How to apply for art and design at Anglia Ruskin University: Cambridge School of Art degrees in Fine Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, Animation and Illustration, Fashion and Interior Design, a digital portfolio with every application, an automatic international scholarship, Gaokao 70% for Year 1, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is in the east of England. Its art and design degrees are taught by the Cambridge School of Art, and almost all of the school's listed courses are at the Cambridge campus. This guide covers September 2027 entry using ARU's own website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Courses

All are BA (Hons) degrees starting in September 2027. Each can be taken over three years, four years with a placement (usually in Year 3) or four years with a foundation year; the UCAS codes for the three options are in brackets:

• Fine Art (W105 / W107 / W106): Cambridge campus; Year 1 explores observational drawing and media, and the final year leads to the Degree Show
• Illustration (W225 / W227 / W226)
• Graphic Design (W200 / W202 / W201)
• Animation and Illustration (WW26 / WW28 / WW27)
• Fashion Design (W230 / W232 / W231)
• Interior Design (W250 / W252 / W251)
• Computer Games Art (W281 / W283 / W282)
• 3D Animation (I626 / I628 / I627)

• Foundation year (Foundation in Art and Design): at the start of the degree, covering research and referencing, numeracy and ICT, communication and some subject topics. On the Fine Art page, it typically needs five GCSEs at D/3 or above plus two years of Level 3 study, and IELTS 5.5.
• Placement year: usually in Year 3, spending 9–12 months working for an organisation.

2. Portfolio

• Required for all: every course page above says you will need to send a digital portfolio for review when you apply.
• How many pieces: for Fine Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, Animation and Illustration, Fashion Design and Interior Design, ideally 15–20 pieces or projects, no more than 30, video included. For Computer Games Art, preferably 10–15 pieces (the 3D Animation page also points to the games portfolio page).
• What ARU looks for: drawings from direct observation (still life, self-portrait, landscape) are strongly encouraged, not drawings copied from photographs; plus how you tackle a project, research and idea development, and experiments with new materials and methods. Use good scans or photos in an easy-to-open PDF, ideally with a title page with your name and a strong opening image.
• Illustration: life drawing and photos or videos of sketchbooks; analogue, digital, print, 3D and experimental work.
• Interior Design: engagement with the built environment and spaces people inhabit, interior or exterior, such as retail, hospitality, education, transport, faith or cultural spaces.
• Animation and Illustration: life drawing, narrative images and sequential images; animation isn't required, but embed Vimeo or YouTube links if you have some.
• Computer Games Art: visual art of any kind (life drawing, sketches, sculpting, photography and so on), plus project process, research and experimentation.
• How to submit: after applying you'll get an email from the portfolio portal with upload instructions. Submit a PDF on Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox, or a link to your portfolio website; host videos on YouTube or Vimeo (unlisted is fine) or a file-sharing service, under 1GB. Links must open for anyone, and don't use WeTransfer, as the link expires.
• Face-to-face review: you can email the international admissions team to arrange a face-to-face portfolio review and tour.

3. Entry requirements

• UCAS points: the static pages for Fine Art, Illustration and the other courses we read did not show a standard tariff, so ARU has not published the figure there; check the course page's entry requirements section or ask admissions. The 3D Animation page lists 104–120 points, IB 26 and IELTS 6.5; confirm that page's subject preferences with ARU.
• English (undergraduate): IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each skill; TOEFL iBT 80 (17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking); PTE 60 (59 in each skill). Degrees with a foundation year accept IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 72 or PTE 59 with the same sub-scores. Some courses ask for more.

Students at high schools in China (North East Asia page) can enter Year 1 with one of:

• the Chinese Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate at 80%
• the Gaokao at 70%
• a Zhongzhuan, Zhongzhi or Zhigao certificate at 70%
• a recognised foundation programme, the IB Diploma or International A Levels
• the first year of a recognised undergraduate programme at 70%

ARU notes this is a guide; courses may add subject, grade, portfolio or interview requirements. If you fall short, ARU College offers foundation and first-year courses.

Students at Canadian high schools (Americas page), Year 1:

• British Columbia: Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with five Bs in five Grade 12 subjects
• Ontario: OSSD with at least 70% in six 4U or 4M subjects, including 4U English
• Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and others: at least 65% in five Grade 12 subjects; Quebec: the DEC
• A recognised foundation programme, the IB Diploma or International A Levels are also accepted

4. How to apply and deadlines

• Route: ARU says the easiest way is to use "Apply online" on the course page. Have your certificates and transcripts (with certified translations), a personal statement (ARU has a form), references, a CV, your passport, any previous visas and your portfolio ready. Each course also lists UCAS codes.
• Deadline: ARU keeps accepting applications for most courses while there is space and enough time to pay a deposit, get a CAS and apply for a visa; a few courses differ, so check the course page.
• Deposit and CAS: the deposit is £4,000 or a sponsorship letter, with no strict deadline; the earlier you pay, the sooner you get your CAS. The CAS deadlines published so far are for September 2026 entry (14 August 2026 for most countries); watch the important dates page for 2027.

5. Fees and scholarships

• International fees (2027/28, per year): Fine Art, Illustration, Animation and Illustration, Fashion Design, Interior Design and Computer Games Art £19,750; Graphic Design £18,825. The 3D Animation page does not list an international fee, so ask ARU. Home fee £10,050.
• Placement year fee: £1,700 (2026-27).
• International Undergraduate Scholarship: no separate application; eligible students are considered automatically, as a fee discount in each year:
  • Lower award: up to £5,000, with £2,000 in Year 1 and £1,000 in each later year (up to three)
  • Higher award: up to £7,000, with £4,000 in Year 1 and £1,000 in each later year; your application should exceed the minimum requirements
  • You must pass each year; it isn't paid during placements; students starting in Year 2 or 3 get £1,000 a year; it can't be combined with other scholarships
• Full Payment Discount: a further £1,000 off if you pay your first-year fee in full before teaching starts, and it can be combined with the scholarship.

6. Transfers

• ARU's international entry page says students who have completed university-level study in the UK or their home country may be able to enter Year 2 or 3 of a related degree.
• Students from China with one year of a recognised degree at 70% can enter Year 1 (see above).
• Detailed advanced-entry requirements are not published; ask the international admissions team.

7. Checklist by background

Students at high schools in China:

• A 70% Gaokao or 80% in the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate for Year 1; IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill
• Prepare 15–20 pieces (no more than 30), including observational drawing, as a PDF
• Apply online from the course page and watch for the portfolio portal email

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

• BC: five Bs in Grade 12 subjects; Ontario: 70% in six 4U/4M subjects
• The International Undergraduate Scholarship is assessed automatically; the higher award looks for applications above the minimum

Transfer students:

• Ask with your transcripts whether you can join Year 2 or 3; the scholarship is £1,000 a year if you start there

Sources: Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge School of Art courses; BA Fine Art; BA Illustration; BA Graphic Design; BA Animation and Illustration; BA Fashion Design; BA Interior Design; BA Computer Games Art; BA 3D Animation; Undergraduate portfolio preparation; Undergraduate Games portfolios; International entry requirements; North East Asia (China); Americas (Canada); Submit your application; Important dates and deadlines; International Undergraduate Scholarship. Courses and fees are for September 2027 (2027/28); deadline and visa dates are published only up to September 2026 entry. Check ARU for the latest details.