Portfolio Advice

A Falmouth University student sat on the floor surrounded by papers and books

What is a university portfolio?

A portfolio is a collection of your creative work. It's a way to demonstrate your ability to your chosen university. Your university portfolio should be submitted as a digital document.

What should you include in a university portfolio?

The kinds of things you'll need to include in your digital portfolio depends on the course you're applying for. We've split our 'what to include' by subject area below. Just select the subject area you're applying for and you can find out the kind of thing that's best to include in your university portfolio. Remember it's about quality not quantity – aim for between 10-20 pieces maximum.

This year, our interviews will be online or in-person depending on your preference. Whether your have an online or in-person interview, you'll need to submit a digital portfolio in order to secure your interview date. You may then wish to bring a hard copy of your portfolio to your interview with you, but it's not essential.

How to make a digital portfolio

Your digital portfolio needs to be capable of being submitted via an online link that doesn't require a password or login. You could present your portfolio as a document or slideshow, or even a video if you have moving image work to include.

Make sure you include good quality photographs or scans of any drawings, paintings, prints, 3D or other non-digital work and consider including captions that give details of the size, medium and content of your work.

Don't have access to all your work?

If you don't have a traditional portfolio from your recent school or college work and your chosen course requires one, don't worry. You'll be able to create one using our Falmouth Creative Projects. Find out more on our dedicated Creative Projects page.

Visit Falmouth Creative Projects

In this kind of portfolio you'll want to include observational drawings (digital or hand drawn) and a range of design processes and ways of working. You can even include GIFs that you've created as part of the portfolio.

Projects that show your process from brief to final outcome are great to include along with visual research and any sketchbooks or journals you might have.

In this kind of portfolio you'll want to include storyboards and film stills. A short showreel of moving image work is a good idea to put in your portfolio to show what you can do. It doesn't have to be long; short 60 second clips will be plenty.

GIFs that you've designed can also be included.

Preliminary sketches and observational drawings can be included along with photos, paintings, photos of sculpture work and design work.

In this kind of portfolio you'll need to include things like: observational, technical drawings and CAD renders.

If you've done 3D models and sculptures, then including photos of these is a great idea. Finished pieces and final outcomes should go in your portfolio. It's good to display a range of design processes and ways of working.

Show what inspires you by including notes and sketches that you've made of places and spaces that inspire you.

If you're applying for a course that involves creative writing, you do not need to provide a portfolio. Instead, we are asking you to respond to a Falmouth Creative Project with a presentation.

Visit our Preparing for your interview page and find the course(s) that you've applied for to see the relevant interview preparation.

In this kind of portfolio you'll want to include fashion illustration and drawings (digital or hand drawn). Adding in examples of textiles, prints and weave that you like is a good idea. Collages are also welcome.

Photos of finished pieces and final outcomes can be included. Fashion photography and sketchbooks or journals you have of visual research and idea generation can be included. In all this you'll want to display a range of techniques and design processes.

In this kind of portfolio you'll need to include things like: preliminary sketches, observational drawings, finished pieces and final outcomes. Illustrations can be digital or hand drawn.

We also welcome paintings or colour work, to show how you can use, mix, control and communicate with colour.

You want to show a range of techniques and processes. If you do 3D work, then adding photographs of your work is a good way to showcase it.

If you've been to galleries and exhibitions and taken notes or sketches, then you can always include these as part of your portfolio.

If you are applying for a course that will involve elements of game design or creation, we would love to see some of the following:

Creative Computer work, e.g. 2D and/or 3D, digital composites, Computer Generated Imagery (CGI), Computer Aided Design (CAD), computer games. Remember, our course leaders love to see evidence of your thought processes, so please keep a record of your workings.

In this kind of portfolio, you can include coursework in relevant subjects (e.g. Media, Photography, Design). Rather than a formal school project, you can also include work inspired by your personal hobbies (e.g. Fashion, Music, Skating, etc.), or even content you have created for social media which received good feedback and engagement. Photos, films, short videos are also great to include.

The important thing is selecting work to showcase your skills, personality, and creative interests. Include short captions to help explain or support the things you put in your portfolio. Be ready to talk about your work and what inspired you or how you made it at interview.

In this kind of portfolio, you can include a mix of still or moving image work that demonstrates your photography skills, visual awareness, creativity and storytelling.

Your portfolio should include examples of your edited photography. We want to see evidence of idea development through sketchbooks, workbooks, notebooks or creative journals/blogs.

You may also include examples of essay writing or creative writing if you feel this is relevant.

Why do you need a university portfolio?

This is your chance to show not just your creative ability but also your personality. No one can create like you do so make the most of your digital portfolio.

Portfolio Tips

How do you make a university portfolio?

Think of your university portfolio like a good story. You'll want a beginning, a middle and an end. It'll showcase your process, including sketchbooks and preliminary work. It's worth putting in a variety of techniques and processes. Remember, it's about quality over quantity.