Apply to a postgraduate taught course
We want you to feel confident throughout the application process, from choosing a course all the way through to applying on the course webpage.
We've set out 6 steps to apply for a postgraduate taught course at UAL. You'll also find advice for home and international students on how to prepare the tasks and documents you may need for your application.
1. Check the entry requirements
Once you've chosen a course, read the 'Entry requirements' and 'Apply now' sections of the course webpage carefully before applying.
As part of your initial application, we may ask you to provide:
- a written task or essay
- study proposal
- CV
- personal statement.
Later in the process, we may ask you to submit:
- a digital portfolio
- video task
- supporting documents.
Get advice on how to prepare tasks and documents ready for your application.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, you'll need to prove your language level with a qualification like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). We'll ask you for evidence after we've made you an offer.
Learn more about supporting documents for home and international students in step 5 'Upload portfolio and documents’.
2. Think about funding
Tuition fees
You’ll find the tuition fee for your chosen course on your course webpage.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees, including how to pay them.
Scholarships, loans and progression discount
Use the scholarship search tool to explore scholarships available for eligible applicants.
Scholarships for postgraduate students include:
UK students may also be eligible for a Postgraduate Masters Loan.
You could get a 20% discount on Masters course tuition fees if you've already completed a course at UAL.
Fees and funding advice
Read more information and guidance on fees, funding and costs:
- Fees and funding information.
- Postgraduate funding.
- Study costs guide.
- Living in London costs.
- Money management for students.
3. Apply through the course webpage
There are 2 rounds of applications for UAL postgraduate courses. This is to make sure that all applicants are considered fairly and equally.
Application deadlines
- Round 1: apply by 2 December 2025 at 1pm (UK time).
- Round 2: apply by 18 March 2026 at 1pm (UK time).
After the round 2 deadline, courses will remain open to applications until they're full. We recommend you submit your application as early as possible.
How to apply
Use the 'Start your application' button on the 'Apply now' section of your chosen course webpage. This takes you through to the online application form.
You can only apply for a postgraduate course once in the academic year. If your application is unsuccessful, or you decline an offer but then change your mind, you'll need to wait until the next academic year to reapply. This means that if you apply in round 1, you can't apply for the same course again in round 2.
If you've applied to a UAL course before, please use the same email address to apply again if possible.
International students
Applying through a UAL representative in your country means you can get specialist support and guidance throughout your application.
Support for dyslexic and disabled students
Contact our Disability Service team if you need help with applying. They can also provide support with open days and interviews.
4. Check your emails
After you’ve applied, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll contact you by email to ask you to upload any additional information, tasks or documents, including a portfolio if needed. Make sure you check your emails regularly, including spam folders.
Submission deadlines
You need to submit any additional information, tasks or documents by the following deadlines after making your initial application:
- Round 1: your individual submission deadline will be on or before 16 December 2025 at 1pm (UK time).
- Round 2: your individual submission deadline will be on or before 31 March 2026 at 1pm (UK time).
5. Upload portfolio and supporting documents
Portfolio, tasks and documents
Following your initial application, we may ask you to provide a digital portfolio or video task. You'll need to upload them to PebblePad, our online portfolio tool, by the deadline we give you.
Read our guidance on how to prepare and submit tasks and documents further down this page.
Find out how to create and submit your digital portfolio on our portfolio advice page.
Academic transcripts
We may ask you to upload your most recent academic transcripts to your UAL Portal. This could be while we assess your application or after we've made you an offer.
This is an official document which lists your academic history, including qualifications, grades and credits you've been awarded.
Transcripts must be official copies translated into English. We won’t accept screenshots.
English language certificate
If you don’t meet our English Language requirements, you will need to prove your language level with a qualification like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Learn about our English language requirements and the qualifications we accept.
We'll ask you for evidence after we've made you an offer. When we need the certificate, we'll ask you to upload it to the UAL Portal.
We’ll only accept official English Language Test Certificates, translated into English. We won’t accept screenshots. We’ll verify your results directly with the test organisation.
International students: Supporting documents
There are additional entry requirements and supporting documents to prepare and upload to the UAL Portal if you are an international student.
These are in addition to academic references, your personal statement and anything specific to your course such as a digital portfolio.
You should upload documents to the UAL Portal by the deadline communicated in our email to you. Check your course webpage for specific details of supporting documents and entry requirements.
Visa
Depending on your nationality and UK immigration status, you may need a Student Visa to study in the UK. The amount of time you can study in the UK is limited. You should plan your study carefully so you can complete all of your chosen courses. Visit Student Visa for more information.
Our Student Advice Service and our official representatives can help you with your visa application. Visit the Home Office and UK Council for International Student Affairs websites for official guidance.
Passport
You may need to provide a digital copy of your passport.
Immigration History Form
You’ll find the Immigration History Form in the ‘My Applications’ tab of your UAL Portal and you should complete it as soon as possible after submitting your application to UAL.
The Immigration History Form (IMH) is part of our Immigration Compliance Checks. It helps us check that you have the right to study in the UK, and that we can sponsor you for a student route visa if needed.
Anyone who is not a UK national must complete the IMH, even if you’ve never studied in the UK. You’ll also need to complete it if you currently have an immigration status in the UK or you have had one in the past. This includes pre-settled, or settled status in the UK or another permission which allows you to stay in the UK.
You must submit any copies of Biometric Resident permits you have held in the UK and a share code to your current status.
6. Wait for a decision
Once we’ve reviewed and assessed your application, we’ll contact you via email and the UAL Portal to let you know whether your application has been successful.
When you'll hear from us
- Round 1: outcomes will be released no later than 20 March 2026.
- Round 2: outcomes will be released no later than 19 June 2026.
We receive a large number of applications from talented students from the UK and across the world and it’s very important that each one gets the consideration it deserves.
The amount of time it takes to reach a decision depends on many factors, including the volume of applications and whether your application is portfolio-based.
We review some of our postgraduate courses on a rolling basis, which means that you’ll receive a decision from us 6 weeks after you apply. Check your course webpage to see when you’ll receive a decision on your application.
Read more about what happens after you apply.
How to prepare tasks and documents
Always check the ‘Apply now’ section of your chosen course webpage before applying. This is where you’ll find details about any tasks or documents you’ll need to send over as part of your application.
We may ask you to provide a written task, study proposal, essay, personal statement or CV as part of the initial online application. After you've applied, you might be asked to upload a digital portfolio and/or a video task to PebblePad – our online portfolio tool.
Discover our advice and top tips on how to create and prepare each of them:
Written task
Some of our courses will ask for a written task as part of your initial application. A written task can help us understand more about you, your work and practice and the way that you think and write.
It’s important to check the ‘Apply now’ section of your course webpage carefully. Specific information about the written task will be found there, including the minimum and maximum word count.
Requirements of a written task vary across our courses. Just some examples of written tasks include:
- essays
- published or unpublished writing
- reflections
- your response to a discussion question.
If you’ve been asked to provide a written task, you’ll be asked to upload it as part of the online application form. The document will need to be in an offline format, for example .doc or .pdf. Using one of these formats will mean we’ll be able to open your files properly.
Before you upload your written task, make sure you:
- proofread it carefully – check spelling and grammar
- include references if relevant – you’ll find guidelines on this page
- double-check the course webpage to make sure you’ve followed the instructions.
Bibliography and referencing
When we review your application, it’s useful for us to understand who and what influences your ideas and work. Depending on your practice, this may include artists, designers, filmmakers, websites, books, magazines, exhibitions, performances, experiences – anyone or anything that has influenced your written task.
Here are some referencing guidelines:
- Try to include up to 10 references.
- The bibliography is not included in the word count.
- There are different ways to add references to a written document and we don’t ask for a specific style.
- Whichever referencing style you choose, use a consistent style throughout your written task.
Study proposal
Some of our courses will ask for a study proposal as part of your initial application.
This is a written outline of the project you think you’ll work on during the course. What do you think you’ll be doing and how will you do it? A study proposal can help us understand more about you, your work and practice and the way that you think.
Check the ‘Apply now’ section of your course webpage for any specific information you need to include and the maximum word count.
The proposal helps support your application and we understand your ideas are likely to develop and change throughout your time on the course.
If you’ve been asked to provide a study proposal, you’ll need to upload it as part of the online application form. The document will need to be in an offline format, for example .doc or .pdf. Using one of these formats will mean we’ll be able to open your files properly.
Bibliography and referencing
When we review your application, it’s useful for us to understand who and what influences your ideas and work. Depending on your practice, this may include artists, designers, filmmakers, websites, books, magazines, exhibitions, performances, experiences – anyone or anything that has influenced your study proposal.
Here are some referencing guidelines:
- Try to include up to 10 references.
- The bibliography is not included in the word count.
- There are different ways to add references to a written document and we don’t ask for a specific style.
- Whichever referencing style you choose, use a consistent style throughout your study proposal.
Personal statement
A personal statement is like a written pitch. It’s an opportunity to tell us about yourself, what inspires you, what you’re interested in and why you want to study your chosen course at UAL.
Most of our postgraduate courses will ask for a personal statement as part of the initial application. It’s a good way for us to learn more about you.
Check the ‘Apply now’ section of your course webpage for the specific instructions on what your personal statement should cover and the maximum word count – usually 500 words.
Your personal statement can be written beforehand using any software you like. You’ll need to copy and paste the text into the online application form.
The personal statement usually asks for you to outline the following:
- Your reasons for choosing the course.
- Your current practice and how the course will help you achieve your future goals.
- Any relevant education and professional experience, especially if you don’t have formal qualifications.
Personal statement tips:
- It’s about you – your personal story is what makes you unique.
- Make it relevant – talk about examples and experiences that match your course.
- Think experience – talk about relevant professional experience or volunteering.
- Structure and substance – structure it carefully to create a clear narrative.
- Check for mistakes – proofread yourself or ask someone else to do it for you.
- Read aloud – make sure you’re happy with your final edit before you submit.
- Check it again – have another read through once it’s in the application form.
- Avoid including links.
CV
Most of our postgraduate courses will ask for a CV as part of the initial application. CV stands for curriculum vitae which essentially means ‘a short account of your career and qualifications’.
We ask for a CV because it's useful for us to see information relating to your experience and qualifications in one place when we’re reviewing your application.
Your CV will be uploaded as part of the online application form. The document will need to be in an offline format, a .pdf for example. Using this format will mean we’ll be able to open and view your file properly.
It’s helpful to make sure your CV is updated and accurate before applying. You can then use it to help you complete the online application form.
What to include on your CV:
- Your name and contact details.
- A short outline of who you are as a professional/practitioner and your most relevant qualifications and achievements – make sure this is clearly visible on the first page of your CV.
- List your work experience including any voluntary experience along with dates. Don’t leave any unexplained gaps – if there were times you weren’t working, mention what you were doing instead.
- List your education, qualifications and results.
- You can include links to relevant web projects you’d like to share – make sure the links work.
- If you speak English as an additional language, include your most recent English language test score.
How to format your CV:
- Consider using a PDF format as this is a fixed document (so it will look the same to our academic as it does to you).
- A CV is usually between 2–3 pages long, but it’s fine if it needs to be slightly longer.
- Use a minimum font size of 10 so that we can read it clearly.
- Keep it simple with no fancy backgrounds or borders.
- Use text only – no images, graphics or icons.
Digital portfolio
If your initial application is approved, you may then be asked to submit a digital portfolio through PebblePad – our online portfolio tool.
What is a digital portfolio?
- It’s a collection of your work demonstrating how your creativity has developed over time.
- A portfolio shows us your ability to work with different materials, themes and techniques, as well as how you research and develop your ideas.
- It’s a way of showing us your skills, personality and potential – we want to see you within the pages.
Our Portfolio advice page will give you all the guidelines needed to create a strong digital portfolio to support your application. And our How to upload your portfolio page will give you instructions about how to upload it to PebblePad.
Video task
Some of our courses ask for a video task. This is uploaded to PebblePad, our online portfolio tool, at the same time as your digital portfolio (if a portfolio has also been requested). It's requested after you've made your initial application.
A video task is a 2–3-minute video about something specific to your course – the ‘Apply now’ section of your course webpage will give you full instructions.
A video task is a good way for us to find out more about you. It’s another opportunity to show us who you are, how you think and talk about your work and the specific task detailed on the course webpage.
How to prepare your video task:
- Check the ‘Apply now’ section of your course webpage carefully for instructions on the video task.
- Plan what you’re going to cover using some basic notes or a list of bullet points.
- We want to see how you communicate in a natural way so don’t read every word from a script.
- It might help you to practise what you’d like to say beforehand – this could be on your own, speaking to someone else or filming a few test runs.
- Make sure you stick to the requested length of 2–3 minutes – do this by planning properly, focusing on the strongest points and don’t speak too quickly.
- Video files we accept include: mp4, mov, avi, mpeg, mkv, wmv and a maximum file size of 512mb. When planning, make sure your video meets these file requirements.
How to film your video task:
- We need to see and hear you clearly so film yourself in a quiet, well-lit space.
- You can film yourself using your phone, laptop, tablet or any other means that works for you.
- If you find it hard to film yourself, you could ask a friend or family member to film for you.
- Face the camera and speak in English.
- Don’t talk too quickly or we won’t be able to hear you.
- If you go wrong, try again!
If you choose to edit your video, follow these guidelines:
- Don’t add any music tracks to the film as it can be distracting.
- Don’t speed the video up once recorded as it can make it hard to understand.
- The video should be simple and clear – it’s not a test of your video production skills.
How to upload your video task:
Our How to upload your portfolio page will give you full instructions about how to upload your video task to PebblePad, including the file types we accept.
It’s important to note that your video task is included in your page allocation on PebblePad and it's submitted at the same time as your digital portfolio.
For example, if you've been given 20 pages on PebblePad for your digital portfolio and video task, 19 pages will be used for the portfolio and 1 page will be used for the video task.
Applying to more than 1 course
You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for a maximum of 3 courses.
As every course has its own entry and assessment requirements, we recommend tailoring each application to showcase how your experience, skills and interests match that course. Applying for many different courses may make it more difficult for you to show that you are suitable for each course in a competitive admissions process.
Only apply to the course(s) you are most interested in — applying for too wide a range of different courses may reduce your ability to clearly demonstrate your suitability for each. It’s better to make fewer bespoke applications than many generic ones. This will help you to stand out where we have high demand for places.
If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer. UAL doesn't accept repeat applications to the same course in the same academic year.