How to Apply to Art and Design at Hong Kong Baptist University: The Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts (JS2810), With a Portfolio, Creative Test and Interview, Plus Game Design and Animation and Arts and Technology, for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

Art at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) centres on the Academy of Visual Arts in the School of Creative Arts and its Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts (JUPAS code JS2810; non-JUPAS applicants choose "*BA VISUAL ARTS"): four years, full-time, government-funded, taught in English, 128 credits, with 35 Year 1 places for 2027. HKBU has two related programmes in design and media art, Game Design and Animation in the School of Communication and Arts and Technology in the School of Creative Arts, which this guide also outlines. It is based on HKBU's official pages for September 2027 entry and is written for students at high schools in China (Gaokao and international curricula), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. What the Visual Arts degree covers

• Two concentrations: Studio and Media Arts, focused on contemporary art practice; and Craft and Design, focused on physical form, function, making process and market needs. The Gaokao programme page says the two areas are made up of as many as 99 courses.
• Areas you can study: drawing and painting, Chinese art, media art, sculpture, printmaking, glass and ceramics, three-dimensional and form design, experience design and more.
• Breadth to depth: four required introductory courses in Year 1; two theory courses and electives in Year 2; independent studio courses in Years 3 and 4; and in Year 4 transdisciplinary and professional courses plus a graduation project.
• Work experience: every student must arrange a non-credit work experience, such as an internship or placement, during the degree.

2. Portfolio, creative test and interview

• A portfolio is required on every route: the programme page says applicants submit a portfolio for assessment, and shortlisted applicants take a practical test (an art creativity test) and an interview, with interview performance specially considered.
• Portfolio details: the programme page points to the Academy of Visual Arts' undergraduate admission page for guidelines, assessment details and schedules. That page loads by script and could not be read for this guide, so the number of pieces, format and submission method are not available on a readable page; check the Academy's admission page directly or email the Academy.
• For Gaokao applicants:
  • Details are emailed in mid-June, and applicants submit the portfolio and complete the art creativity test by the stated deadline. The English programme page says this happens in late June; the Gaokao page says mid-to-late June. Follow the email.
  • The creativity test assesses creative thinking and art-related English writing, not art history or specialist knowledge.
  • Interviewees are notified by email in mid-to-late June; interviews are on Zoom, and you show your work to the panel on the day.
  • The detailed portfolio requirements are in an attachment on the programme page, stored in a path that robots.txt disallows, so it was not read; download it from the Gaokao programme page.

3. Two related programmes

• Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Game Design and Animation (JUPAS JS2370; non-JUPAS "*BCOMM GDA"): four years, 20 Year 1 places for 2027, 128 credits; senior years offer an Advanced Game Design or Advanced Animation stream with an honours project in Year 4.
  • Shortlisted international applicants (non-local, non-Mainland) submit a portfolio showing creativity, visual and design literacy, and potential in animation or game design, and may be interviewed and asked to present it. Prepare it in digital form.
  • Non-local, non-Mainland applicants who list the programme as a second choice are not considered.
  • Gaokao applicants who qualify are invited to interview with a digital portfolio. The School of Communication accepts both streams.
  • Local HKDSE interviewees present a letter of intent of up to 200 words and a digital portfolio.
• Bachelor of Arts and Science (Hons) in Arts and Technology (JUPAS JS2920; non-JUPAS "*BASC ARTS & TECH"): four years, 40 Year 1 places for 2027, 128 credits; for students who want to apply technology in arts, culture and the creative industries, and open to all academic backgrounds.
  • International and post-secondary applicants: submit three works through an online portfolio system; applications without a portfolio are not processed further.
  • Gaokao applicants: qualified applicants are invited to a Zoom interview, notified by email in late June, and present their portfolio on the day.

4. Students at high schools in China: HKBU's own Gaokao scheme

• How it works: HKBU recruits independently, outside the national unified admission system; current Gaokao candidates from all 31 provinces (including repeat candidates) apply directly to HKBU.
• Requirements: a Gaokao score at or above your province's first-tier line or special-type admission control line, and at least 110 in English (out of 150).
• Streams: the School of Creative Arts and the School of Communication accept both streams; Visual Arts, Arts and Technology, and Game Design and Animation are listed as programmes with admission interviews. This is HKBU's 2026 interview arrangement; the 2027 arrangement is to be confirmed.
• Interview places: HKBU says interview places are limited and the interview score line rises with demand, so both your Gaokao score and the number of applicants to the programme decide whether you are invited.
• Timeline: 2027 applications are open and close on 13 June 2027; if you have no offer by 7 July 2027, assume you were unsuccessful.
• Application fee: HKD 450 online, non-refundable.
• Scholarships: HKBU offers full and other entrance scholarships to Mainland students, based on Gaokao and interview results; top performers in each school with 120 or more in English may be awarded, notified with the offer, with no separate application. They go only to Mainland students who need a student visa to study in Hong Kong.
• Applicants with earlier Gaokao results or the joint exam for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese apply through non-JUPAS.

5. International curricula (A-Level, IB, AP)

• Minimum requirements (HKBU general requirements): three A-Levels (or International A-Levels) at E, or two A-Levels plus two AS at E; the IB Diploma; for US curricula, high school graduation plus new SAT 1190, two AP exams at 3, or ACT 23.
• For Visual Arts, the programme page only says a portfolio is required and shortlisted applicants take a test and interview; programme-specific scores are not published.

6. Students at Canadian high schools

• BC: the BC Dogwood diploma with a 70% average in five Grade 12 courses; Ontario: the OSSD with a 70% average in six Grade 12 U or M courses (HKBU general requirements).
• English: 70% in Grade 12 English meets the English requirement.
• These are minimums; Visual Arts also assesses the portfolio, test and interview.

7. Timeline for international-curriculum and Canadian applicants

• International (non-local, non-Mainland) applicants: early round closes 16 November 2026, main round 1 February 2027, extended round 31 May.
• One application per year, with up to two programme choices.
• For the Visual Arts portfolio deadline and test and interview dates, see the Academy of Visual Arts' undergraduate admission page.

8. English requirements

• IELTS (Academic) 6.0; TOEFL iBT 79; from 2027 entry, scores must be from tests taken on or after 1 September 2025.
• Gaokao applicants: 110 or more in Gaokao English meets the requirement.

9. Transfer students

• HKBU's programme list includes a senior-year entry page for Visual Arts (not read for this guide); for applicants with post-secondary qualifications, the programme page says a portfolio is also required, with a practical test and interview for those shortlisted. HKBU's senior-year places are articulation places for local Associate Degree and Higher Diploma students.
• Students already in a bachelor's degree may apply, but under UGC guidance, repeating government-funded undergraduate study at another institution is generally not encouraged. Whether non-local transfer students can enter a senior year is not published; ask HKBU admissions.

10. Fees and scholarships

• Non-local tuition (2027/28): HKD 240,000 a year, paid by semester.
• Non-local entrance scholarships (non-JUPAS route): full, full-tuition and half scholarships, with no separate application.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China (Gaokao):

• Apply online to HKBU by 13 June 2027 and pay the HKD 450 fee; reach the first-tier line and 110 in English
• Watch for the mid-June email; submit the portfolio and take the creativity test in mid-to-late June; prepare for a Zoom interview

International-curriculum students:

• Early round 16 November 2026, main round 1 February 2027; check the Academy of Visual Arts' admission page for portfolio details
• IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 79

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

• BC: 70% average in five Grade 12 courses; 70% in Grade 12 English waives the English test
• Prepare a portfolio; shortlisted applicants also take a creativity test and interview

Transfer students:

• Ask HKBU first whether non-local students can use senior-year entry; otherwise apply for Year 1

Sources: Hong Kong Baptist University, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts; Visual Arts for Gaokao applicants (Chinese); Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Game Design and Animation; Bachelor of Arts and Science (Hons) in Arts and Technology; Academy of Visual Arts: undergraduate admission; International qualifications; Chinese Mainland Gaokao admission (Chinese); Post-secondary qualifications; Fees and scholarships. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check HKBU for the latest details.