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120 UCAS tariff points  

• e.g. A-levels: ABB, BTEC: DDM, IB: 33 and Portfolio 

The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. 

We arrange interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. Your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered, as well as your portfolio of work. 

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GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Alternative entry routes text  

If this course interests you, but you don’t have the entry requirements to join our bachelor’s degree you could consider:  

• Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE). 

This is a one-year course offering a comprehensive introduction to art and design, establishing a strong basis for your creative future. During the course, you will engage with a broad range of artistic disciplines and design areas, helping you to discover your passions and refine your skills. 

 Admissions Advice and Support  

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

English language requirements  

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses. 

Visa and funding requirements  

If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. 

Interview 

All applicants to Swansea College of Art are required to have an interview. 

We really enjoy the interview process, getting to know you and your work, and we feel that this is the best way to find the right students for our programmes. This also ensures that our applicants have all the information they need to make the right choice for them too.

If you have any queries before your interview, please contact us at artanddesign@uwtsd.ac.uk.

Portfolio 

We ask that you bring a portfolio of some past and current work. Your portfolio is a collection of your most exciting and representative work, showcasing your creative abilities, technical skills, and artistic vision. It tells the story of your creative journey, highlighting your unique style, interests, and ideas as they develop. We interpret the term ‘portfolio’ broadly and are happy for you to do the same - this can include finished pieces, work in progress, sketchbooks, drawings, and projects that are still unfolding, as these give us insight into your thinking and creative process. Whether in physical or digital format, your portfolio is an opportunity to showcase your creative journey in a way that feels authentic to you, with each piece highlighting your creative potential and enthusiasm for the programme you are applying for.  

We understand that many applicants are still mid-qualification (e.g. A-Level, BTEC, L3, Foundation) and are developing an emerging body of work, so there’s no pressure for everything to be polished or complete. 

Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written and practical. There are no exams on this course.

Students are formatively assessed throughout a module; summative assessment takes place at the end of a module. A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the course, including:

Tutorials 
These tutorials are given across all levels. A more intense period of one-to-one tutorials occurs for the third year students who are by now working more independently. Students can request a tutorial when the need arises. However, as a team, we ensure that students are given valuable and regular support from all members of staff.

We strongly believe in students receiving individual tutorials in order to support their creative journeys.
The work, including practical and conceptual development, is discussed, along with the future intentions of the student. It is an opportunity for any issues/concerns by either party, to be raised. A written account of the tutorial is duplicated, one copy kept by the student the other stored in record files.

Group critiques
These are held across all levels. They provide an excellent opportunity for students to share and exchange ideas with their peers in a structured manner in addition to valuable input from staff.

Informal & Formal presentations
All students are given opportunities to talk to their fellow students about their work, allowing them to understand the importance of presentation within a fine art practice. Formal Presentation in the third year is part of their Major project leading up to the final assessment at the Degree Show.

Exhibiting work
The nature of this varies within the context of the years. All assessments for first and second years are presented at the individual student’s studio space, followed by an end-of-year joint show within the prepared spaces, as vacated by the degree show. The preparation of these spaces, from takedown of studio spaces to conversion to exhibition, is taught, and understood, very much within the context of professional practice, for the third year.

Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources, which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study.

We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.

However, art and design students will likely incur additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice, such as purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining optional study trips, and printing.

Students are expected to bring their own personal art and design equipment when they commence the course. We can advise on the correct equipment needed for your studies and signpost appropriate suppliers if you wish to purchase essential items before or during your studies.  

A basic ‘art and design kit’ will cost approximately £100, but you may well already have much of the equipment required, so check with us first. While we have extensive dedicated digital design studios (PC and Mac) for you to undertake your coursework, you may also wish to bring your own digital devices. Check with us first before making a purchase. 

Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.  

If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies. 

We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.  

Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities 

There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Opportunities to Learn Welsh 

We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.  To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other available funding opportunities, please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section. 

Students can also take up the opportunity to study a semester in Europe, USA or Canada.

There are numerous opportunities ahead of our Fine Art students, where their multi-skilled approach allows them to develop into a number of professional artistic avenues, including:

• Professional practising artist
• Curator/museum and gallery management
• Art therapy
• Project leader in community art
• Teaching/lecturing