Studying the Arts
Studying the Arts
The UK, with its rich art history and renowned art courses, is one of the world’s top destinations for studying art. However, getting into a programme is very competitive and there are more steps in its application process compared to other university degrees.
Types of programmes available
Art is an umbrella term covering a wide range of subjects. To give you an idea of how large the breadth is, art can involve anything from art history to ceramics. The most common specialisations include:
- Fine art
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Art design
- Drawing and Painting
- Studio arts
- Architecture
- Digital media
- Photography
Top British art colleges and universities
You can study the arts either at an art college or at a university. Both types of institutions are equally prestigious, and it is down to personal preference whether you’d prefer to study at a specialised art college or at a university offering a wider range of subjects. Studying at an art college will allow you to be surrounded by fellow artists while studying at a university will help you meet students from all disciplines.
So, with that in mind what are this year’s top five British art colleges and universities?
- University of Cambridge – ranked 3rd in the world for art, performing arts and design
- University of Oxford – ranked 4th in the world for art, performing arts and design
- University College London – ranked 5th in the world for art, performing arts and design
- University of Edinburgh – ranked 10th in the world for art, performing arts and design
- Durham University – ranked 19th in the world for art, performing arts and design
These rankings were taken from the Times Higher Education.
What you’ll need for your application
Firstly, you will have to register with UCAS and choose the appropriate course. When filling out your application you will also have to write a personal statement. After this step you will likely need to have an interview with a tutor. The aim of the interview is to discuss your portfolio and see how committed you are.
Assembling your portfolio
Your portfolio is arguably the most important part of your application, and it is crucial that you get it right. There are three important steps to acing your portfolio.
- Think about what type of artwork you produce
Take some time to think about the pieces you have created, which ones you like best and why you think they are worth including in your portfolio.
- Organise your artwork
When organising your work be selective and choose your artwork based on the quality and your progression as an artist.
- Create a narrative
Building a narrative is what differentiates an average portfolio from a strong one. Be unique and focus on what you like best about your work. Likewise, you should include your motivation for studying and creating art. Lastly, it should be clear to the interviewer why you chose to include these pieces in particular.
How we can help
We offer a specialised art college admissions service to guide you step-by-step through your application. We have two highly talented art tutors who will give expert advice on your portfolio and let you know how to improve it. This service is available for undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level students.
If you would like to learn more about our art college admissions service, book your initial free consultation today!