What is a Portfolio Review?

When you apply to a course in a creative subject like fashion design, fashion management and communication, fine art, games art, graphic design, photography, product, illustration and interior architecture and design and animation we ask you to send us a link to a portfolio of relevant work for us to review.

The portfolio review helps us understand whether we are able to offer you a place on the course you’ve applied for. Your UCAS statement and portfolio provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your creative experience, potential ability and enthusiasm for the course you’ve applied for.
 
If your application is successful you will receive an email inviting you to submit a link to your portfolio. 
Having a portfolio review doesn't mean you're guaranteed a place on the course – your UCAS personal statement and reference, contribute to us making our decision.

How will my Portfolio be reviewed?

We will be accepting portfolios through digital submission.

Read our guidance on linking to your portfolio. Please refer to the invitation email for details on where to upload your link. Please ensure there are no viewing restrictions.

If you are not able to submit your portfolio in this way, would like further support, or to arrange an alternative way for us to review your portfolio, please email myportfolio@shu.ac.uk and we will contact you to make alternative arrangements.

What should be in my portfolio?

Imagine your portfolio as the way we can view your world allowing us to see your knowledge, skills, personality and passion. Your portfolio is a collection of your work that demonstrates to us how your creativity has developed over a period of time.

It shows your ability to work with different materials, themes and techniques, as well as how you conduct research, develop and plan your ideas. We do not look for only highly finished professional work, a portfolio should be carefully put together; but we want to see imagination, enthusiasm and curiosity in exploring a range of creative approaches. Your portfolio should provide a clear view of your creative potential through the work you have done.

Take time with your selection when putting the portfolio together. Do not include everything you have ever done, present a good, clear selection that represents your abilities. We like to see the creative process of experimentation as well as final outcomes. Your portfolio may include past and current school or college work, other personal projects, work in progress and other work that you feel demonstrates your creative potential. Alternatively, this may include work completed in other fields outside of those traditionally thought of as the 'creative subjects' such as writing, research, problem solving and case studies.

The portfolio should include some or all of the following, it will vary depending on the discipline you are apply for: 

• A range of drawing skills, life drawing, observational drawing. Mark making, illustration.
• Experiments with a range of media, printmaking, photography, collage. 
• Digital Media such as concept work, 3D CGI, character art, environment art. 
• Typography, layout, design sheets. 
• Time based work animation, film making, interaction. 
• 3D work and making skills in wood, metal, paper, plastic, ceramic, clay, card, fabric etc.
• Sketchbooks demonstrating research, idea generation and problem solving, mood boards.
• Anything else that you feel promotes your creativity.

If your school or college work is likely to be sent away for assessment or put on display, keep copies so that you can still include that work in your portfolio.

If you are including references of other peoples’ make sure this is clearly labelled.

How should I organise my portfolio?

The important thing is to assemble a lively collection that shows both the breadth and depth of your work.

Order your portfolio so that it opens with your strongest piece of work that you are confident about and which represents you best. You can’t include every bit of work you've done. Be selective, but not too selective. We like to see your process – sketchbooks, research and development work are just as important – we want to know how you think, solve problems and arrive at an outcome. 

Portfolio commentary
Make sure your UCAS number is clearly visible at the start of your portfolio. Add a short explanatory title and one or two sentences at the start of each piece of work saying what it is, how it was created, what inspired and influenced you to make this work. This will help to ensure that your portfolio is understood in the way you want it to be when you are not there to explain it. 

What are we looking for?

Throughout the process, we will be looking for people who are genuinely curious about their subject with an enthusiasm and motivation to thrive at University.

• a creative and imaginative approach to generating visual outcomes.
• a potential to develop practical, conceptual and analytical skills in the realisation of your ideas.
• an ability to identify the sources you have drawn on.
• an ability to relate your ideas to your own experience.

Who is on the portfolio review panel?

Sheffield Hallam Creative Industries Institute academic staff.

What else can I experience at the university?

All students are encouraged to find out more about the university at one of our open days. It’s your chance to find out what we’re about. It’s your chance to find out what we’re about – how we teach, how we support you, and what facilities and activities are on offer on our campuses. You can also discover more about your new home of Sheffield which is a lively, friendly, scenic and affordable place to study.

You can also chat one-on-one with our students and staff at any time or visit our Sheffield Creative Industries Institute online gallery for more information.

I'm disabled and require support with the portfolio review. Can you help?

Sheffield Hallam University welcomes applications from disabled people and is proactive in ensuring equality of access. If you think you, or any of your guests, may require support during your visit (for example, a sign language interpreter, notetaker, materials provided in a different format or wheelchair access), please contact our events team within 3 days of the receipt of your course discussion invitation on +44 (0)114 225 5584 or email recruitmentevents@shu.ac.uk.

Disability advice whilst studying at the University

You may or may not have indicated that you have a disability on your application form. In either case, the Disabled Student Support Team is keen to hear from you. If you would like to meet or talk to an advisor to discuss, in confidence, possible support whilst studying, please email disability-support@shu.ac.uk.

Inclusion at the portfolio review

We welcome everyone to Sheffield Hallam University and want to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you wish to disclose any information with us, such as a change in name or any other personal status that you feel is relevant this will be treated sensitively and fairly, ensuring you are represented impartially in your portfolio review. Please contact our events team on (0114) 225 5584 or at recruitmentevents@shu.ac.uk

SHU Progress provides support for applicants whose personal circumstances might mean that there are barriers to going to university. The scheme provides additional support in the year of application and throughout the application process, including your transition to becoming a university student. Visit our SHU Progress webpages to find out more and see if you might be eligible. 

What happens after my portfolio review?

After the portfolio review our offer will be communicated via the UCAS Hub, so please check your account regularly.

Find out more about types of offer and how to accept your offer here.