Key Facts & Requirements

17+

One Academic Year (September - June)

UCAS Points achieved through completion of course (for entry to UK universities): 

Up to 112 points (Distinction). This is equivalent to a full IB Diploma pass (at 24 points)

A-Level Art or Design Technology or IB Visual Arts (or equivalent), 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) and
Most importantly: a portfolio of recent art and design work.

The course is delivered in English. Students must be able to demonstrate a level of IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent).

Regardless of your English score, your portfolio remains a primary factor in admission, as it demonstrates your ability to communicate visually, a core component of the course.

The SGBIS UAL Foundation Diploma is less about producing “perfect” finished pieces and more about developing and communicating how you think. When considering your application, we want to see your curiosity
and your willingness to experiment.

1. The Digital/Physical Portfolio (15–20 Slides/Pages)

• Diverse Media: Include a mix of drawing, painting, 3D work, photography, or digital design. Show us that you aren’t afraid to try new materials.
• Process leading Product: Dedicate at least 50% of your portfolio to “work in progress.” Include clearly scanned pages from your sketchbooks showing the mind maps, diagrams, proposals, ‘failed’ experiments, and rough thumbnails that evolved into resolved outcomes.
• Observational Skills: Include primary observational drawings (drawing, painting or sculpting directly from real life, not from a photograph). This demonstrates how you translate the 3D world onto a 2D surface. Quick, spontaneous drawings are as valuable as more refined and polished work.
• Contextual Interest: Show us what inspires you. This could be a short written reflection on an artist you love, or a project influenced by a specific cultural theme.
• Annotation: Don’t just show the image; write a brief sentence about why you made that choice, or what you learned if it went wrong.
• Curation: Ensure your strongest project is at the very beginning to grab attention, and your second-strongest is at the end to leave a lasting impression.