Can i get into an art course if my portfolio is good but i dont have good grades

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by MangaFury

I wanted to apply for university this year but im not sure if ill be able to get in because i got a pass in my level 3 diploma (72 tarrif points) but most of the courses im looking at want 112 tarrif points. I was hoping that if my portfolio is good enough it can make up for the fact that im missing some ucas points

It depends on the individual uni and course. Which unis have you considered looking into?

Reply 2

PQ

Original post by MangaFury

I wanted to apply for university this year but im not sure if ill be able to get in because i got a pass in my level 3 diploma (72 tarrif points) but most of the courses im looking at want 112 tarrif points. I was hoping that if my portfolio is good enough it can make up for the fact that im missing some ucas points

What are you doing during this year while you apply to university?

Reply 3

OP

Original post by PQ

What are you doing during this year while you apply to university?

working on improving at my skills and saving as much money as possible. still haven't landed a job but I'm hoping to soon

Reply 4

OP

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by MindMax2000

It depends on the individual uni and course. Which unis have you considered looking into?

i was looking at uca and hertfordshire. specifically their comic and concept art courses

Reply 5

PQ

Original post by MangaFury

working on improving at my skills and saving as much money as possible. still haven't landed a job but I'm hoping to soon

It’s a shame that you weren’t able to get onto a FAD course. Have you spoken to the universities you’re interested in?

Reply 6

OP

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by PQ

It’s a shame that you weren’t able to get onto a FAD course. Have you spoken to the universities you’re interested in?

i havent.. how should i go about contacting them

Reply 7

MindMax2000

University of Hertfordshire

Original post by MangaFury

i was looking at uca and hertfordshire. specifically their comic and concept art courses

I can't say what UCA or Hertfordshire would say (you can try emailing their undergrate admissions to see if there is a chance.

Alternative course that I have found include:
https://www.staffs.ac.uk/course/cartoon-comic-arts-ba#entry

Still, I would recommend trying to get a job in the industry directly as you won't need a degree to get the job, but you would need one very impressive portfolio.

Reply 8

Official Rep

15

Original post by MangaFury

i havent.. how should i go about contacting them

Hi there,
Just picking up on this as see you're considering applying to Herts for our BA Comics and Concept Art course. Please do drop a note to [email protected] and our Admissions team will be able to help you with entry requirements.
We're also holding our open day on 25 November and there is an Animation subject session that includes the Comics and Concept Art course - you would be so welcome to come and talk to the course leader at this - you can book here.
Hope this helps but let me know if you have any other questions.
Best wishes,
Gaynor
Marketing and Communications Team

Reply 9

moid

9

Hi there
I'm the admissions tutor for the Comics and Concept Art degree at Hertfordshire. If you apply to us with 72 points our admissions staff will reject you I'm afraid. You're welcome to show me a link to your portfolio (we do occasionally let in applicants with less than 112 points, but you have to be absolutely incredible). I don't think we've ever gone below 96 points before, so your portfolio will need to be stunningly good (and you'll still need maths and English GCSEs at C/4 or higher). If you send me a link to it I'll try to give you some feedback about it. If it's not at the level we are looking for, could you consider doing another course? If you don't like Art Foundation, then maybe an Access to HE course would be a good idea?

You can see examples of the work quality we are looking for in this video: https://vimeo.com/841286222

Reply 10

OP

Original post by MangaFury

I wanted to apply for university this year but im not sure if ill be able to get in because i got a pass in my level 3 diploma (72 tarrif points) but most of the courses im looking at want 112 tarrif points. I was hoping that if my portfolio is good enough it can make up for the fact that im missing some ucas points

@moid Im not sure how i missed your message. I would really apreciate it if you could check out my portfolio! My portfolio is on artstation under menmaarts. I tried replying with a link but it didnt work

Reply 11

dirtmother

8

The key question here is "How old are you?" (things look a bit different once you are 21... although it would be a good idea to get some sort of professional experience such as selling your work at conventions.
And also, is it important that the course includes concept art? The vibe off admissions for courses with 'concept art' in the title is, erm, a bit different to the ones that don't... as you have perhaps seen.

Reply 12

OP