How to make a perfect fine art portfolio for university

When you apply to study a fine art degree at university you may be asked to submit a portfolio to support your application.

12 January 2026

Grace Swansbury, BA (Hons) Fine Art, UCA Canterbury

Creating an art portfolio for university is an opportunity for you demonstrate your artistic vision, process and potential. 

It can sometimes feel like a huge undertaking, but you'll quickly realise that you likely have a lot of the work you need; all you need to do is piece it together!

This guide is for anyone looking to apply to a fine art degree and focuses on what to include in your portfolio, how to present your work and what admissions tutors are really looking for. 

What is a fine art portfolio? 

A fine art university portfolio is how you can introduce yourself as an artists to the universities you've applied to.

It’s a collection of your work that tells a story of the journey you go through from initial concept to final creation. This is your chance to tell admissions tutors and fine art lecturers a story of your work.

The exact requirements for your portfolio may vary between different universities and the specific course you’ve applied to. 

As a fine art student, your portfolio shouldn't just be a slideshow of pictures showcasing your work. Instead it should give those who read it an insight into your imagination, your influences and how you bring ideas to life. 

Think of it like a diary of your creativity. A diary where research, experimentation and final outcomes sit together to tell your story. 

Amelia Gunn-Dalby, BA (hons) Fine Art, UCA Farnham
Amelia Gunn-Dalby, Fine Art BA (Hons), Farnham

What should you include in a fine art portfolio? 

Every portfolio is different, but a strong art portfolio should balance process and presentation. Academics and admissions tutors love to see how ideas evolve from early inspiration through to a final product.

Here are some of the key types of work you might consider including: 

  • Recent project work
  • Sketchbooks
  • Photographs of your work
  • Notes about work in progression
  • Reflective writing about your work
  • Other writing, such as a blog, that showcases your passion for art

Ultimately, your portfolio should feel personal and demonstrate your interest in art.

Don't fell like you can only include include your strongest work. Content that demonstrates your thought process will be just as important to admissions tutors.

Top tips for building a stand-out fine art portfolio 

  • Start strong and finish strong: begin with a project that represents you at your best and finish something that shows your ambition or future direction. 
  • Document everything: photograph and write about your process as you go. 
  • Tell a story: order your work so that it flows naturally from research to development to outcomes. 
  • Share your personality: Let your interests and influences shine through. Your tutors want to learn about you, not just your work. 
  • Be selective: Aim for quality over quantity. 
  • Show your process: don’t hide your unfinished work or failed experiments. Explain what they taught you and how you adapted. 
  • Ask for feedback: show your portfolio to teachers, classmates, or industry professionals before you submit it. 
Isobel French, BA (Hons) Fine Art, UCA Canterbury
Isobel French, Fine Art BA (Hons), Canterbury

How to present your fine art portfolio 

Most universities will invite you to an applicant or interview day. During these days you’ll be given an opportunity to present or discuss your portfolio with a course academic or admissions tutor. 

For many reasons, some people are unable to attend an applicant day. Most universities will allow you to upload your portfolio online instead when this happens.  

Make sure you focus on clarity, not perfection. Admissions tutors want to see well-organised and thoughtfully sequenced work: 

  • Use folders to group related pieces  
  • Label everything 
  • If you include any videos, ensure links are public or unlisted on platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo so that they’re viewable to everyone  
  • Keep written material legible and well-formatted 

What are admissions tutors looking for in a fine art portfolio? 

Your future lecturers want to understand who you are as a creative. They’re not just assessing the technical skills that you can learn during your degree. Instead, what they're looking for is potential. 

Here’s what will stand out to them: 

  • Creative thinking and originality 
  • A willingness to express yourself 
  • A passion for art 
  • Honesty and self-reflection 
  • Potential to develop and grow as part of your degree 

They aren’t looking for professionals, they want to see passion, experimentation and an eagerness to learn. 

Salsabeel Palliparambil, MA Fine Art, UCA Farnham
Salsabeel Palliparambil, Fine Art MA, Farnham

Need more portfolio support?  

Still unsure what to include? Come along to one of our upcoming Open Days where you can speak to our fine art academics and Admissions Team in more detail about what they expect to see in your portfolio.  

You can also use our Unibuddy chat platform to speak directly to current UCA students and ask them about their portfolio. For more inspiration you could also check out the work created by UCA fine art students via our online graduate showcase. 

UCA fine art degree portfolio requirements 

For specific information on portfolio requirements for fine art degrees at UCA please check the following guides: 

Related courses 

Undergraduate 

Postgraduate