How to apply for art and design at the University of Westminster: Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Fashion Design and more at the Harrow campus, four-year versions with a foundation year, portfolios and interviews, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

Art and design degrees at the University of Westminster sit in the College of Creative Arts and Technologies, and the course pages list the Harrow campus in north-west London as the location. This guide summarises September 2027 entry from Westminster's official pages for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Programmes

Full-time BA Honours degrees for September 2027 in the Art, Design and Visual Culture course list include:

• Fine Art Mixed Media (UCAS code WP23)
• Graphic Design (W211)
• Illustration (W220)
• Animation (W615)
• Fashion Design (W230)
• Photography, Fashion Photography, Fashion Marketing and Promotion, Games Art, Games Design and Creative Media Arts

The institution code is W50. The course pages for the programmes with codes above list a duration of "3 or 4 years" and include a placement year; the Fine Art page explains the fourth year is an optional year-long industry placement between years 2 and 3. The Fine Art page says every student has their own studio space throughout the course, that year 2 includes a work placement module, and that the degree show is at the Ambika P3 gallery in central London.

Most courses also come in a four-year "with Foundation" version, such as Fine Art Mixed Media with Foundation (UCAS code WP26): a first year of art and design foundation, then three years of the degree. Its course page asks for A-Level DD (48 UCAS points).

2. Portfolios and interviews

• Westminster asks you not to send a portfolio until Admissions requests it by email.
• Fine Art Mixed Media: 5–8 pieces, coursework and/or personal work, sketchbook pages welcome. Bring it to an on-campus interview, or compile it into one file (ideally PDF) for an online interview. The portfolio starts the interview conversation, and the course team decides afterwards.
• Graphic Design: 10–15 pieces, balancing early sketches and explorations with finished work, including at least one complete project for a specific audience, each with a short sentence; you can host it on a platform such as Behance. You may be invited to an interview, and offer holders are invited to an applicant event.
• Illustration: you may be invited to an interview about your portfolio, and offer holders are invited to an applicant event.
• Animation: no more than 20 images and/or two minutes of video, typically 8–12 items, shared as a public link (YouTube, Vimeo, ArtStation and similar). Animation skills are not required; the team looks at drawing, visualisation and design.
• Fashion Design: an edited portfolio of up to 10 pages, with at least three pages of fashion research, three of design development and two of outcomes. Put the link in a Word document and upload it to the Applicant Portal. Work uploaded by the deadline is reviewed by tutors, and some applicants are invited to a 15-minute in-person or online interview.

3. Entry requirements

• Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation: A-Level CCC (96 UCAS points); the IB Diploma at 96 UCAS points; plus GCSE English 4/C or IB equivalent, and for Fine Art, Graphic Design and Illustration a GCSE maths pass (Animation says maths is not required).
• Fashion Design: a Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (pass), or IB 128 points with HL 6 in Visual Arts, or a first year of an art and design degree, among others. The page states that it does not accept A-Levels without an additional art and design foundation year, or high school diplomas, and does not offer deferred entry.
• English: Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration and Animation ask for IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each component; Fashion Design asks for IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in writing and speaking. Online and on-campus pre-sessional English courses are available.
• Students from China: the China page lists one year at a recognised Chinese university with 60%+, a recognised international foundation (usually 60%–65%), or certain college diplomas for year 1 entry. The high school graduation diploma or Gaokao results are considered case by case; contact undergraduate admissions or the China team. Partner college Kaplan International College London offers an International Foundation Certificate.
• Students from Canada: the Canada page has a grade table. For the A-Level CCC asked by Fine Art and similar courses, it lists 65% in five Grade 12 courses (BBBCC) for British Columbia, 65% in six Grade 12 U/C courses for Ontario, and a 65% DEC average for Quebec. One year of college or university with a GPA of 2.8 is also listed for year 1 entry.

4. Applying and deadlines

• All full-time undergraduate applicants, including international students, apply through UCAS, choosing up to five courses. You need results or predicted grades, a reference and a personal statement.
• Final deadlines listed for September 2027: Clearing closes to international applicants on 15 August; international applicants must meet conditions and pay the deposit by 27 August; the last date to request a CAS from outside the UK is 8 September. Check UCAS for main-scheme deadlines.
• The international funding page says a CAS is normally issued once you pay a £5,500 tuition deposit.

5. Fees and scholarships

• The 2027/28 course pages list international fees of £19,000 a year (UK £10,050). Placement-year costs are on a separate page linked from the course page.
• The scholarships page lists the International Undergraduate Excellence Award for September 2026 entry (£2,500), now closed; undergraduate awards for 2027 entry are not listed yet. The funding page says awards usually weigh academic excellence, development potential and financial need, and you must accept an offer before applying.

6. Transfers and advanced entry

• Course pages say direct entry to year 2 may be possible if you have enough credits from a comparable degree elsewhere. Westminster assesses transcripts, module descriptions and credits, and cannot consider international students who have failed an academic year in their current programme.
• Apply through UCAS, choosing point of entry 2 for second-year entry. Students who complete an International Year One at a recognised partner can also apply for year 2.
• The China page lists completing year 2 of a Chinese bachelor's degree with 70%+, or a three-year Dazhuan diploma in a relevant subject with 70%+, for year 2 entry.

7. Checklists

Students at high schools in China:

• The high school diploma or Gaokao are considered case by case, so contact Westminster first; a with-foundation degree or a recognised international foundation is another route
• For Fashion Design, complete an art and design foundation diploma first
• IELTS 6.0 (5.5 per component); Fashion Design needs 6.0 in writing and speaking

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

• Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration and Animation map to 65% in five Grade 12 courses; Fashion Design does not accept a high school diploma alone
• Apply through UCAS and submit your portfolio once Admissions asks for it

Transfer students:

• Apply through UCAS with point of entry 2 and have transcripts and module descriptions ready

Sources: University of Westminster, Art, Design and Visual Culture courses; Fine Art Mixed Media; Fine Art Mixed Media with Foundation; Graphic Design; Fashion Design; Animation; How to apply and deadlines; Your country: China; Your country: Canada; Scholarships. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Westminster for the latest details.