Eligible candidates for our undergraduate Art courses will receive an email inviting them to submit a digital portfolio as part of their application.
Preparing your digital portfolio
- We are particularly interested in your most recent work – even if it is unfinished – and pieces you have produced independently and in your own time.
- Take time with your selection when putting your digital portfolio together. Do not include everything you have ever done, but a good, clear selection that represents your abilities – the quality of the work is more important than the quantity.
- There is no limit on how many pieces of work to include in your digital portfolio. However, we recommend that you make a considered selection of work.
- Demonstrate your personal interest.
- Show your technical skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary practice.
- Keep your portfolio up to date – don't include very old work.
- We would like to see some images of your sketchbook pages, worksheets, and drawings.
- Please include the title, media, date, and dimensions of each piece.
- Your digital portfolio should demonstrate your ability to research through meaningful investigation. Please include reference materials and show your arguments to justify the result.
Dr Annabel Frearson shares her top tips on how to present your Art portfolio, including what to include and exclude. So you can be prepared for your university application.
- Please ensure that the overall file size is no greater than 20MB (you can save images as viewable onscreen, rather than print quality).
- All portfolio images should be arranged into one, single PowerPoint or PDF file, and not as separate files or folders.
- If you have a website containing a portfolio of your work, you can send us the link to your website.
- Please ensure that all images are clearly captioned with the name of the artist (including yourself), title of work, media, date, and dimensions of each piece, and any other relevant information, such as work in progress or preparatory sketch.
Submitting your digital portfolio
Please submit your digital portfolio to admissionssupport@reading.ac.uk no later than two weeks after the date of the email that you receive requesting your portfolio.
What happens after I submit my digital portfolio?
We will review your digital portfolio alongside the other information on your UCAS application form. We may get in touch if, after reviewing your portfolio, we need further information before making a decision on your application.
Questions?
If you have any questions or if you require any assistance in relation to preparing your digital portfolio, please contact Reading School of Art by emailing fineart@reading.ac.uk or calling +44 (0) 118 378 8050.
For further information about our programmes and about studying at Reading School of Art, please visit our undergraduate courses page.
