Applying to Study for a BFA
The University of Oxford has one application deadline each year for undergraduate studies, this is in mid-October, for entry the following year. The next admissions process will take place again in October 2012 for entry in 2013.
If you are thinking about applying to study for a BFA at the Ruskin in 2013, you will need to submit a completed UCAS application form online at http://www.ucas.com. The deadline for submission of your UCAS form is 13th October 2012. Your portfolio then needs to be delivered to the Ruskin by 12 noon on Saturday 10th November 2012. Unfortunately, no application can be processed without both of these submissions having been received. For more detailed information on the admissions process and on preparing a portfolio, please see the attached forms. Also, do refer to the website of the University’s Admissions Office: http://www.admissions.ox.ac.uk
We offer three Open Days each academic year, when you are welcome to come to Oxford and visit the Ruskin, the Fine Art Department of the University. Attending an Open Day is a good idea, as it offers you an opportunity to meet some of the tutors and students, tour the studios and generally find out more about the school and the course. The dates are advertised on our website and other colleges and departments also host their Open Days on these days as well: http://www.ruskin-sch.ox.ac.uk/about/open_days
In order to study at Oxford, you need to belong to a college. A downloadable list of colleges at Oxford that accept fine art students is attached to this webpage. Open Days at the colleges can help you make your selection of which college you would like to apply to. Each one has its own particular character, so you may well have a preference. Please bear in mind, though, that successful candidates can be offered a place at a different college to the one to which they originally applied. It is also possible to make an open application, where you select the subject that you wish to study but do not select a college. With an open application, you will then be assigned a college.
All candidates must apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The UCAS application form and UCAS directory can be obtained from .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), by phone on 0871 4680468 or through this address:
UCAS Application Requests
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ
There is a charge for the UCAS Directory but the data is also available on http://www.ucas.ac.uk and a free CD-Rom version of the Directory is available from UCAS. The UCAS code number for Oxford University is 033. The code for fine art is W100.
The Ruskin admits approximately 25 undergraduates a year. The student body is becoming increasingly diverse and we welcome applications from all sections of the community, both in the United Kingdom and overseas. Entry is very competitive, and based entirely on merit; we recognise, too, that artistic achievement and potential can take different forms, depending on the background and experience of the candidate.
Applicants do not have to be pre-selected by their school or college. Anyone who is strongly motivated, self-critical, and developing an independent vision of their potential as an artist, should consider themselves eligible to apply. Many students come from foundation courses, but candidates are also welcome to apply pre-A-level, during a gap year, or as mature students. If accepted, pre-A-level candidates will be given conditional offers that reflect their potential achievement.
Academic Criteria
Whether you are a school leaver, have undertaken a degree already or are a mature student now looking to study Fine Art, applying to study at the Ruskin is open to everyone. For further information on the academic criteria, including information on the grades required at A-levels, the IB, Scottish Highers, the International Baccalaureate and others, do please follow this link which takes you to a page on the main university’s undergraduate admissions website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/courses_and_entrance_requirements/index.html There you will also find links with information on international qualifications, English language requirements and vocational qualifications. For any particular enquiry about anything related to the academic criteria and your application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions office at 01865 288000.
Your Portfolio Submission
Can contain evidence of work in any medium with up to 20 pieces of work. If you wish, you can also include sketchbooks and notebooks.
We can only accept and look at one portfolio per applicant. It must be no larger than A1 sized, nor weigh more than 10kg. No additional packages, tubes or parcels will be accepted beyond this stated allowance.
Digital content, including any links to external internet based work, must be provided on physical media such as USB sticks and DVD/CDs. For example, include a text document listing all external internet work on the USB stick. We will not accept any portfolios submitted via email.
Digital submissions should be in one of the following formats and readable on Apple Mac Systems :
Quicktime format for video
TIFF or JPEG format for still images
Youtube and Vimeo links are also accepted, as are links to internet based work
It is preferred that content on a DVD is burnt as data rather than as a stand alone DVD. For specific enquiries, please contact Jon Roome, the Ruskin’s Digital Media Specialist, at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Your portfolio should show that you have:
An independent and creative mind
An ability to go beyond the requirements of the school curriculum
Strong motivation
Visual curiosity
Imagination
An informed awareness of contemporary art.
Please note that the University may use the work which you submit to the extent necessary for the conduct of the admission process. The University is not in a position to verify the contents of portfolios, or to make any special arrangements for care, custody or return. The University cannot therefore accept responsibility for any loss or damage.
Approximately 50 applicants are invited for interview on the strength of their portfolio. It is the applicant’s responsibility to collect, or arrange collection of, their portfolio. All shipping costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
Interview
The general aim of the interview is to establish the candidate’s strong commitment to, and enthusiasm for the subject and to gauge their potential to thrive in a small department with a tutorial-based learning method. Candidates will be expected to present and discuss their portfolio with the interviewing panel and are also invited to bring additional work to the interview.
The interviewing panel will be looking for:
An applicant’s ability to articulate their views on their own work
An ability to form and present opinions on other art works with specific emphasis on any contemporary art that the applicant has looked at.
Practical Test
One full day is spent on a practical test. This is an opportunity for candidates to respond to questions which allow them to demonstrate their experience, ability and inventiveness.
On the day, we will provide basic materials such as: paper, card, tape, glue, scissors, black ink and charcoal. Please provide any prefered basic materials.
Further Information on Funding
There is a considerable amount of further information on applying to study for an undergraduate degree at Oxford on the University’s main website. If you have any queries relating to funding, please follow either of these links:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/student_funding/index.html
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/studentfunding/index.shtml
International Students + Additional Entry Requirement Queries
For information on any other additional queries you may have regarding the academic criteria, English language certificate requirements for international students, as well as a wide range of other topics please follow this link: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/courses_and_entrance_requirements/index.html
If you would like to find out more about the Ruskin’s BFA course, clarify the portfolio submission requirements etc, do contact the Ruskin office on 01865 276940 or send an email to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
