Portfolio Preparation (Online)

This course offers practical support for those planning on applying to an art and design degree in the UK. It’s ideal for anyone looking to start, develop, or refine a portfolio. You’ll explore various portfolio components and receive support to build one.

Each week, you’ll be introduced to a new art and design concept and assigned related exercises. Emphasis will be placed on using sketchbooks to develop ideas – an essential practice for any art specialism. You’ll also explore personal interests.

On alternate weeks, you’ll have a one-to-one tutorial with your teacher. Any 1:1 meetings arranged with the course teacher during the course cannot be rescheduled if you are unable to attend. Toward the end, you’ll discuss approaches to writing a personal statement.

Please note, this course does not offer personal statement support or UCAS references. However, if you would like a review of your work and further support with writing a personal statement, please consider applying for our Portfolio Mentoring Service.

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 the course is confirmed to run.

Your online classes will be held on Zoom. You will need access to a computer equipped with a camera and microphone, a headset or earphones and a reliable 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: 

• Create a body of research, which explores the potential of a range of personal ideas
• Demonstrate the ability to explore a range of mediums, techniques and approaches
• Develop critical, visual thinking and problem-solving skills, through generating and refining ideas through sketchbooks and studio-based projects

This course offers practical support for those planning on applying to an art and design degree course in the UK. It’s ideal for anyone looking to start, develop, or refine a portfolio.

The course is offered online, so a competence and knowledge to navigate and interact in a digital environment is required. Individual technical support is minimal during the course.

Learners with an enthusiasm for creative exploration or have a natural appreciation for colour, texture and form may find this course particularly rewarding. A willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.  

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 offers practical support for those planning on applying to an art and design degree course in the UK.

This course welcomes those with a vivid imagination and enthusiasm for creative exploration. This hands-on course requires no formal background in art or design.    

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented verbally and in writing. You must be comfortable learning in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course is due to start, unless the course is full or cancelled.