Applicants are encouraged to visit Leith School of Art before submitting an application. Discussion with tutors can help enormously to refine ideas and aims, and to identify which course is most suited to you. Tutors will also be able to provide guidance on what makes a successful portfolio.For information on our upcoming Open Days click here.
Applicants are required to provide a personal statement. This is an opportunity to express your current interest in art, discuss any artists that have inspired you and to suggest how studying at the School will help you progress to the next step in your artistic career.
We also ask that you supply a reference; this should ideally be from someone who knows you and your practice well. However, a personal reference can be submitted if this is not possible. Please ensure that your referee submits it directly to the Student Registrar. Your referee should state your full name at the top of the reference. Please note that you will not receive a formal offer until we have received your reference, so please make sure you organise this in advance.
Applications open in December and applicants are encouraged to submit their application before the end of June. There is no fixed closing date for submission.
Please note that all applicants must be 17 or over at the time the course commences.
Our online application form can be completed by visiting the Year-long Courses pages. Please contact the School if you would like to receive a paper copy of the application form.
As the U.K. has left the European Union, EU students will need to apply for a visa if studying on a course for 6 months or more. Leith School of Art is unable to issue visas for overseas students who wish to study for 6 months or more.
Interview
All applicants for year-long courses will be interviewed and asked to bring a portfolio of work with them. Interviews will be held at either our North Junction Street or St James Campus. Candidates will be notified by email of the interview time, along with other relevant information. Please confirm with the Student Registrar that you are able to attend. Under certain circumstances we can arrange an interview by Zoom, and you can submit your portfolio digitally.
Your portfolio is an essential part of your application and should demonstrate diverse examples of your work as an artist. This could include photographs, sketchbooks, 3D constructions and other material. It is important that you can show the interviewer how you approach art, and how you will benefit from the course you have applied to.
Interviews will last approximately 45 minutes. As well as discussing your portfolio you may be asked about information given in your application, your ambitions for your art and how you hope the course will help you achieve these.
Selection and Notification
Normally you will be notified of a formal decision within two weeks of the interview. Successful candidates will be asked to confirm acceptance of their place within two weeks of notification.
The offer of a place at the interview stage may be conditional, depend on satisfactory references and course availability.
Funding
Leith School of Art offers a Bursary Scheme, and further information on funding can be found on the Fees & Funding page.
Please note that due to the School’s independent status students are not eligible for state funding.
Terms and Conditions
Leith School of Art Terms and Conditions can be found here.