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. Toward the end, you’ll discuss approaches to writing a personal statement.

You’ll need access to a device with an internet connection.

You may need to bring materials to your first and later classes – see the ‘Entry Criteria’ section for details.

Please do not purchase materials until your course is confirmed to run.

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.

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 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.

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 an enthusiasm for creative exploration. Learning is hands-on and a willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

Once the course is confirmed to run, you will receive a materials list to bring to class. Please consider this additional cost when booking. We aim to keep the cost of materials reasonable whilst ensuring you have the right tools. Costs may vary, depending on the course. Further information will be provided by your course teacher.

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.