How to make a perfect photography portfolio for university

When you apply to study a photography degree at university you may be asked to submit a portfolio to support your application.

08 January 2026

Lucy Batchelor, BA (Hons) Photography, UCA Farnham

Creating a portfolio for a photography degree is your opportunity for you to showcase personality, your creative style and your artistic potential. 

Some people feel under a lot of pressure when creating their university portfolio, but with a little planning the process all of a sudden begins to feeler a lot clearer and simpler.

This guide is for anyone looking to apply to a photography degree and focuses on what to include in your portfolio, how to present your work and what admissions tutors are really looking for. 

What is a photography portfolio? 

A photography university portfolio is a collection of work that provides an overview of what you create and how you do it.

It's not just a book of edited photographs, but a group of different work that's brought together to demonstrate your creative process. This is your chance to tell admissions tutors a story of your work. When someone has finished looking through your portfolio they should have a clear idea of where your ideas come from, what influences you and how you bring ideas to life. 

The exact requirements for your portfolio may vary between different universities and the specific course you’ve applied to. For example, the Photography BA (Hons) degree at UCA asks for between 12 to 20 examples of work.

Rhimon Bose, BA (Hons) Fashion Photography
Rhimon Bose, BA (Hons) Fashion Photography

What should you include in a photography portfolio? 

Every portfolio is different, but a strong photography portfolio should showcase the level and range of your ability.

Academics and admissions tutors are interested to see how you interpret ideas and how you explore concepts on the way to making them a reality.

Here are some of the key types of work you might consider including: 

  • Sketchbooks that document how you develop your ideas
  • Photography projects you've completed
  • Drawings and other design examples, such as collages, graphic design and 3D models
  • Written content, such as project summaries, annotations, essays or stories 

It doesn't all have to be work you've developed in the classroom; personal projects are just as valuable. Ultimately, your portfolio should feel like it showcases who you are as an artist and demonstrates your interest in photography.

Remember that showing off the range of techniques and abilities you know is just as important as the quality. Don’t hold back work just because you don't think it's your very best. It might demonstrate knowledge that you haven't shared yet.

Top tips for building a stand-out photography portfolio 

  • Start strong and finish strong: begin with a project that represents you at your best and finish something that shows your ambitions for the future. 
  • Document everything: photograph and write about your process as you go. 
  • Tell a story: order your work so that it flows naturally from research to development to outcomes. 
  • Share your personality: Let your interests and influences shine through. Your tutors want to learn about you, not just your work. 
  • Be selective: Aim for quality over quantity. 
  • Show your process: don’t hide your unfinished work or failed experiments. Explain what they taught you and how you adapted. 
  • Ask for feedback: show your portfolio to teachers, classmates, or industry professionals before you submit it. 
Rupesh Maharjan, MA Photography, UCA Farnham
Rupesh Maharjan, MA Photography

How to present your photography portfolio 

Most universities will invite you to an applicant or interview day. During these days you’ll be given an opportunity to present or discuss your portfolio with a course academic or admissions tutor. 

For many reasons, some people are unable to attend an applicant day. Most universities will allow you to upload your portfolio online instead when this happens.  

Make sure you focus on clarity, not perfection. Admissions tutors want to see well-organised and thoughtfully sequenced work: 

  • Use folders to group related pieces  
  • Label everything 
  • If you include any videos, ensure links are public or unlisted on platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo so that they’re viewable to everyone  
  • Keep written material legible and well-formatted 

What are admissions tutors looking for in a photography portfolio? 

Your future lecturers want to understand how your creative mind works. The most important thing they're looking to understand is your potential as an artist.

They'll certainly be looking at your technical skills, but don't worry about that being a barrier to entry. Remember, these are skills that you can learn and develop during your degree; your potential is far more important.. 

Here’s what will stand out to them: 

  • Creative thinking and originality 
  • A willingness to express yourself 
  • A passion for photography
  • Honesty and self-reflection 
  • Potential to develop and grow as part of your degree 

They aren’t looking for professionals, they want to see passion, experimentation and an eagerness to learn. 

Yifan Liu, BA (Hons) Photography, UCA Farnham
Yifan Liu, Photography BA (Hons)

Need more portfolio support?  

Still unsure what to include? Come along to one of our upcoming Open Days where you can speak to our photography academics and Admissions Team in more detail about what they expect to see in your portfolio.  

You can also use our Unibuddy chat platform to speak directly to current UCA students and ask them about their portfolio. For more inspiration you could also check out the work created by UCA photography students via our online graduate showcase.

UCA photography degree portfolio requirements 

For specific information on portfolio requirements for photography degrees at UCA please check the following guides: 

Related courses 

Undergraduate 

Postgraduate