The 12-week Portfolio School programme costs between £2,995 and £5,000, depending on your cohort and course structure. The higher end reflects options that include fast track accelerated support or additional work experience, while standard cohorts without these extras are at the lower end of the range.

The programme is designed for students aiming apply to competitive UK and international art schools at foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate level. We work with students who are beginning a portfolio from scratch as well as those who already have work but need structure and direction.

No. Many students join with only a few pieces or none at all. The programme is designed to help you generate strong new work quickly through weekly 1–1 tuition, prompts and guided project development. However, if you are starting with little or no existing work, you will need to commit to substantial self directed making outside of sessions. We expect students to spend a minimum of 4 hours per week experimenting, developing ideas and producing new work independently. This consistent practice is essential for building a competitive, high quality portfolio.

You will produce a cohesive portfolio that reflects the specific expectations of each school you apply to. Different institutions prioritise different things - some want to see extensive experimentation and a wide range of materials, while others expect more focused, resolved, conceptual project work. We guide you in developing new work, refining existing projects and shaping your visual narrative so that each application is strategically tailored. In some cases, this may mean preparing more than one version of your portfolio to meet the differing requirements of your chosen schools.

Every student receives weekly 1-1 tuition with an experienced tutor who tracks your progress, challenges your direction and ensures you stay on target for deadlines. These sessions are the core of the programme and adapt to your evolving needs.

Sessions include project development, critical discussion, technical guidance, conceptual refinement and help with photography, documentation, editing and curating work. They also cover interview preparation and written work when needed.

Group critiques mimic the rhythm of art school. They help you learn to speak about your work clearly, build confidence and receive a wider range of feedback. They also allow you to see what other applicants are making, which can be motivating and grounding. We also recognise that critiques can feel anxiety - inducing. As part of the programme, we teach practical techniques for navigating critique spaces with confidence and using feedback in a way that encourages - rather than unsettles - your practice.

Yes. You’ll receive structured support in developing strong written applications, including research guidance, contextual references and feedback on drafts. By the end, you will have a clear, articulate personal statement that reflects your practice and who you are. For students whose schools run their own UCAS or application writing sessions, our support is designed to complement those sessions. You are expected to participate fully in any guidance your school provides, while we help you refine and strengthen the work you produce.

Absolutely. Mock interviews are built into the programme and mirror real art school interviews. They are led by people who have successfully navigated the application process and can offer calm, constructive, experience based guidance.

Each student is matched with a creative professional or organisation for a minimum of 10 hours of online (or in-person depending on location) work experience. This provides a realistic insight into creative industries and contributes to your understanding of professional practice. Where possible, we match students with placements that align with their interests so the experience is both relevant and inspiring.

For students who join early enough in the year, this experience can also become a valuable part of their UCAS or application writing - offering concrete examples of motivation, industry awareness and course fit. It’s also an opportunity to test a career pathway and explore that specific kind of creative work.

Please note: work experience is not compulsory and it is not included in the fast track version of the programme.

Yes. After completing the programme, students may request a personalised written reference tailored to the schools they’re applying to.

We support applications to the UK, USA and international programmes. We are familiar with differing portfolio requirements and help students shape their work accordingly.

Most students work with us across the academic year, but we tailor timelines to individual goals and deadlines. We run 3 - 4 cohorts per year, offering programmes that range from 8 to 12 weeks depending on whether you enrol in the fast-track or extended Portfolio School course. Depending on your school year group and whether you are applying to particularly competitive programmes - such as the University of Oxford’s Ruskin School of Art - you may be advised to join a different course structure or timeline to ensure you receive the appropriate level of preparation.

We will discuss all suitable options with you during your Portfolio School interview so that your pathway matches your goals, capacity and application deadlines.

To take part in Portfolio School Zoom sessions and 1 - 1 tutorials, you’ll need a reliable internet connection, access to your own computer and the ability to use Google Drive for sharing and organising your work.

In terms of art materials we will encourage you to work with what you already have. Your personal tutor will advise you on anything additional that might support your projects or emerging interests.

If you want personalised, rigorous preparation for art school; clear structure; consistent feedback; and guidance from working artists and graduates of top programmes the Portfolio School will be a strong fit.