How to Apply to Art and Design at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA): Three-Year Degrees Across Four Campuses, Optional Integrated Foundation and Professional Practice Years, and a 12–20 Piece Portfolio After You Apply — Portfolio Requirements and Timelines for Students in China, Canada and Transfer Students

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is a UK university devoted to creative subjects, with campuses in Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham and TV studios in Maidstone. This guide uses UCA's official website to cover September 2027 entry to its art and design degrees, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Courses

• Subjects: undergraduate courses span animation, architecture, crafts, fashion and textiles, fine art, games, graphic design, illustration, interior design, photography, product design and more. Most are BA (Hons) degrees over three years.
• Examples (UCAS institution code C93; campus codes C Canterbury, E Epsom, F Farnham, M Maidstone):
  • Fine Art (Farnham) BA, UCAS course code W101; there is also Fine Art (Canterbury) BA.
  • Graphic Design BA (Farnham), W217.
  • Fashion Design BA (Epsom), W233.
  • Animation BA (Farnham), W615.
• Optional extra years: these course pages list two optional extra years:
  • an Integrated Foundation Year before year one, to build skills and your portfolio;
  • a Professional Practice Year after year two, spent on placement in the creative industries.
• For international applicants: the course pages say international applicants need to enrol on the course "with Professional Practice Year", as it is not possible to transfer onto it after enrolment. They also say the International Year abroad option is no longer offered.
• One-year top-up: for example, Studio Practice (Graphic Design) top-up BA (UCAS W403) is aligned with year three of BA Graphic Design; the course page describes it as ideal for international students.

2. How to apply and deadlines

• Two routes for international students: apply through UCAS or use the direct application form on each course page. UCA says most international applicants apply directly, because:
  • there is no application fee (up to £24 via UCAS);
  • you are not affected by the UCAS equal consideration deadline;
  • there are no "declined by default" deadlines;
  • you can track your application in the UCA Applicant Portal.
  If you are applying to more than one UK university, UCA says to apply through UCAS.
• September 2027, international students: application deadline 20 August 2027; deposit and CAS request deadlines are both 3 September 2027. UCA encourages early applications to leave time for visas and accommodation.
• September 2027, UK students: UCAS equal consideration deadline 13 January 2027; Applicant Days run January–March 2027.
• Offers: shown in the Applicant Portal and by email. Students needing a visa upload documents to CAS Shield after firmly accepting an unconditional offer, before UCA assigns a CAS.

3. Portfolio

• Submitted after you apply: not every course needs a portfolio, but most do. UCA emails the course-specific requirements once you have applied.
• Size: in most cases 12 to 20 pieces; you don't need to make anything new. Sketches, photographs, digital art, concepts and works in progress are all welcome.
• How to submit: UK-based applicants present at an Applicant Day; applicants outside the UK upload an online portfolio through the UCA Applicant Portal. Online portfolios follow the same requirements plus a written commentary on your ideas and motivations.
• Fine Art (Farnham): 12–20 examples of current work showing experimentation, analysis, reflection and development of ideas, alongside resolved works; for example recent projects, sketchbooks, research or reflective journals and photographs of large-scale work.
• Graphic Design: 12–20 examples including sketchbooks and design development journals, drawings and work in different media and methods, completed graphic design projects, and links to blogs or online design journals; it should show how you develop a project or idea.
• Integrated Foundation Year applicants: a finished portfolio isn't expected; sketchbooks or school projects are enough.
• Your portfolio must be your own work; read the course's portfolio guide carefully before submitting.
• UCA holds online portfolio webinars on 25 November 2026 and 20 January 2027 at 16:00 UK time.

4. Entry requirements

• UK qualifications (course pages above, year one entry): 112 UCAS tariff points; or a Pass in the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design; or BTEC Extended Diploma DMM; or the IB Diploma with 27 points including at least 15 at HL. UK applicants also need four GCSEs including English. Integrated Foundation Year entry: 32 UCAS points or 24 IB points.
• Portfolio counts too: the Fine Art page says UCA needs to see your portfolio for both the BA and the Integrated Foundation Year, and that offers below the standard criteria are occasionally made on the strength of a portfolio.
• Students from China (equivalent qualifications page, bachelor's): one of —
  • senior school graduation after 12 years with a 75% average;
  • the HuiKao (Academic Proficiency Test) at 75% overall;
  • the Gaokao at 60%;
  • one year at a recognised Chinese university with a 70% average.
  Integrated Foundation Year: senior school graduation after 11 or 12 years with 70% or above.
• Students from Canada (bachelor's): one of —
  • a high school diploma from English-speaking Canada with at least 65% in five subjects;
  • an arts-related Canadian college diploma;
  • a Quebec DEC with at least 65% in five subjects;
  • the British Columbia Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with five Bs in Grade 12 courses.
• English:
  • IELTS: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section for degrees; 5.5 with 5.5 in each for degrees with an Integrated Foundation Year.
  • Canadian applicants who completed Grade 12: B or 75% in a Grade 12 English course.
  • Nationals of a majority English-speaking country (as defined by UKVI) who took their qualifications in that country don't need a test.
  • The test list on the English page is labelled for 2026 entry; it says Duolingo is accepted for applicants from China (also labelled 2026 entry). Check that page for scores and 2027 requirements.

5. Fees and scholarships

• 2027/28 international tuition (year one): £19,800 a year for three-year degrees and four-year degrees with an Integrated Foundation Year, and the same for top-up degrees; the Professional Practice Year is £3,650. Fees then rise by 4% each year, rounded up to the nearest £50.
• Extra costs: UCA says to budget for books, materials (drawing materials, fabrics, tools, computer equipment), printing, trips and degree show costs, listed in course welcome guides before you start.
• 2027/28 fee discounts for new international students:
  • UCA Merit Scholarship: £4,500 off the first year, for applicants who achieve above the required academic level and follow UCA's deposit policies. The grade criteria are in a PDF on a third-party site, which we did not open; check the scholarships page or ask admissions.
  • Creative Development Scholarship: £3,000 off the first year, awarded automatically if you are eligible.
  • Full Fee Payment Discount: £1,000 off if you pay your full fees (after scholarships) before or at CAS issuance.
• No stacking: if you are awarded more than one, you receive only the highest-value discount.
• The page differs: one part says these scholarships are applied automatically with no application, while the terms say there are a limited number, awarded first come first served to applicants nominated by an academic. Confirm with admissions.

6. Transfer and top-up entry

• Year three top-up: Studio Practice top-up BAs (such as Graphic Design, W403) start at year three. UK requirements: 240 credits from a relevant degree (120 at level 4 and 120 at level 5) with 55% overall, or a relevant Foundation Degree or HND, or APEL; international applicants check their country's equivalents. All need a portfolio review, online for international applicants.
• Year two entry: the pages we read don't cover entry to year two; contact international admissions (internationaladmissions@uca.ac.uk).

7. Checklist by background

Students at high schools in China:

• A 75% senior school average or 60% in the Gaokao meets the bachelor's requirement; otherwise consider the version with an Integrated Foundation Year (70% average).
• Most students apply directly (no fee) by 20 August 2027, but leave time for the visa.
• Prepare 12–20 pieces early and add a commentary to an online portfolio.

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

• BC students need five Bs in Grade 12 courses; B or 75% in Grade 12 English meets the English requirement.
• For routes, deadlines and portfolio submission, follow the international section above and ask international admissions if unsure.

Transfer students:

• With two years (240 credits) of relevant study, look at the one-year top-ups; for year two entry, contact admissions first.

Sources: University for the Creative Arts, Undergraduate study; Undergraduate applications; Portfolio advice; Fine Art (Farnham) portfolio advice; Graphic Design portfolio advice; Fine Art (Farnham); Graphic Design; Fashion Design; Animation; Studio Practice (Graphic Design) top-up; Equivalent qualifications; English language requirements; Undergraduate fees; Scholarships and fee discounts. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check UCA for the latest details.