Advanced Portfolio Preparation - UAL Level 3
- Location
- Langside Campus
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- Other non-advanced qual
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 Year (August to June)
If you want to build a strong portfolio, this fast-paced preparation course will help you to get to the next level of art education. It’s designed in partnership with the University of the Arts London (UAL) to encourage independent creative thinking in response to innovative projects, helping you to develop a wide range of artistic skills and a lively portfolio of work. This course gives you an excellent opportunity to develop your ideas, and is designed to help you feel ready to transition to Art and Design-related degree courses.
What will I learn?
This Advanced Portfolio Preparation course is delivered by a team of established and practising artists and designers. It covers all general Art disciplines within fine art and design such as drawing, painting, two-dimensional design, three-dimensional design, illustrative sculpture, and observational drawing. This will allow you to find the subject which best suits your skills and will allow for a more focused progression.
Throughout this broad-based art and design course, you'll produce your own portfolio. Tutor support is provided on a one-to-one basis throughout this process providing invaluable advice about which direction to head with projects; ensuring the preparation of a portfolio that is well-rounded with a diversity of media and project types. In each project, you'll work on source drawing, the development of ideas and solutions.
Life drawing may be offered as an additional subject from one of our campuses.
You'll be invited to attend open days and exhibitions, given assistance with the UCAS process, and help to prepare for your art school interview and the submission of your portfolio.
Hear from Rebecca, who has progressed to Duncan of Jordanstone.
UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art and Design | UAL (arts.ac.uk)
Statement-of-purpose-Level-3-Diploma-in-Art-and-Design.pdf (arts.ac.uk)
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Higher Art and Design or
- Level 2 Diploma in Art and Design
- A strong portfolio of art and design work is key to supporting a successful application
- A personal statement is required
- Foundation/Modern Apprenticeship Award
Please note: if you are planning to use this course to apply direct to Art School, you may require additional Highers, please check with the individual institute.
Entry requirement equivalency table
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
We have well-established links with Glasgow School of Art, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Edinburgh College of Art, Gray's School of Art at Robert Gordon University and you'll be encouraged to attend open days at these institutions.
You'll have the opportunity to experience talks from alumni, professional artists and designers, who will provide an insight into their experience and practice. You'll also have talks from specialist departments from various Art Schools including the University of the Arts London.
You'll be given the opportunity to take part in an art residency on the Isle of Skye.
Jobs and further study
You could make a career from your artistic skills. Many of our former students work in the creative industries or as independent arts practitioners.
You could progress to various universities and art schools including Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, Queen Margaret University, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Gray's Art School, Edinburgh Napier University, Central St. Martins, Camberwell College of Art and Design, University of Creative Arts, Heriot-Watt University, University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University and University Arts London.
You could also continue your studies at the college on one of our HND art and design courses:
HNC Fine Art: Painting and Print Making
And some other HNDs offered elsewhere including HND Jewellery, HND Graphic Design for Print and New Media: Visual Communication and HND Computer Arts and Animation.
Take a look at the course progression map for art and design courses.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You'll receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you'll be:
- Invited to book a group/ interview session- where you'll be given information about the course and asked to bring along a small portfolio of artwork. We will aim to talk to everyone one-to-one during this session. Once this interview has taken place you'll be informed of the decision and the offer you have been made. (In some instances, we may feel that you would benefit from and alternative course and this will be made clear at the interview and via the offer)
If you do not meet the entry requirements you'll be:
- Invited to book a small group information session where you'll be seen one-to-one to discuss your options based on your experience and level of artwork.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you do not meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you'll be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements (including the portfolio of work), and your place is guaranteed. You'll be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You'll be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full, and you have been placed on a waiting list. If spaces do become available, you may be contacted. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you'll not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you'll be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date.
UAL Level 3
Discover what the course is like
Tuition Fees for Full-time NC/NQ/Higher (Non-advanced) Courses
When I started the course I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in the future, but the tutors all supported me in making a decision. I am really happy that I have been offered, and have accepted, a place at Glasgow School of Art to study Textiles next year
All the hard work was worth it and I would really recommend this course to anyone who is thinking about studying a Portfolio Preparation course