How to apply for art and design at the University of Salford: three-year degrees in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Photography, Interior Design, Costume Design and Film, TV and Stage Design need 104 UCAS points and an online portfolio after you apply (or a live brief for two courses) – portfolio requirements and timeline for students in China, Canadian high school students and transfer students

The University of Salford is in Greater Manchester in north-west England. Its art and design degrees are run by the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology and taught in the New Adelphi building on Peel Park campus. This guide covers September 2027 entry (2027/28) using Salford's own pages, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students. Salford's UCAS institution code is S03.

1. Courses

The Art and Design course list includes these three-year BA (Hons) degrees (UCAS codes from the course pages):

• Fine Art (W100): specialise in or move between painting, sculpture, print, installation, performance, fibre/textile, film, animation, sound art, book works and more; 70% practical, 30% theory
• Graphic Design (W211)
• Photography: the course page gives W640, but the portfolio guidance page gives W460; check the code on UCAS before applying
• Interior Design (8G22)
• Costume Design (W450): costume for theatre, film and other media, with work placements in year two
• Film, TV and Stage Design (W4C7)

Each course also runs with a Foundation Year (Interior Design with Foundation Year is 8G23, for example) for applicants who don't yet meet the entry requirements. The site doesn't describe a shared first year, and the course pages don't say whether you can switch courses after enrolling, so ask the university.

2. Portfolio submitted online after you apply

The portfolio guidance page says Salford wants to see your thinking and ideas development, not just finished pieces. Submission works the same way for every course:

• When: after you apply, the Admissions Tutor emails you instructions, and you upload through the applicant Portal.
• Format: a PDF or a folder of high-quality JPEGs, plus links to Instagram, a website, ArtStation, YouTube, Vimeo and similar; links must not be password protected.
• Size: up to 5MB per document; put larger work online and upload a link.
• WeTransfer isn't accepted, because its links expire too quickly.
• Several course pages say offers are conditional on the subject team reviewing your portfolio.

What each course looks for:

• Fine Art: an online portfolio plus the Fine Art Top 10 Questionnaire. They want to see:
  • sketchbooks, work in progress and finished work;
  • one piece that failed or didn't turn out as planned;
  • observational and life drawing;
  • essays, blogs or social media reflecting on your ideas;
  • visual and artist research;
  • a reading list of books, magazines and articles.
• Graphic Design: unfinished work is fine; they focus on research, idea generation and process. Include drawing, painting, photography, typography, digital work, mock-ups and photos of 3D pieces; video or animation can be linked.
• Interior Design: drawings, concepts, technical drawings, observations, models and 3D work. Photography, abstract painting and graphic work can go in but matter less.
• Photography: the guidance page asks for an online portfolio showing your interests, ideas, creativity, development and awareness of current photographic practice, but the course page says only some applicants will be asked for one. Follow what the university tells you after you apply.
• Costume Design and Film, TV and Stage Design: submit a portfolio or complete a live brief instead.
  • Costume Design: profile two characters from literature and illustrate them in two different media.
  • Film, TV and Stage Design: draw a plan of a familiar space, treat it as a set and draw a visual, mark the camera position, and optionally photograph a white-card model.
  • The Film, TV and Stage Design course page adds that you may be invited to an interview where you show your portfolio.

3. Entry requirements

• A-Level / UCAS points: typically 104 UCAS points (104 points from A Levels).
• BTEC: DMM for most courses, DMM–DDM for Costume Design.
• IB: 31 points for Fine Art, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Film, TV and Stage Design; 30–31 for Photography; 31–32 for Costume Design.
• Art and design foundation: a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Distinction counts as 112 points; with a Pass (80) or Merit (96) you need other qualifications to reach 104.
• English: international students from countries where English isn't the majority language need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5; Salford's Pre-sessional English is available if you fall short.
• Students in China (Salford and China):
  • A senior secondary school graduation certificate after three full years of high school, with an overall grade of at least 60%, is considered for undergraduate study.
  • Huikao or zhongzhuan results of 60% are considered for the International Foundation Year.
  • The page doesn't say how Gaokao results are used; this isn't published.
• Students in Canada (Salford and Canada):
  • 65% in five Grade 12 subjects;
  • Ontario: 60% in six OACs;
  • Manitoba: five 300-level credits with at least 65% in four.
  • BC isn't listed separately, so BC students should confirm the "five Grade 12 subjects at 65%" route with the university.
  • The site doesn't say whether Canadian students taught in English are exempt from IELTS; ask the university.

4. How and when to apply

• The undergraduate application page says most undergraduate applications go through UCAS, including independent applicants in the UK and overseas; UCAS sets the application fee.
• The Salford pages we read don't give the 2027 UCAS deadline, so check UCAS.
• There is no separate international deadline on the site; apply early to leave time for the portfolio review.
• Course pages list September 2027 as the enrolment date.

5. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition: all six courses charge full-time international students £18,600 a year for 2027/28; UK students pay £10,050. Fees may rise each year in line with inflation.
• Extra costs: books, stationery, printing, binding and trip expenses are extra.
• Global Gold Excellence Scholarship: £3,500 a year for undergraduates with A-Level grades ABB or the equivalent from their country.
• Global Silver Excellence Scholarship: £3,000 a year for undergraduates with BBC or equivalent.
• For both scholarships:
  • there is no separate application; you are assessed when you apply;
  • to receive it you must accept your offer and pay the tuition deposit by the deadline;
  • from September 2026 entry, undergraduates receive it every year while keeping a good academic record;
  • you can hold only one scholarship (the highest value);
  • the scholarship pages say equivalents are on the country pages, but the China and Canada pages don't list ABB or BBC equivalents. This isn't published, so ask the university.
• Prompt payment: paying in full before or at enrolment takes another 3% off the net fee.

6. Transfers

• All six course pages say direct entry to year two or three may be possible with appropriate qualifications or professional experience; contact the university.
• The China page says dazhuan holders with 60% or above who have studied relevant modules are considered for advanced entry on relevant undergraduate programmes.
• The Salford Alternative Entry Scheme assesses applicants who don't meet the standard criteria but can show they will succeed, through a review of prior learning or a formal test.

7. Checklist by background

Students at high schools in China:

• A 60% average on the senior secondary graduation certificate for undergraduate entry; IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each band)
• Apply through UCAS, then upload your portfolio to the Portal when the Admissions Tutor emails you (5MB per file)
• Fine Art applicants also send the Top 10 Questionnaire; Costume and Film, TV and Stage Design accept a live brief instead of a portfolio

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

• 65% in five Grade 12 subjects; BC isn't listed separately, so confirm before applying
• Scholarships are assessed automatically against ABB/BBC equivalents; ask the university how your grades convert

Transfer students:

• Year two or three entry may be possible with appropriate qualifications; contact the university first

Sources: University of Salford, Art and Design courses; BA Fine Art; BA Graphic Design; BA Photography; BA Interior Design; BA Costume Design; BA Film, TV and Stage Design; Portfolio guidance; How to apply; Salford and China; Salford and Canada; International scholarships; Global Gold Excellence Scholarship; Global Silver Excellence Scholarship. Fees are for 2027/28. Check Salford for the latest details.