Advice for Applicants

Preparing Your Portfolio

What is a portfolio?

A collection of drawings, documents, etc, that represent your art work.

What should it contain?

Something that shows you are unique. creative. imaginative. A well presented collection of your work.

Should I include my sketchbooks?

Sketchbooks, ideas sheets and samples should be included to show how your ideas developed into your final pieces.

Should I bring three dimensional objects?

Large three dimensional objects should be displayed in your portfolio photographically.

What will staff be looking for in my portfolio?

Something about you

• Creativity
• Enthusiasm
• Something that shows a real interest in the course
• Your drawing ability
• Practical skills
• Research skills
• Visual communication skills
• Your ability to develop ideas

How many pieces should my portfolio contain?

You don't need to bring all of your work, just a good representative collection. Remember - you have to carry it here!

Interview Tips

Prepare yourself

Find out as much about the University and city as you possibly can. The more you know before your interview, the more confident you'll feel and look.

Think through some of the questions you're likely to be asked and work out possible responses. Ask your tutors and peers to run through a pretend interview with you and give you honest feedback.

Getting here

Arrive a little bit early and make sure that you know where you are going, there's nothing worse than being late and lost!

Pre-interview

Keep a copy of your application form, and any other material you have submitted. Have a look over it in advance of your interviews to refresh your memory. Have a mock run though of your portfolio / audition with someone, so you'll know what you want to say.

Interview questions

Don't rush - take your time thinking about how you want to answer the questions. Interviewers are interested in what you have to say, so don't worry if at times your answers are hesitant. Just try and be calm.

Be willing to explain your thinking and how you reached solutions. If you haven't understood a question or don't know an answer, don't be afraid to say so, it doesn't count against you.

If you think you've answered a question badly, just put it out of your mind and move on to the next one.

Prepare a list of questions

Have some questions that you would like to ask the interviewers, about the course or the University. The interview is a great time to find out things first hand or answer any queries you have.

After the interview

Decisions are based on all the information you provide, including your portfolio and application, so if you make a small mistake or say something that you think afterwards was a bit daft, don't worry these are only small aspects that won't effect our decision or lessen your chances.