Preparing a Portfolio for Art School

This course will help you to start, develop, or strengthen an art and design portfolio for applications. Ideal for those interested in pursuing creative study, including degree-level routes.

You will complete structured, studio projects to build visual research skills, material confidence, and contextual understanding, with strong emphasis on sketchbook use to record, develop, and evidence ideas.

You will be taught in specialist art and design studios and supported by the course teacher through practical demonstrations, one-to-one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a device with an internet connection. 

Learning in this course is hands-on, and your skills will develop through practice, discovery, and engagement with materials and techniques. If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Develop a body of research that supports your portfolio, using sketchbooks, visual studies, and site visits to explore personal ideas and themes;
• Experiment with a range of materials, techniques, and approaches, building confidence in your creative process as you develop portfolio pieces;
• Demonstrate practical skills in material experimentation and critical thinking to build a personal portfolio of artwork.

This course will help you to start, develop, or strengthen an art and design portfolio for further study applications. It is ideal for those interested in pursuing creative study, including degree-level routes.If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s accessible and inclusive learning policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support. 

This course is for those interested in pursuing creative study, including degree-level routes.

This course welcomes those with a vivid imagination and an enthusiasm for creative exploration. While no formal background in art or design is required, learning is hands-on and a willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run.

There is no recommended reading with this course; however, your course teacher will guide you to relevant sources.

Reading, listening and communication skills are essential. You must be comfortable learning in English. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.