Organizer Information
Bucknell University is a private university in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Its academic structure includes the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the Freeman College of Management. Relevant options for students interested in the arts and moving images include the Department of Art & Art History and the English Department’s Film/Media Studies program. The university offers undergraduate majors and minors, alongside selected graduate degrees in other disciplines.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Bucknell University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BMus, BS, BSE, MA, MS, and combined bachelor's/master's pathways, depending on the program
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Art & Design, Film/Media Studies, Creative Writing, Music, Theatre, and other disciplines
- Relevant Programs: Art & Design; Art History; English — Film/Media Studies; Arts Leadership minor; Film/Media Studies minor
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications open 1 August 2026; graduate application periods depend on the program
- Application Deadline: 1 November 2026 (Early Decision I); 10 January 2027 (Early Decision II and Regular Decision)
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027 for the listed first-year admissions cycle
- Application Fee: Undergraduate $50; graduate $60
- Tuition: Undergraduate tuition $72,600 per academic year (2026–2027)
- Funding: Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships, including Arts Merit Scholarships for eligible students
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
Bucknell offers undergraduate study in visual arts, art history, film and media, and related humanities disciplines.
- Art & Design: Studio practice includes painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, graphic design, multimedia, and video and performance art.
- Art History: Study of art across historical periods, with opportunities for object-based research.
- Film/Media Studies: Critical, historical, and theoretical study of cinema, television, radio, and new media, combined with opportunities for creative production.
- Arts Leadership: An interdisciplinary minor focused on arts organizations and cultural-sector professions.
These options are primarily undergraduate programs and minors rather than standalone graduate degrees in filmmaking or fine arts. Applicants should check each program's curriculum and declared-major requirements before applying.
General Eligibility
- Bucknell accepts applications from domestic and international students. Undergraduate applicants must have completed an approved four-year secondary-school education or demonstrate equivalent preparation. Applicants apply to one of the university’s three colleges, selecting an intended major where applicable.
- International applicants must also provide financial documentation for the student visa process. Admission does not guarantee financial assistance, and international applicants are considered for need-based aid under a need-aware admissions policy.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate: Applicants must demonstrate appropriate secondary-school preparation. Bucknell's general curriculum requirements include four years of English/language arts, three years each of college-preparatory mathematics, science, and history/social studies, and two years of the same foreign language.
- Engineering and selected quantitative majors: Additional mathematics and science prerequisites apply.
- Graduate: Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent foreign qualification, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Department-specific prerequisites apply.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants whose first language or secondary-school language of instruction does not meet Bucknell's stated exemption conditions must submit an accepted English-proficiency test. The university lists the following minimum scores:
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 100 for tests taken before 21 January 2026; the university lists 5 under the revised scale |
| PTE | 68 |
| Duolingo English Test | 130 |
- A waiver may be considered upon written request from a school counselor or school official. Scores must be submitted by the relevant application deadline. Graduate admissions have separate guidance: Bucknell recommends TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7.0 for international graduate applicants.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, including international applicants | $50 | Nonrefundable; application fee waivers may be requested through the application platform |
| Graduate | $60 | Applies to graduate applications through the relevant admissions system |
Tuition
| Cost item | 2026–2027 amount | Billing basis |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition | $72,600 | Academic year |
| Housing | $11,400 | Academic year; standard on-campus budget |
| Meal plan | $6,980 | Academic year |
| Student fee | $900 | Academic year |
| International student health insurance | Approximately $2,136 | Academic year budget |
| International orientation fee | $750 | One-time fee |
| Undergraduate total direct charges for tuition, housing, food and student fee | $91,880 | Academic year |
The university's published international-student budget totals $97,716, including estimated health insurance, books and supplies, personal expenses, and travel. Actual costs depend on the student's circumstances. These figures apply to undergraduate study; graduate tuition should be checked through the relevant graduate program.
Funding & Financial Support
Bucknell offers need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Funding is competitive and is not guaranteed.
- Arts Merit Scholarships: Awards range from $2,500 to $20,000 annually for selected first-year students pursuing eligible fields, including Art & Design, Art History, and Film/Media Studies.
- International undergraduate financial aid: International applicants may apply for need-based aid using the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA). Bucknell states that funding is limited and that only a small number of highly qualified international applicants receive assistance.
- Merit aid for international students: A limited number of partial merit scholarships are awarded to international students each year.
- Graduate funding: Graduate students may have opportunities for teaching or research assistantships, depending on the program and availability.
Arts Merit Scholarship applicants in Art & Design must submit a portfolio of 10 JPEG images, an image-information document, and a 200–300-word statement explaining their interest in the major. These are scholarship requirements, not a general portfolio requirement for admission to the university.
University Services & Academic Support
Relevant academic resources include:
- Marts Film/Media Production Studio: Production facilities and post-production resources supporting Film/Media Studies coursework.
- Campus Theatre: A cinema venue used for course screenings and film-related learning.
- Samek Art Museum: Exhibition and object-based learning opportunities for students studying art and art history.
- International Student & Scholar Services: Immigration guidance, arrival coordination, cultural orientation, mentorship, and community connection programs.
Access to specialist facilities and activities depends on the course, program, or activity involved.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants
- Official secondary-school transcripts, academic results, and certificates, with certified English translations where applicable.
- A secondary-school report and one school counselor recommendation in English.
- A teacher evaluation form in English.
- Personal essays submitted through the application platform.
- English-proficiency test results, where required.
- A certified bank statement or International Student Financial Certification Document for international applicants.
- A copy of the passport's biographical page; a national identification card may be submitted if the applicant does not yet have a passport.
SAT/ACT results are optional under the published policy for the 2026–2027 admissions cycle. Additional teacher recommendations are optional. Early Decision applicants must submit the signed Early Decision Agreement.
Arts Merit Scholarship applicants
- Art & Design: 10 JPEG artwork images, an image-information document, and a 200–300-word statement.
- Film/Media Studies: Complete the required Arts Merit Scholarship application and submit the requested portfolio materials through the admissions portal.
- Interview or audition: Requirements depend on the scholarship field. For Art & Design, an interview or campus visit is not required or expected for scholarship selection.
Graduate applicants
Applicants must submit an online application and the academic documents and test scores required by the relevant graduate program. GRE requirements differ by department; consult the specific program's official admissions instructions.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate admission — Fall 2027 entry
- Early Decision I Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision I Decision Release: Early December 2026
- Early Decision I Enrollment Deposit Due: Mid-December 2026
- Early Decision II Deadline: 10 January 2027
- Regular Decision Deadline: 10 January 2027
- Early Decision II Decision Release: Mid-February 2027
- Early Decision II Enrollment Deposit Due: Late February 2027
- Regular Decision Results: Mid-March 2027
- Regular Decision Enrollment Deposit Due: 1 May 2027
Graduate admission
- Graduate Application Deadline: 1 February 2027
Location
Bucknell University — Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Additional Details
- Bucknell's principal options for students interested in film and visual arts are undergraduate programs. Its published graduate degrees focus on fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, English, and psychology; a dedicated graduate degree in film production or fine arts is not listed in its current graduate-program overview.
- Arts Merit Scholarship portfolio requirements should not be confused with general undergraduate admission requirements.
- International applicants should account for the university's need-aware financial aid policy when evaluating affordability.
- Tuition, fees, and admission requirements may change; applicants should verify the applicable academic year and program before submitting an application.