first look at your portfolio without you, so selection and order matter. The interview is informal; you will talk about selected works, the artists and exhibitions that influence you, and your plans. Include finished work, sketchbooks that show how you develop ideas, and contemporary artists who interest you; show recent work rather than everything. The course page says both digital and physical portfolios are accepted.
• Graphic Design and Graphic Illustration: show applied design, typography and digital skills, idea-led work that communicates a message, drawing in a range of media, and one project from start to finish. Suffolk says there is no fixed checklist and you should still apply if you lack some of these.
• Photography and Visual Media: the portfolio is your chance to shine at interview; include groups or projects, work in other media such as drawing, a sketch or ideas book, and written work if possible.
• Electronic portfolio format (unless your course says otherwise): a landscape PowerPoint or multipage PDF with a title slide showing your name, ideally under 10MB, or a link to a portfolio website (for example Wix or Behance) that can be viewed without logging in, or with a password you provide.
• Suffolk does not give a number of pieces; it asks you to be selective and put your strongest work first.

3. Entry requirements

• English: IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component if English is not your first language. The course pages also ask all applicants for GCSE English and Maths at C/4 or equivalent, with case-by-case consideration for those without them.
• Students from China (China page): any one of the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) at 75% overall, an International Foundation Programme, the IB Diploma with 28 points, or A-Levels (see course pages).
• Students from Canada (Canada page): British Columbia, five Bs in five Grade 12 subjects; Ontario, 65% in six Grade 12 U or M courses; Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and other listed provinces, at least 65% in five Grade 12 courses; Manitoba, 65% in five 300-level subjects; Quebec, a DEC with a 65% overall average.
• Mature applicants (21 or over) are assessed with their life and work experience in mind.

4. How to apply and deadlines

• Apply through UCAS (institution code S82; the 2027 UCAS fee is £34.50 for up to five choices). International applicants can also use Suffolk's Direct Application Form, or apply through an in-country agent.
• The application page asks you to aim for the UCAS equal consideration deadline each January; later applications are still considered if places remain. The pages we read do not give the exact 2027 date, so check UCAS.
• Once you meet your offer conditions you pay a CAS deposit, normally £5,000, which is deducted from your tuition fees. Do not pay before Suffolk sends payment instructions.

5. Fees and scholarships

• The four course pages give the 2027/28 international full-time fee as £16,500 a year (£10,050 for UK students). The international fees page lists a 2026-2027 undergraduate range of £15,900–£18,870.
• International Merit Scholarship: the published version is for 2026/27. International students who meet or exceed the entry requirements receive £1,000–£3,000, in every year of an undergraduate course (excluding placement or study abroad years). It is automatic, notified by email with your offer, and given as a fee discount. Suffolk has not yet published the 2027/28 scheme.
• International students can ask to pay annual fees in two instalments.

6. Transfers

• The course pages say that if you have studied at higher education level before, you may be able to transfer credit to a related Suffolk course and shorten your degree (Recognition of Prior Learning).
• Suffolk does not publish which year you can join or how much credit is needed; ask the university about your case.

7. Checklist by background

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao 75%, or a completed International Foundation Programme; IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each band
• Prepare an electronic portfolio (PowerPoint or PDF under 10MB, or a website); Fine Art applicants should also prepare for the interview
• Apply through UCAS or the Direct Application Form, ideally before the January UCAS equal consideration deadline

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

• BC students need five Bs in Grade 12 subjects
• If you cannot attend a Portfolio Review in Ipswich, send an electronic portfolio instead

Transfer students:

• Send your transcripts and ask how much credit Suffolk will recognise and which year you can join

Sources: University of Suffolk, BA Fine Art; BA Graphic Design; BA Graphic Design (Graphic Illustration); BA Photography and Visual Media; BA Visual Art; Arts portfolio reviews; China; Canada; International fees and scholarships; Undergraduate application pathway. Courses and fees are for 2027/28; scholarships are published only for 2026/27. Check Suffolk for the latest details.