Undergraduate portfolio preparation

If you’re applying for a Cambridge School of Art course that requires a portfolio (Fashion Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, or Interior Design) you’ll find all the information you need below.

If you’re applying for our BA Computer Games Art or BA Visual Effects, please visit our undergraduate games portfolio page.

What do we look for in an undergraduate portfolio?

Ideally 15-20, but no more than 30, pieces of work or projects that show your skill in the chosen subject. This can include video.

More specifically, we are looking for:

• Any observational drawings/drawings from life - we strongly encourage including drawings created from direct, in-person observation (still life, self-portrait, landscape). Please avoid drawings that are copied from photographs and show us what you see first-hand, not an interpretation of what you see on a screen.
• Evidence of how you tackle a project
• Research and development of ideas and thought processes
• Example of experimentation with new materials, media, processes or methods
• Good quality scans or photos of your art are essential, as is an easy to open and navigate package such as a PDF
• It's also helpful if you include a title page with your name on it, and start with an eye-catching and impressive image that will get our attention.
• For the BA Illustration: Please include drawings from life and photos or videos of sketchbooks. Make sure you include observational drawings not just drawings of photographs so that we can see your unique approach to observing and documenting the world around you. Include a broad range of approaches, analogue, digital, print, 3D and experimental work to give us a sense of your curiosity and interest in visual communication. Share examples of how you work through and develop ideas. Please include anything that you think will give an insight into your passion and creativity as an individual and why you are interested in the subject of illustration.
• For the BA Interior Design: Examples of engagement with the built environment and/or spaces that humans inhabit. These spaces might be private or public and could be interior or exterior environments. Responses to retail, hospitality, education, transportation, faith or any cultural space could all be used to demonstrate curiosity with design.
• For the BA Animation and Illustration: examples of drawings from life, narrative images, and sequential images. We don't require animation work, but if you do have it we encourage you to include it as an embedded link to your Vimeo or YouTube page. Good quality scans or photos of your art are essential, as is an easy-to-open and navigate package such as a PDF. It's also helpful if you include a title page with your name on it, and starting with an eye-catching and impressive image will also help you get our attention.