How to apply

Applying to Undergraduate Programmes at the GSA‍

On this page you will find links to information on what to put in your portfolio and how your application is assessed.‍

How to Apply‍

Detailed information about making an application to individual undergraduate GSA programmes can be found on the programme page in the Application Guidelines. Undergraduate programmes pages can be found here.

Applications for Engineering with Architecture and Product Design Engineering are made via the University of Glasgow.

Your application to study at the GSA is in two parts:

1. UCAS Application form
2. Digital Portfolio submission and Portfolio Statement

1. UCAS Application
Application forms for 2025 entry should be submitted to UCAS by 18:00 (UK Time) on 29 January 2025.You can read more information on how to complete your UCAS application here.‍

2. Digital Portfolio submission

Applicants to all programmes (with the exception of Product Design Engineering) are required to submit a Digital Portfolio by 13:00 (UK Time) on the  5 February 2025.

On receipt of your completed UCAS application, you will be provided with your login details for the Digital Portfolio Site from admissions@gsa.ac.uk within two working days. You are welcome to upload your Digital Portfolio as soon as you receive your invitation email, but no later than this deadline.

You can find the information on Digital Portfolio requirements in the Application Guidelines document on the relevant programme page.

‍Your portfolio statement
The Portfolio Statement is an opportunity to expand on yourDigital Portfolio, highlight a project of your choice, further detail your interests/inspiration and tailor your application to the GSA programme you have applied to. The Portfolio Statement you submit must not exceed 3000 characters (approx. 500 words) and should not be the same as your UCAS PersonalStatement

Access to the Portfolio Upload site 

When the GSA receives your completed application form fromUCAS, you will receive an email from the Admissions team at the GSA with an acknowledgement of your application and instructions on how to upload your Digital Portfolio and Portfolio Statement to the GSA Digital Portfolio Site.  

If you experienced any issues logging in to the Digital Portfolio Site or uploading your Digital Portfolio, please email admissions@gsa.ac.uk for assistance.

Advanced Entry

Not all of the new students on our 4-year undergraduate degree programmes come straight from secondary school or begin their studies in Year 1. We accept a range of qualifications and many of our entrants come with advanced entry – meaning they begin their studies in second or third year. You can read more information here.

Portfolio Programmes

Applications for our Portfolio Preparation programme are made directly to the GSA and not through UCAS. Application for entry in September 2025 will open in February 2025.

The course is not registered through UCAS and does not have any formal entry requirements, however we expect students to possess the relevant qualifications for their intended onward study. International applicants - This course is open to those out with the UK who are visiting theUK for no longer than 6 months. You must apply for a Standard Visitor Visa –for full details, you should refer to the government website here. Proof of English proficiency is required e.g. IELTS of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in all components).

International Foundation

To be eligible to apply for the International Foundation you must:

• Be an International Applicant from a Country outside the UK
• Have achieved a minimum IELTS score of 5.0 (minimum 5.0 in each component) or equivalent score from other approved tests. The IELTS must be from a UKVI approved test centre: full list of approved centres found here.
• A full list of other tests that may be presented can be found here.
• Have passed or be about to pass a year 12 equivalent High School qualification

Guidelines on what to include in your Digital Portfolio and Portfolio Statement are available on the International Foundation programme page.

English Language Requirement

‍The Glasgow School of Art expects all students to demonstrate proficiency in the English language, which for UK students is normally shown by a pass in Higher or GCSE English.

For international students required to evidence their English language proficiency, the GSA’s preferred test is the IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test taken at a UKVI approved test centre. A full list of other tests that may be presented can be found here.

A full list of UKVI approved test centres can be found here.

Pre-Sessional English For Creative Disciplines

To apply for the Pre-Sessional English for Creative Disciplines course, applicants must have a conditional offer for any GSA programme which requires them to improve on their existing English language skills.

Download the application form here and email it to pre-sessional@gsa.ac.uk along with a copy of your GSA offer letter and current English language qualification.

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