Portfolio Entry Tips

UNSW’s Portfolio Entry Early Conditional Offer Scheme gives you the chance to showcase more than your ATAR. Through a simple online application, you can highlight your creativity, passion and potential alongside your academic results.

Successful applicants may receive an early conditional offer and an adjusted ATAR requirement for eligible degrees. Whether you’ve pursued a creative project, in or out of school, your portfolio is your opportunity to show what makes you uniquely you, before your HSC exams.

Applying through Portfolio Entry can feel daunting at first, but you don’t need a perfect portfolio to make a strong impression. These tips can help you get started.

Check if you’re eligible

Before you start your application, make sure Portfolio Entry is available for the degree you want to study. Portfolio Entry is open to domestic undergraduate students applying to eligible UNSW degrees, including some double degrees.

You may also be eligible for other pathways, such as the Gateway Admission Pathway, which could offer more benefits.

Taking a few minutes to understand the requirements early can save time later and help you submit a stronger application with confidence.

Understand the brief

Every Portfolio Entry application is different, so take the time to carefully read the requirements for your chosen degree. Pay close attention to the submission instructions, selection criteria and any category requirements before you begin.

Following the brief matters. Your ability to work within guidelines, respond to prompts and submit the right materials demonstrates important skills you’ll use throughout university.

If you’re applying for a double degree, your portfolio of work doesn't need to be tailored to both degrees. Make sure you understand what supporting information you may need to provide.

Tell your story

Your portfolio is more than a collection of achievements. It’s a chance to share what motivates you and where your interests could take you.

Think about the experiences that have shaped your goals, whether that’s a school project, leadership role, creative pursuit, community involvement or personal challenge you’ve overcome. The strongest portfolios often connect these experiences to a clear sense of curiosity, purpose or ambition.

You don’t need to have everything figured out yet. Focus on showing genuine interest, initiative and a willingness to learn.

Show what excites you

The best portfolios feel personal. Instead of trying to include everything you’ve ever done, focus on the experiences, ideas and projects that genuinely excite you.

Maybe it’s a visual arts project you spent weeks refining, a design & technology challenge you tackled for your major work, a leadership initiative, or a passion project you pursued simply because you loved it.

Don’t just describe what you created. Reflect on the process, what you learned and why it mattered to you. Authenticity and self-awareness can be far more compelling than trying to sound overly polished.

You don’t need to start from scratch

Many students already have work they can include in their portfolio without realising it.

Year 12 major work, school assessments, extracurricular activities, volunteering, competitions, creative projects and personal initiatives can all help demonstrate your skills, interests and potential.

Portfolio Entry isn’t about creating the “perfect” application overnight. It’s about thoughtfully selecting experiences that reflect who you are and what you care about.

Ask for feedback

A second opinion can help you strengthen your application before you submit it. Teachers, career advisers, family members and mentors may be able to help you identify your strongest examples, refine your responses or spot areas that need clarification.

Feedback can also help make sure your portfolio feels clear, focused and easy to follow.

While the final application should still sound like you, getting support along the way can help you feel more confident in what you’re submitting.

Give yourself time to refine 

Strong portfolios rarely come together in one sitting. Starting early gives you time to reflect, edit and improve your application before submission deadlines approach.

Set aside time to review your writing carefully, check that you’ve followed all instructions and make sure your examples clearly support your application.

Once you submit your Portfolio Entry application, you won’t be able to make changes — so it’s worth taking the time to refine it properly.

Your portfolio doesn’t end here

Portfolio Entry can also be the beginning of a valuable habit: documenting your work, experiences and achievements over time.

Whether you’re building creative projects, developing technical skills, volunteering, leading initiatives or gaining work experience, keeping track of your progress can help you showcase your growth throughout university and beyond.

Learning how to reflect on your experiences and present your ideas is a skill that can support future opportunities, from internships and scholarships to graduate roles and creative careers.