Organizer Information
Hollins University is a private liberal arts university in Roanoke, Virginia, offering undergraduate education alongside graduate and certificate programs focused particularly on the arts, writing, education, theatre, dance, and related fields. Its graduate offerings include programs in children’s literature and illustration, creative writing, dance, playwriting, screenwriting, theatre and new play development, and education.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Hollins University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Certificate
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s degrees; M.A.; M.F.A.; M.A.T.; M.A.T.L.; M.A.L.S.; graduate certificates
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Film/Screenwriting, Creative Writing, Children’s Literature, Illustration, Dance, Theatre, Education, Liberal Studies
- Relevant Programs: Screenwriting M.F.A.; Creative Writing M.F.A.; Dance M.F.A.; Playwriting M.F.A.; Theatre and New Play Development M.A.; Children’s Literature M.A./M.F.A.; Children’s Book Writing & Illustrating M.F.A.; Children’s Book Illustration Certificate; M.A.L.S.; education graduate degrees
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Program- and applicant-specific
- Application Deadline: Program-specific; undergraduate deadlines include 15 October, 1 November, and 1 February
- Start of Studies: Fall / Spring / Summer, depending on program
- Application Fee: $0 for undergraduate international applications
- Tuition: Undergraduate tuition $44,550 per academic year
- Funding: Scholarships, grants, and financial assistance available
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Hollins offers undergraduate study across a broad liberal-arts curriculum and graduate study with a strong concentration in creative and performing arts, writing, literature, theatre, dance, and education. The Screenwriting M.F.A. is particularly relevant to applicants interested in film and television writing and includes feature and television writing, pitching, adaptation, animation, and a producer-focused track.
- Program-specific academic backgrounds apply. For example, Dance M.F.A. applicants must have an undergraduate major in dance or equivalent dance experience, while several writing programs require a bachelor’s degree but do not specify a particular undergraduate discipline.
General Eligibility
- International and domestic applicants may apply to Hollins. Undergraduate applicants must meet the university’s secondary-school admission requirements, while graduate applicants generally must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Requirements vary by graduate program.
- For example, the Dance M.F.A. requires a bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate major in dance or equivalent dance experience. The M.A.T. requires a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts or sciences discipline or equivalent.
- International graduate applicants must provide foreign transcript evaluation, financial certification for I-20 issuance, and passport documentation.
Language Requirements
- Non-native English-speaking international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency. Hollins currently accepts TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test scores.
- TOEFL: 80 internet-based, 213 computer-based, or 550 paper-based
- IELTS: 6.5 or higher
- Duolingo English Test: 110 or higher
- Certain undergraduate applicants may qualify for an English-proficiency waiver based on English-medium secondary education or qualifying SAT/ACT results.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate international applicants | $0 |
| Graduate applicants | No current fee verified on the current official admissions page |
Hollins states that international undergraduate applicants can submit their admission application without an application fee.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, full-time | Residential | $44,550 | Academic year | Student, technology, green, housing/food and applicable orientation/mailbox fees |
| Undergraduate, full-time | Commuter | $44,550 | Academic year | Student, technology and green fees |
| Undergraduate, part-time | All applicable students | $1,395 | Per credit | $350 student fees per term |
- For 2026–27, the residential undergraduate comprehensive fee is $62,170, including $44,550 tuition, $16,540 food and housing, and $1,080 in listed student fees.
- Current graduate tuition varies by program; the university directs applicants to program-specific graduate tuition information rather than publishing one institution-wide graduate rate on its admissions page.
Funding & Financial Support
- Hollins offers scholarships, grants, and financial assistance. International first-year applicants are eligible for academic merit scholarships of at least $23,000, and an International Friendship Award provides additional funding in limited amounts.
- For undergraduate students overall, Hollins reports that the 2024–25 incoming class received an average of $41,315 in scholarships and grants.
University Services & Academic Support
- International students receive support through the International Student Engagement Office, including assistance with F-1 visa matters, transition programming, internships, career planning, and post-graduation employment guidance. Hollins also provides career services, research opportunities, study-abroad advising, and internship opportunities.
- Graduate programs emphasize small classes, faculty interaction, visiting speakers, mentorship, and discipline-specific creative or performance opportunities.
Application Requirements
- Requirements vary by study level and program.
- Undergraduate applicants: application, academic transcripts, and a secondary-school report or recommendation. SAT/ACT scores are optional for domestic first-year applicants but international first-year applicants are generally required to submit SAT or ACT scores, with specified alternative-testing waiver routes.
- Graduate applicants: official undergraduate transcripts, statement of educational objectives, and letters of recommendation are generally required. Program-specific requirements include:
- Creative Writing M.F.A.: CV, three recommendations, and creative writing manuscript.
- Screenwriting M.F.A.: two creative writing samples, including at least one original TV pilot or screenplay, plus three recommendations.
- Dance M.F.A.: transcripts, three recommendations, resume, artist’s statement, fellowship application, and selected works of up to 12 minutes.
- Children’s Book Writing & Illustrating M.F.A.: manuscript, two recommendations, and a digital portfolio of 6–10 images.
- M.A.L.S.: statement of educational objectives and three recommendations; an admission interview is required after acceptance.
- M.A.T.: three recommendation forms and an admission interview.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate Early Decision Deadline: 15 October 2026
- Undergraduate Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Undergraduate Regular Decision Deadline: 1 February 2027
- International Spring Undergraduate Deadline: 1 October 2026
- International Transfer Fall Preferred Deadline: 15 November 2026
- International Transfer Spring Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Children’s Literature M.A./M.F.A. Fall Deadline: 1 August 2026
- Children’s Literature M.A./M.F.A. Spring Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Children’s Literature M.A./M.F.A. Summer Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Children’s Book Writing & Illustrating M.F.A. Fall Deadline: 1 August 2026
- Children’s Book Writing & Illustrating M.F.A. Spring Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Children’s Book Writing & Illustrating M.F.A. Summer Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Creative Writing M.F.A. Fall Deadline: 6 January 2027
- Dance M.F.A. Summer Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Playwriting M.F.A. Summer Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Screenwriting M.F.A. Rolling Submission Deadline: 15 August 2026
- M.A.T. Fall Deadline: 1 August 2026
- M.A.T. Spring Deadline: 1 December 2026
- M.A.T. Summer Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Theatre and New Play Development M.A. Summer Deadline: 1 May 2027
Location
Hollins University — Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Additional Details
- Hollins’ Screenwriting M.F.A. is primarily online and is structured as a two-year program. Fall and spring coursework is online, while the summer term includes a two-week Summer Writers’ Intensive on the Roanoke campus.
- International students admitted to on-campus study receive support with F-1 immigration requirements and participate in international transition programming.