How to Apply to Art and Design at Loughborough University: Fine Art, Graphic Design, Textiles, Fashion and Design Degrees in the School of Design and Creative Arts, Portfolios Requested by Email after UCAS and an Online Interview for Fine Art, with Portfolio Requirements and Timelines for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Loughborough University, undergraduate art and design is taught by the School of Design and Creative Arts. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Loughborough’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Courses

All of the following are BA (Hons) degrees taken over three years full time, or four years with a placement year in year three under a different UCAS code. Fees are the 2027/28 international fees per year shown on the course pages.

• Fine Art: W100 (three years) or W101 (with placement); £25,500. You can work in painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video or digital media, and the course includes art history and visual culture.
• Graphic Design: W900 / W901; £25,500.
• Textile Design: WJ24 / J420; £25,500.
• Fashion Design and Technology: W230 / W236; £25,500.
• Design: W240 / W241; £31,500.
• Industrial Design: H775 / H776; £31,500.
• The school also offers a BSc in Product Design and Technology, plus a version with a foundation year; it is an engineering-leaning product design degree and isn’t covered here, so see the school’s course list.
• The placement year costs about 20% of the full-time fee.

2. Portfolio and interview

The school states that every Design and Creative Arts course requires a portfolio. After you submit your UCAS application, you will be emailed with where, when and how to send it. Digital portfolio formatting:

• Put your full name and UCAS ID in the file name and on the first page; PDF or PPT is recommended, with images at no more than 150ppi and the file no larger than 20MB; send it to sdcaadmissions@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk.

Course advice from the portfolio guidance:

• Fine Art: about 20 pieces plus sketchbooks; drawing is very important, ideally including observational and experimental drawing. Shortlisted applicants have an online interview (Microsoft Teams, about 20 minutes, from November each year) and send the portfolio at least three days beforehand.
• Graphic Design: at least six different projects with development work, landscape format preferred, submitted digitally; the course page says selection is based on the UCAS application, the portfolio and a design task.
• Textile Design and Fashion Design and Technology: about 20 pages covering visual research, idea development, drawing and finished work; fashion illustration is a bonus for Fashion.
• Design and Industrial Design (and Product Design): around 3 projects in detail, each with 1–2 sheets on the opportunity, the design process and the final design, briefly annotated. Applicants not studying a creative subject can show research, sketching, modelling and CAD, and the school offers optional design briefs for inspiration.
• After an offer, Graphic Design, Textiles and Fashion invite you to an Offer Holder Visit Day.

The pages differ: the application process page says shortlisted Fine Art “UK applicants” are interviewed, while the portfolio guidance says shortlisted Fine Art applicants are interviewed online. International applicants should confirm with the school’s admissions team.

3. Entry requirements

• A level: ABB for Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion, Design and Industrial Design; BBB or ABC for Textile Design.
• IB: 34 (HL 6,5,5); Textile Design 32 (HL 5,5,5).
• Art foundation: the Fine Art, Graphic Design, Textiles and Fashion pages say the UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma or Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design will be considered.
• The course pages note that many courses receive far more applications than places, so meeting the typical offer does not guarantee an offer.

4. Students at high schools in China

• The senior high school certificate or Gaokao alone is not enough: the China section of the course pages says students taking the Senior Middle Examinations need to complete a suitable foundation year. Loughborough’s foundation is run by its partner ONCAMPUS, with an Art and Design pathway that leads to Loughborough degrees if you meet the criteria.
• After a year at a Chinese university: a first year at a recognised Chinese university with an average of 75%–80% can count for first-year entry to some courses.
• A level and IB students apply with the course requirements above.
• How art exam or school-specific art test results are used is not published; ask the Global Engagement team.

5. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia and Yukon: typical offers range from BBBBBB to AAAAAA across the best 6 Grade 12 subjects in the Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma.
• Ontario: best 6 4U/4M courses at 80%–93%; most other provinces use the best 5 Grade 12 courses at 80%–93%; Quebec uses the DEC at 80%–93%.
• These are general ranges from the country table on the course pages; the figure for each course isn’t listed separately, so confirm with admissions.
• English: four years at a Canadian high school with 60% or more in Grade 10 English meets the English requirement.

6. English requirements

• The standard requirement is IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each part; Design and Creative Arts is not on the list of courses needing higher English.
• Other tests: TOEFL iBT 88 (21 in each section) for tests before 21 January 2026, or 4.5 for later tests (4.5 in Writing and Listening, 4.0 in Speaking and Reading); PTE 65 (61 in each part); Duolingo 120 (Speaking 110, Writing 115, Reading 110, Listening 105).
• Test scores must be no more than two years old at the start of the course; medium-of-instruction letters are not accepted.
• If you fall short, the school may at its discretion accept Loughborough’s pre-sessional English courses.

7. Loughborough’s own art and design foundation

• Loughborough runs the one-year UAL Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design Foundation Studies, covering 3D design, fine art, visual communication and textiles and fashion before you choose a degree.
• You apply directly to the university (not through UCAS), and eligible applicants are invited to submit a portfolio.
• International students pay a tuition fee (see the prospectus), and entry to this course requires a UKVI IELTS SELT.
• The page still shows 2026 entry dates (apply by 17 July 2026), so check the site for the 2027 arrangements.

8. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition: in 2027/28, international fees are £25,500 a year (Fine Art, Graphic Design, Textiles, Fashion) or £31,500 (Design, Industrial Design), reviewed annually.
• International Excellence Scholarship: £3,000 off tuition each year, up to £9,000 over the degree; considered automatically, typically needing AAA at A level or equivalent and Loughborough as your firm choice; not paid in placement or study abroad years.
• Future Leaders Scholarship: £10,000 off first-year tuition; you need an offer first and a separate application by 11 April 2027. Scholarships can’t be combined, and you receive the highest-value one.
• LU Arts Arts and Music Scholarships: a £200 cash prize plus up to £500 project funding, open to international students.

9. Transfers

• Conditions for entering year two are not on the pages we read; ask the school’s admissions team. Students who have completed a first year at a Chinese university can apply for year one, as in section 4.

10. Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• Loughborough’s UCAS key dates page still shows last cycle: 13 January as the equal-consideration deadline. Check UCAS for the 2027 entry date and apply early.
• After applying: send your portfolio when emailed; shortlisted Fine Art applicants are interviewed online from November.
• After an offer: attend an Offer Holder Visit Day; apply for the Future Leaders Scholarship by 11 April 2027 if eligible.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• With the senior high school certificate or Gaokao, take a foundation year first (the international foundation has an Art and Design pathway)
• With A levels or IB, aim for ABB/IB 34 and prepare about 20 pieces plus sketchbooks
• IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each part

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

• BC: best 6 Grade 12 subjects at BBBBBB–AAAAAA; confirm the course-specific level with admissions
• Prepare a digital portfolio for your course (PDF/PPT, up to 20MB)

Transfer students:

• Advanced entry conditions are not published; contact the school’s admissions team before applying

Sources: Loughborough University, School of Design and Creative Arts courses; Fine Art; Graphic Design; Textile Design; Fashion Design and Technology; Design; Industrial Design; Application process; Portfolio guidance; Art and Design Foundation Studies; International Foundation Programme; English language requirements; UCAS key dates; Excellence Scholarships; Future Leaders Scholarship. Courses, offers and fees follow the course pages for September 2027 entry (2027/28); some pages still show last cycle’s dates, as noted. Check Loughborough for the latest details.