Example courses
What do graduates do?
- Artist
- Illustrator
- Concept artist
- Art therapist
- Museum and gallery curator
- Arts administrator
- Graphic designer
- Photographer
Which subjects matter?
The University of Edinburgh does not ask for a specific A-level or IB subject for fine art. Most applicants have ABB, or 34 points in the IB. Instead, a digital portfolio showing artistic skill is required.
Example: University of the Arts London (UAL), first-year courses
- Unit 1: Studio
- Unit 2: Making
- Unit 3: Describing
- Unit 4: Creative Unions
Length by country
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
USAExams required for this field
Portfolio and interview United Kingdom
A portfolio is required for UCL Slade Fine Art: a PDF of up to 20 pages, with an optional video. Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview at the end of February or in March.
Portfolio United Kingdom
UAL Central Saint Martins BA Fine Art assesses a digital portfolio of up to 25 pages for admission.
Artistic selection process Germany
At Berlin UdK, applicants prove their artistic ability, and admission is decided through a selection process. For pure art programs such as fine art, completing compulsory education (usually 10 years) is enough.
Examples of schools where you can study this subject
6 schools in 5 countries. Programmes were checked on the schools’ own websites. These are only examples; every country has many more options. We choose the schools that fit your budget, documents and goals together.
Australia
University of MelbourneBachelor of Fine Arts · MelbourneUniversity of SydneyVisual Arts · SydneyUSA
Boston UniversityPainting · Boston
Canada
University of British ColumbiaVisual Art · VancouverUnited Kingdom
University of EdinburghFine Art BA (Hons) · Edinburgh
New Zealand
University of AucklandBachelor of Fine Arts · AucklandWhat to know, country by country
For each country where you can study this subject: an example tuition fee and the next step in the timeline. You can find the details in our country guides.
- November 2026
Clarifying the diploma route. The Turkish high school diploma is not on the Melbourne and Sydney lists. Looking at foundation, IB, or a US diploma with SAT/ACT
- 7 November 2026
SAT exam (next date 5 December 2026). Whether a school asks for a test varies by school
- 7 November 2026
Recommended application date for the University of Toronto first review rounds (OUAC 105)
- 26 October to 21 December 2026
Booking period for the January 2027 session of the ESAT, TMUA and TARA exams (for universities other than Oxford and Cambridge).
- 15 November 2026
For those considering February/March 2027 (Semester One) entry: the last day to apply from abroad at Otago. At Canterbury the international closing date is 1 December, and at Auckland it is 8 December 2026 for most bachelor's programs.
Let’s build your school list for Fine Art together
- We choose schools from 26 countries that fit your grades, budget and documents.
- We gather every school’s application timeline, required documents and exam scores in one list.
- We put tuition fees and living costs side by side.
- We prepare your application file and personal statement together.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Foundation Diploma, and what is it for?
The Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is a one-year program that prepares you for an art and design bachelor's. According to Manchester Metropolitan University, its aim is to develop skills and a portfolio. UAL's program is also open to international students. UAL writes that those who pass the course are offered a place on one of its own bachelor's degrees.
Is a portfolio asked for when applying for fine art?
The Slade School of Fine Art, which is part of UCL, asks for one. All BA and BFA Fine Art applicants upload a single portfolio, and the invitation to upload comes after the UCAS application. Applicants who pass the first screening are invited to an interview. The BA takes 4 years and the BFA 3 years.
Other fields of study in this category
Last checked: October 2026.
Is Fine Art right for you?
Let's talk about interests, strong subjects and target countries, and narrow down the subject and school options together.