Organizer Information
Harvard University is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Relevant creative and design-focused study is offered through Harvard College, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies (AFVS), the Department of History of Art and Architecture, Theater, Dance & Media, the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), and the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD).
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Harvard University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: A.B. (B.A.-equivalent), MArch, MLA, MDes, MDE, DDes, PhD
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Film / Visual Studies / Photography / Art History / Architecture / Landscape Architecture / Design / Urban Planning / Theater / Dance / Media
- Relevant Programs: Art, Film, and Visual Studies A.B.; History of Art and Architecture A.B.; Theater, Dance & Media A.B.; Film and Visual Studies PhD; History of Art and Architecture PhD; GSD programs including MArch, MLA, MDes, MDE and DDes.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications open 1 August; graduate application availability begins in September; GSD applications typically open in mid-September.
- Application Deadline: Program-specific; major verified deadlines include 1 November 2026, 1 January 2027, 1 December 2026, and 5 January 2027.
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $95 undergraduate; $105 GSAS; $90 GSD
- Tuition: $62,226/year Harvard College; $59,048/year full GSAS tuition; $64,000/year for most GSD master's programs.
- Funding: Need-based Harvard College financial aid; comprehensive funding is available for incoming GSAS PhD students; GSD financial aid and university-wide scholarships are available to eligible students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Harvard’s undergraduate Art, Film, and Visual Studies concentration covers studio art, film/video production, photography, filmmaking, animation, video art and film/visual studies. History of Art and Architecture focuses on historical and critical study of visual art and architecture. Theater, Dance & Media combines scholarly study with practical work in theater, dance and digital media.
- At the graduate level, AFVS offers a Film and Visual Studies PhD, including a dissertation-with-artistic-practice pathway. The program emphasizes theory and history of media in relation to visual arts.
- GSD provides graduate study in architecture, landscape architecture, design studies, design engineering, and urban planning and design.
General Eligibility
- Harvard College first-year admission is for students completing secondary school and seeking their first bachelor's degree. Applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree are not eligible for Harvard College admission. International and U.S. applicants follow the same first-year application process.
- For the Film and Visual Studies PhD, applicants should have strong academic preparation in film studies or a related field; applicants without a film-studies major need sufficient relevant background. Applicants identify up to three faculty members with whom they envision working.
- For History of Art and Architecture PhD, strong language preparation is advantageous, and a writing sample of no more than 20 pages is required.
- GSD eligibility varies substantially by degree. For example, DDes applicants must hold a graduate-level degree in a design-related field or a related discipline such as engineering, geography, computer science or industrial design.
Language Requirements
- Harvard College first-year and transfer applicants are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores; English proficiency is evaluated through the application, although applicants may submit English-test results voluntarily.
- GSAS applicants who are non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency through an English-medium undergraduate degree, TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic. The standard minimum is TOEFL iBT 5 under the revised scale, with a 4.5 Speaking minimum, or IELTS 7.0 with a 6.5 Speaking minimum; individual programs may require higher scores.
- For Film and Visual Studies PhD students, advanced reading knowledge of one foreign language relevant to the student's research is required.
Application Fee
| Applicant / School | Application Fee | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard College | $95 | Available for applicants experiencing financial hardship |
| Harvard Griffin GSAS | $105 | Fee waiver eligibility is assessed within the application |
| Harvard GSD | $90 | Limited fee waivers available |
Tuition
| School / Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard College undergraduate | All students | $62,226 | Academic year | Health Services $1,944; Student Services $4,272 |
| GSAS master's/PhD | Graduate students | $59,048 full tuition | Academic year | Health fees and GSAS fees apply |
| GSAS reduced tuition | Eligible continuing students | $15,352 | Academic year | Applicable health/other fees |
| GSD master's programs, except MRE | Graduate students | $64,000 | 2 semesters | Health insurance $4,954; Health Service Fee $1,944; Activity Fee $180 |
| GSD DDes | Doctoral students | $64,000 | 2 semesters | Health insurance $4,954; Health Service Fee $1,944; Activity Fee $180 |
Funding & Financial Support
- Harvard College provides need-based financial aid to international students on the same basis as U.S. students and states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students.
- Incoming GSAS PhD students receive a comprehensive financial-support package that can include tuition grants, stipends, teaching fellowships, research assistantships and other academic appointments. Film and Visual Studies is specifically included among the funded humanities programs.
- GSD offers financial aid and university-wide scholarship opportunities to eligible students, including international students through applicable Harvard-wide funding.
University Services & Academic Support
- Relevant academic resources include Harvard's extensive library system, Harvard Art Museums collections, the Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, and specialized film and visual-arts resources. AFVS students work closely with faculty in studios and small seminars.
- GSD provides access to the Frances Loeb Library, design studios, exhibitions, professional events and academic advising.
Application Requirements
- Harvard College first-year applicants must submit the Common Application, Harvard supplement, $95 fee or fee-waiver request, SAT or ACT, school report and transcript, two teacher recommendations, and required midyear/final reports.
- Film and Visual Studies PhD applicants must submit a statement of purpose and personal statement; GRE General is optional. Applicants pursuing the artistic-practice pathway must identify their artistic-practice focus and submit portfolio links plus a statement connecting artistic and writing practice.
- History of Art and Architecture PhD applicants must submit a personal statement and a writing sample of no more than 20 pages; GRE General is not accepted.
- GSD requirements vary by program and can include transcripts, essays, recommendations, portfolios, resumes, research proposals and English-language test scores.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Restrictive Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Regular Decision Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Financial Aid Deadline — Regular Decision: 1 February 2027
- Film and Visual Studies PhD Deadline: 1 December 2026
- History of Art and Architecture PhD Deadline: 5 January 2027
- GSD Application Deadline: 5 January 2027
- GSD Financial Aid Deadline: 8 February 2027
- GSD Admission Decisions: Mid-March 2027
Location
Harvard University — Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Additional Details
Harvard's arts-related undergraduate offerings are concentrations within the liberal-arts curriculum rather than standalone BFA film-school degrees. AFVS offers both practice-based and scholarly pathways, while its graduate Film and Visual Studies program is a PhD rather than a terminal master's program.
For applicants specifically seeking film production, Harvard's AFVS undergraduate concentration includes filmmaking and film/video production, while the graduate Film and Visual Studies PhD is primarily research-oriented, with an artistic-practice pathway available from 2024 onward.