How to apply for art and design at York St John University: nine three-year degrees in Fine Art, Illustration, Photography, Animation, Games, Graphic, Interior, Product and User Experience Design at 104 UCAS points, with a portfolio day after a successful application, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

York St John University is in the city of York in northern England. Its art and design degrees are taught at the York campus by the School of the Arts. This guide covers September 2027 entry using the university's own website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Which courses you can apply for

The course listing groups the art and design degrees under three subjects. All are full-time, three-year BA (Hons) degrees starting September 2027 or September 2028 (UCAS codes in brackets):

• Fine Art, Illustration and Photography: Fine Art (WWC2), Illustration (W2W3) and Photography (W64W). These three can also be studied part-time over six years, but international students on a Student Visa must study full-time.
• Animation: Animation (WW65).
• Design: Games Design (620I), Graphic Design (W210), Interior Design (W250), Product Design (W200) and User Experience Design (W220).

The Fine Art page says every student has their own studio space, with workshops for sculpture and printmaking and a darkroom; you exhibit work during the course and take part in the degree show.

2. Portfolio day and interview

• Fine Art, Illustration and Photography: if your application is successful you are invited to a portfolio day, where you show your work to tutors and discuss the ideas behind it. Your portfolio can include finished projects, sketchbooks, digital work, paintings, photographs, drawings, 3D work, storyboards, short films or animations.
• Animation, Games, Graphic, Interior and Product Design: successful applicants are likewise invited to a portfolio day to show their work to tutors and share their passion for the subject.
• User Experience Design: the course page says you must also attend an interview and present a creative portfolio.
• The number of pieces, format, and how international applicants take part in the portfolio day (for example online) are not published; ask international admissions at york.intl@yorksj.ac.uk.

3. Entry requirements

Typical offer: 104 UCAS points for all nine courses, plus three GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including English Language. International students need equivalent qualifications, shown on the country and region page.

Students from China (country and region page):

• Gaokao: the undergraduate row says to contact york.intl@yorksj.ac.uk; no score is given (not published).
• If your highest qualification is the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate, you need to complete an international foundation year first; the foundation row asks for an 85% average on that certificate.
• The undergraduate row also lists graduation certificates from a specialised college (Zhongzhuan) or vocational secondary school (Zhongzhi / Zhigao) at 60% or above.

Students from Canada (same page):

• British Columbia: Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood) or Adult Graduation Diploma at 72% or above.
• Most other provincial diplomas, including Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario (OSSD) and Saskatchewan: 70% or above; Quebec DEC: 70%; New Brunswick and Newfoundland: 70% or B-; Nova Scotia: 70% or B; Northwest Territories: 65%.

English: course pages ask for IELTS 6.0 with no skill below 5.5, or equivalent. The English language page (stated as accurate for September 2026) also lists PTE 59 (59 in each part), TOEFL iBT 75 (Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 20) and Duolingo 105 (Reading 100, other parts 95). A bachelor's or master's degree from a majority English-speaking country is accepted; the page does not say whether finishing high school in English in Canada is (not published).

4. How and when to apply

• UCAS: institution code Y75 (YSJ). The pages we read do not give the 2027-entry UCAS deadline; check UCAS.
• Direct application for international students: international students can apply directly. For September 2027: direct applications close 9 July 2027, the deposit is due by 23 July, CAS applications by 2 August, Welcome Week starts 20 September and teaching starts 27 September. Courses may close earlier if they fill, so apply early.
• The website also lists February 2027 intake dates, but these nine course pages only give September starts.

5. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition: all nine course pages give the 2027-entry international fee as £12,300 a year full-time; UK students pay £10,050 a year (subject to government approval). The pages say fees are reviewed each year and may rise with inflation.
• International undergraduate scholarship: undergraduates at the York campus paying international fees (UK nationals excluded) get £1,000 in the first year, open to all nationalities; one-year top-up courses are excluded. The page does not say whether it is automatic; ask the international team.

6. Transfer students

• York St John says you can join any undergraduate course in Year 2 or Year 3 by transferring credits, except some externally accredited courses (art and design courses are not on that list).
• Year 2 needs 120 credits at Year 1 level, and Year 3 another 120 credits at Year 2 level, in subjects relevant to the new course.
• Apply through UCAS (code Y75, choosing Year 2 or 3 as the point of entry) or directly with the Transfer Application Form, with an official transcript or a list of modules and marks.

7. Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• With only a high school graduation certificate, the website says you need an international foundation year first; email york.intl@yorksj.ac.uk to ask whether the Gaokao can lead to Year 1
• Prepare a portfolio for the portfolio day after a successful application; User Experience Design also has an interview
• Apply through UCAS or directly (direct applications for September close 9 July 2027)

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

• BC Certificate of Graduation at 72% or above; IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each skill), and ask whether you are exempt
• Prepare a portfolio for the portfolio day

Transfer students:

• 120 credits can lead to Year 2 and 240 to Year 3, in relevant subjects

Sources: York St John University, BA Fine Art; BA Illustration; BA Photography; BA Animation; BA Games Design; BA Graphic Design; BA Interior Design; BA Product Design; BA User Experience Design; Entry requirements for your country or region; English language requirements; Apply direct; Funding, scholarships and paying tuition fees; Transferring to York St John. Course details and fees are for September 2027 entry; the English language page says it is accurate for September 2026. Check York St John's website for the latest information.