Bachelor degree
Detailed admission requirements
For acceptance to the 3 year Bachelor of Arts Degree, BA (Hons) Design in collaboration with the University of Chester, students must meet the same requirements as students applying to the University of Chester. To earn a bachelor degree, applicants must enter as a bachelor student from the start of the first year. Applicant’s qualities and skills will be assessed through examination of: Proof of Artistic Studies, Certification of English skills, Academic Ability. Applicants may be required to have a phone interview before an offer of a place can be made.
To apply to the 3 year Bachelor Degree we require:
1. English skills- As listed below. *Students of English speaking countries can obtain a waiver.
2. Art Studies- A portfolio is not required but art classes during taken during one of the two final years of high school or certificates from art may courses qualify. Design training is not required. Students without certficates of art skills, but have a portfolio will also be considered.
3. Academic Ability- as defined below
4. A scan of your passport or EU Identification. If the last period of study was over 12 months ago also provide 1) Evidence of what you have been doing since graduation and 2) A written explanation of why you would now like to return to education.
-Academic Ability/ High School. The requirments for highschool grades vary for every country. UK and IB Students should see below for entry requirements.
international students
All international students should see the University of Chester web site for Minimum Highschool Requirements. Please contact us if your country is not listed. Students who graduated high school plus have a university bachelor degree can meet the highschool requirements regardess of score.
ib & uk students
IB- International Baccalaureate: 29 points, including 5 in HL Visual Arts.
- UCAS Points. A minimum of 112 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent, inc A2 Level Art & Design, Fine Art or Photography.
GCE A Level: with one of the following subjects: Art, Art & Design, Graphic Design, Design & Technology.
BTEC: Extended Diploma (Art & Design): merit/ distinction profile with mark of 50% .
BTEC: Diploma: D*D*
Irish / Scottish Highers: B in 4 subjects, including Art.
QAA: QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma (Art & Design), Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, Open College Units or Open University Credits.
OCR: OCR National Extended /Diploma (Art and Design): merit/ distinction profile
The Advanced Diploma: acceptable in combination with one of the GCE A Level subjects listed above
Welsh Baccalaureate (core) will be recognized as per our tariff offer.
-Certification of English skills can be proven by any of the exams below. Students not qualified with language skills may enroll for the 1yr Diploma and later try to apply after meeting the required English level. Students with borderline English skills may still be accepted but would need to enroll to intensive classes prior. Note English exam certificates expire after 2 years.
english exams
IELTS Score of 6.5 or
IELTS score of 6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in any band),
PTE Academic with overall score of 57 and no less than 51 in any component
Cambridge ESOL -overall score of C
Cambridge Advanced (CAE): grade of A or B
Cambridge Proficiency English (CPE): Grade C
IGCSE First Language English with a grade C or above
IB Diploma: International Baccalaureate:
-IB English A1 or A2 (Standard or Higher Level) – Grade 4
-IB English B (Higher Level) - Grade 4
-IB English B (Standard Level) - Grade 5
TOEFL 550- *Applicants putting forward a TOEFL Qualification must undergo a face to face or Skype interview.
TOEFL 72 (internet based) with the following minimum scores in each component: listening 17, reading 18, speaking 20, writing 17
English Official Language
Applicants who are nationals of the following countries are permitted to submit high school grades for English Language in lieu of English tests.
UK, USA, Antigua, Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago,
* Students who are not nationals of the above but have completed highschool in the above nations may also request a waiver.
TOEIC Exams are not accepted*
-Proof of Art Studies- A portfolio is required if art was not taken during one of the two final years of high school or beyond. Also certificates from art courses may qualify. Note that 'design training' is not needed to qualify. Students without certified artistic training, but have a portfolio of creative work will also be considered. Students with borderline Artistic skills may still be accepted but would need to enroll to intensive classes prior.
This course is validated by the University of Chester.
