How to apply for art and design at De Montfort University: Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Concept and Comic Arts, Game Art, Photography, Fashion, Textiles, Footwear, Interior and Product Design degrees that all need a portfolio and no interview, Gaokao 70% accepted, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

De Montfort University (DMU) is in Leicester in the English Midlands and runs a wide range of art and design degrees, from fine art to fashion, footwear and game art. This guide summarises 2027/28 entry from DMU's official pages for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students. DMU's UCAS institution code is D26.

1. Courses

Art and design BA (Hons) courses whose pages we read (UCAS codes, and 2027/28 international fees per year, in brackets):

• Fine Art (W100, £17,600)
• Graphic Design (W219, £18,100)
• Illustration with Graphic Design (W221, £18,100)
• Concept and Comic Arts (W223, £18,100)
• Game Art (W291, £18,100)
• Photography and Video (W640, £17,600)
• Fashion Design (W230), Contour Fashion (W235), Fashion Textile Design (WW2S), Textile Design (W231) and Footwear Design (WWF7), all £17,600
• Design Crafts (W200), Interior Design (W250) and Product Design BA (W240), all £17,600

All run for three years, or four with a placement year. The portfolio advice page also lists Animation, Fashion Communication and Styling and Product Design BSc, whose pages we didn't read individually. DMU also runs a one-year Art and Design Foundation Diploma.

2. Portfolio required, no interview

• The "Interview and portfolio" section of each course page above says portfolio required: yes; interview required: no. The international applications page also says applicants to the creative courses on the portfolio advice page must submit a qualifying portfolio.
• There is no single rule on number of pieces or format; each course has its own guidance. For Graphic Design and Illustration with Graphic Design, for example:
  • Show your whole design process, from brainstorm to final piece, not just finished work, and include experiments with materials.
  • Sketchbooks should show how you research, question and develop ideas.
  • Graphic Design applicants should show a range of imaging and layout skills, from photography and drawing to typography and editorial design; Illustration with Graphic Design applicants should show a range of drawing skills, including life and objective drawing.
  • DMU says it doesn't expect world-class work, just a range of creative skills.
• Submission: direct applicants submit the portfolio as one of their documents, with transcripts and a personal statement, through DMU's application portal; the pages we read don't say how UCAS applicants submit a portfolio, so ask admissions.

3. Entry requirements

• A-Levels and equivalents: typically 112 UCAS points, A-Level BBC, BTEC Extended Diploma DMM, or IB 26, plus five GCSEs at 4/C or above including English and Maths. Eligible contextual applicants from under-represented backgrounds get a one- to two-grade reduction.
• English: IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each band if English is not your first language.
• China: the country entry requirements page accepts the Gaokao with a 70% overall average for undergraduate study, as well as A-Levels or a recognised foundation course, or the first year of a four-year Chinese degree with 70% overall and all passes. Senior 2 at 70%, or Senior 3 below 75%, leads to International Year Zero, with IELTS 4.5 plus pre-sessional English.
• Canada: British Columbia and Yukon require five B grades in acceptable Grade 12 courses; Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and other provinces need 70% in five Grade 12 courses; Ontario needs six Grade 12 courses; Quebec's DEC needs a pass. An Associate Degree with a 3.0 GPA / B / 73% can lead to second-year entry.

4. How and when to apply

• International students can apply direct through DMU's online application portal, through a contracted DMU agent, or through UCAS (institution code DEM/D26).
• The international applications page currently lists key dates for the October 2026 intake: application deadline 31 July, CAS issuance deadline 27 August, teaching from 5 October. Dates for 2027 entry aren't published yet. UCAS applicants can follow that year's UCAS deadlines.
• Before a CAS is issued, DMU requires international students to attend a credibility assessment unless their country of domicile is on the UKVI "Differential Evidence Requirement" list. The fees page gives the example that Chinese students on that list pay at least £4,000 before CAS and at least 50% of the net fee before enrolment.

5. Fees and scholarships

• 2027/28 international fees: £17,600 a year for Fine Art, Photography and Video, the fashion and textile courses, Footwear, Design Crafts, Interior Design and Product Design; £18,100 a year for Graphic Design, Illustration with Graphic Design, Concept and Comic Arts and Game Art. The Fine Art page estimates materials at about £155 in Year 1, £200 in Year 2 and £275 in Year 3.
• Global Access Scholarship: the page covers October 2026 and February 2027 starts. International undergraduates who pay the deposit by the deposit deadline automatically get £2,000 off every year, and a further £500 off the first year if they pay the full net fee by then. Whether it continues for September/October 2027 entry isn't published yet.
• There is also an Empowering Excellence Scholarship (£8,500) for international undergraduates and postgraduates starting in February 2027; autumn entrants should watch for updates.

6. Transfers

• Canadian students with an Associate Degree at GPA 3.0 (B / 73%) can apply for second-year entry.
• Chinese qualifications equivalent to a UK DipHE, with a 75% average or "GPA 2." (the page text is cut off there), are considered for second- or third-year entry.
• Whether you can join a later year, and which one, depends on the course and your portfolio; contact admissions first.

7. Checklist by background

Students at high schools in China:

• A 70% Gaokao average qualifies for direct undergraduate entry; IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each band)
• Prepare your portfolio to your course's guidance, showing process and sketchbooks; there is no interview
• Direct application deadlines for 2027 aren't published yet; watch the international applications page

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

• BC requires five B grades in acceptable Grade 12 courses
• Apply direct or through UCAS; a portfolio is required

Transfer students:

• A Canadian Associate Degree at GPA 3.0 can lead to second-year entry; ask admissions in other cases

Sources: De Montfort University, BA Fine Art; BA Graphic Design; BA Fashion Design; Portfolio advice; Graphic Design portfolio guidance; How to apply as an international student; Entry requirements by country; International tuition fees; International scholarships; Global Access Scholarship. Fees are for 2027/28; the deadline and scholarship pages currently cover October 2026 and February 2027 entry only. Check DMU for the latest details.