If you are applying to undergraduate programmes at GSA, there are three distinct steps to the application process. Each step of the application process to GSA is important and takes a lot of preparation. We have provided a range of resources below to help you with this.
The guides below were last reviewed and updated on 26.10.21
Step 1 - UCAS Application
An application to any Higher Education course must be made through UCAS. This is where you submit your personal details, all of your qualifications to date including those which are pending, a reference from a teacher and most importantly, your personal statement. The UCAS personal statement is where you can communicate why you have applied to your chosen courses and explain how you are suited to study these courses.
The deadline for applying to GSA through UCAS is 31 January 2024. Applications submitted after this date are marked late and may not be considered so make sure you submit it on time. Below is some guidance for constructing a strong and relevant UCAS Personal Statement.
Step 2 – Digital Portfolio and Digital Portfolio Statement
When GSA receives your UCAS application, you will receive an e-mail asking you to submit a digital portfolio and digital portfolio statement. A digital portfolio is a selection of images of the work you have made, organised to show how you develop work. It is vitally important that you photograph your work properly to ensure it looks its best. We have made some resources which advise you how to do this and how to organise the images of your work.
The digital portfolio statement is an opportunity for you to talk more specifically about why are suited to studying this particular course and provide some further information about the work in your digital portfolio. Have a look at our guide below:
You can include information about how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted your ability to produce a digital portfolio including challenges you have faced (e.g. repeated periods of self-isolation from school) and the adaptations you have had to make.
Admissions selectors will assess your UCAS application, digital portfolio and digital portfolio statement together. Your application will be numerically scored against the assessment criteria. The assessment criteria for each programme are contained within the guidelines which can be found by clicking on the programme you are applying to here.
The scoring is between 1-7 (7 being 'excellent evidence of' and 1 being 'unsatisfactory evidence of'). Ensuring that your UCAS application, digital portfolio and digital portfolio statement are relevant to the assessment criteria is necessary in order to be shortlisted for interview. If your application is unsuccessful at this stage, the decision will be communicated to you via UCAS track.
3 – Interview (for all courses except Architecture)
If shortlisted, you will receive an e-mail inviting you to attend an interview. This is a chance for staff from the course to meet you, hear you talk about the work in your portfolio and find out more about your readiness for the programme. It is also a chance for you to get a clearer sense of the course, find out about the facilities available and ask any questions that you may have.
Take a look at the link below which gives some advice for preparing for an interview.
Admissions selectors will numerically score your performance at the portfolio interview against the assessment criteria. The assessment criteria for each programme are contained within the guidelines which can be found by clicking on the programme you are applying to here. The scoring is between 1-7 (7 being 'excellent evidence of' and 1 being 'unsatisfactory evidence of').
The outcome of your application will be communicated to you via UCAS track. If your application is unsuccessful, you can request feedback on your application by emailing admissions@gsa.ac.uk and you will be provided with your scores. If you receive an offer, have a look at guidance below.
How Widening Participation can help
Eligible applicants, regardless of whether they have participated in our activities previously or not, may benefit from application support from the Widening Participation team in the following ways:
- Help creating your digital portfolio.
- Help preparing for interview.
Please note, we are a very small team and endeavour to work with as many eligible applicants as possible however we will prioritise care experienced applicants and those applying from quintile 1 postcode areas in line with Scottish Government guidance.
Please email wp@gsa.ac.uk as soon as possible if you are an eligible applicant and would like to access application support from our team.
