How to apply for art at the University of Reading: a three-year BA Fine Art, a four-year BA Art for students without a foundation diploma, BA Art and Graphic Design and BA Graphic Communication, with an online portfolio after you apply, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

Art degrees at the University of Reading are taught by Reading School of Art on the Whiteknights campus, in a School of Art building that opened in September 2023 with studios open 24 hours a day. This guide summarises 2027/28 entry from Reading's official pages for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Programmes

• BA Fine Art (UCAS code W101): three years. Its page contrasts it with the four-year BA Art, which is designed for students with A-Levels or similar who have not studied a foundation diploma in art and design. You focus on a specialism such as painting, printmaking, sculpture or video, ending with a dissertation and a group degree show.
• BA Art (W102): four years, for students who have not done a foundation year and need an extra year mid-course to develop an independent practice; the first year is a foundational year.
• BA Art and Graphic Design (WW12): four years covering both, with a focus on art or graphic design in the final year. The page says every undergraduate gets a free Adobe Creative Cloud licence.
• Joint degrees: Art with Creative Writing, English Literature, Film, History of Art, Philosophy or Psychology.
• BA Graphic Communication (W213): three years, run by the Department of Typography and Graphic Communication.

Reading's UCAS institution code is R12. Course pages mention dedicated studio space and optional modules with placements; if you spend a full year on placement, you pay 15% of your usual fee for that year.

2. Portfolio: uploaded after you apply

• All the art courses above, including the joint degrees, require a digital portfolio; after you submit your UCAS application, Admissions emails you instructions. The BA Graphic Communication page also says you will be asked for an online portfolio when you apply.
• What Reading asks for:
  • Your most recent work (even unfinished) and independent work made in your own time, including photos of sketchbook pages, worksheets and preparatory drawings.
  • No minimum or maximum number of pieces; choose a clear selection, avoiding repetition and very old work.
  • Title, media, date, dimensions and artist's name for each piece, to separate your work from artists you reference.
  • All images in one PowerPoint or PDF file, not separate files; a portfolio website link is also accepted.
  • Avoid too many direct copies of photographs, and include one or two examples of how you have or would exhibit work.
• Assessors look for a willingness to learn and experiment, evolving technical skills in some media, interest in exhibitions and other artists, and some independent practice beyond coursework.
• Art and Graphic Design applicants can show art, design or both. If you have not studied Art at A-Level, include work from other creative subjects such as textiles, photography, film, design or media, plus independent projects.

3. Entry requirements

• BA Art: A-Level CCC; IB 24.
• BA Fine Art: a foundation diploma in art plus 80 UCAS points, or BBB at A-Level; IB 24 plus a pass in art foundation, or IB 30.
• BA Art and Graphic Design and BA Graphic Communication: A-Level BBB; IB 30.
• English: IELTS 6.5 with no component below 5.5 for all of these. A pre-sessional course is available.
• Students from China: the China page lists the Gaokao for direct undergraduate entry, with a minimum overall average of 74% for courses that ask for BBB, 77% for AAB/ABB and 80% for AAA. The CCC asked by BA Art is not in that list, so check with admissions. A recognised international foundation programme, or first-year study at a Chinese university with 80%, also qualify. High School Year 2 (75% average) or Year 3 (graduation certificate, 70%) qualify for Reading's International Foundation Programme, which guarantees a place on your chosen degree if you complete it and meet any other requirements.
• Students from Canada: the Canada page says a high school diploma qualifies for direct entry. British Columbia and Yukon require the Secondary School Graduation Diploma (Grade 12 courses) at ABBBB (75%) to AAABB (85%) depending on the course; Ontario requires an OSSD with 75%–80% across six Grade 12 U, U/C or M courses. The page does not say which band applies to art courses; ask Admissions.

4. Applying and deadlines

• Apply to all courses, including those with an integrated foundation year, through UCAS (institution code R12), choosing up to five courses.
• Reading says most courses have a UCAS deadline in January; check UCAS for the exact date. If you miss it, Reading considers late applications until June; after June they go into Clearing.

5. Fees and scholarships

• International fees for 2027/28 are £26,850 a year (UK £10,050), rising in later years as set out in the student contract. Some courses have extra costs for trips and resources.
• The international scholarships page lists the Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship for undergraduates: £6,000 a year towards living costs for up to four years, with 2027 deadlines not yet confirmed. It lists no general academic scholarship for international undergraduates.
• The School of Art's Lorna Webber Vipond Scholarship is only for local UK undergraduates with an RG postcode, so it does not apply to international students.

6. Transfers and advanced entry

• The art course pages do not say how to transfer into the second year from another university; contact Admissions or the School of Art.

7. Checklists

Students at high schools in China:

• BA Fine Art, Art and Graphic Design and Graphic Communication ask for BBB, which Reading maps to a 74% Gaokao average; ask Admissions about BA Art
• If you have not done an art foundation diploma, consider the four-year BA Art or Art and Graphic Design
• IELTS 6.5 (5.5 per component); after applying through UCAS, upload your work as one PDF or PowerPoint when emailed

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

• The BC diploma requirement ranges from 75% to 85%; confirm which band applies to art courses before applying
• Apply through UCAS by January and have your online portfolio ready

Transfer students:

• Second-year entry rules are not published; contact the School of Art first

Sources: University of Reading, Art undergraduate courses; BA Art; BA Fine Art; BA Art and Graphic Design; BA Graphic Communication; Portfolio submission; Information for students from China; Information for students from Canada; How to apply; International scholarships. Information is for 2027/28 entry; module lists are those offered for 2026/27 entry, as the pages state. Check Reading for the latest details.