Department of
Architecture and Built Environment

Portfolio Guidance

 

Why is a portfolio important? 

Portfolios are important to us because they show us how you look at the world around you and visually record it.  They help us to see your creativity. 

After applicants have applied through UCAS, we ask candidates who have met the entry requirements to submit a portfolio of their artwork. 

Putting your portfolio together

Your portfolio should contain 12 – 16 images of your work.  This can be made up with 3 – 4 images from each of the following categories:  

  1.  Your hand drawings  

  1.  Photographed images  

  1.  At least one example of a 3D made piece, such as ceramics, fashion or a simple model.  

The remaining 3 – 4 images can include work that is an expansion on sections 1 – 3 above or use of another medium entirely.  

When thinking about what hand drawings or photographed images to include we’d encourage you to capture something that’s familiar to you such as where you live.  That often tells us more about your interests than a drawing or photograph of a famous building.  

 Your portfolio must not include virtual 3D computer aided designs.  These don’t give us a true understanding of your design skills or how you communicate by hand drawing.   

You’ll receive an email from us confirming the portfolio requirements in more detail, the format and the submission date.

Portfolio gallery

Looking for some inspiration? See some of our previous student's portfolios.

 

 

Video Guidance

Luke Yeulett, Architecture student, tells us how he put his portfolio together.

 

 

Farida Makki, portfolio reviewer and studio lead, explains more about portfolios.

 

Department of Architecture and Built Environment

The University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD


telephone: +44 (0) 115 95 14184