UFS FINE ARTS PORTFOLIO FORM

Thank you for your interest in the BA Fine Arts programme at the University of the Free State.

Please find important information enclosed to help you prepare your portfolio, as admission to our programme is subject to selection. 

Please note that the application process for BA Fine Arts is a 2-step process. This online form is Step 2.

Step 1

Prospective first-year students should apply to the University of the Free State for Fine Arts. Follow this link: https://apply.ufs.ac.za/Application/Start 

The deadline for general applications is 30 September

Step 2

BA Fine Arts is a selection course with limited spaces. A portfolio of artworks needs to be submitted online via this form. All applicants are required to submit a portfolio.

The deadline for the portfolio is 30 September

For more information on Fine Arts at the UFS, see https://www.ufs.ac.za/humanities/departments-and-divisions/fine-arts-home 

For detailed information on the structure of the degree, see the Fine Arts Section in the Humanities Rulebook at https://www.ufs.ac.za/docs/librariesprovider20/rule-books/2025/humanities-rule-book-2025_web.pdf?sfvrsn=27c21920_1 

To view the Prospectus: https://www.ufs.ac.za/docs/librariesprovider44/prospectus/ug-prospectus-2027.pdf?sfvrsn=49a7fa20_3 

If you require any other information, do not hesitate to contact us at FineArts@ufs.ac.za

The Department of Fine Arts is lenient with regard to what is submitted in the portfolio, and the following are only suggestions. However, the portfolio must consist of no less than eight works of art and no more than ten. 

No physical portfolios are accepted. This form allows you to upload photographs or scans of your artworks. Please include high-quality photographs so that your artworks are presented accurately. 

The main consideration is that the artworks are creative, imaginative, and display technical expertise. Please select your strongest artworks. 

Media that are accepted, but not limited to:

• Drawing
• Digital art
• Mixed-media
• Painting
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Sound art
• Video art

Please take note that at least two traditional drawings made by hand (in charcoal or pencil, for example) are required.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT NO AI-GENERATED ART WILL BE ACCEPTED AND YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. It is important for us to be able to see what you are able to do.  

You are also welcome to add your Instagram or social media pages if you have artworks on them. 

Some suggestions of artworks to be included in the portfolio:

• A drawing in pencil or charcoal depicting form and space, such as a still life or a landscape
• A drawing in pastel or coloured pencil depicting form and space, such as a still life or a landscape
• A drawing of a human figure, observed from life and not copied from a photograph
• A self-portrait observed using a mirror