Applying to art school can feel like a lot.
It’s not the direct uni process — each art school has its own vibe and its own hoops to jump through.
Yes, grades matter. But for most top art schools, your portfolio, ideas, and personal statement are what count.
But don’t totally ignore your grades, though — a few schools are definitely checking.
So we made it easy: here’s a rundown of the world’s top art schools and exactly what they want from you.
Here are the requirements to apply to the #1 art schools in:
Source: Facebook/The Australian National University
Australia
Australian National University
QS Ranking by subject: 101-150
The Australian National University (ANU) is the only Australian institution to appear in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for Art & Design.
International students who plan to apply for an undergraduate degree will be assessed on the basis of a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary mode of study.
In fact, ANU is the only university on this list that does not require a portfolio or personal statement.
For those with GCE A Levels, you’ll be required to:
- Have a minimum of 80 (best 3 subjects at 13, and best 4 subjects at 14)
- Taken all A Level exams in the same academic year, with the exception of one subject, which can be from the preceding or following year
International Baccalaureate (IB) graduates will be required to:
- Have a minimum of 30
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) graduates are required to:
- Have a minimum of 1170 out of 1600to reach ANU’s entrance rank of 80
- Present evidence of completion of Year 11 and/or Year 12
English language tests have to be submitted by ALL students.
- IELTS Academic/IELTS UKVI Academic: 6.5 (Overall)
- TOEFL iBT: 81 (overall)
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Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
QS ranking: 22
Located in Kowloon, Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is one of the eight government-funded degree-granting tertiary institutions in the country.
PolyU offers only one undergraduate degree, the BA (Hons) in Design; however, you’ll be able to choose a specialisation upon graduation, such as advertising design, environmental design, interior design, and more.
For those with GCE A Levels, you’ll be required to:
- Have a Grade B or above in 3 GCE A Level / International A Level subjects
IB graduates will be required to:
- Have a total of 32 points or above out of 45
SAT graduates will need to:
- Have successfully completed a High School Diploma with an average of 80% or above
- Have a SAT Total Score of 1190 or above out of 1600 OR ACT with a Composite Score of 24 or above out of 36 (in one sitting)
- Have a Grade 3 or above in 2 Advanced Placement (AP) subjects
However, if you have taken five AP classes, you can submit:
- Have successfully completed a High School Diploma with an average of 80% or above
- Have a Grade of 3 or above in 5 Advanced Placement (AP) subjects
For students who have taken other educational routes, click here for more information.
Regarding English language requirements, ALL students need to have a satisfactory level. Submitting a TOEFL or IELTS is not necessary if you have received:
- Grade C / Grade 4 or above in English / English Language / English Literature for IGCSE/GCSE
- Grade E or above in English/ English Language/ English Literature for A Levels
- A score of 590 or above in Evidence-based Reading and Writing for the SAT
Disclaimer: The English-language requirement varies by country. Read here to find out more.
All students applying must submit a portfolio.
For those with an art background, a creative portfolio is needed. Here’s what PolyU expects:
- Two-dimensional works
- Collage, drawing/illustration/painting/sketching, photography, storyboard, visual diary
- Three-dimensional works (Photographed)
- Craft, installation, mixed media, model/prototype, sculpture
- Multimedia (with links / QR code)
- Apps/website, animation/video, demonstration of work
- Related elective taken:
- Visual arts, design and applied technology, art and design related (dance, film, music, theatre)
If you don’t have an art background but are interested in design, you’ll need a maker portfolio:
- Works
- Creative concepts, personal insights, research, script writing, storytelling, creative coding, model/prototype
- Related projects done
- Community, entrepreneurship, STEM/STEAM, design and technology, applied maths, applied physics, app design
- Related elective taken
- STEM-related, tourism and hospitality, history, geography, business, economics, ICT, languages
If you need inspiration for your portfolio, we have some top tips here.
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Singapore
Nanyang Technological University
QS ranking by subject: 19
Just like PolyU, Nanyang Technological University only offers one undergraduate programme, the Bachelor of Fine Arts. You’ll be able to choose your specialisation in animation and game art, cinematic arts, communication design and photographic practice, or transversal design: object and interaction.
For those with international qualifications, you’ll be required to show:
- A good mathematics grade at a junior high school level
- A good grade in English at a senior high school level
IB graduates will be required to show:
- Proficiency in mathematics at the standard level, and
- A good grade in English at the standard level
ALL applicants must submit four materials for the admissions assessment:
- A portfolio
- Two and three-dimensional works (15-20 pages in a single document in PDF format); OR
- Time-based works, including video, audio, interactive multimedia and/or game or screenplay (4-minute video maximum duration per entry and up to 3 entries in total)
- An introduction video
- 60 and 120 seconds and no longer
- Look straight into the camera
- No edits or filters to be used
- Try to find a quiet location with good light
- Introduce yourself, talk about what and why you would love to create, why you want to pursue creative arts, and talk about one achievement you’re proud of
- Creative projects
- Choose one format to approach the theme of “boredom”: one-minute video/film or animation; OR five to 10 photographic images; OR one-minute media piece; OR five 3D objects or spaces; OR an illustration piece
- An observational drawing
- Draw, from direct observation, a space of your choice (non-digital materials)
Source: Facebook/The New School
US
The New School
QS ranking by subject: 3
Located in New York City, The New School requires several documents from applicants.
While specific grades aren’t listed by the university, A Levels students must have completed or be in the process of completing three subjects at the time of application. IB students can either pursue the IB Diploma Program (DP) or the IB Career-related Programme (CP).
In addition to transcript documents, students will have to submit:
- Two essays
- In your study or work at The New School, what social issue or system would you make the focus of your efforts to effect change? (300-400 words)
- What specific aspects of The New School’s academic programs or community drew you to apply? Please pay particular attention to the college and program that you have applied to in your essay. (300-400 words)
- Two letters of recommendation (School counsellor and a teacher)
- A visual portfolio (for all Bachelor of Fine Arts programmes)
- Eight to 12 slides
- Drawing, painting, sculpture, fashion design, animation, performance, graphic design, sketchbook pages
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UK
University of the Arts London
QS ranking by subject: 2
For the Bachelor of Fine Arts programmes, entry requirements are:
- Pass an International Foundation equivalent of Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
- Three GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*–C).
Disclaimer: Other qualifications are accepted, and are not limited to A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Extended Diplomas, UAL Extended Diploma, IB Diploma, and Equivalent international qualifications.
You must submit the following as well:
- A personal statement
- Answer three questions (Why do you want to study this course or subject? How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject? What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?)
- 4,000 words
- One or two academic references from a teacher, adviser or professional who knows you academically
- A digital portfolio
- Check your programme’s website as each has different requirements
- Include work from three to five projects
- Drawings, sketchbook pages, research, video, OR 3D objects.
- Written or video task (depending on your programme)
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