Apply to a pre-degree course
Our pre-degree courses are designed to develop your skills, portfolio and area of interest to prepare you for undergraduate study.
We want you to feel confident throughout the application process from choosing a course through to applying and submitting your portfolio.
The application deadline for Pre-degree: Online is Monday 10 November 2025 at 1pm (UK time).
For all other pre-degree courses, the application deadline is Wednesday 25 February 2026 at 1pm (UK time).
Here are some steps outlining how to apply:
1. Choose your course
These courses are available to home and international students:
- UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is a common route into practice-based undergraduate study at UAL. When you apply, we’ll ask you whether you’d like to study in diagnostic or specialist mode (see the course page for more information).
- Certificate in Higher Education: Preparation for Design, Media and Screen develops your creative, academic and professional potential in design, media and screen.
Pre-degree courses for international applicants
These courses are available to international students only. They include English language support and academic writing guidance:
2. Check the entry requirements
Entry requirements vary depending on the course you’ve chosen.
Read the 'Entry requirements' and 'Apply now' sections of your chosen course webpage carefully before applying so that you don’t miss any important information.
Courses may ask for a personal statement, portfolio or written task as part of the application process.
3. Apply
Applications for our pre-degree courses open in October.
The application deadline for Pre-degree: Online is Monday 10 November 2025 at 1pm (UK time).
For all other pre-degree courses, the application deadline is Wednesday 25 February 2026 at 1pm (UK time) for equal consideration. If you meet this deadline, you should receive an answer from us by 13 May 2026. We strongly encourage you to apply by December.
To apply, you'll need to submit an initial application which includes your personal statement.
The application process varies depending on the course you’ve chosen and whether you’re a home or international student (your tuition fee status).
Home students
- Foundation Diploma in Art and Design - apply through the online application form on the course page.
- Certificate in Higher Education: Preparation for Design, Media and Screen - apply via UCAS, using the course code detailed on the course page.
International students
- Apply through one of our UAL representatives in your country for personalised support throughout the application process. They can also offer guidance on visas and immigration, accommodation and more.
- Or, you can also apply directly through the online application form on the course page.
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.
Top tips for your personal statement
- 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.
4. Check your emails
After you’ve applied, you’ll get a confirmation email with your login details for the UAL Portal.
We may also contact you by email to ask you to upload any additional information to the UAL Portal, including inviting you to upload supporting documents, or book an interview.
Make sure you check your emails regularly, including your spam folders.
5. Upload portfolio and supporting documents
Entry requirements vary, so make sure you check the ‘How to apply’ section on your course webpage. You may need to upload the following as part of your application:
Digital portfolio or written task
Check your course webpage to see if this is needed and what to include. We’ll email you to upload your portfolio to PebblePad, usually within 2 weeks of submitting your application.
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, our online portfolio tool.
Scanned copies of your qualifications
Following an offer, we’ll ask you to provide us with scanned copies of your qualifications via your UAL Portal by the deadline indicated in your offer letter. We may also need you to provide qualifications to show you have met our English Language Requirements (see below).
If you're a Home student, you'll also need to provide qualifications to show that you have met the English and Maths requirements for the course (please see the course page for further information).
Academic transcripts
We may ask you to upload your academic transcripts to your UAL Portal, either while we assess your application or after we have made you an offer. Transcripts must be official copies translated into English. We won’t accept screenshots.
English language certificate
You'll need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements. This may involve proving your language level with a qualification like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants who require a Student Visa must take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) which is approved by the UK government for your UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) application.
We’ll ask you to upload your English language certificate 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. Find out more about English language requirements and qualifications we accept.
Academic and personal references
We may ask you to provide academic and/or personal reference/s, but not all courses require them. Check your course webpage to see if a reference is needed.
International applicants: supporting documents
There are additional entry requirements and supporting documents to prepare and upload to the UAL Portal if you are an international applicant. 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. 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
After you've applied, we'll carry out a fee status assessment and immigration history check. We do this to make sure you'll be eligible to study the pre-degree course at UAL. This includes making sure you meet the funding requirements and current immigration rules. We won't be able to proceed with your application until you've submitted your completed Immigration History Form.
Once we’ve reviewed and assessed your application, we’ll contact you via the UAL Portal to let you know whether your application has been successful.