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CONTENTS
- What is art and design?
- Art and design degree entry requirements
- The best universities for art and design
- How to compare art and design courses in Clearing
- What if I can’t find an art and design course in Clearing?
What is art and design?
For all those who have a creative streak in them, an art & design degree is perfect. With photography, drawing and painting just some of the skills to delve into, there are many opportunities for students to express themselves and problem solve in creative ways. This subject gives students the chance to gain knowledge of a wide range of historic and contemporary art forms.
A degree in art & design can lead to an array of exciting career paths. Many graduates of art & design degrees go on to work in fashion, graphic design, advertising and designing or editorial roles.
If your grades don’t meet the entry requirements to study art & design at your firm or insurance choice universities, don’t feel too disheartened. You still have plenty of other options to consider, including searching through Clearing to find an alternative course to apply to. Here’s how to do it.
Art & design degree entry requirements
The minimum UCAS Tariff points to study art & design ranges from 88 points (CCD at A-level) to 144 points (AAA at A-level), with the average being 120 points (BCC at A-level).
For applicants with A-levels, most universities will require you to have studied an art & design related course. Some universities will also consider a high grade at GCSE if you did not study an art & design related subject at A-level along with a portfolio of recent work. Typically, subjects such as general studies and critical thinking are excluded and cannot be counted as part of your points total.
BTECs are accepted by most universities, however, they must be in a related subject (e.g. Diploma in art and design or other related subjects). You’ll need a D*D*D*-DDD for the top universities but could find a place on a course with as little as PPP.
A small number of universities do offer art & design degrees with integrated foundation years, specifically for students who don’t have the required qualifications to gain direct entry onto their degree programme. The first year is designed to equip students with the necessary academic knowledge and skills for degree-level study.
The entry requirements for these courses are much lower – as little as 48 UCAS points – so could be a good option for you. It’s important to remember though, that not only will your degree take longer to complete, the extra year will add additional course fees and living expenses to the cost of your studies.
Art and Design Entry Requirements
| Type | Minimum Grades/Points Required (with Foundation Year) | Minimum Grades/Points Required | Maximum Grades/Points Required | Average Grades/Points Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCAS Points | 48 | 88 | 144 | 120 |
| A-level | EEE-DDD | CCD | AAB-AAA | BBB |
| BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | PPP | MMM | D*D*D*-DDD | MMP |
| International Baccalaureate | 24 | 29 | 38 | 32 |
Note: The exact entry requirements for art & design courses will vary from university to university. It’s important to check the individual course pages for exact entry information – including information on what other qualifications may be accepted – before making any applications.
It’s important to remember that universities don’t just assess you on your grades or UCAS points totals. They'll also take into account your personal statement, and how well you’ve communicated your passion for the subject and your chosen career path. They 'l also want to see what you can contribute to university life, so will look favourably on students who’ve been active members of clubs and societies at college/sixth form.
Some universities may also ask students to attend an interview or selection day and your performance here will form part of your application success.
Top tip: If you have only just missed out on the grades/UCAS points needed for your chosen university, it’s worth giving them a call to see if they would be willing to accept you – based on your personal statement and interview performance. There are no guarantees, but it’s worth a try.
The best universities for art & design
Our sister site, the Complete University Guide, publishes university league tables every year ranking UK unis nationally and in 70+ subject areas. Check out the latest rankings to see the best UK unis for art and design.
How to compare art & design courses in Clearing
Other important information to look at when choosing an art & design course include: what the module choices are; how you’ll be taught and/or assessed; whether there are placement opportunities; and what the graduate employment rates are.
You can compare courses based on all these important factors right here on Whatuni. To start your search, head over to Whatuni’s Clearing hub and enter ‘art & design’’ into the search bar. Then you can start browsing through the information pages for each course, comparing them to all the important factors listed above.
Top Tip: During Clearing, some universities have been known to lower the entry requirements for some of their courses. There is no way to tell if this will happen to art & design courses in Clearing, but if a university has a lot of vacancies to fill, they may be willing to accept students with lower grades.
The easiest way to see which courses your grades make you eligible for is to click the ‘YOUR GRADES’ button located at the top of the search results page and fill in the on-screen form. The list will then be personalised with matching courses:
Once you’ve compiled a list of courses, you then need to decide which of the shortlisted universities you’d be most happy living at for the next three to four years. A good place to begin your research is by ordering the university’s prospectus, which will give you an overview of what they offer students in terms of learning facilities, accommodation, social activities, and financial and welfare support.
We would also advise you to book yourself onto an open day tour or event at each university - if you have time to do so. This'll give you a chance to have a closer look at the campus and perhaps speak to some current students and/or potential tutors. Open day events are really useful for helping you build a picture of what your life there might be like and whether you’d enjoy it.
Before making any final decisions, we’d also suggest you check our student reviews. They'll give you an honest insight into what it’s really like to study and live at your shortlisted universities. Simply enter the university name and/or subject name to see what students are saying:
What if I can’t find an art & design course in Clearing?
If you haven’t been able to find or secure a place on a suitable art & design course in Clearing, don’t despair. There are still several other options available to you:
- Apply for a joint honours degree: If you can’t find a suitable art & design course to apply for, then one alternative is to search for a joint honours course where art & design make up one half of the degree. Common subjects to be paired with art & design include creative media; drama; education; creative writing; and psychology. Just make sure to think carefully about your future career aspirations before making a decision.
- Apply for a Clearing course in a similar subject: Subjects like illustration, animation, graphic design, interior design, games design and fashion design and technology all cover some aspects of art & design as part of their curriculum and may be good alternatives to consider. Again, make sure to think carefully about your future career aspirations before making a decision.
- Study an art and design HNC/HND: Higher National Certificates and Diplomas are vocational-based courses equivalent to one (HNC) or two (HND) years of a bachelor degree. They aim to produce graduates who are ready for employment in a wide range of art & design-related careers. The entry requirements for art & design HNCs and HNDs are a lot lower than for a degree – as low as 32 UCAS points (from art related Level 3 qualifications – i.e. A-levels or BTECs).
- Study an art and design foundation degree: Much like HNDs, foundation degrees (FdSc) are vocational-based courses that last two years full-time and are worth two years of a bachelor’s degree. Entry requirements are a lot lower – between 32 and 80 UCAS points (EE – BCC at A-level or PP – MMP BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma). They are ideal for those who didn’t get the grades for entry onto a degree or for mature students looking to re-enter higher education. After completing a Foundation degree students can progress onto the third year of a BSc degree or gain employment.
- Resit your exams: If none of these alternative options appeals to you, or you have your heart set on a particular course at a particular university, then you could opt to re-sit your A-level exams and apply for university entry next year.
