Skip to main content
Pre-degree

Pre-degree: Online

Illustration of a tropical garden scene.
Illustration by Paola Ascanio, Pre-degree Illustration, Camberwell College of Arts, 2020 © Oaika Ascanio
College
Start date
November 2023 Course length
6 months

This 6-month online course for International students offers a creative introduction to art, design and communication. Successful completion will guarantee you a place on an undergraduate degree in one of these creative fields at UAL.

Why choose this course at UAL?

  • A tailored degree. You'll explore lots of subject areas across art, design and communication before choosing a specialist pathway.
  • A stepping stone to undergraduate-level study. Upon successful completion, you will be guaranteed a place on one of our undergraduate courses in art, design and communication.
  • Flexible learning. Learning entirely online gives you the flexibility to fit your studies around your lifestyle.
  • Preparation and confidence. You'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to confidently progress to undergraduate-level study.
  • Diverse workload. Online learning is complemented with practical tasks to develop your core creative skills in drawing, photography, model making and more.
  • Global perspective. Learning with students from across the world will expose you to new perspectives and expand your creative outlook.

Please note

This 6 month, NQF level 3 course is for international students only.

Course overview

This exciting and comprehensive preparation for undergraduate study is taught entirely online. Lively, creative workshops give you the chance to experiment and explore a range of disciplines before you choose your specialist pathway in either Art, Design or Communication.

Successful completion of the course will allow you to transition to a selection of our undergraduate degrees specialising in art, design and communication. Undergraduate offers are dependent on the work and interests that you have developed during your pre-degree course. You may need to meet some additional requirements in order to receive an offer for your chosen undergraduate course. Progression to fashion, textiles and jewellery subject areas is not supported on this course.

On the course

This course is tailored to suit home working. You’ll use a range of platforms including Blackboard Collaborate for live sessions, and Padlet pages to share your work in progress. During sessions, you’ll be encouraged to be resourceful, and make use of your local environment as well as the many online materials that are provided.

Taught sessions blend live delivery with practice-based tasks. Collaborative workshops are designed to enhance your teamwork skills and build a strong online student community. Throughout your studies, you'll have regular one-to-one tutorials and receive plenty of academic and personal support from your tutors.

Your chosen pathway will help you develop the creative skills needed to apply for an undergraduate degree in a related field. Your tutors will provide support and guidance to help you decide which specialist pathway and undergraduate degree is most suitable for you.

Progression options from the Art pathway include:
Progression options from the Design pathway include:
Progression options from the Communication pathway include: 

Language support

English language support and academic writing guidance are offered throughout your course to ensure you are well prepared to study at undergraduate level.

If English is your second language, you may be asked to take the UAL Progress test during your course. You may also be encouraged to join a Pre-sessional English course before you start your undergraduate degree.

Course units

Unit summary:

  • Unit 1: Creative Study Skills (20 credits)

This unit provides an introduction to the course and a wide range of creative study skills. Exploratory workshops will give you the opportunity to experience many subject areas and enhance your research and development skills. Longer projects will enable you to focus on the subject area, media and ideas that interest you the most. By the end of this unit, you will join your specialist pathway and start researching your undergraduate options.

  • Unit 2: Cultural and Contextual Studies (20 credits)

This unit will develop your cultural awareness and teach you how to apply critical and analytical thinking skills to your research. You'll learn how to articulate well-informed opinions about your research and develop your understanding of contemporary practice in your future disciplines.

  • Unit 3: Academic Communication for HE Study (20 credits)

This unit focuses on all forms of communication required for undergraduate study at UAL. You’ll develop your reading, writing and listening skills alongside your visual communication skills. You'll learn how to combine these skills in order to communicate your ideas in a range of ways. Task-based sessions focus on building your confidence using various communication methods such as presentations, project crits and interviews.

  • Unit 4: Personal Project (30 credits)

In this final unit, you’ll work on a self-determined project which brings together all the knowledge and skills you’ve learnt so far. Pathway tutors will support you to develop the skills and approaches required for your future undergraduate course. Group sessions continue to strengthen your core creative and academic skills. This specialist project will demonstrate that you’re ready to progress to undergraduate-level study.

Student work

  • Maria-Arango_-visualisation-of-a-performance-space_2021_PreDegree-Online_UAL.png
    Visualisation of a performance space by Maria Arango, Pre-degree: Online, 2021
  • Yuan-Liu_experimental-digital-drawing_2021_PreDegree-Online_UAL.png
    Experimental digital drawing by Yuan Liu, Pre-degree: Online, 2021
  • Yaqi-Zeng_sound-and-video-installation_2021_PreDegree-Online_UAL-.png
    Sound and video installation by Yaqi Zeng, Pre-degree: Online, 2021
  • Yamily-Peng_design-development-sketches_2021_PreDegree-Online_UAL.png
    Design development sketched by Yamily Peng, Pre-degree: Online, 2021
  • Tiancheng-Qiu_mixed-media-photography_2021_PreDegree-Online_UAL.png
    Mixed media photography by Tiancheng Qiu, Pre-degree: Online, 2021
  • Nian-Xu_poster-design_2021_PreDegree-Online_UAL-.png
    Poster design by Nian Xu, Pre-degree: Online, 2021

Facilities

  • Student at a desk typing on a computer
    © Alys Tomlinson, Portfolio by by Craig Green, MA Games Design, London College of Communication.

    Online facilities

    You'll have access to a range of tools and platforms, including Office360, to help you study online. Our IT support team can also help you with any technical issues during your course.

  • Library
    Ideal Insight,

    Library services

    We offer a wide range of library resources and support services, which can be accessed both online and in person.

  • Academic Support session. Image by G Barton, 2017

    Academic support online

    Our academic support services offer online tutorials, workshops and resources to help you enhance your study skills.

Staff

Lecturers

Gary Campbell

Shernette Daly

Kaori Homma

Fritha Jenkins

Joanna Norton

Naomi Ryder

Matthew Stock

Mark Thomson

Associate Director

David Sims

Fees and funding

International fee

£17,100

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Or view all

Entry requirements

Successful completion of school education including a certificate of achievement to at least Level 2 (GCSE equivalent).

Please note: A portfolio of work is required as part of your application.

English Language Requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.

The level required by the University for this course is:

  • IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 4.5 in any one skill)

Please note: You must take the IELTS or another English test accepted by UAL. Visit the UAL Language Requirements page for further information.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning)

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by 1 or more of these factors:

  • Related academic or work experience.
  • The quality of the personal statement.
  • A strong academic or other professional reference.

All students who successfully complete this course will be able to transition to one of our undergraduate courses at University of the Arts London. There may be some additional requirements depending on your chosen course.

Selection criteria

In addition to meeting the entry requirements, we are looking for you to demonstrate through your portfolio and application:

  • Evidence of art and design creative practice.
  • Motivation to engage and succeed in the course.
  • Potential and motivation to progress to an undergraduate course at UAL.
  • An interest in increasing your creative and academic skills through personal and professional development (PPD).

How we assess your application

Your application form is reviewed when you apply to the University. If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements, you will be invited to submit a portfolio. Your portfolio is then assessed by our academic team who will make a decision on your application.

Please note: applicants may be invited to an online/telephone interview.

Apply now

Application deadline

There is no application deadline for this course. Applications are considered throughout the year and until the course is full.

Apply to UAL

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

There is no application deadline for this course. Applications are considered throughout the year and until the course is full.

Apply to UAL

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that demonstrates your interest in art and design.

It should:

  • be maximum 30 pages
  • include a wide range of work that demonstrates your ability to use different techniques and materials. This could include drawings; paintings; prints; illustration, 3D models and sculptures; photographs; films and animations; blogs; or digital layouts. If you include videos, please ensure it’s no more than 3 minutes long.
  • include a text caption with each image you upload. Make sure you explain your process and inspirations rather than just describing your work.
  • include work from school or college, or any other projects you have worked on independently.
  • include research and work in progress as well as final outcomes to demonstrate your development processes.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes .

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

We do not accept any deferral requests for our pre-degree courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Careers

If you successfully complete the course, you will gain a qualification and be guaranteed a place to study one of our undergraduate courses specialising in either art, design or communication.

Which UAL undergraduate course will you be offered a place on?

If you successfully complete the Pre-Degree Online course, you will be made at least one offer to a UAL undergraduate course, to start the following September. We cannot guarantee that you will be made an offer for each course that you apply to, and, in some instances, you may be made an offer to an alternative course that you did not apply to. The offer(s) that you receive will depend on your portfolio and will be made after careful review by College course teams and Admissions Tutors.

For those students who make satisfactory achievements in all parts of the course but have difficulty with the English language, there may be a possibility of improving your English language level through attendance and achievement on the Pre-sessional Academic English Programme (PAEP) language course run by the Language Centre at UAL. Alternatively, you can take an external four skills English tests such as IELTS or PTE. More information can be found on the Language Requirements page.

Contact

Address