Edinburgh Illustration Portfolio
Hello, I am planning on applying to the University of Edinburgh to study Illustration in 2026, but am really quite lost on what to include / how my portfolio should look. I have researched multiple different guides for portfolios but havent been able to find a clear visual example, and all of them seem to be vague in areas + tell me different things, like;
- how many photos to include ( some say 5 projects, others say 20 - does this include sketches? annotations? how many slides?
- what to make it with - Ive been assigned by my college tutor to make a website, but is this the same thing as my portfolio? what do i send them? ( all i know is it has to be a pdf)
- where to include personal statement + qualifications? is that on a slide, or a separate document?
I'm very new to this app + still not 100% sure on how applying works and really want to give myself the best chance, so would really appreciate some advice 😊
- how many photos to include ( some say 5 projects, others say 20 - does this include sketches? annotations? how many slides?
- what to make it with - Ive been assigned by my college tutor to make a website, but is this the same thing as my portfolio? what do i send them? ( all i know is it has to be a pdf)
- where to include personal statement + qualifications? is that on a slide, or a separate document?
I'm very new to this app + still not 100% sure on how applying works and really want to give myself the best chance, so would really appreciate some advice 😊
Hi there! It's ok to have a lot of questions when you're still early in the application cycle. I'll do my best to answer your Qs.
Then your starting point is Edinburgh's Illustration portfolio guidance, as they will tell you what they want to see.
You can find that here:
https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/student-systems/support-guidance/applicants/submitting-portfolio/portfolio-preparation-and-requirements-user-guide
That seems to suggest they want to see somewhere up to 20 pages, so I'd be aiming in the 15-20 range.
This is going to vary from university to university. You may need to format your portfolio differently, if you plan to apply to different universities on UCAS. Some may want to see more or less work, some may want it formatted in a certain way. Always check their specific portfolio guidance.
A "page" in this instance is going to be a formatted piece of work, so likely including some of your development work (sketches, moodboards, colour variations) and any annotations. But if it's a longer project, for example, you could spread that over multiple pages - particularly if you think that makes it clearer to present.
You're right, Edinburgh is asking for a pdf. But some universities may ask for a website link or similar. It's a good idea to make a website anyway, and then you can use the same things in the website for your pdf application for Edinburgh.
You probably want to format the pages in something like Photoshop (if you have access to it at college), or similar programs you can use for free like FireAlpaca. Some people prefer to use something like Powerpoint or Google Slides. It doesn't really matter how you do it as long as it's exportable as a pdf at the end.
If you're submitting your application with UCAS (if you don't know, the answer is probably "yes"), all that info will be included with your UCAS application. You can probably ask your tutor for more information about this and when you'll be preparing your application.
Original post
by lolagranolaHello, I am planning on applying to the University of Edinburgh to study Illustration in 2026, but am really quite lost on what to include / how my portfolio should look.
Then your starting point is Edinburgh's Illustration portfolio guidance, as they will tell you what they want to see.
You can find that here:
https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/student-systems/support-guidance/applicants/submitting-portfolio/portfolio-preparation-and-requirements-user-guide
That seems to suggest they want to see somewhere up to 20 pages, so I'd be aiming in the 15-20 range.
This is going to vary from university to university. You may need to format your portfolio differently, if you plan to apply to different universities on UCAS. Some may want to see more or less work, some may want it formatted in a certain way. Always check their specific portfolio guidance.
Original post
by lolagranola- how many photos to include ( some say 5 projects, others say 20 - does this include sketches? annotations? how many slides?
A "page" in this instance is going to be a formatted piece of work, so likely including some of your development work (sketches, moodboards, colour variations) and any annotations. But if it's a longer project, for example, you could spread that over multiple pages - particularly if you think that makes it clearer to present.
Original post
by lolagranola - what to make it with - Ive been assigned by my college tutor to make a website, but is this the same thing as my portfolio? what do i send them? ( all i know is it has to be a pdf)
You're right, Edinburgh is asking for a pdf. But some universities may ask for a website link or similar. It's a good idea to make a website anyway, and then you can use the same things in the website for your pdf application for Edinburgh.
You probably want to format the pages in something like Photoshop (if you have access to it at college), or similar programs you can use for free like FireAlpaca. Some people prefer to use something like Powerpoint or Google Slides. It doesn't really matter how you do it as long as it's exportable as a pdf at the end.
Original post
by lolagranola - where to include personal statement + qualifications? is that on a slide, or a separate document?
I'm very new to this app + still not 100% sure on how applying works and really want to give myself the best chance, so would really appreciate some advice 😊
I'm very new to this app + still not 100% sure on how applying works and really want to give myself the best chance, so would really appreciate some advice 😊
If you're submitting your application with UCAS (if you don't know, the answer is probably "yes"), all that info will be included with your UCAS application. You can probably ask your tutor for more information about this and when you'll be preparing your application.
Reply 2
Original post
by lolagranolaHello, I am planning on applying to the University of Edinburgh to study Illustration in 2026, but am really quite lost on what to include / how my portfolio should look. I have researched multiple different guides for portfolios but havent been able to find a clear visual example, and all of them seem to be vague in areas + tell me different things, like;
- how many photos to include ( some say 5 projects, others say 20 - does this include sketches? annotations? how many slides?
- what to make it with - Ive been assigned by my college tutor to make a website, but is this the same thing as my portfolio? what do i send them? ( all i know is it has to be a pdf)
- where to include personal statement + qualifications? is that on a slide, or a separate document?
I'm very new to this app + still not 100% sure on how applying works and really want to give myself the best chance, so would really appreciate some advice 😊
- how many photos to include ( some say 5 projects, others say 20 - does this include sketches? annotations? how many slides?
- what to make it with - Ive been assigned by my college tutor to make a website, but is this the same thing as my portfolio? what do i send them? ( all i know is it has to be a pdf)
- where to include personal statement + qualifications? is that on a slide, or a separate document?
I'm very new to this app + still not 100% sure on how applying works and really want to give myself the best chance, so would really appreciate some advice 😊
Btw Edinburgh Uni is doing an online portfolio session on 24th November (it got pushed back a week I think) and it looks like one of the Illustration lecturers will be on the call if that helps? Gl on your application!
(edited 2 months ago)
Reply 3
3
Original post
by E……Btw Edinburgh Uni is doing an online portfolio session on 24th November (it got pushed back a week I think) and it looks like one of the Illustration lecturers will be on the call if that helps? Gl on your application!
I have got a space for that actually! Thank you so much - Im just in slight panic mode as im new too all of this so trying to rush. Thank you so much
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