How to apply for art and design at the University of Plymouth: Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Interior Design, Product and Furniture Design and Game Arts degrees that all need a portfolio, with an optional informal interview and possible unconditional offers for strong work, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

The University of Plymouth is in the coastal city of Plymouth in south-west England, and its design degrees are taught in the School of Art, Design and Architecture. This guide covers 2027/28 entry using Plymouth's own website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students. Plymouth's UCAS institution code is P60.

1. Courses

These are the six BA (Hons) degrees whose course pages we read. All take three years in Plymouth (UCAS course codes in brackets):

• Graphic Design (W218)
• Illustration (W222)
• Photography (W640)
• Interior Design (W242)
• Product and Furniture Design (W243)
• Game Arts and Design (W282)

• The Interior Design, Product and Furniture Design and Game Arts and Design pages mention an optional placement year.
• The school page also lists Interior Architecture, Architecture, Creative Media, Filmmaking and a BSc in Industrial Product Design and Technology, which this guide doesn't cover.
• The school's undergraduate list doesn't include Fine Art.

2. Portfolio: required for all six

All six course pages say the same: applicants must submit a portfolio, with an optional informal interview. General submission rules:

• For most courses, upload your portfolio or a link to it in the applicant portal; you can submit before interview to get feedback
• Digital images only: original digital work, scans of flat work or photographs of 3D work
• Only JPEG or PDF, as one compressed file or one combined PDF; online portfolios must be public to anyone with the link

Course-specific advice:

• Illustration: about 20 images, compressed if over 5MB. Include sketchbook pages, life drawing (or figure drawing if you have none), current projects and research into artists and illustrators who influence you.
• Graphic Design: a physical A2 or A3 portfolio, a multi-page PDF or a link to an online portfolio. Show sketches and process; photography, life drawing and painting all count. At interview you talk through your work. A strong portfolio may earn an unconditional offer.
• Photography: sketchbooks or workbooks (your own images with notes and research into others' work) plus finished images in digital form. An informal interview is arranged only if tutors think more advice would help your portfolio.
• Interior Design: a PDF laid out in InDesign or PowerPoint is ideal, showing ideas, development and final outcomes. Exceptional candidates, or those who already have the grades, may get an unconditional offer.
• Product and Furniture Design: the portfolio advice page asks you to email an e-folio to artsportfolio@plymouth.ac.uk, at any time, which differs from the "upload to the applicant portal" wording for the other courses. An unconditional offer is possible here too.
• Game Arts and Design: all applicants must share a portfolio, which can include drawings, sketches, character or game design, web pages, games, video and sound. An online interview can be arranged if you can't attend in person.

3. Entry requirements

UK qualifications, the same for all six courses:

• A typical offer of 104 UCAS points from at least two A Levels; BTEC DMM
• IB 26 points overall
• Contextual offers are typically 8 points below the advertised tariff
• Applicants with non-standard backgrounds are considered case by case

English: Plymouth's undergraduate IELTS requirement is 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component; pre-sessional English is available if you fall short.

Students from China: the China country guide says first-year entry needs good grades in the Senior High School Graduation Examination and the Gaokao, but Plymouth doesn't publish the scores; ask admissions@plymouth.ac.uk. High school leavers who need a route in can take a foundation course at the University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) on campus.

Students from Canada: the Canada country guide says:

• British Columbia: an average of 67% (C+) in five Grade 12 subjects
• Alberta: 65% in five Grade 12 subjects
• Ontario: 65% (B) in at least five subjects
• English: if you studied the English syllabus in English-speaking Canada, a pass (50%) in Grade 11 or 12 English meets the English requirement

4. How to apply and deadlines

• The course pages say all undergraduate applications are made through UCAS.
• International students can apply through UCAS themselves or through a local agent; UCAS applications need a personal statement.
• The course and international application pages we read don't give a 2027 entry deadline. Follow the UCAS timetable, and upload your portfolio soon after you apply.

5. Fees and scholarships

• International fees in 2027/28: £18,700 a year (£18,150 in 2026/27); UK students pay £10,050. The same for all six courses. Fees are reviewed annually and may change in exceptional circumstances.
• The course pages note that courses in the faculty may have extra placement and equipment costs, explained via a link on each page.

Scholarships:

• International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship: the page covers 2026/27 entry, with £4,000 off fees in the first year, £1,000 in the second and £1,000 in the final year, up to £6,000 for a four-year programme. It is awarded automatically to international fee payers who meet the entry and English requirements; no separate application. Amounts for 2027/28 haven't been published.
• If you qualify for several scholarships or discounts, only the highest applies.

6. Transfers

• The China country guide says holders of a Zhuanke (Dazhuan) diploma can be considered for final-year top-up entry, generally with 70% or above, depending on the institution.
• Whether these six courses accept second-year entry isn't published; contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

7. Checklist by background

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao and Huikao score requirements aren't published, so ask admissions first; IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each component
• Apply through UCAS or a local agent, prepare the portfolio your course asks for, and take up the optional informal interview if you want
• If you don't meet the requirements, consider a UPIC foundation

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

• BC needs a 67% (C+) average in five Grade 12 subjects; a pass in Grade 11 or 12 English meets the English requirement
• Apply through UCAS and submit a portfolio

Transfer students:

• Later-year entry conditions aren't published; Chinese Dazhuan graduates can consider top-up entry

Sources: University of Plymouth, School of Art, Design and Architecture; BA Illustration; BA Graphic Design; Illustration portfolio advice; Graphic Design portfolio advice; Product and Furniture Design portfolio advice; International undergraduate applications; China country guide; Canada country guide; IELTS requirements; Canadian high school English requirements; Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship. Fees are for 2027/28; the scholarship page currently gives 2026/27 amounts only. Check Plymouth for the latest details.