How to Apply to Art and Design at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB): UCAS or Direct Applications, an Online Portfolio Within 30 Days of Being Asked, and Optional Integrated Foundation and Placement Years — Portfolio Requirements and Timelines for Students in China, Canada and Transfer Students

Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is on England's south coast; it describes itself as one of only 15 higher education institutions in the UK devoted solely to art, design and media. This guide uses AUB'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

• Art and design degrees (BA (Hons)): fine art, graphic design, illustration, animation production, fashion, textiles design, photography, commercial photography, interior architecture and design, modelmaking, games art and design, communication design and strategy, and more; plus Architecture (RIBA/ARB Part 1).
• UCAS codes: institution code A66; all courses are on one site, so there is no campus code. Course codes include Fine Art W100, Graphic Design W210, Illustration W220 and Animation Production W615.
• Length: course pages say "3–5 years full-time", with an optional one-year placement.
• Integrated Foundation Year (Year 0): offered from September 2026; completing it guarantees progression to year one of the degree linked to your pathway.
• Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: AUB's separate one-year foundation course; a pass is one of the qualifications accepted for degree entry.

2. How to apply and deadlines

• Routes:
  • UK students apply through UCAS.
  • EU and overseas students can also apply directly to AUB or through an educational agent.
  • The Common App is only for US-based applicants who pay overseas fees and haven't applied through UCAS.
• September 2027 entry: the undergraduate applications page gives the UCAS equal consideration (on-time) deadline as 13 January 2027; after that, places may be limited on some courses. If you need a visa, AUB advises applying early.
• Older dates on some pages: the "Apply via UCAS" page still says 14 January 2026, and the direct application page still says applications for September 2026 are open, which look like last cycle's text. Go by the undergraduate applications page and admissions.
• Direct applications: AUB recommends including it among your five UCAS choices where possible; if you've used all five, use the direct form, and AUB moves the application into UCAS after a decision.
• Decisions: usually within 10 working days; offer conditions must be met by 31 August, including for deferred entry.

3. Portfolio

• Submitted after you apply: you don't send a portfolio with your UCAS application. When AUB needs one, it emails you and posts in the AUB Applicant Portal, normally giving 30 days; ask if you need longer. From April, UCAS deadlines may shorten this.
• How to submit: a single link to an online portfolio, such as your own site, a portfolio platform page or a shared cloud folder; for moving image, one video or playlist link. It must be public, with no password or login.
• Fine Art: around 10 slides or images showing your identity as an artist, with finished work and work in progress. Each course has its own portfolio guidelines.
• No interviews: AUB says no courses currently require an interview; only the two acting courses use auditions.
• Courses without a portfolio: Communication Design and Strategy, Content Creation with Marketing, Costume, Creative Direction, Creative Writing, Fashion Communication, Fashion Management and Strategy (BSc), and Media, Marketing and Advertising (the Fine Art page also lists Games Narrative). The "Apply via UCAS" page says these don't request portfolios as standard for first-year entry unless your qualifications aren't suitable preparation, and the portfolio page also lists guidelines for some of them, so watch your email.

4. Entry requirements

• UK qualifications: Level 3 qualifications, normally including at least one creative subject, with 104–120 UCAS tariff points. Standard offers include A Levels BBB (or 120 points) or a recognised Foundation Diploma with a Pass.
• IB: tariffed through UCAS, normally 104–120 points.
• Students from China: the Chinese Senior Secondary School Certificate with at least 70% overall, or a pass in the CAFA International Foundation Year with at least 70%. For AUB's Foundation Diploma: the certificate with 65% overall. AUB doesn't say how Gaokao results are used; ask admissions.
• Students from Canada: an average of 65% or better on the Canadian high school diploma. BC-specific requirements aren't listed.
• Whole application: AUB considers qualifications, personal statement, reference and, where relevant, portfolio.
• English:
  • Degrees: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each band; TOEFL iBT 80 (18 in reading, listening and writing; 19 in speaking), or 4.5 on the new scale from January 2026 (4 in each); PTE 64 (59 in each). The TOEFL home edition isn't accepted.
  • Nationals of majority English-speaking countries can use English from their high school qualifications if it was studied every year with C or above in the final year. Canada is on the list, but Canadians educated in French must show English proficiency.
  • AUB doesn't accept school letters confirming English proficiency.

5. Fees and scholarships

• International tuition: £19,950 a year for international (including EU) applicants starting in 2027/28, fixed for the length of the course. The fees page's opening line still mentions September 2026; the table is labelled 2027/28.
• Placement year fee: £2,010 on the fees page, but £1,850 on the Fine Art how-to-apply page. Go by the fees page and admissions.
• Extra costs: printing, any materials you choose to buy and study trips; the Fine Art page says the fee covers the equipment and training needed, and a personal laptop isn't required.
• International Undergraduate Scholarship: up to £5,000, first year only. You need a 2027/28 undergraduate offer, overseas fee status and a scholarship form (emailed after your offer) submitted by the deadline. It can't be combined with other AUB awards. Students in years two and three can get an early fee payment waiver.

6. Transfer entry

• Year two or three: apply through UCAS until 30 June (after that, contact admissions) or with the direct form. You generally need to meet entry requirements, and your current course must be very similar; send a course specification and transcript, and AUB may ask for an online portfolio.
• Earlier year: if AUB can't offer year two or three, you are automatically considered for an earlier year.
• Year one and two only: Acting, Architecture, Content Creation and Marketing, Film Production, and Media, Marketing and Advertising currently accept only first- and second-year applications.

7. Checklist by background

Students at high schools in China:

• A Senior Secondary School Certificate at 70% overall meets degree entry; AUB's Foundation Diploma (65%) or an Integrated Foundation Year are other routes.
• Apply directly or through UCAS; AUB says places may be limited on some courses after 13 January 2027.
• Put your work at one public link and submit within 30 days of being asked.
• AUB has a China representative based in Zhuhai who can advise on applications and portfolios.

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

• A 65% diploma average; Canadian nationals educated in English can use high school English to meet the English requirement.
• BC course requirements aren't listed; email admissions@aub.ac.uk first.

Transfer students:

• For year two or three, prepare a course specification and transcript and apply through UCAS by 30 June.

Sources: Arts University Bournemouth, Undergraduate applications and entry requirements; Apply via UCAS; Apply direct; Portfolio guidelines; BA (Hons) Fine Art; Fine Art: how to apply; BA (Hons) Graphic Design; BA (Hons) Illustration; BA (Hons) Animation Production; Integrated Foundation Year; China; English language requirements; Undergraduate fees; International scholarships. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check AUB for the latest details.