Behind 124 Top Art & Design Offers
At DHSZ, we are unwavering in our mission to cultivate artists who combine boundless creativity with rigorous scholarly depth. Each year, our art students secure places at the world’s leading institutions—whether it’s the University of the Arts London or Goldsmiths in the UK, Parsons or Pratt in the US—demonstrating their diverse specialisms and the exceptional quality of their portfolios.
To date, the Class of 2025 has received 124 art & design offers in total, alongside a total of USD 1,787,200 in scholarships.
We sat down with University & College Counsellor, Mr John Coffey; Head of Art, Ms Lee Whitehouse; and outstanding art admit, Jesse W, to unpack the full-spectrum support that underpins this year’s remarkable results.
Specialist Curriculum: Forging Core Competencies through Creative Freedom
“The essence of art education is helping students strike the balance between personal expression and institutional expectation,” emphasises Ms Whitehouse. Our Fine Art and Graphics courses empower learners in three key dimensions:
1. Multimedia Exploration
From traditional painting and drawing to digital and lens-based media, pupils “expand their visual vocabulary and cultivate a spirit of fearless experimentation.”
2. Critical Thinking Development
Through regular crits and art-history seminars, students “deepen their artistic understanding and develop an individual style.”
3. Portfolio Mastery
Guided by the principle that “quality outweighs quantity and work must align with application goals,” learners—for instance, those aiming for animation—embed targeted animation projects within their A Level submissions, while our e-portfolio workshops ensure they meet both exam and art-school requirements.
Collaborative Support: Art Department and UCC in Partnership
Our art students’ achievements also spring from the close collaboration between the Art Department and the University and Careers Counselling team, which encompasses:
Precision Profiling: Shared data on student aspirations and performance, combined with bespoke references that “highlight each candidate’s unique strengths,” allows for tailor-made application strategies.
On-campus Visiting Professors: We annually welcome faculty from UAL, RISD and beyond—this year, Sarah Jane Begin from RISD’s Illustration programme revealed course expectations in person, “letting students experience first-hand what top schools demand.”
Dual-Track Refinement: While counsellors work intensively on personal statements—“helping pupils articulate their artistic inspiration in words”—art staff focus on portfolio enhancement, delivering a synergy of intellectual and creative rigour.
Future Vision: Cross-Disciplinary Opportunities at the ArtTech Frontier
The creative arts sector is more diverse than ever, with new interdisciplinary courses emerging rapidly—and our students are seizing these openings. As Mr John Coffey observes:
“This year, one of our pupils was admitted to UCL’s brand-new Art and Technology programme, joining its inaugural cohort—a truly exhilarating milestone.”
Contrary to the notion that “if I study art in university, it's difficult to find a job,” the 2025 World Economic Forum underscores that the fusion of AI and creative industries is generating abundant cross-sector roles. Our graduates, equipped in school with creativity, resilience, adaptability, agility and curiosity, then further refined by university training, are exceptionally poised to thrive in these evolving fields.
Moreover, aside from traditional fine art and design, an increasing number of students are opting for game design, digital media and art-technology programmes—clear evidence that “becoming a reflective practitioner,” as Ms Whitehouse puts it, “enables pupils to learn from setbacks and define their own standards of excellence” across any medium.
From the Student - Jesse W (Y13)
Jesse W—who received offers from both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Parsons—shares three cornerstone pieces of advice for aspiring art-school students:
Read the Brief - Thoroughly study each university’s portfolio guidelines on their website.
Embrace Experimentation - Be bold and unafraid of mistakes—only through exploring new media and techniques can you truly discern your strengths, weaknesses and passions.
Stay Authentic - Honesty and self-belief are paramount. External resources help, but the driving force of success is always you—your unique perspective, passion and intrinsic motivation.
From curriculum design and expert teaching to targeted counselling, campus visits and meticulous portfolio development, we offer a holistic, integrated support system. Here, every artistic aspiration can take root and flourish—equipped with solid foundations and an innovative spirit, our students are destined to shine on the global stage.
