How to apply for design at the University of Winchester: a three-year BA Digital Media Design (W280) with real client projects in a design studio, 96–112 UCAS points and no portfolio listed in the entry requirements, a £4,000 international undergraduate scholarship added to offers automatically, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

The University of Winchester is in Winchester, Hampshire, in southern England. Its subject list has no separate art and design subject; its design degree is the BA Digital Media Design in the Computing and Digital Media Design subject. 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. The course

• BA (Hons) Digital Media Design: UCAS code W280, three years full-time, September start, on campus. The course page says it will next run in September 2027.
• Content: visual communication, interaction design and digital production, with live client projects and case studies across print, web, app, animation, advertising and user experience.
• Teaching is in a dedicated Digital Design Studio with 25 high-spec PCs running professional creative software, plus access to the Multimedia Centre's specialist studios and podcast facilities.
• One module involves a work placement or client-led project, and the final year explores consultancy, freelance and start-up routes.
• Assessment is mostly coursework: the course page gives about 87%, 84% and 93% coursework in Years 1–3, with the rest practical assessment.

The Film and Media subject also has Film Production, Film and Media and related courses; this guide does not cover film.

2. Portfolio

• The entry requirements on the course page list only points, the IB and English, with no portfolio or interview. The portfolio mentioned in the course description is the professional portfolio you build during the degree.
• To check whether you need to send any work when applying, ask the international recruitment team at International@winchester.ac.uk.

3. Entry requirements

Typical offer: 96–112 UCAS points, equivalent to A-Level CCC–BBC; for the IB, at least two Higher Level certificates at H4. The page also accepts points from the Access to HE Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diplomas and other qualifications.

Students from China (international entry requirements page):

• Year 1: Gaokao with an overall score of at least 70%; or one completed year at a recognised Chinese university; or A-Levels or the IB (per course requirements). Students with a GPA of 3.5 or above at certain schools may be considered case by case.
• Foundation: Huikao 70%, or Gaokao 55% overall.

Students from Canada (same page):

• British Columbia: the Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood) with at least five Bs (BBBBB) in Grade 12 courses is generally accepted for Year 1.
• Alberta: General High School Diploma with at least 65% across five Grade 12 courses. Manitoba and New Brunswick: five credits at 300 level in at least four subject areas, with at least 65% in each.

English: the course page asks for IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component for Year 1, and also accepts IELTS Indicator, PTE, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT, without listing their scores on the course page. The pages we read do not say whether Canadian students are exempt (not published).

4. How to apply

• The course page has an "Apply on UCAS" button and a separate button for international students, which links to the admissions site of partner Oxford International (a third-party site not checked for this guide).
• The course page does not give the 2027-entry UCAS deadline; check UCAS. Winchester also has a page on applying after the UCAS deadline.
• Applicants living outside the UK and Europe can email International@winchester.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1962 827023 about how to apply.

5. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition: the course page's "2027/28 Course Tuition Fees" table shows £16,700 a year for international students, but the note below says £16,700 is for the 2026/27 academic year. Both appear on the website, so confirm the 2027-entry fee with Winchester. UK students pay £10,050 for 2027/28.
• International Undergraduate Student Scholarship: the scholarship page lists £4,000 for new international undergraduates joining in 2026/27, applied automatically to your offer letter. It does not say whether this is per year or one-off, and there is no 2027/28 version yet.

6. Transfer students

• Students from China who have completed one year at a recognised Chinese university can apply for Year 1 (international entry requirements page).
• The course page does not say whether you can join Digital Media Design in Year 2 or 3 (not published); ask the international recruitment team.

7. Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A Gaokao score of 70% or more for Year 1; otherwise consider the foundation route (Huikao 70% or Gaokao 55%)
• IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
• Apply through UCAS or the university's international application route

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

• BC: at least five Bs in Grade 12
• Ask whether you need an English test

Transfer students:

• Send your transcripts and ask which year you can start in

Sources: University of Winchester, Subjects; Computing and Digital Media Design; BA Digital Media Design; International entry requirements; International scholarships, bursaries and awards. Course details are for September 2027 entry; the international fee and scholarship pages refer to different academic years. Check the University of Winchester's website for the latest information.