How to apply to Cardiff Metropolitan University for art and design: fourteen bachelor’s courses at Cardiff School of Art & Design, offers based on a portfolio conversation, no studio fee, for students in China, Canadian high school students and transfer students

All of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s art and design degrees are in the Cardiff School of Art & Design (CSAD) at Llandaff Campus. Below are the key points for 2027 entry from Cardiff Met’s website, for students in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Courses

The art and design subject page lists fourteen bachelor’s courses: Animation, Artist Designer Maker, Product Design (BA/BSc), Ceramics, Digital Art, Fashion Design, Fine Art, Game Art, Graphic Design and Communication, Illustration, Interior Design, Making and Material Futures, Photography and Textile Design.

• The four course pages we read: Fine Art W100, Graphic Design and Communication W210, Illustration W220 and Animation 6HJ3. Each is three years full time, or four with a year-long sandwich placement.
• The Fine Art page says there is no studio fee and essential materials are provided; tools, placements and travel may cost extra.
• The Fine Art page says you can take a route through Years 2 and 3 working with businesses or preparing to launch your own, and write a detailed business plan instead of a dissertation in the final year.

2. Requirements

The four course pages give the same requirements:

• 96–120 UCAS tariff points; at least three A-levels, no specific subjects; IB Diploma 24 points, no specific subjects.
• IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each element.
• A successful portfolio review.

3. Portfolio and review

• CSAD says it offers places based on a portfolio, not just exam results.
• The process varies by course but usually involves a relaxed conversation about your portfolio with a member of staff, typically online on Microsoft Teams; details follow after you apply.
• Submission: a PDF by email is preferred (you’ll be told where to send it), or a link to a portfolio website; very large files can go via a file-sharing site.
• There is no set number of pieces. Show a range of skills (drawing, photography, painting, 3D making; moving image via an online link), sketchbooks, notes and work in progress, a thoughtful selection of your best and most relevant work, and examples of trying something new; leave out copied work. You don’t need to be good at drawing: CSAD wants to see how you think.
• Successful applicants receive a conditional or unconditional offer, updated on UCAS Hub; there are Applicant Days in spring.

4. How to apply

• International students can apply directly with Cardiff Met’s International Student Application Form; undergraduate applications through UCAS are also accepted.
• International students pay a tuition deposit, as set out in the offer letter, to secure a place.
• The 2027 deadline isn’t on the pages we read; check UCAS or contact Cardiff Met.

5. Fees and scholarships

• International fees: £16,000 a year for an undergraduate degree (three to four years) in 2026/27; the 2027/28 figure isn’t yet published.
• Scholarships: all international applicants are considered automatically, with no separate application, and awards are confirmed with the offer. For 2026/27 the Undergraduate Scholarship is £2,500, and paying the full fee by the deposit deadline gives a discount of up to £1,000.

6. Tips for three types of applicants

Students in China:

• The China page says Year 1 entry to a three-year degree needs Senior High School Year 3 at 70% or above, or the Gaokao at 60% or above, or Year 1 at a Chinese university, a college graduation diploma, or a recognised foundation course.
• Students who have completed Senior Middle School 2 can enter a four-year degree with a Year 0; whether the art and design courses offer a Year 0 isn’t stated on the course pages we read, so confirm with Cardiff Met.
• English: IELTS 6.0 (5.5 per element); prepare a portfolio and the online conversation.

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

• The Canada page says a high school diploma with an overall 60% in five Grade 12 subjects meets Year 1 entry; Quebec’s DEC at 60% is also considered.
• Whether Canadian students are exempt from English tests isn’t stated on the pages we read; ask international admissions.

Transfer students:

• The international how-to-apply page says transfer applicants send transcripts and details of completed and pending modules for the programme team to assess. The year you can enter depends on that assessment.

Sources: Cardiff Metropolitan University, Art and design undergraduate courses; BA Fine Art; BA Graphic Design and Communication; BA Illustration; BA Animation; School of Art & Design advice for applicants; International: how to apply; International fees and finance; International scholarships; Country-specific entry requirements. Course details are for 2027 entry; the fees and scholarships pages currently show 2026/27. Check Cardiff Met for the latest details.