Portfolio tips

Laura Bruton

More questions about your portfolio or audition? Visit uca.ac.uk/study-at-uca/ applying-to-uca/portfolio-advice or drop in to a portfolio advice session at one of our Open Days. We’d like to know how you approach your work – what inspires you, how you come up with ideas, how you research them and what plans you put in place to make them a reality. A sketchbook (physical or digital) is a good way to do this.

2. Take us on a journey

Show us your work’s journey from start to finish. Include drafts, unfinished products, edits. If you feel a particular project shows off your strengths, then put it in – even if it didn’t work out how you expected.

Remember that we’ll want you to talk us through your portfolio at your Applicant Day or interview, so prepare some notes, too.

3. Put your best work front and centre

Don’t save your show-stopper for the last page – get your favorite pieces in early. We want to be wowed by you! We’d also like you to put your work into some kind of order – perhaps arrange it chronologically, or by theme.

4. Keep it tidy

A professional-looking portfolio will help you make a positive impression. Include about ten to 15 pieces of work and, if you’re compiling a physical portfolio, mount each piece on white or off-white board, and keep your portfolio either entirely portrait, or entirely landscape (it’s best not to mix).

If you include any audio or video in your portfolio, it should be under two minutes long.

5. Prepare to get digital

If you can’t come to an Applicant Day, you can upload your portfolio to your Applicant Portal. Once we’ve received your application, we’ll let you know about next steps.

6. Steal the show

For some courses, we’ll invite you to an audition, where you’ll be asked to perform a monologue. It’s best to pick the text you feel most comfortable with, as you’ll need to memorise it and be prepared to perform it in more than one way.