Organizer Information
Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina, with undergraduate and graduate education across the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional fields. Relevant study is offered through the Department of Art, Art History & Visual Studies, the Center for Documentary Studies, Cinematic Arts, and related interdisciplinary programs.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Duke University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: AB / MA / MFA / PhD / Undergraduate Certificate / Minor
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Art History / Visual & Media Studies / Film / Documentary Studies / Photography / Digital Media / Computational Media / Visual Culture
- Relevant Programs: Art History and Visual Arts (AB); Visual and Media Studies (AB); Undergraduate Certificate in Documentary Studies; Cinematic Arts Minor; MA in Digital Art History/Computational Media; MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts; PhD in Art, Art History and Visual Studies; PhD in Computational Media, Arts & Cultures
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: 2026–2027 admission cycle
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate: 2 November 2026 Early Decision / 4 January 2027 Regular Decision; graduate deadlines vary by program
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: Undergraduate $85; Graduate School $105
- Tuition: Undergraduate $36,870 per semester; Graduate School Master's/PhD years 1–3 $34,940 per semester
- Funding: Need-based undergraduate financial aid; graduate funding varies by program.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Duke offers relevant undergraduate study in Art History and Visual Arts and Visual and Media Studies, including a Cinematic Arts concentration within Visual and Media Studies. The undergraduate Documentary Studies Certificate incorporates filmmaking, photography, audio, writing, and other documentary practices.
- At the graduate level, relevant programs include Art History and Visual Culture, Digital Art History/Computational Media, Experimental and Documentary Arts, and Computational Media, Arts & Cultures. The MFA specifically seeks applicants with an established practice in documentary arts, film/video, new media, or experimental technology.
- Graduate applicants must hold a U.S. bachelor's degree or equivalent from an appropriately accredited institution. Program-specific academic preparation varies.
General Eligibility
- Duke accepts applications from international students. Undergraduate international applicants use the same general application process, while graduate applicants apply through the Duke Graduate School or the designated program process.
- For graduate study, applicants must hold a U.S. bachelor's degree or equivalent. The MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts requires a portfolio, while the PhD in Art, Art History and Visual Studies requires a scholarly writing sample. The MA in Digital Art History/Computational Media requires a writing sample and encourages an optional representative digital-art-history or computational-media portfolio.
Language Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants who are non-native English speakers or are not studying in an English-medium curriculum are recommended, but not required, to submit an English-proficiency test. Duke expects approximately IELTS 7, TOEFL iBT 100, PTE 70, Duolingo 130, or Cambridge C1/C2 180 when such scores are submitted.
- For Graduate School applicants whose first language is not English, Duke generally seeks IELTS Academic 7.0, TOEFL iBT 90, or Duolingo English Test 125. Some departments may require higher scores. Waivers are available under specified study-background conditions.
Application Fee
| Applicant Category | Application Fee | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $85 | Available for qualifying applicants |
| Graduate School | $105 | Limited waivers; eligibility conditions apply |
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, Trinity College and Pratt Engineering | All students | $36,870 | Per semester | Student, recreation, health and other applicable fees |
| Graduate School Master's | Graduate students | $34,940 | Per semester, fall/spring | Additional graduate fees apply |
| Graduate School PhD, Years 1–3 | PhD students | $34,940 | Per semester | Additional graduate fees apply |
The 2026–2027 undergraduate schedule also lists a first-time registration fee of $180, student activity fee of $167, student services fee of $423, recreation fee of $204, and health fee of $523.50. Graduate rates include additional charges such as the $120 first-term transcript fee and recurring student fees.
Funding & Financial Support
- Duke provides need-based undergraduate financial aid and offers a limited number of merit scholarships. International first-year applicants may seek need-based aid, but they must indicate financial-aid interest in their original admission application. Duke states that approximately 20–25 international students each year receive university-provided aid meeting full demonstrated need.
- Graduate funding is program-specific. The MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts reports financial aid for 100% of its students. The PhD in Art, Art History and Visual Studies makes every effort to provide full funding to admitted candidates. The MA in Digital Art History/Computational Media reports no students receiving financial aid, although funding may become available in the second and third semesters based on performance.
University Services & Academic Support
Relevant academic support includes faculty supervision, interdisciplinary research, documentary fieldwork, creative project development, and access to Duke's documentary and visual/media studies infrastructure. Documentary Studies students can undertake public-facing documentary projects, while graduate students work within interdisciplinary research environments involving art, media, humanities, and technology.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants submit the applicable first-year or transfer application, academic records, school reports, recommendations, essays, and other materials specified by Duke. SAT/ACT scores are optional for the 2026–2027 cycle. Alumni interviews are optional. Exceptional applicants with talent in art, dance, theater, or music may submit supplementary materials.
- MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts: transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose, résumé, English-language test where applicable, and a required portfolio submitted electronically through the program's SlideRoom portal.
- MA in Digital Art History/Computational Media: transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose, résumé, English-language test where applicable, GPA information, and a required 10–20-page writing sample. A representative digital work sample or portfolio is optional.
- PhD in Art, Art History and Visual Studies: transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose, résumé, English-language test where applicable, GPA information, and a required 10-page writing sample.
How to Apply?
- Duke Undergraduate Application Portal
- Duke Graduate School Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision Undergraduate Deadline: 2 November 2026
- Regular Decision Undergraduate Deadline: 4 January 2027
- Transfer Undergraduate Deadline: 15 March 2027
- PhD in Art, Art History and Visual Studies: 10 December 2026
- MA in Digital Art History/Computational Media: 28 January 2027
- MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts: 28 January 2027
- PhD in Computational Media, Arts & Cultures: Not accepting applications for 2027 enrollment; applications resume in Fall 2027 for Fall 2028 admission.
Location
Duke University — Durham, North Carolina, United States
Additional Details
- The Visual and Media Studies (AB) major includes a Cinematic Arts concentration covering film/video production, digital imaging, film studies, and related visual-media practice. Duke also offers a five-course Cinematic Arts Minor.
- The Undergraduate Certificate in Documentary Studies requires six courses and a culminating documentary project using media such as audio, video, photography, or ethnographic writing.
- The PhD in Computational Media, Arts & Cultures is currently closed to applications for the 2027 cohort; Duke states that the next applications will open in Fall 2027 for Fall 2028 admission.