How to apply for art and design at Edge Hill University: three-year Animation (W615) and Graphic Design (W212), a digital portfolio for most applicants and a possible animation interview, an automatic £3,000 international award, and portfolio requirements and timelines for students in China, Canadian high school students and transfer students

Edge Hill University is in Ormskirk in north-west England. Its art and design courses are run by the Department of English and Creative Arts and taught in the department’s Creative Edge building. This guide uses Edge Hill’s official information for September 2027 entry and is written for students at high school in China, students at high school in Canada (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Courses

In the department’s Creative Arts course list, the art and design degrees are these two (the others are film, media, music production, drama and dance). Both are BA (Hons), three years full time (or six part time), starting September 2027:

• Animation (UCAS code W615): recognised by ScreenSkills; covers 2D, 3D CGI, stop motion, character and performance, and film structure, with four animation studios and a stop-motion studio.
• Graphic Design (UCAS code W212): built around live projects, studio visits and work experience; in the final year you can take a placement in a design studio or work on setting up your own agency.

Both course pages say international students can apply and list a sandwich year and study abroad option; Graphic Design also lists a work placement opportunity.

2. Portfolio and interview

• Animation: the entry criteria say that “in most cases” you will be invited to provide a digital portfolio, and an interview may form part of selection; study or experience of creative subjects such as art, graphics or media is preferred.
• Graphic Design: no specific subjects are required, but your application should show commitment and suitability for graphic design; you will be invited to present a portfolio.
• The number of pieces, format and timing are not published on the course pages; follow the invitation you receive.

3. Entry requirements

UK qualifications: both courses ask for 112–120 UCAS points, for example A Levels BBC–BBB, BTEC DMM or a T Level Merit. IB is assessed on its UCAS points, and HL grade 5 in specific subjects may apply.

English: international students need IELTS 6.0 with no component below 5.5, or an equivalent.

Students in China (any one, from the China page):

• Twelve years of education and the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate at 70% or equivalent, plus a recognised foundation programme
• Gaokao “with good grades” (no score given)
• One year of university completed in China, for direct entry to year 1

If you do not meet direct entry, you may be offered a relevant foundation programme (such as the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation Year) and progress after completing it; the China page asks for the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate at 70% for the foundation year. The Gaokao score required is not published.

Students in Canada (Canada page):

• British Columbia: Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with Bs in five Grade 12 subjects
• Ontario: OSSD with six Grade 12 U, U/C or M courses including Grade 12 U English, at 70% each (BBBBBB)
• Alberta, Saskatchewan and several other provinces: 65% in five Grade 12 subjects
• Whether Canadian students can skip an English test is not published on the pages read; ask international admissions

4. How to apply and deadlines

• International students can apply for undergraduate degrees through UCAS (institution code EHU E42) or through one of Edge Hill’s agents or partners.
• The China page adds that students in China can apply with the Ambright Education Group, which requires the AST test at centres in China.
• The 2027 UCAS deadline is not given on the Edge Hill pages read; check UCAS.

5. Fees and scholarships

• International tuition: £14,500 a year in 2026/27 (course pages and international fees page); 2027/28 is shown as TBC. UK students pay £10,050 in 2027/28.
• Global Vice-Chancellor’s Award: £3,000 applied automatically to first-year tuition for international fee-paying students on full-time undergraduate degrees at the Ormskirk campus, shown on your offer letter with no separate application; students with government or private sponsorship are not eligible.
• If you need a Student Visa, pay a deposit of at least £4,000 before your CAS is issued; paying the full year’s fees before the CAS gives a further £500 discount.

6. Transfer and advanced entry

• Students who have completed one year of university in China may be considered for year 1 (see above).
• Conditions for joining year 2 or 3 with credit are not published on the pages read; ask admissions.

7. Checklists

Students in China:

• Good Gaokao grades, or the Senior Secondary Certificate at 70% plus a foundation programme; ask international admissions for the score
• Prepare a digital portfolio, and for Animation a possible interview
• IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each component; apply through UCAS (EHU E42) or an Edge Hill agent

Students in Canada (including BC and Vancouver):

• Bs in five Grade 12 subjects
• Ask international admissions whether you need an English test

Transfer students:

• Advanced entry conditions are not published; confirm with admissions before applying

Sources: Edge Hill University, Creative Arts courses; Animation BA (Hons); Graphic Design BA (Hons); Entry requirements: China; Entry requirements: Canada; International fees and scholarships; How to apply (international). Courses start in September 2027; international fees are published only for 2026/27 so far. Check Edge Hill’s website for updates.