How to make a portfolio for university admission. All about the basic requirements for creative specialties — journalists, designers, artists and others.
Portfolio — one of the main requirements for admission to creative specialties. Your projects define your acceptance to faculties of design, journalism, and the arts. This article outlines specific requirements for various disciplines, showcases creative samples, and provides guidance for crafting a winning portfolio.
What is a portfolio
A portfolio represents a compilation of work that the selection committee evaluates to gauge an applicant's professional skills, ideas, talent, and potential. Given that not all universities conduct applicant interviews, a portfolio serves as a unique opportunity to distinguish oneself and enhance admission prospects.
Every university outlines specific requirements based on the chosen discipline. The structure of a portfolio can vary across different institutions. Details regarding the quantity and format of submissions are provided in the criteria section of university websites, often under "Application Requirements" or "Portfolio Requirements".
Distinctive characteristics compared to a resume
A portfolio and a resume serve as credentials for university applications or job placements. While a resume typically appears as a succinct list detailing education, awards, work history, scientific contributions, and language proficiency, a portfolio encompasses projects and creative endeavors. Resumes are usually confined to two pages, whereas portfolios have no size limitations.
University portfolio types
Portfolios for university applications encompass several distinct categories:
Creative portfolio. Sought after by faculties of journalism, design, architecture, and others, the creative portfolio showcases personal or institutional projects. It's possible to supplement the portfolio with recommendations from teachers and mentors[1].
Research portfolio. This portfolio type includes a list of scientific papers, conference certificates, and academic achievements. However, academic accomplishments from the United States and European Union countries are generally integrated into resumes rather than portfolios.
Combined portfolio. This kind of portfolio includes both creative and academic projects. It is frequently requested in Russia and the CIS countries. For example, the Data Journalism program at the Higher School of Economics might ask for a combined portfolio including your media projects, certificates from conferences, awards, writings, a motivation letter, and recommendations.
Portfolio formats:
Physical portfolio. Some universities may request a physical portfolio made of paper. This could include collections of photos, sketchbooks, and drawings. The work needs to be printed out and submitted to the admissions office, either in person or through mail.
Electronic portfolio. Applicants prepare a portfolio in a specific program and save it as required by the university, often in PDF format. Once finalized, this portfolio can't be edited. The completed file is then uploaded to the university's personal account or shared via a cloud link.
Online portfolio. Sometimes, sharing a link to your portfolio on sites like Behance or Wix is sufficient. The key is to meet the selection committee's criteria. This format isn't commonly asked for by universities because projects can be edited after they've been published.
Portfolio evaluation criteria
Portfolios are typically requested from candidates pursuing creative disciplines. Through portfolios, the admissions committee assesses applicants based on various criteria, including creativity, work background, accomplishments, and research aptitude.
During university admission, portfolios might be categorized as mandatory or optional. In the first scenario, applying without a portfolio is usually not possible. This type of portfolio is often graded on a 100-point scale. An additional portfolio, if submitted, can contribute extra points to the admission process.
For bachelor’s applicants, portfolios are usually optional. Admission committees evaluate fundamental skills in creative fields and the potential of prospective students. As such, there are no strict entry prerequisites. For instance, graphic design aspirants need not exclusively include logos or commercial posters in their portfolios. If those are unavailable, universities and colleges accept work from related fields. Bachelor's degree applicants may be asked to provide video introductions for essays discussing their background, career aspirations, and future plans.
For master's and PhD programs, admission criteria are more defined. Admission committees review completed projects to assess professional capabilities. Having work experience or specialized training in the field provides an edge. In addition to the portfolio, applicants are frequently requested to submit recommendation letters and an academic resume.
University portfolios: requirements for different specializations
Portfolio for design / architecture faculties
Designers and architects encounter specific criteria tailored to their respective fields. Generally, portfolios for these specialties include 20 small works, such as photographs, sketches, illustrations, and nature drawings. Additionally, candidates are usually expected to include up to three substantial projects, which could consist of website or game links, videos, and drawings.
When applying for design programs, preparing a portfolio is a common practice. Certain universities have specific layout guidelines that the admissions committee also takes into consideration. The design of the portfolio, much like the showcased work, reflects the applicant's creative skills and facilitates differentiation from other candidates. It is recommended to include names, technical details, dates, and brief descriptions in the portfolio.
Basic requirements for design fields
Game design. Submit a multi-page file detailing game structure, storyboards, and illustrations. Include up to 5 previously developed projects via links or videos. Proficiency in programming, particularly projects on GitHub, might also be assessed.
Graphic design. Present up to 15 works showcasing illustration skills, logo creation, posters, and book covers.
Animation. Share up to ten storyboards, screenshots, or up to three completed videos.
Web design / UX-UI. Include up to three links to websites or apps. Programming skills might be assessed through GitHub projects.
Interior design. Provide 3D models of spaces, illustrations, and photographs of completed projects.
Illustration. Showcase up to 15 illustrations depicting various skills. Include drawings of natural scenes, figures, still lifes, and landscapes. Paintings, storyboards, and comics are also commonly requested.
Landscape design and architecture. For these closely related areas, submit drawings of urban landscapes, plants, sketches, and photos of completed projects.
Industrial design. Share up to 20 images of products or designs.
Sculpture and ceramics. Submit photographs of sculptures and ceramic pieces made from various materials like metal, plaster, stone, and wood.
Fashion. Include photos of clothing, costume designs, and patterns. Occasionally, universities accept curated lookbooks and fashion articles.
Photography. Present up to 20 photos following artistic direction. Illustrations, paintings, and sketches can also be integrated.
Additional requirements:
Video presentation about yourself
Video discussing your specialization or addressing a specific topic[2]
Portfolio samples from students at the Higher School of Economics in Russia
Evaluation criteria for different degree levels
Requirements for applicants seeking a bachelor's degree or preparatory courses are generally less stringent compared to those for prospective master's students. If a candidate lacks experience in a specific field, universities often accept submissions from related areas. Some may request a video essay addressing industry issues[2]. The assessment focuses on fundamental skills such as composition, lighting, and shading[4].
Applicants for master's and PhD programs are evaluated based on their knowledge acquired during their bachelor's degree studies and subsequent work experience. The admissions committee requests specific projects as examples. For instance, fashion applicants might need to provide completed textile products, while web design candidates might share links to multi-page websites. The committee examines the presence of a distinctive style and attention to detail. Academic involvement is also significant; having engaged in design-related research is considered advantageous.
When applying to journalism faculties, universities assess a range of media formats including texts, photos, audio, or video. Applicants are typically requested to submit up to ten pieces that illustrate their concept and writing skills. Creating a portfolio using website platforms like Wix, Tilda, or Wordpress is acceptable and even encouraged.
Note
When applying to foreign universities, be prepared to translate your texts and transcribe speech from videos or audio recordings into the language of your intended study program.
Basic requirements for journalism fields
Photojournalism. Submit up to 15 photographs, which can include photo stories and individual shots. While social stories and street photos are common, universities also accept landscapes, portraits, and subject photography. The focus should be on documentary-style photography rather than artistic images.
Television and radio journalism / cinema. Provide up to three video works, such as films, weather forecasts, reports, news segments, or videos for personal platforms like YouTube. For radio, up to three podcasts, video or audio releases are accepted. For cinema, storyboards and scripts are also considered.
Media design, fashion journalism. Requirements align with creative design areas. Include illustrations, photographs, drawings, posters, sketchbooks, newspapers, magazines, and, for fashion journalism, texts, audio, and videos related to fashion.
Creative writing. Present up to five stories, essays, or texts from a personal blog.
Printed / online publication. Share up to five works, which may encompass reports, articles, long reads, news pieces, and possibly creative writing.
For bachelor’s programs, universities consider any experience related to journalism. This could include behind-the-scenes filming, unpublished articles, or contributions to school media. Clearly outlining tasks and your role in each project is crucial. The admissions committee evaluates the applicant's existing journalism knowledge. If a candidate lacks experience, an interview may be required[5]. While some universities make portfolios optional, having one could provide an advantage.
Prospective master's and PhD students are expected to demonstrate both academic accomplishments and media experience. They can present projects from their work in editorial offices, media organizations, or personal journalistic blogs. The admissions committee examines the applicant's writing style and ability to gather information.
More portfolio examples can be found on the platform JournoPortfolio, where accomplished journalists, presenters, and writers showcase their professional work. Many graduates from foreign universities also use this website to showcase their projects.
Portfolio for acting / art / dance / music faculties
Admission requirements in the arts are often more stringent compared to fields like design or journalism. For instance, artists might be evaluated based on their proficiency in academic drawing. As a result, including projects from art schools, rather than abstract creative endeavors, can enhance their portfolios.
At certain universities, applicants may be granted in-person auditions following the initial online selection process.
Basic requirements for art fields
Dance. Submit a video showcasing your expertise in a specific style of dance such as ballet, jazz, or hip-hop. Feel free to incorporate your original choreography into your portfolio. Some universities also accept group performance submissions.
Music. Instrumentalists and conductors should provide up to three videos of their performances. Musicians should focus on showcasing their mastery of a single musical instrument. Singers can submit up to three performance videos featuring their vocal abilities. Composers are encouraged to share up to three sheets of music along with corresponding audio recordings.
Theater. Prepare a video lasting up to two minutes, featuring one or two monologues from plays or other theatrical works. Aspiring directors can include videos and photos from their staged performances, and they might be asked to provide a staging report. Set designers should submit up to 15 sketches or photographs showcasing costumes and scenery. Screenwriters can share up to two complete scripts and a video recording of a staged play.
Visual art. Prospective artists should present up to 10 paintings, academic drawings, landscapes, still lifes, and portraits.
Film. For filmmakers, submit up to three videos, which can include short films, excerpts (up to 10 minutes), screenshots, and storyboards. Directors should provide a film description, while screenwriters should share script texts.
Norwich University of the Arts presents a video from the admissions committee targeted at prospective bachelor's students of cinema faculties.
Criteria for bachelor’s, master’s, PhD programs
Portfolios are typically optional for bachelor’s applicants. Possessing one core skill, such as playing a musical instrument, dancing, or drawing, is sufficient. Those who have graduated from art or music schools have a smoother entry. If an applicant lacks experience, universities often accept work in a similar field. For example, prospective film directing students could submit personal blog videos or photos.
In master's and PhD programs, which encompass a broader range of fields, the requirements are more rigorous. Portfolios are frequently required, along with CVs and recommendation letters from instructors. The works in the portfolio should showcase career experience, including staged performances and musical compositions within a theatrical context.
How to make a portfolio: step by step instructions
Preparation: study the requirements and guidelines
Review criteria on the university website
Each university has its own unique requirements. The necessary format, list, and quantity of works vary accordingly. If you lack sufficient information, make sure to check with the admissions office. Pay special attention to the deadlines. In some cases, admission committees prefer to review projects from the last 2 years only. Remember the importance of deadlines. It's advisable to begin preparing your portfolio at least six months before applying.
Look for portfolio examples on university websites
We have provided diverse portfolio samples from various fields of study above. Take another look on platforms like YouTube and other websites. You might stumble upon an applicant who gained admission to the same university and showcased their portfolio. Explore portfolios of former students. Identify their strengths, gather ideas, and observe their designs.
Analyze which projects align with the university criteria. Evaluate which ones most effectively demonstrate your skills. Your portfolio doesn't need to contain the maximum quantity of work. Having five diverse examples in a project is better than having ten works of the same type.
Develop a concept
Avoid presenting your work in chronological order. Instead, organize it into sections or thematic clusters. Contemplate how to interconnect all the examples to give the portfolio a cohesive appearance. Craft an introductory text and project captions. Remember to translate the texts if the admission committee requires it.
Choose a platform for portfolio creation
In the absence of specific university guidelines, you can create a portfolio using templates available on websites. We have provided some examples below for your reference.
Final touches: edit and self-check
Seek feedback from mentors and friends
Show your portfolio to several people. Teachers are likely to highlight any project weaknesses, while friends might catch typos. Receiving feedback will assist you in steering clear of the most evident errors.
Check your work
Give the texts another round of proofreading and review the content. For English text, you can utilize tools like Grammarly for grammar and style checking. Confirm that all project links are accessible from any device. Double-check if you have accurately labeled the projects and saved them in the appropriate format. Be cautious not to upload excessively large files, as universities typically impose a maximum file size for submissions.
Participate in a portfolio review
Certain universities offer an additional service — an evaluation of your portfolio by the admissions committee. It's advisable to present your portfolio about a year and a half prior to the application deadline, allowing ample time for addressing any shortcomings. Additionally, universities often provide portfolio-focused training courses. For instance, Istituto Marangoni offers such courses (in Russian) for students from Russia and Kazakhstan.
Prepare for an audition or interview
At some universities, it's customary to submit a portfolio directly to the admissions committee. Prepare the text and practice your presentation in front of a mentor or your loved ones.
