Entry requirements

The typical offer for this course is a 2:2 or abo or above in a creative arts honours degree. We also accept equivalent qualifications. If you have relevant experience or qualifications in other subjects, we will consider your application individually.

For information on accepted international qualifications specific to your country, please explore the international section of the website.

Additional requirements for Graduate Diploma in Creative Practice: A portfolio to showcasing your strengths, abilities and experiences.

We will review it with four key values in mind:

Questioning
Curiosity
Technical ability
Enthusiasm

Your portfolio should include:

The research, visual development and outcomes of your project work.
Examples of your skills in technical making, idea development and storytelling.

Portfolio formatting:

Be 15-20 pages long, in landscape orientation.
Be a print-based or interactive PDF file.
Include a title and brief description for each project, explaining your intentions and individual involvement.
Contain moving image works no longer than two minutes maximum and uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube. Please make sure these links are active and work on all platforms and are not password protected.
Contain high quality images of at least 72 dpi.
Not use a portfolio template. We want to see how you curate your work with clarity and imagination.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Specialise in Fashion, Graphic Design, Interior & Product Design or Illustration Animation.

On this intensive one-year course, you can find your creative direction and the confidence to progress to postgraduate study. Focusing on experimentation, reflection and professional portfolio-building, you’ll develop your creative practice through studio projects, critical discussion and industry-informed assignments designed to reflect contemporary art and design processes.

You'll be able to choose from one of four bespoke pathways:

· Fashion

· Graphic Design

· Illustration Animation

· Interior & Product Design

· Creative destination

Whatever pathway you choose, you'll be able to learn alongside Kingston’s vibrant postgraduate community. You can then progress to a practice-based masters course or graduate ready for roles in design, publishing, media, film, fashion, advertising and more.

Information for international students

English language requirement for this course: Academic IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no element below 5.5.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements could be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Applicants from a recognised majority English speaking country (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

You will find more information on country-specific entry requirements in the country-specific section of our website.

Fees and funding

The International Success Support Scholarship provides £2,500 towards tuition fees for international students starting in September 2026 on an eligible course. Postgraduate students receive the award in their first year and this award supports international students to succeed at Kingston University.

We also offer small number of International Merit-Based Scholarships worth £5,000 towards first-year tuition fees.

Full scholarship details can be found here:

https://www.kingston.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/international-scholarships