How to make a portfolio for university admission. All about the basic requirements for creative specialties — journalists, designers, artists and others.
Free consultationPortfolio — one of the main requirements for admission to creative specialties. Your projects define your acceptance to faculties of design, journalism, and the arts. This article outlines specific requirements for various disciplines, showcases creative samples, and provides guidance for crafting a winning portfolio.
A portfolio represents a compilation of work that the selection committee evaluates to gauge an applicant's professional skills, ideas, talent, and potential. Given that not all universities conduct applicant interviews, a portfolio serves as a unique opportunity to distinguish oneself and enhance admission prospects.
Every university outlines specific requirements based on the chosen discipline. The structure of a portfolio can vary across different institutions. Details regarding the quantity and format of submissions are provided in the criteria section of university websites, often under "Application Requirements" or "Portfolio Requirements".
A portfolio and a resume serve as credentials for university applications or job placements. While a resume typically appears as a succinct list detailing education, awards, work history, scientific contributions, and language proficiency, a portfolio encompasses projects and creative endeavors. Resumes are usually confined to two pages, whereas portfolios have no size limitations.
Portfolios for university applications encompass several distinct categories:
Portfolio formats:
Portfolios are typically requested from candidates pursuing creative disciplines. Through portfolios, the admissions committee assesses applicants based on various criteria, including creativity, work background, accomplishments, and research aptitude.
During university admission, portfolios might be categorized as mandatory or optional. In the first scenario, applying without a portfolio is usually not possible. This type of portfolio is often graded on a 100-point scale. An additional portfolio, if submitted, can contribute extra points to the admission process.
For bachelor’s applicants, portfolios are usually optional. Admission committees evaluate fundamental skills in creative fields and the potential of prospective students. As such, there are no strict entry prerequisites. For instance, graphic design aspirants need not exclusively include logos or commercial posters in their portfolios. If those are unavailable, universities and colleges accept work from related fields. Bachelor's degree applicants may be asked to provide video introductions for essays discussing their background, career aspirations, and future plans.
For master's and PhD programs, admission criteria are more defined. Admission committees review completed projects to assess professional capabilities. Having work experience or specialized training in the field provides an edge. In addition to the portfolio, applicants are frequently requested to submit recommendation letters and an academic resume.
Designers and architects encounter specific criteria tailored to their respective fields. Generally, portfolios for these specialties include 20 small works, such as photographs, sketches, illustrations, and nature drawings. Additionally, candidates are usually expected to include up to three substantial projects, which could consist of website or game links, videos, and drawings.
When applying for design programs, preparing a portfolio is a common practice. Certain universities have specific layout guidelines that the admissions committee also takes into consideration. The design of the portfolio, much like the showcased work, reflects the applicant's creative skills and facilitates differentiation from other candidates. It is recommended to include names, technical details, dates, and brief descriptions in the portfolio.
Additional requirements:
Requirements for applicants seeking a bachelor's degree or preparatory courses are generally less stringent compared to those for prospective master's students. If a candidate lacks experience in a specific field, universities often accept submissions from related areas. Some may request a video essay addressing industry issues[2]. The assessment focuses on fundamental skills such as composition, lighting, and shading[4].
Applicants for master's and PhD programs are evaluated based on their knowledge acquired during their bachelor's degree studies and subsequent work experience. The admissions committee requests specific projects as examples. For instance, fashion applicants might need to provide completed textile products, while web design candidates might share links to multi-page websites. The committee examines the presence of a distinctive style and attention to detail. Academic involvement is also significant; having engaged in design-related research is considered advantageous.
When applying to journalism faculties, universities assess a range of media formats including texts, photos, audio, or video. Applicants are typically requested to submit up to ten pieces that illustrate their concept and writing skills. Creating a portfolio using website platforms like Wix, Tilda, or Wordpress is acceptable and even encouraged.
Additional requirements:
For bachelor’s programs, universities consider any experience related to journalism. This could include behind-the-scenes filming, unpublished articles, or contributions to school media. Clearly outlining tasks and your role in each project is crucial. The admissions committee evaluates the applicant's existing journalism knowledge. If a candidate lacks experience, an interview may be required[5]. While some universities make portfolios optional, having one could provide an advantage.
Prospective master's and PhD students are expected to demonstrate both academic accomplishments and media experience. They can present projects from their work in editorial offices, media organizations, or personal journalistic blogs. The admissions committee examines the applicant's writing style and ability to gather information.
| Specialization | University | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion journalism | University of the Arts London | YouTube |
| Central Saint Martins | YouTube | |
| Creative writing | University of British Columbia | YouTube |
| Photo | De Montfort University | Alumni personal website |
| Internet media | Northwestern University | Alumni personal website |
More portfolio examples can be found on the platform JournoPortfolio, where accomplished journalists, presenters, and writers showcase their professional work. Many graduates from foreign universities also use this website to showcase their projects.
Admission requirements in the arts are often more stringent compared to fields like design or journalism. For instance, artists might be evaluated based on their proficiency in academic drawing. As a result, including projects from art schools, rather than abstract creative endeavors, can enhance their portfolios.
At certain universities, applicants may be granted in-person auditions following the initial online selection process.
Additional requirements:
Portfolios are typically optional for bachelor’s applicants. Possessing one core skill, such as playing a musical instrument, dancing, or drawing, is sufficient. Those who have graduated from art or music schools have a smoother entry. If an applicant lacks experience, universities often accept work in a similar field. For example, prospective film directing students could submit personal blog videos or photos.
In master's and PhD programs, which encompass a broader range of fields, the requirements are more rigorous. Portfolios are frequently required, along with CVs and recommendation letters from instructors. The works in the portfolio should showcase career experience, including staged performances and musical compositions within a theatrical context.
| Specialization | University | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Dancing | Columbia University | YouTube |
| Directing | N/A | YouTube |
| Music — vocals | Stanford, Harvard, Duke University | YouTube |
| Music — oboe and piano | Royal Northern College of Music | YouTube |
| Music — flute | Stanford, Cornell, Dartmouth College | YouTube |
| Music — piano | Brown University | YouTube |
| Art | Rhode Island School of Design, California Institute of the Arts, Pratt, Parsons School of Design, The Savannah College of Art and Design | YouTube |
| Cinematography | Ryerson University | YouTube |
| University of Southern California | YouTube | |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The Savannah College of Art and Design, Ringling College of Art and Design | YouTube |
Preparation: study the requirements and guidelines
Review criteria on the university website
Each university has its own unique requirements. The necessary format, list, and quantity of works vary accordingly. If you lack sufficient information, make sure to check with the admissions office. Pay special attention to the deadlines. In some cases, admission committees prefer to review projects from the last 2 years only. Remember the importance of deadlines. It's advisable to begin preparing your portfolio at least six months before applying.
Look for portfolio examples on university websites
We have provided diverse portfolio samples from various fields of study above. Take another look on platforms like YouTube and other websites. You might stumble upon an applicant who gained admission to the same university and showcased their portfolio. Explore portfolios of former students. Identify their strengths, gather ideas, and observe their designs.
Get inspired by various sources
Expand your search beyond admission portfolio samples. Get inspired from professional websites like Pinterest, Behance, Dribbble, JournoPortfolio, and Coroflot.
Main stage: build a portfolio
Choose strong works
Analyze which projects align with the university criteria. Evaluate which ones most effectively demonstrate your skills. Your portfolio doesn't need to contain the maximum quantity of work. Having five diverse examples in a project is better than having ten works of the same type.
Develop a concept
Avoid presenting your work in chronological order. Instead, organize it into sections or thematic clusters. Contemplate how to interconnect all the examples to give the portfolio a cohesive appearance. Craft an introductory text and project captions. Remember to translate the texts if the admission committee requires it.
Choose a platform for portfolio creation
In the absence of specific university guidelines, you can create a portfolio using templates available on websites. We have provided some examples below for your reference.
Final touches: edit and self-check
Seek feedback from mentors and friends
Show your portfolio to several people. Teachers are likely to highlight any project weaknesses, while friends might catch typos. Receiving feedback will assist you in steering clear of the most evident errors.
Check your work
Give the texts another round of proofreading and review the content. For English text, you can utilize tools like Grammarly for grammar and style checking. Confirm that all project links are accessible from any device. Double-check if you have accurately labeled the projects and saved them in the appropriate format. Be cautious not to upload excessively large files, as universities typically impose a maximum file size for submissions.
Participate in a portfolio review
Certain universities offer an additional service — an evaluation of your portfolio by the admissions committee. It's advisable to present your portfolio about a year and a half prior to the application deadline, allowing ample time for addressing any shortcomings. Additionally, universities often provide portfolio-focused training courses. For instance, Istituto Marangoni offers such courses (in Russian) for students from Russia and Kazakhstan.
Prepare for an audition or interview
At some universities, it's customary to submit a portfolio directly to the admissions committee. Prepare the text and practice your presentation in front of a mentor or your loved ones.
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