ACES Resources

Artists, designers, and architects are involved in designing and creating almost everything we use and buy; from book covers to fashion, furniture, and the built environment around us. Never mind the fantastic work we can see in galleries and public spaces. 

Graduate Outcomes

The Creative Industries offer over 150 different careers. 

Graduates from design, creative and performing arts degrees who entered full-time paid employment, earn a median graduate salary of £24,993 a year. 

Academic year 2022/23, HESA HE Graduate Outcomes Data

At the same time, there is a huge amount of competition for full time work in the Creative Industries and many people work on a self-employed or part-time basis.

Start your creative future

PlanIt is a not-for-profit organisation managed by a group of Scottish local authorities. Their website aims to helping young people in Scotland to develop well-informed and ambitious plans for their future by providing up-to-date, accurate and impartial careers information and advice.

PlanIt 

Discover Creative Careers is a government funded, industry-led programme working to ensure there is a larger and more diverse intake of talent into the Creative Industries. Their website is full of information around Creative Industries and the varied careers.

Discover Creative Careers

The Prospects website lists current jobs in the Creative Industries and demystifies different career options.

Creative jobs on the Prospects website

My World of Work lets you browse common careers and find out how many people are currently employed in this career within Scotland, what the Entry Salary is and more.

My World of Work

Impact of the Creative Industries on the UK's economy

The UK government's 2019 report shows that the Creative Industries sector contributed £109bn to the UK economy. It saw a faster recovery in employment compared to the rest of the UK economy after the pandemic.

The Creative Industries in Scotland 

• Supported around £9 billion of activity within the wider Scottish economy​
• Contribute around £5.5 billion to Scottish GDP; about 4% of total Scottish GDP​
• Were identified by the Scottish Government as 1 of 6 growth sectors​ where Scotland has a distinct comparative advantage

Creative industries: policy statement, Scottish Government, 2019​

While Scotland’s creative sector makes a valuable contribution to the wider economy in itself, it is also a driver of other sectors such as tourism and hospitality. Creative Industries such as music, video games and the screen sector play an important economic role, while also supporting Scotland’s international reputation. Building a New Scotland: Culture in an independent Scotland 2024. ​​​​

You can study visual, creative degrees or courses at:

• Universities offer a range of degrees and many universities include formerly independent art colleges. For example, Edinburgh College of Art is part of the University of Edinburgh. However, not every university offers every subject so do your research.
• Conservatoires focus on performance-related degrees including production arts and design as well as film.
• Further education colleges offer courses including foundation courses, Higher National Certificates (HNC) or Diplomas (HND) courses in many different subjects such as Architectural Technology or Photography for the Media.

Applying to a creative degree requires careful consideration. It is important that you have a solid understanding of what each subject involves and where it could lead you. 

• Browse university, conservatoire, and college websites
• Use the UCAS website
• Read printed or digital guides
• Talk to your career adviser, guidance teacher, and subject teachers in your school
• Attend careers fairs in your school
• Chat with current students online via Unibuddy
• Attend Open Days and/or visit college, conservatoires, and universities  

Questions for your research

Location

• Where is the university, conservatoire, or college?
• Is it in the city, on the outskirts, in the countryside, by the sea?
• How does this fit in with your lifestyle and the things you like to do?
• What transport is available to get you to campus?
• Are there job opportunities for students?

Facilities 

What facilities are available? Consider:

• Studio spaces
• Workshops
• Exhibition spaces
• Libraries
• Sports facilities
• Clubs and societies

Accommodation 

• Will you stay with your family and if so, what is the commute to campus like?
• If you plan to move out, consider what types of accommodation are available and where those are located. What are the transport links like to visit your family?

Finance and funding 

• What funding and finance is available?
• Are there scholarships, bursaries or grants available for the specific institution?

University is different from school

Creative degrees at university and conservatoire are often quite different to how they are taught in school. Students typically explore and experiment with materials, techniques and ideas. They often work independently and create their own projects. On the other hand, it also often includes group and collaborative work.

Overall, you will need to be a more independent learner, able to organise and motivate yourself. Taking Advanced Highers in school can be a great opportunity to get familiar with working more independently. 

Further education colleges can be a good transition from school as they have a bit more structure than university.

Differences across institutions

Even a degree with the same name can differ across universities, conservatoires and colleges. They may have a different focus, content or teaching and assessment style. Each degree and course will have something unique to offer. Think about what is important to you. Research:

• How is the degree structured and is there any flexibility? Look at what you are taught in each year and whether you can take additional subjects from across the university.
• How is the degree taught?
• How many students are there in each year?
• Do students work independently or in groups and does this balance change throughout the years?
• How much contact time is there with tutors?
• How is the degree assessed? Will you have exams? When are the deadlines? Which marks count towards your final grade?
• What facilities are available for students? For example; workshops, studio space, libraries, exhibition spaces.
• What additional costs are there for your degree? For example; material costs, costs to use the workshops, printing costs, etc. What financial support is in place for students?
• What are the links with industry, and what employability opportunities are there?
• Are there any trips or chances to study abroad?
• Who will be teaching you? Look at the tutors’ work.
• Also check out the work created by current students and graduates.
• Consider the wider support available to students. What support is in place for students with disabilities or access needs? What support is available for certain groups, for example Widening Participations students, care experienced or estranged students, student carers or refugees and asylum seekers?

Academic Entry Requirements

Your academic performance in school plays a key part for your application.

Academic entry requirements for applicants who sit Qualifications Scotland exams are commonly expressed as letters. For example, ABBB means that four Highers in approved subjects need to be achieved with at least one A at Higher and three Highers at a B grade. Bear in mind that a higher grade can't even out a lower one so AABC would not meet the requirement for this example. 

Entry requirements can be confusing and there is a lot for you to consider. It is important to research each institution you want to apply to carefully for full details of their entry requirements and selection procedures. 

• For university degrees, go directly to an institution's website
• Use the search tool on the UCAS website to help you explore the full range of programmes on offer in the UK
• For further education college courses, check out each college’s website for information about the courses they offer

Minimum, contextual, or widening access entry requirements

The majority of applicants are expected to meet the standard academic requirements. However, applicants who meet specific criteria may be considered on the minimum academic requirements (also called Widening Access Offers or Contextual Offers). The criteria and how much of a difference it makes, varies from one university to the next. To find out more, research and contact each university directly.

School subject choices

Entry Requirements vary between universities and colleges. It pays off to do some research before you make your school subject choices. 

• How many subjects do you need to apply to university?
• To what level do you need to study subjects (National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher)?
• Which specific subjects are required?
• When do I need to take them (e.g. in S5 or S6)?

Non-Academic Entry Requirements 

Most applications to art, design, and architecture require more than just good grades. Each institution and the different degrees and courses require different additional things from applicants.

• Most visual creative degrees require a (digital) portfolio
• Some visual creative degrees require a portfolio statement or written task
• Some visual creative degrees invite applicants to an interview

Course choices

Use the Planit Course Match to get suggestions that match your broad career interests. It finds these out by asking you 80 questions.

CourseMatch

UCAS Course Search

Use the UCAS Course Search Tool to explore creative degrees at universities and conservatoires across Scotland and the UK. 

UCAS Course Search Tool  

College courses

For college courses, you will need to visit individual websites to find out what they offer. 

The Pathways website helps you search agreed pathways, also called Articulation routes, that can take you from college to degree level study in the regions of Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Fife, Falkirk, West Lothian, City of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, and the Scottish Borders.

Pathways 

Graduate shows

Check out the work created by graduates to see what students get up to – it can help you decide what degree is right for you, too. For example, you can see the work created by Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) graduate on the ECA Graduate Show website. Top Tip; you can filter by subject to get a visual insight into different subjects. 

ECA Graduate Show   ​​​​​

First, you will make your application. Where and how you apply differs by where you want to study:

• You will apply to UCAS for up to 5 degrees at university
• You will apply to UCAS for Conservatoires for degrees at a conservatoire
• You will apply directly to Further Education colleges for one courses per college

Next, you will likely need to provide additional things directly to each institution you apply to:

• Most creative degrees and courses require a (digital) portfolio
• Some creative degrees and courses require a portfolio statement or written task
• Some creative degrees and courses invite applicants to an interview

You need to check each institution’s website carefully so that you know exactly what you need to do as well as the deadlines for each application.

There are three main ways to apply for art, design, and architecture degrees and courses:

UCAS 

For degree level programmes at university, you must apply through UCAS. You can apply for up to five different degrees across the UK on your UCAS application. You do not need to use all five choices but be strategic and give yourself backup options.

The equal consideration deadline for applying to most degrees through UCAS is 13 January 2027 8pm to begin studying in September 2027. However, stick to your school's deadline which is likely before the December break.

Some degrees have a different deadline, so make sure you are familiar with these dates. 

UCAS Conservatoires​​​​​​

This is typically for performance-based degrees such as production arts and design or film. In Scotland, this includes degrees at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

To apply you must submit your application to UCAS Conservatoires. 

Conservatoire application deadlines differ, so check online for full details of when to apply.

Direct application to college

For Further Education college courses, you apply to each college directly. These are separate to your UCAS application and do not count as one of your UCAS or UCAS Conservatoire choices.

You typically only apply to one course per college.

Application deadlines vary between colleges. Avoid leaving your college application to the last minute or waiting until you have responses from universities as visual creative courses at college fill up fast.

‘Art College’ - college or university?

You will apply to UCAS for art colleges – those are not further education colleges and most are part of universities now.

• For example, Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) is part of the University of Edinburgh.
• In contrast, Edinburgh College offers art, design, and architecture courses that are below a degree qualification.

While grades are very important, your portfolio will have a significant impact on the success of any application that requires one.

Portfolio requirements and submission deadlines often vary by institution. Check each institution’s website carefully so that you know exactly what you need to do and when you need to do it.

• Submission deadlines: typically January-March
• Number of pages: 10 to 25, each of which may include multiple visuals 

What to include in a portfolio

The work that you create in school may be suitable to include in your portfolio. However, a strong portfolio submission will show evidence of your commitment beyond school work. 

Most universities publish their portfolio assessment criteria online. This can help you work you what the tutors are looking for. Some will only share what they want from you once you submit your application with them. 

There is no formula to creating a successful portfolio, and what an applicant needs to include will depend on degree as well as the institution.

Generally, a portfolio should include:

• Creative Process: The different projects in a portfolio should show the entire creative process, including;
  • visual research and enquiry
  • idea development
  • selection and resolution
  • inspiration and context
• Variety in media and in subject matter
• Drawing, including observational drawing from life (not from photos)
• Evidence that you understand the subject you apply for and work towards this

Visual Research and Enquiry

Demonstrate how you gather your ideas from the world around you. Include images, sketches and photos that show your starting point for each project. 

Show your engagement in intelligent, structured visual enquiry and consider how you communicate this.

Tutors (the people who teach on the degree you apply to and who assess your portfolio) want to see that you can use a range of materials to help you explore your visual ideas and generate possibilities for further exploration.

Idea Development

Explore and develop ideas and show your skill in the use of materials and techniques. Tutors want to see your creative process, how you explore your ideas in a structured way.

Ensure that your portfolio includes a range of materials and techniques, some of which should be directly relevant to your chosen subject. For example, in a portfolio for Interior Design, include some 3D work and show how you engage with space. In an Animation portfolio, include drawings that show a change in state over time, or indicate a storyline to show that you can express movement.

Selection and Resolution

Show that you can judge which ideas have the most appropriate potential and bring them to a level of completion appropriate to your intended outcome.

Resolve your project and bring it to a conclusion. Give visuals in this section more space.

Inspiration and Context

Make clear that you have good knowledge of the subject you apply to and how your work relates to it.

While you can be inspired by a lot of different things as well as the past, it's really important to be aware of and include artists, designers, and architects working today in your portfolio. Include some images of work by relevant contemporary artists, designers or architects from reputable sources (not Pinterest / Wikipedia / Instagram):

• Visit your school or local library
• Attend exhibitions at galleries and museums (ACES Edinburgh offers gallery visits)
• Read relevant magazines / journals / website (see links below)
• Think about the materials / presentation / colours / themes / context of the work

Make sure that your references are directly relevant to your work and demonstrate how their work has influenced or inspired you.

Remember to name your references in your annotations.

Drawing

Drawing from life or observational drawing is an important part of portfolios for all subjects, and in particular for subjects like Animation and Illustration.  

Try to include a variety of approaches to drawing, in which you approach different themes or subject matter using different materials, such as ink, charcoal, paint, mixed media and collage.

Start your portfolio

Most creative programmes and courses ask you to submit a digital portfolio of work online. If you're invited for an in-person interview, you might be asked to bring physical work with you.

To create your portfolio, you will need to photograph or scan your work and sketchbooks, and present them on digital slides. Use Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides or a similar programme - something that allows you to add and move multiple images and add text.

TOP TIP: You will likely need different versions of your digital portfolio for each university or college that you apply to. Make sure you have one 'summary' presentation or template.

Scanning your work

• For smaller two dimensional work, use a flatbed scanner rather than photographing your work
• This is also useful if you want to include pages from your sketchbook. For bulky sketchbooks, you might need to press the book down as you scan to avoid shadows.
• Public libraries and schools may have scanners that you can use. ​​​

Photographing your work

• You will need a clean space with good lighting and natural lighting is best.
• Place your work in front of a large sheet of plain paper or a clean, white wall.
• A mobile phone camera is typically good enough to take photos.
• Turn the flash off.
• Use a tripod, stand or flat surface to ensure your phone or camera is still.
• For 2D work; take your photographs as close to your work as possible.

3D work

• Make sure you have plenty of space around your work, ideally a plain back ground or where you would exhibit the work.
• Photograph it from different angles.
• Play with different sorts of lighting to create shadows.

Editing your photos

• Use a simple photo editing tool to make small changes and adjustments to your images.
• Avoid over-doing it! It's better to take a photo in good light and leave it than to over-edit. Straighten, align and adjust brightness - done.

Structuring your portfolio

• Use the slide sorter or a storyboard to play around with the order of your work.
• Group work by theme or project.
• Arrange work chronologically to highlight your progression and/or the development of your ideas.
• Give your final pieces a whole slide so that they stand out.​​​​​​

Selecting work for your portfolio

• Think carefully about what you want your portfolio to demonstrate.
• Make sure each piece and slide has a purpose, and you know why you are including it.

TOP TIP: Tutors often view digital portfolios on their laptops so don’t overcrowd your slides.

How to use annotation / text

• Use a basic, typed font.
• Make the font legible but relatively small - your work should get the attention, not the text.
• Align your text with your work.
• Keep it brief; the content should be simple and informative.
• Use the text to add additional information. You could talk about:
  • Your influences
  • Your decision-making process
  • Your ideas
  • Any challenges you faced
• Avoid stating the obvious. Remember, tutors are experts in the field you're applying for.

What to expect

The interview is a two-way process for the selectors to find out more about you and your suitability for the programme, and for you to see if this is the right degree and place for you. There are usually 1-2 interviewers, and there might be an observer. It is normally short (about 20 minutes).

Booking your interview

If you can, pick a date that will give you time to prepare properly.

Make sure you know where you are going and leave plenty of time to get there. Plan how you will get to your interview, and check how long it will take. Allow time for travel delays or heavy traffic, and for the fact that you might be carrying a heavy or bulky portfolio.

Getting ready: do your research

Research the programme you are being interviewed for. Look at:

• Overall structure
• Courses or modules that make up each year
• Teaching and assessment
• Facilities
• Industry links and employability
• Travel opportunities
• Graduates’ work and destinations

What do you want to know? Asking questions is a good way of demonstrating your interest and research. Make sure you ask a genuine question, which you cannot find out on their website.

Talking about your work

• Be clear, concise and use accurate language. Is it a sketch / colour study / experimentation / research / pattern idea / development work / resolved work / proposal?
• Prep your sketchbook; use post it notes to mark pages that you want to discuss.
• Talk about your strengths and how you have demonstrated these in your portfolio.
• Think about what you would like to develop and why.
• Remember the names of the artists, designers, or architects who you find inspiring.

Practice

It is useful to predict what sort of question you might be asked at interviews and consider how you would answer them. Questions you may be asked at interview:

• Why do you want to study at this college / conservatoire / university?
• Why do you want to study this degree/ course?
• Talk us through your portfolio
• Which is your strongest piece and why?
• Tell us about your artists, designers, or architects that inspire you.
• Talk us through your creative process. How do you generate ideas? How do you research?
• Tell us about an exhibition that you have been to.
• What are your plans or ambitions for the future?
• What are your wider interests and hobbies?

Make sure you are confident talking through your portfolio – practice by yourself or with a friend or family member. Ask for feedback.

Be prepared

• Print any documents you will need and go over these in advance. Look at your research - you can take your notes into the interview.
• Find the contact number and save it to your phone in case you get lost or are running late.
• Take some water with you.
• Wear comfortable and weather appropriate clothes.

On the day

• Have a good night's sleep ahead of the interview and avoid being hungry during the interview.
• Make sure your phone is turned off or silent before your interview starts.
• Ask your interviewers to repeat the question and check your understanding if you are unsure what the question means.
• Be enthusiastic! Smile and make eye contact where you can. Nervous energy is better than silence.

Expanding your knowledge of other creatives is an exciting part of your growth as artist, designer or architect. Learning about how they work, what challenges they face, what their work is about and how they respond to things is important. It will influence your creative development, teach you new things and help you to explore your own artistic practice, too.

If that’s not reason enough, remember that all colleges and universities look for good artist or designer research as part of a successful portfolio.

TOP TIP: Find videos of artists talking about their work and life online. You can learn a lot from watching and hearing them talk.

How to look at art, design and architecture

Ask yourself questions about what you’re looking at.

• What sort of work is it? (Painting / sculpture / video / poster / book cover / pavilion / co-working space etc.)
• What is it made of?
• How is the work installed? What context do you see it in?
• How many pieces of work are there within the overall work? Do they seem to relate to each other?
• Can you describe the work in a few words?
• What do you like or dislike about it?
• How does it make your feel?
• Does it make you ask questions or think differently?
• What do you associate with the materials / images / colours in the work?
• Do you think the artist, designer or architect is trying to say anything in particular in the work? Why do you think this?

How to record your findings

Take notes in a sketchbook. This process keeps you in engaged in what you are doing. It makes your research easier to find later on, and easier to show off in an interview.

Include images of the artist’s, designer's or architect's work. If you don’t have access to a printer, save the image, and leave a space with a note of that the image is and where it’s saved.

Regardless of the subject, whenever you are undertaking work experience or career exploration, it is valuable and useful to reflect on your experiences. This helps you to put what you learnt into perspective and develop your understanding of your experience. 

The University of Edinburgh offers a Reflection Toolkit, aimed at helping staff and students develop their reflective skills. This toolkit may also be useful for you when thinking about what reflection is and how to do it.

Reflection Toolkit