How to make a perfect games design portfolio for university

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

21 January 2026

Dylan Mogg, BA (Hons) Games Arts, UCA Farnham

For creative a game degree like Games Design or Games Art, your portfolio is a chance to showcase your passion for the subject and artistic ability. 

This guide focuses on what to include, how to present your work and what admissions tutors are really looking for. 

What is a games portfolio? 

A games university portfolio is a selection of creative work that showcases your ability to meet the demands of the degree you've applied to. It's also a chance to demonstrate your creativity, your love for gaming and your interest in the games industry.

The exact portfolio requirements for each university may vary. For instance, you can check out UCA's portfolio advice for games degrees and also our postgraduate games portfolio advice.

A university portfolio has one main job: showcasing you. It's not just about sharing your best piece or work, but also telling the story of that work: where the idea came from, the process you went through to create it and what you learnt from the project.

Games Studios, UCA Farnham
Student working in one of UCA Farnham's games studios

What should you include in a games portfolio? 

Most games degrees will require students to utilise traditional art and digital techniques, so you should try to ensure your portfolio showcases a range of skills.

If you've completed any coursework at school or college that has given you the opportunity to use your drawing and illustration skills, be sure to include that work in your portfolio. But don't feel like it must be academic work. Any drawings (traditional or digital), paintings or creative art you've worked on in your personal time is also a valid inclusion.

It's also important to include sketchbook work. This can be a mix of observational drawings from the world around you and sketches of your own unique ideas. Remember, sketchbooks are all about quickly capturing scenes and experimenting with ideas. Don't be too shy to include the concepts that didn't work; they can tell just as much of a story as your most highly polished work.

Be sure to try to submit a mix of traditional and digital work. If you have a sketchbook full of original drawings, consider also submitting and digital illustrations you may have worked on, even if you don't think it's your best work. Remember, it's all about showcasing your range of skills, not just your strongest.

Don’t worry if your work is a little rough around the edges. Tutors aren’t looking for finely polished work, they’re looking to learn about you and your creative process. 

A concept design of a dessert-themed race track for a game
Kaspian Moysey, BA (Hons) Comic & Concept Art

Top tips for building a stand-out games portfolio 

  • Make sure you showcase a range of skills and techniques.
  • Don't be afraid to have a 'centrepiece' piece of work that leans into an area of the subject that you're most interested in.
  • Showcase your process by submitting sketches, iterations and notes that explain your decision making.
  • Any reflective writing you have can help to demonstrate how you develop and refine ideas. 
  • If you collaborated with others, be clear about what your specific role was in the project. 
  • Quality over quantity. Don't just add something because you think you should, but because you think it's either a brilliant piece of work or helps tell the story of your work

What if you haven’t worked a game before? 

Hopefully the advice so far has shown that you can still build a strong portfolio without having had a chance to work on a game yet.  

Your concept art, sketches and notes will express your passion for creating games and showcase the unique creative ideas you have.  

How to present your games 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 your presentation is clean, accessible, and easy to follow: 

  • Use folders to group related pieces 
  • Label everything with titles and your role 
  • Ensure any video links are public or unlisted on platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo to ensure they’re viewable to everyone 
  • Keep written material legible and well-formatted 
Luca Slade-Alger, BA (Hons) Games Arts, UCA Farnham
Luca Slade-Alger, BA (Hons) Games-Arts

What are admissions tutors looking for from a games portfolio? 

Your future lecturers want to understand who you are as a creative. They're looking for: 

  • A passion for games
  • A willingness to explore your creative ideas 
  • An understanding of traditional and digital techniques
  • Potential to develop and grow as part of the degree 

They don’t need professional-level work, just evidence that you’re passionate and full of ideas. 

They want to understand who you are, so be authentic. Be yourself, and let that shine in your work. Don't try to be someone else that you think tutors are looking for.

Need more portfolio support? 

Still unsure what to include? Come along to one of our upcoming Open Days where you can speak to our games 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 games students via our online graduate showcase.

More advice for games applicants 

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Related courses

Undergraduate

Postgraduate