Organizer Information
Furman University is a private university in Greenville, South Carolina, United States, offering undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences alongside selected graduate programs. Its academic offerings include Studio Art, Art History, Communication and Media Studies, Film Studies, and graduate-level Strategic Design. The Department of Art provides instruction in studio practice, visual communication, photography, sculpture, painting, ceramics, and art history.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Furman University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate and graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BS, BM, MA, MS, and Education Specialist, depending on the program
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Studio Art, Art History, Design, Photography, Film Studies, Communication and Media Studies, Media Production
- Relevant Programs: Studio Art (BA); Art History (BA); Film Studies (minor); Communication and Media Studies (BA); Strategic Design (MA); Visual Strategy (minor)
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Multiple application rounds; dates depend on the entry term and applicant category
- Application Deadline: See the official admissions calendar and scholarship deadlines
- Start of Studies: Fall and spring semesters, subject to program and admission category
- Application Fee: $0 under the published temporary application-fee waiver
- Tuition: $62,878 annually for undergraduate tuition and the comprehensive fee in 2026–2027
- Funding: Institutional merit scholarships and other eligible financial aid; international eligibility varies by funding type.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
Furman’s relevant programs support students interested in artistic practice, visual analysis, design, and media.
- Studio Art (BA): Drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, graphic design, printmaking, book arts, and digital illustration.
- Art History (BA): Historical and cross-cultural study of artworks, visual literacy, research, and critical writing.
- Communication and Media Studies (BA): Media production, documentary and short-form video, digital storytelling, media history, and criticism.
- Film Studies (minor): Interdisciplinary study of cinema, filmmaking, storytelling, and film criticism.
- Strategic Design (MA): A graduate-level design program listed in Furman’s academic offerings.
- Visual Strategy (minor): An additional option for students exploring visual communication and related disciplines.
Program-specific admission requirements should be checked before applying. The university’s undergraduate admissions process does not establish a universal portfolio requirement for these fields.
General Eligibility
- Furman accepts domestic and international applicants for undergraduate admission. Applicants who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents should apply through International Admissions, including those attending high school in the United States.
- Admission decisions consider academic achievement, curriculum rigor, extracurricular activities, and the applicant’s potential contribution to the university community. SAT and ACT scores are optional for undergraduate applicants.
- International applicants must also meet the university’s English-language and financial-documentation requirements. Graduate eligibility is program-specific.
Educational Background
First-year applicants should have completed a strong college-preparatory secondary-school curriculum. Furman identifies the following minimum academic preparation:
- Four years of English.
- Algebra I and Algebra II.
- Geometry.
- Three years of social studies.
- At least three years of natural sciences.
- At least two years of the same foreign language.
International applicants must submit official secondary-school transcripts and applicable postsecondary transcripts. Documents must include official English translations. A course-by-course credential evaluation from a NACES-certified organization is accepted when transcripts are not in English.
Language Requirements
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an official exemption.
| Accepted evidence | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 100 |
| TOEFL scale 1–6 | 5 |
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 overall |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) | 180 overall |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 550 |
Furman also lists alternative evidence, including completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a Higher Level English grade of at least 5, qualifying U.S. college-level English composition coursework, and documented English-medium schooling. Certain nationalities are exempt from submitting an English-proficiency test. Applicants should consult the official policy for the complete conditions.
Application fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate applicants | $0 |
Furman’s current general undergraduate admissions page states that there is no application fee.
Tuition
The following figures apply to the university’s published 2026–2027 undergraduate schedule.
| Charge | Semester | Academic year |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive tuition fee | $31,439 | $62,878 |
| Student Government Association fee | $205 | $410 |
| Double-occupancy residence hall | $4,562 | $9,124 |
| Unlimited meal plan | $3,774 | $7,548 |
The comprehensive fee covers degree-seeking undergraduate day students enrolled in up to 20 credits during fall or spring semesters. Housing and meal-plan charges depend on the selected accommodation and dining arrangement. The published schedule also lists a $100 late-enrollment fee and a $60 fee for applicable payment plans. Graduate tuition should be checked against the relevant program’s official fee schedule.
Funding & Financial Support
- Furman offers institutional merit-based scholarships. International students are eligible for institutional merit scholarships but are not eligible for need-based institutional grants, according to the university’s financial-aid guidance.
- International applicants may also apply for the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, which is open to students across academic majors and can cover at least 50% of tuition, subject to the scholarship’s terms and satisfactory academic progress. Applicants must meet its international-student and intercultural-engagement criteria.
- Scholarship consideration does not guarantee an award. International applicants must complete the required financial-information documentation and CSS Profile.
University Services & Academic Support
Furman provides academic and creative support relevant to students in art and media disciplines:
- Studio facilities: Studio Art students work across photography, ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, and design. Senior Art majors have dedicated studio space.
- Academic advising and mentorship: Students receive academic guidance, and Art faculty support individual educational development.
- Research and internships: Art students are encouraged to participate in faculty-led research, internships, and experiential learning.
- Study away: Art students can participate in national and international study-away opportunities.
- International student support: International Admissions provides application guidance and information about English proficiency, financial documentation, and enrollment requirements.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate first-year applicants
- Completed Common Application or Coalition/SCOIR Application.
- Official high-school transcript.
- School Report submitted by the school counselor.
International applicants
- Official academic transcripts with English translations.
- Evidence of English proficiency or qualifying exemption.
- Furman Statement of Finances and supporting evidence of financial resources.
- CSS Profile for financial-aid consideration, as required by the international admissions policy.
Optional materials: SAT or ACT scores. International applicants may also submit an optional Initial View or Vericant interview, subject to the published requirements.
Special cases: Homeschooled applicants and students graduating from high school early must participate in a required Zoom interview.
Graduate applicants should consult the relevant program’s admissions instructions for any additional materials.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application Portal
- Alternative Undergraduate Application Portal
- International Applicants Portal
- Graduate Programs Portal
Deadline & Timeline
The official first-year admissions page publishes the following application deadlines and decision dates for the 2026–2027 admissions cycle. The international admissions page publishes a different calendar; applicants should follow the dates applicable to their category.
General first-year admissions calendar
- Early Decision I Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Action Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision II Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision I Decision Notification: By 15 November 2026
- Early Action Decision Notification: By 20 December 2026
- Early Decision II Decision Notification: By 1 February 2027
- Regular Decision Notification: By 15 February 2027
- Early Decision I Enrollment Deadline: 5 January 2027
- Early Action Enrollment Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Early Decision II Enrollment Deadline: 1 March 2027
- Regular Decision Enrollment Deadline: 1 May 2027
International admissions calendar
- Early Decision I Application Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Action Application Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Early Decision II Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision I Decision Notification: By 1 December 2027
- Early Action Decision Notification: By 15 January 2027
- Early Decision II Decision Notification: By 1 February 2027
- Regular Decision Notification: By 1 March 2027
- #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 February 2027
- #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship Notification: By 15 March 2027
- Early Decision I Enrollment Deadline: 5 January 2027
- Early Decision II Enrollment Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Early Action Enrollment Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Regular Decision Enrollment Deadline: 1 May 2027
- #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship Enrollment Deadline: 1 May 2027
The official pages list month-and-day deadlines without consistently stating the applicable year for each date. Applicants should confirm the dates for their intended entry term directly with Admissions.
Location
Furman University — Greenville, South Carolina, United States.
Additional Details
- Furman offers both undergraduate majors and selected graduate programs. The existence of a graduate degree at the university does not mean that a corresponding graduate degree is offered in every art discipline.
- The Studio Art and Art History programs award BA degrees. Film Studies and Visual Strategy are minors rather than standalone bachelor’s degrees.
- The university’s general and international admissions pages publish different application calendars. International applicants should verify their deadlines with International Admissions rather than relying on the general calendar.
- The general admissions page confirms that the undergraduate application fee is zero. The international application page also describes a temporary waiver of a $50 fee; applicants should confirm the applicable policy before submission.
- The published 2026–2027 comprehensive fee is for eligible undergraduate day students. It should not be treated as the tuition rate for every graduate program.