Organizer Information
Fordham University is a private Jesuit university in New York, United States. Its relevant academic offerings include undergraduate programs in Film and Television, Visual Arts, Communication and Culture, Digital Technologies and Emerging Media, and Journalism. The Department of Communication and Media Studies also offers a Master of Arts in Public Media through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Fordham University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA; MA; other undergraduate degree structures
- Academic Fields: Film, television, visual arts, photography, graphic design, media, journalism, communication
- Relevant Programs: Film and Television major; Visual Arts major and minor; MA in Public Media
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Fall 2027 and Spring 2027 entry, subject to program and applicant category
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate first-year deadlines include 1 November 2026 and 3 January 2027; graduate deadlines vary by program
- Start of Studies: Spring 2027 or August 2027, depending on program
- Application Fee: $80 undergraduate; $89 GSAS graduate
- Tuition: $1,882 per credit for GSAS; $1,134 per credit for undergraduate PCS
- Funding: Merit scholarships and eligible financial aid are available.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Fordham's Visual Arts major covers six areas: painting and drawing, graphic design, film and video, photography, art and engagement, and the built environment. Students can combine studio practice with critical and historical study. The Film and Television major offers film or television concentrations and includes production, writing, historical, and theoretical coursework.
- The MA in Public Media offers two tracks: Multi-Platform Journalism and Strategic Communication. The curriculum addresses multimedia reporting and production, public-interest media, communications, advocacy, and related professional practice.
General Eligibility
- Fordham accepts international applicants for undergraduate and graduate study. Admission requirements depend on the school, degree, program, and applicant category. First-year undergraduate applicants apply with secondary-school academic records, while graduate applicants must meet the prior-degree requirements of their chosen program.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate: First-year applicants must submit their high-school transcript. Transfer applicants follow separate admissions requirements.
- MA in Public Media: Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited US institution or an equivalent degree from a recognized institution abroad.
- Other GSAS graduate programs: Applicants must meet the degree and academic requirements published for the specific program.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency unless an applicable waiver is approved. Fordham publishes the following minimum scores:
| Test | Undergraduate minimum |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT, tests from January 2026 | 4.5 |
| TOEFL iBT, earlier scoring scale | 90 |
| IELTS | 7.0 |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 |
| Pearson Test of English | 65 |
Applicants with at least four years of recent English-medium instruction may request a waiver through the applicant portal. Graduate requirements differ: the MA in Public Media lists IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 130, PTE Academic 68, and TOEFL iBT 5.0 for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026.
Application fees
| Applicant category | Application fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate first-year applicants | $80 | Common Application |
| GSAS graduate applicants | $89 | Non-refundable; eligible applicants may request a waiver |
| GSAS reapplicants | $40 | Reapplying within 18 months of the original application |
Tuition
| Study level/school | Tuition | Additional mandatory fees |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional undergraduate, Rose Hill | See school-specific tuition schedule | School-specific fees |
| Traditional undergraduate, Lincoln Center | See school-specific tuition schedule | School-specific fees |
| Undergraduate PCS | $1,134 per credit | General fee $112 per term; technology fee $186 per term |
| GSAS graduate programs | $1,882 per credit | General fee $242 per term; technology fee $372 per term |
| GSAS international students | Applicable program tuition | International service fee $76 per term |
- The university's published 2026–2027 cost estimates list tuition and fees of $70,949 for incoming resident students at Fordham College at Rose Hill and $70,797 at Fordham College at Lincoln Center. These figures represent combined tuition and fees, not tuition alone.
- Health insurance is listed at $1,890 for fall and $3,342 for spring, including summer, on the GSAS and PCS fee schedules. GSAS requires health insurance for students taking six or more credits. Additional lab charges may apply; PCS lists fees of $26 for Film Studies, $100 for Video and Film Production, $75 for Graphic Design, and $150 for Photography.
Funding & Financial Support
Fordham offers competitive merit scholarships and financial assistance, with eligibility depending on the applicant category and award.
- International undergraduate applicants: Published merit awards include scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 annually for highly qualified first-year international applicants.
- Fordham Scholarship: A competitive award covering full tuition for eligible traditional undergraduate students, subject to renewal conditions.
- Dean's Scholarship: An undergraduate merit award, with published amounts beginning at $25,000.
- Need-based aid: International first-year applicants seeking need-based assistance must follow the applicable CSS Profile deadlines and financial documentation requirements.
- Graduate study: GSAS offers merit-based tuition scholarships and considers fee-waiver requests under its published eligibility rules.
Scholarships are competitive and are not guaranteed. International students should verify eligibility for each award and the applicable application deadline.
University Services & Academic Support
- Visual Arts students have access to professional studio environments and computer labs at the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses, with the availability of particular facilities depending on the discipline and campus. The program also offers opportunities for senior exhibitions, internships, study abroad, grants, and awards. Film and video facilities are based at Lincoln Center.
- Film and Television students can access departmental advising, study-abroad opportunities, student media activities, and industry-related internship experiences. The MA in Public Media combines academic instruction with practical multimedia and strategic communication work.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate first-year applicants
- Common Application, including the required essay.
- High-school transcript.
- Letter of recommendation.
- Application fee or an applicable fee waiver.
- English-language proficiency results for applicants who must demonstrate proficiency.
- Additional academic records or translations when requested.
Applicants to the Visual Arts major are encouraged to submit a portfolio. The university recommends a maximum of 10 work samples or three short videos. Portfolio submission is a recommendation for this major, not a universal requirement for every Fordham applicant.
MA in Public Media applicants
- Statement of intent, up to three double-spaced pages.
- Resume or CV.
- Academic transcripts.
- Three letters of recommendation, as listed in the university bulletin.
- Writing sample in English; at least one sample must be original, solo-authored academic writing.
- English-proficiency documentation where required.
- Portfolio for the Multi-Platform Journalism track; recommended but not required for Strategic Communication.
- A 2–5-minute video demonstrating English-language ability for non-native English speakers applying to either track.
The program does not require GRE scores. Graduate applicants should check the program's current application instructions for any additional requirements.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate first-year admission — Fall 2027
- Early Action / Early Decision I Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Action / Early Decision I International Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision II Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
- Early Decision II International Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
- Regular Decision Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
- Regular Decision International Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
- Early Action / Early Decision I Financial Aid Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision II Financial Aid Deadline: 3 January 2027
- Regular Decision CSS Profile Deadline for International Applicants: 15 January 2027
Undergraduate first-year admission — Spring 2027
- Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- International Applicant Deadline: 1 November 2026
- International Applicant Visa Processing Caution Date: 15 November 2026
MA in Public Media — Fall 2027
- Priority Deadline: 8 January 2027
- General Consideration Deadline: 31 March 2027
- Rolling Admissions Begins: 1 April 2027
- Final Deadline: 30 July 2027
- Start of Studies: August 2027
Location
Fordham University — New York City, New York, United States
Additional Details
- The Film and Television major is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill and Fordham College at Lincoln Center.
- The Visual Arts major includes six areas of study, but the availability and extent of facilities differ by campus.
- Undergraduate Visual Arts applicants are encouraged to submit a portfolio; this recommendation should not be confused with a mandatory portfolio requirement.
- International applicants should budget for tuition, mandatory fees, living expenses, and applicable visa-related costs separately.
- Undergraduate English-proficiency requirements and graduate English-proficiency requirements differ. Applicants should follow the requirements of their specific program and degree level.
- The university publishes different tuition schedules for traditional undergraduate colleges, PCS, and graduate schools. The rates above should not be treated as interchangeable.
- Application dates and financial aid deadlines are cycle-specific. Applicants should verify the latest official schedule if applying for a different entry term.