Organizer Information
Montserrat College of Art is an independent college of art and design located in Beverly, Massachusetts, United States. The college offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program with concentrations spanning fine arts, animation, illustration, graphic design, photography, video, film, and interdisciplinary practice. Its academic offerings also include minors in areas such as art history, creative writing, curatorial studies, and entrepreneurship in the arts.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Montserrat College of Art
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; degree-completion study for eligible transfer students
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Film, Video, Art Education, Sculpture, Printmaking, Creative Writing, and Interdisciplinary Arts
- Relevant Programs: BFA concentrations in Animation; Art Education; Games, Toys, and Play; Graphic Design; Illustration; Interdisciplinary Arts; Painting; Photography, Video, and Film; Printmaking; Sculpture; Writing & Visual Narratives.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Rolling admissions for fall and spring entry
- Application Deadline: Fall Early Action — 1 December; fall merit-scholarship priority — 15 February
- Start of Studies: Fall and spring semesters
- Application Fee: $50; waived for qualifying Early Action applications and available fee waivers
- Tuition: 2025–2026 published rate: $40,745 per year for full-time study
- Funding: Merit-based scholarships; additional financial aid subject to eligibility.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Montserrat offers studio-based undergraduate education across traditional and contemporary art practices. Students can pursue concentrations in Animation, Art Education, Games, Toys, and Play, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interdisciplinary Arts, Painting, Photography, Video, and Film, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Writing & Visual Narratives.
- Available minors include Art Education, Art History, Art Therapy, Creative Writing, Curatorial Studies, and Entrepreneurship in the Arts. Minor availability and the requirements for each concentration should be confirmed through the relevant academic department.
General Eligibility
- First-year applicants and eligible transfer students may apply to the college's undergraduate programs. International applicants are accepted. Applicants must submit an artistic portfolio and meet the applicable academic and documentation requirements.
- The Degree Completion Program is intended for applicants seeking to complete a BFA after previous college-level study and has its own application requirements.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must provide official secondary-school transcripts. Transfer applicants must also submit official college or university transcripts. Applicants to the Degree Completion Program must provide all college or university transcripts and official evidence of high-school graduation or its equivalent.
- International applicants must provide original academic records together with certified English translations when the records are not already in English.
Language Requirements
International applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted test.
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL paper-based | 520 |
| TOEFL computer-based | 190 |
| TOEFL internet-based | 79 |
| IELTS | 6.0 |
| Duolingo English Test | 100 |
The college may waive TOEFL for international applicants who completed university-level English Composition I with a grade of C or higher at an institution where English is the language of instruction.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Standard undergraduate application | $50 |
| Early Action application submitted by 1 December | Waived |
| Applicants approved for a fee waiver | Waived |
| Degree Completion Program | No application fee |
Tuition
| Fee | Full-time rate | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $42,595 | Per year; 12–18 credits per semester |
| General fee | $1,855 | Per year; full-time |
| Health insurance | $2,738 | Per year |
| Part-time tuition | $1,775 | Per credit |
| Part-time general fee | $77 | Per credit |
| Application fee | $50 | One-time |
| Orientation fee | $230 | One-time; new students |
| Art supply starter kit | $1,170 | One-time; new students |
| Graduation fee | $140 | One-time; graduating students |
| Tuition deposit | $250 | One-time; newly admitted students |
| Housing deposit | $275 | One-time; non-refundable |
| Housing damage deposit | $300 | One-time; refundable subject to policy |
- Massachusetts requires health insurance for students enrolled in at least nine credits. International students must have coverage without exception under the college's published policy. Eligible students with comparable insurance may request a waiver of the college's insurance charge. Some studio courses may incur additional material fees.
- On-campus housing is billed by semester. For 2026–2027, published annual room rates are $11,930 for a triple room, $14,075 for a double room, and $18,455 for a single room.
Funding & Financial Support
- Montserrat automatically considers applicants for merit-based scholarships, with awards based on artistic portfolio quality and academic achievement. The college also offers a limited number of full-tuition scholarships to qualifying students.
- International applicants are considered for merit scholarships, but the college states that need-based financial assistance is not available to international students. Domestic students may qualify for institutional need-based aid and eligible federal or state grants and loans. Awards are not guaranteed.
University Services & Academic Support
- Montserrat provides academic advising to help students plan coursework around their educational and career goals. The college's Center for Career Design supports career exploration and professional development for students and alumni. Other services include a Writing Studio and academic accommodations and support.
- The college also offers portfolio reviews for prospective applicants. Access to specific studios, equipment, and specialist facilities depends on the course or concentration.
Application Requirements
First-year applicants must submit:
- Completed application through Montserrat or the Common App.
- $50 application fee or an approved fee waiver.
- Portfolio of 12–15 recent artworks, including at least two drawings or paintings from direct observation.
- Official secondary-school transcript.
- One letter of recommendation; two are encouraged.
- College essay, generally 300–500 words.
Applicants may include up to two creative-writing pieces, each under 1,000 words, with the portfolio. SAT or ACT scores are required for homeschooled applicants; other applicants may submit scores optionally. Transfer applicants must also submit official college transcripts.
International applicants must additionally provide English-language proficiency evidence when applicable and official academic records with certified English translations. The international admissions page specifies two recommendation letters for international applicants.
Degree Completion applicants must submit a portfolio of 12–15 works, official college transcripts, evidence of high-school graduation, a college essay, and one recommendation letter; two are encouraged. The program does not charge an application fee.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Fall Early Action Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Fall Priority Deadline for Merit Scholarships: 15 February 2027
- Fall Rolling Admissions: After 15 February 2027, subject to available places
- Fall I-20 Financial Documentation Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Spring I-20 Financial Documentation Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Spring Entry Priority Deadline — Degree Completion Program: 1 December 2026
- Fall Entry Priority Deadline — Degree Completion Program: 15 February 2027
Location
Montserrat College of Art — Beverly, Massachusetts, United States
Additional Details
- The BFA is an undergraduate degree; the college's listed concentrations are not separate graduate degrees.
- International students seeking an F-1 student visa must be accepted into the BFA program and provide financial documentation demonstrating support for nine months of study.
- The published 2026–2027 tuition schedule should be used for current cost planning; the 2025–2026 figures are superseded.
- Applicants should confirm program availability, transfer-credit evaluation, scholarship conditions, and any additional course-specific fees directly with the college before applying.