How to apply for art and design at the University of Cumbria: Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration and Photography in Carlisle with offers subject to interview and portfolio, Games Design and Animation & VFX also open to international students, integrated foundation years, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

The University of Cumbria teaches art and design at its Brampton Road campus in Carlisle, in the north-west of England, within the Institute of Education, Arts and Society. This guide uses Cumbria's own website and is for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Courses

Of the degrees listed by the Art and Design department, six course pages say they recruit EU, EEA and international students. All are BA (Hons), three years full-time, starting in September at Brampton Road (UCAS code and typical offer in brackets):

• Fine Art (W100): 104–112 UCAS points, A-Level BCC–BBC
• Graphic Design (W210): 96–112 points, CCC–BBC
• Illustration (W220): 104–112 points, BCC–BBC
• Photography (W641): 104–112 points, BCC–BBC
• Games Design (W282): 104–112 points, BCC–BBC
• Animation & Visual Effects (W286): 104–120 points, BCC–BBB

Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography and Games Design also have four-year versions with an Integrated Foundation Year (the Fine Art course page says this version is for students who do not yet meet Year 1 requirements). The UX/UI Design course page (W290) lists UK students only, so it is not open to international applicants.

2. Portfolio and interview

• Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration and Photography: each course page says all places are offered subject to successful interview and portfolio.
• Fine Art: present a cohesive portfolio with a broad range of work, and be ready to explain at interview why you chose Fine Art and what you would bring to it.
• Graphic Design and Illustration: show creativity, drawing, idea development, design and technical skills; expressive and experimental work is welcome. Cumbria says there is no single ideal portfolio and it is more interested in meeting you at interview.
• Photography: show your photography, creativity, art work and idea development; at interview, talk about what inspires and interests you.
• Games Design and Animation & Visual Effects: the selection criteria only ask for a personal statement explaining your motivation and experience, with no mention of a portfolio or interview; check with Cumbria.
• No course page gives the number of pieces, format or submission method; Cumbria has not published these.

3. Entry requirements

• English: undergraduate degrees generally need IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each area; TOEFL iBT 4 overall with 4 in each section, Oxford ELLT 6 (5 in each) and others are accepted, and Cumbria runs its own online Password English test. The English language page says Canadian nationals do not need to prove their English, and the Canada page also says "No SELT Required".
• Students from China (China page, Year 1 entry), any one of: a Senior High School Graduation Certificate with an overall average of at least 75%; completion of Year 1 of a Zhuanke/Dazhuan diploma or a Benke degree with grade C or above; a Zhongzhuan certificate with 75%; a recognised International Foundation course. In exceptional cases Year 12 students with outstanding grades (for example over 75% or over 400 in the Gaokao) can be considered if they meet subject requirements. The GCSE Maths grade C equivalent is over 80% in Year 11 or 12.
• Students from China, Integrated Foundation Year: Year 12 passed with over 60%; exceptionally, Year 11 or the Huikao with marks over 70.
• Students from Canada (Canada page): British Columbia, 60% or more in five Grade 12 subjects (preferably five Cs); Ontario, 60% or more in six 4U or 4M courses; Alberta, at least 50% in five Grade 12 subjects; Saskatchewan, 65% or more in five; Quebec, the DEC. The maths requirement is Grade 10 Maths at 50% or more. For the Integrated Foundation Year, a BC Dogwood Diploma with a 50% average across five Grade 12 subjects.
• Mature applicants over 21 with at least three years of relevant employment who do not meet Year 1 requirements will still be reviewed.

4. How to apply and deadlines

• The course pages say international students can apply through UCAS or through one of Cumbria's international agents. The international how-to-apply page says international undergraduates can apply directly through the website. Cumbria lists all three routes.
• Steps: choose a course, check entry requirements by course and country, apply online, receive a conditional or unconditional offer, meet the conditions and pay your deposit, receive your CAS, then apply for your visa and accommodation.
• The pages we read do not give a 2027 application deadline; check UCAS or ask the international admissions team at international.admissions@cumbria.ac.uk.

5. Fees and scholarships

• International fees for bachelor's degrees (including those with an Integrated Foundation Year): £14,900 a year in 2025/26 and £16,000 in 2026/27; a placement year is £3,200 in 2026/27. Cumbria has not yet published 2027/28 fees. After paying your deposit you can ask to pay the rest in five instalments.
• Cumbria International UG Scholarship (2026/27 version): up to £4,500 (£1,500 a year), applied automatically, limited to specific programmes at Ambleside, Carlisle and Lancaster, for self-funding students with overseas fee status who meet conditions and pay the deposit by the set date. The eligible programmes are listed in the terms and conditions, which we did not check course by course.
• Cumbria Global Excellence UG Merit Scholarship (2026/27 version): £2,500 a year, up to £7,500, for up to 10 students, awarded competitively on academic results, English and a personal statement; applications for 2026 have closed.
• The scholarships cannot be combined, and Cumbria has not yet published the 2027/28 scholarships.

6. Transfers

• The China page accepts completion of Year 1 of a Zhuanke/Dazhuan diploma with grade C or above for undergraduate entry; whether that allows entry to Year 2 is not published.
• The pages we read do not say how students from other universities can join Year 2 or 3; ask the international admissions team.

7. Checklist by background

Students at high schools in China:

• High school average of 75% or more and maths over 80%; IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each area
• For Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration or Photography, prepare a portfolio and an interview
• If you do not meet Year 1 requirements, look at the Integrated Foundation Year versions (Year 12 average of 60%)

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

• BC students need 60% or more in five Grade 12 courses and Grade 10 Maths at 50%
• Canadian nationals do not need a separate English test

Transfer students:

• Send your transcripts to the international admissions team and ask about joining a later year and credit

Sources: University of Cumbria, Art and Design; BA Fine Art; BA Graphic Design; BA Illustration; BA Photography; BA Games Design; BA Animation & Visual Effects; BA UX/UI Design; China; Canada; English language requirements; International fees; International scholarships; How to apply. Fees and scholarships are published only up to 2026/27. Check Cumbria for the latest details.