Portfolio Course
A sixteen-week, full-time course in fine art, drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, artists' books and small sculpture
Now accepting applications for 2025/26
There's always a high demand for places, so early application is advised.
This full-time course runs yearly from mid-October to early March, with a break over Christmas and New Year.
It is taught Monday to Thursday (9.30am - 4.30pm) for 16 weeks (2 x 8 week terms)
Course Tutors: Eleanor White, Kittie Jones and selected visiting tutors
Course fees: £4,500.00 incl VAT (some Assisted Places available)
(Please note as of session 2026/27 course fees will increase to £5,500.00 incl VAT)
overview
This unique course, which has been running for over 20 years, offers the student an opportunity to study in an intimate and stimulating environment, uninterrupted by the pressures and concerns of their everyday lives. It is designed for people who wish to gain access to degree study at art school and for those who would like to study art at a deeper level. Many mature students have used this course as a sabbatical or as a chance to develop a new direction in their lives. The course offers excellent studio facilities for up to twelve students ensuring a personal input in a creative and supporting environment.
As the course is short, delivering two, eight week terms, it is structured and intensively taught, covering all aspects of what is required of a portfolio. The first term is structured so that the students are given the basics of artistic experimentation covering a wide variety of disciplines, including drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, life drawing, artists' book-making and 3D subjects such as small sculpture and textiles.
course structure
The use of sketchbooks is encouraged as an essential element to personal development and as such, forms a critical part in the students visual research. The history of art is taught in direct relation to the course structure giving students a clear context in which to place their work. A project is set towards the end of the first term to help students develop a critical response to their own work and to that of chosen artists.
The main tutoring is shared between Eleanor White and Kittie Jones. Both of these tutors have a wide range of teaching experience. Other visiting artists and teachers will complement the general programme to respond to specialist discipline requirements. Opportunity is given for group seminars to study the work of artists and students are also encouraged to take part in group critiques. Tutorials are given throughout both terms.
A research project is given over the Christmas break where students endeavour to find a personal response to their chosen discipline, building on the first term's exploration. This project becomes the springboard for the structure of the second term, during which students learn the practice of good shared studio discipline, respecting each others' work place. The second term is a time for real experimentation to take place, and although it is taught, it is primarily student led, thus forming the backbone of the personal work that is the main part of the portfolio.
The course is taught Monday to Thursday with additional weekend projects. These projects are given to aid the student to find their own voice away from the taught environment; encouraging self-motivation and a personal response to their practice. The course fees include all materials and equipment required for the course. Students need to supply sketchbooks and an A1 portfolio case, details will be provided to successful applicants. Accommodation is not included in the
experience
The past success rate of students gaining entry to their chosen college is high and the ethos of Bridge House Art is to embrace the liberating force of art as a powerful, personal language for each individual. The course does not ensure entry to degree level but will enable the students to be confident about their work and equip them to undertake a degree course with a firm foundation in the visual arts.
For students who come directly from school to develop a portfolio, the Bridge House experience offers them the opportunity to be independent from home in a small community, with access to pastoral care, as they build their confidence working alongside mature students and professional artists in a small and supportive group. We also assist with UCAS and University/College applications and digital portfolio submissions.
application procedure
Places are offered via an interview procedure. Interviews are primarily held during the end of course exhibition week (early March) Interviews will be conducted in-person with portfolio if available or online with a digital submission of works in advance. Help is available to assist with this if required. Applications are now being accepted please do get in touch if you have any questions regarding the Portfolio Course.
(Overseas applicants - please be aware that we are not able to assist with Visa applications. Please research your personal Visa requirements prior to application.)
Course fee: £4,500.00*
(£500 deposit on acceptance of offer. £4000 balance 6 wks prior to commencement of course)
(Please note as of session 2026/27 course fees will increase to £5,500.00 incl VAT)
*Assistance may be available towards Portfolio Course fees through the Assisted Place Scheme, please email for further information.
portfolio course alumni
We'll be updating this section soon and in the meantime, here are a few short videos that give a flavour of various aspects of the course.
Portfolio Course Alumni
Bridge House Art Alumni | Alice Watterson 2019/20
Bridge House Art Alumni| Rachael Dixey
