Art, Design & Architecture

Art, Design & Architecture (UK & Ireland)

Studying art, design and architecture in the UK and Ireland — the art foundation, portfolio degrees, architecture (RIBA/ARB) and the conservatoire route.

Last updated September 2026

Tests this hub covers

A-Levels

UK exam boards such as AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel, WJEC/Eduqas and CCEA; International A levels from Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA · UK exam boards: once a year, in the May–June exam series. Cambridge International AS & A Levels: June and November series.

Guides for United Kingdom & Ireland

5 of 5 guides in this hub are for the UK & Ireland.

Admissions

United Kingdom & Ireland·7 min read

The UK Art Foundation Diploma Explained

How the one-year Foundation Diploma in Art & Design bridges school and a UK art degree, who it suits, and how international students access it.

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United Kingdom & Ireland·8 min read

Building an Art & Design Portfolio for UK & Ireland Applications

Assembling and presenting the creative portfolio art and design courses assess — sketchbooks, digital submissions, interviews and tutor expectations.

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United Kingdom & Ireland·7 min read

The UCAS Conservatoires Route for Music & Drama Explained

How the separate UCAS Conservatoires system works for performance-based music, dance and drama — auditions, interviews and how it differs from main UCAS.

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United Kingdom & Ireland·8 min read

Top UK & Ireland Art, Design & Architecture Schools for International Students

How to orient among specialist art colleges, conservatoires, university art schools and architecture schools across the UK and Ireland — by discipline, not ranking.

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Career

United Kingdom & Ireland·9 min read

How to Study Architecture in the UK (RIBA / ARB Part 1)

The regulated UK route to becoming an architect — the ARB/RIBA Part 1 degree, Part 2 and Part 3 stages, and how international students enter the pathway.

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Studying in the UK & Ireland