Photography schools
Art schools whose own sites list photography or photo and video programmes, compared on portfolio, English, tuition and deadline.
9 schoolsFrance · United Kingdom · United States · AustraliaNot a ranking
What to compare between photography schools
Photography portfolios are often judged as series. Check whether a school counts a series as one item or each image separately.
Photography sits in fine art at some schools and in communication or media at others.
Upload platforms set file size and format limits; they are quoted on the school pages where the school states them.
The schools
9 entries, ordered by search demand
| School | Degrees | Portfolio (key points) | International tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts de ParisParis, France | Diplôme de premier cycle (valant grade de licence) / DNSAP pathway; DNSAP (Diplôme… | First-year (Parcoursup): artistic portfolio in PDF only, max 10 MB, and/or two MP4 videos (max 2 min each); CV on provided template; letter of intent ~2000 characters PDF. In-course entry… | €458 per year (2025-2026) + €103 CVEC, regardless of nationality or country of origin (scholarship/CROUS… |
| École nationale supérieure des Arts DécoratifsParis, France | Licence (first year of the Licence, first cycle); Master (Diplôme de l'ENSAD, 4th year /… | First year: anonymous digital application comprising (1) a 'création réalisée à domicile' PDF of up to 5 pages (20 MB) plus optional 1-minute audio / video (50 MB); (2) a personal-works… | €458 per year (2025-2026) plus CVEC €105; the same for all nationalities. CROUS scholarship holders are… |
| London College of CommunicationLondon, United Kingdom | BA (Hons); MA / MFA / MRes | Digital portfolio via PebblePad after UCAS initial application. Examples: BA Photography / Graphic and Media Design / Illustration and Visual Media – maximum 20 pages of original work… | £31,510 per year (International) for 2027 entry (e.g. BA Photography, BA Graphic and Media Design). 'may… |
| The Glasgow School of ArtGlasgow, United Kingdom | BA (Hons) / BDes (Hons) / BArch (Hons) / BEng / MEng; MA / MFA / MDes / MArch / MSc /… | Digital Portfolio in PDF format, maximum 15 pages, plus a Portfolio Statement (max 500 words / 3000 characters), submitted via the GSA Digital Portfolio site after the UCAS application.… | £24,800 per year (International, including EU), fixed for the duration of the programme, for new students… |
| School of Visual ArtsNew York, New York, United States | BFA; MFA / MA | Submission via SlideRoom is encouraged. Most BFA programmes require 15–20 images, of which at least 3 must be direct-observation work; BFA Film requires a 3–5 minute film reel or a two-part… | $55,270 per year (2026–27 academic year; full-time $27,635 per semester). |
| Maryland Institute College of ArtBaltimore, MD, United States | BFA; MA / MFA / MPS / MAT | Must submit 10-15 pieces of artwork (portfolio of 10-15 pieces of artwork), no prompts, no home exam; may include class and independent works, and should show finished pieces. Uploaded via… | 2026-2027 full-time undergraduate tuition: Full-Time Academic Year $58,310 (per credit $2,430, 12.0-19.5… |
| Kingston School of Art, Kingston University LondonKingston upon Thames, United Kingdom | BA (Hons); MFA / MA | Digital portfolio, 15-20 pages; PDF preferred, may include website/Instagram/Flickr/Vimeo links; demonstrate four values: questioning, curiosity, technical ability, enthusiasm. Fine Art BA… | Fine Art BA International: Year 1 (2027/28) £22,900; Year 2 (2028/29) £23,800; Year 3 (2029/30) £24,800… |
| RMIT University - School of Art / School of DesignMelbourne, Australia | Bachelor of Fine Arts (BP201, School of Art) / Bachelor of Design (e.g. BP203 Animation… | Bachelor of Fine Arts selection task: two applicant statements (each up to 100 words) plus choosing 1–3 majors and stating the first-preference reason (up to 100 words) plus creative works… | Bachelor of Fine Arts 2027 tuition AU$43,200/year; Bachelor of Design (Animation and Interactive Media) 2027… |
| Victorian College of the ArtsMelbourne, Australia | Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art); Master of Contemporary Art | A portfolio (folio) must be submitted via SlideRoom: up to 20 individual files/works (drawings, paintings, photographs, sketchbooks, 3D objects, new media, etc.); a visual diary sample (up… | 2024 indicative tuition: AU$34,880/year; three-year indicative total tuition AU$110,016 (university… |
Requirements are summarised from each school’s admissions pages, usually for the undergraduate route where one exists; the school page has both levels in full with sources. Master’s routes are compared on Masters programmes.
Which are the best photography schools?
There is no single best school for photography; this page does not rank. It lists the 9 catalogued schools whose own websites name photography among their programmes, with what each officially asks for, so you can judge fit by portfolio, language, cost and deadline.
Do photography schools require a portfolio?
Most of the schools listed here ask for one, but the format, size and upload platform differ. Some, such as programmes that select by entrance exam, do not. The portfolio column below is taken from each school’s admissions page.
Which photography school fits your work?
Tell Yixiaoliu what you make, your English scores and budget; it will weigh the schools above against them and point you to each official page.
Other disciplines: Film · Fashion design · Architecture · Interior design · Illustration · Animation · Graphic design · Product and industrial design · Fine art