How to apply to the University of Leeds for art and design: whether the Fine Art BA needs a portfolio depends on your school art courses, plus Art and Design, Graphic and Communication Design and other School of Design degrees, for students in China, Canadian high school students and transfer students

At the University of Leeds, art and design degrees sit in two schools: the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies runs Fine Art, and the School of Design runs Art and Design, Graphic and Communication Design, fashion and more. Below are the key points for September 2027 entry from Leeds’ website, for students in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Courses

• BA Fine Art (W150): three years, with an optional placement or study abroad year. Year 1 begins with Introduction to Practice and Developing Practice; the final year ends with the degree show and a dissertation or research project. The school also offers Fine Art with History of Art and Fine Art with Contemporary Cultural Theory.
• BA Art and Design (WW12): School of Design, three years, covering art and design studies, visual communication and design software.
• BA Graphic and Communication Design (W290): School of Design, three years, with typography and image projects from Year 1.
• BA Fashion Design Innovation (W200): School of Design, three years; Leeds also offers Fashion Marketing and Sustainable Fashion.
• BSc Product Design (H795): three years, with a mechanical engineering admissions contact and higher grades (see below).
• Design BA with Integrated International Foundation Year: four years, for international students who don’t yet meet degree requirements; the first year covers English, study skills and design modules before progressing to a School of Design degree.

2. Requirements and portfolios

• Fine Art:
  • A-level ABB; IB 34 with 16 at Higher Level and 4 in English; or an Art Foundation Diploma at Merit plus an A-level at A.
  • Portfolio: not needed if you are already taking a fine-art-related Level 3 subject (such as A-level Art); otherwise required. Leeds contacts you after you apply with how and when to submit.
  • Format: one PDF of up to 30MB and 10 pages including the cover, mainly images, with 200–300 words of notes showing work, notes and research.
  • A decision usually arrives on UCAS within three to four weeks of submitting.
• The three School of Design BAs (Art and Design, Graphic and Communication Design, Fashion Design Innovation):
  • A-level ABB including an art or design subject; Graphic and Communication Design and Fashion also accept Media Studies.
  • IB 34 with 16 at Higher Level, including 5 in Visual Arts and 4 in English.
  • Without art or design A-level, Leeds may consider a high GCSE grade plus a portfolio of recent work; contact admissions.
  • An Art Foundation course is welcome but not required and doesn’t usually count toward the requirements.
• BSc Product Design: A-level AAB, IB 17 at Higher Level; no portfolio, with an optional in-person portfolio review at offer-holder events.
• English: IELTS 6.0 with no component below 5.5.

3. How and when to apply

• All courses apply through UCAS; international students use UCAS like UK students. The course pages say to check the deadline on the UCAS website.
• Leeds recommends international students apply early to leave time for a visa.

4. Fees and scholarships

• 2027/28 international fees: Fine Art £27,300 a year; Art and Design, Graphic and Communication Design and Fashion Design Innovation £29,600; Product Design £33,700; the Design BA with Integrated International Foundation Year £25,500. The international fee stays the same for each year of your course.
• Extra costs (Graphic and Communication Design as an example): printing and materials of about £100–£170 in Year 1, £100–£150 in Year 2 and £200–£600 in Year 3.
• Scholarships: Leeds has an international scholarships page, but the pages we read don’t say which awards or amounts apply to art and design; check that page.

5. Tips for three types of applicants

Students in China:

• The China page says Leeds accepts the Gaokao, with subject-specific requirements of 75–85%, or the senior high school certificate with an 80% average (80% in relevant subjects) in Years 1 and 2. Which band applies to art courses isn’t stated, so confirm with the school.
• If you fall short, the Leeds International Foundation Year or the Design BA with Integrated International Foundation Year are options.
• English: IELTS 6.0 (5.5 per component).
• Fine Art applicants without an art course should prepare a PDF portfolio of up to 10 pages.

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

• The Canada page accepts high school diplomas from all provinces (Quebec requires the DEC), with five Grade 12 subjects (six in Ontario), taught in person over three years.
• Using the page’s conversion, courses asking for ABB (Fine Art and the three design BAs) need a 75% overall average with subject grades; AAB (Product Design) needs 80%.
• English 12 at 65% (including BC’s English 12 First Peoples and Communications 12) meets the English requirement.

Transfer students:

• Year 2 entry rules are not on the course pages we read; contact the school (Fine Art finadm@leeds.ac.uk, School of Design designundergrad@leeds.ac.uk).

Sources: University of Leeds, BA Fine Art; BA Art and Design; BA Graphic and Communication Design; BA Fashion Design Innovation; BSc Product Design; Design BA with Integrated International Foundation Year; Entry requirements: China; Entry requirements: Canada; International scholarships and funding. Information is for September 2027 entry (2027/28). Check Leeds for the latest details.