Organizer Information
The Ohio State University is a public research university in Columbus, Ohio. Relevant creative and cultural disciplines are offered through the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Art, Department of Design, Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts, Department of History of Art, and Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy. Ohio State offers undergraduate and graduate study across studio art, film, design, art history, arts education, arts administration, and related fields.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: The Ohio State University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA / BFA / BSD / MA / MFA / PhD
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Film & Media / Photography / Design / Art History / Arts Education / Arts Administration
- Relevant Programs: B.A./B.F.A. in Art; B.A. in Film Studies; B.A. in Moving-Image Production; Bachelor of Science in Design majors; B.A. in History of Art; MFA in Art; MFA in Design; MA in Art Education; MA in Arts Policy and Administration; PhD in History of Art; PhD in Arts Administration, Education and Policy.
- Language of Instruction: English.
- International Applicants: Yes.
- Application Period: Varies by study level and program
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate international first-year: 1 November 2026 Early Action; 15 January 2027 Regular Decision. MFA Art: 31 December 2026. History of Art PhD: 5 November 2026.
- Start of Studies: Autumn 2027 for the listed autumn-entry cycles; Autumn Semester classes begin 24 August 2027.
- Application Fee: $70 for undergraduate international; $70 for graduate students, plus $10 SlideRoom fee for MFA Art.
- Tuition: Undergraduate Columbus on-campus instructional fee: $538.38/credit hour; international students also pay a $1,259.21/credit-hour non-resident surcharge and $129.29/credit-hour international student fee. Graduate standard Columbus programs: $854.63/credit hour plus applicable non-resident and program fees.
- Funding: Scholarships and grants are available; the Department of Art states that all admitted MFA Art students receive full funding through a Graduate Associateship or Fellowship.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Ohio State provides relevant study in studio art, film, photography, art and technology, design, visual communication, experiential media, architecture, art history, art education, arts administration, and cultural policy. The BFA in Art includes areas such as Art and Technology, Ceramics, Glass, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Film/Video.
- Film is offered through both the B.A. in Film Studies, which focuses on theory, history and analysis, and the competitive B.A. in Moving-Image Production, which focuses on animation, documentary, experimental and narrative filmmaking.
- Design undergraduate study includes Industrial Design, Interior Design, Visual Communication Design, and Experiential Media Design.
- For graduate study, the MFA in Art is interdisciplinary, while the MFA in Design offers Design Research and Development and Digital Animation and Interactive Media tracks.
General Eligibility
- International and domestic applicants may apply, but eligibility requirements differ by program and study level. First-year undergraduate applicants must complete secondary education and meet Ohio State's undergraduate admission requirements; international applicants must also satisfy English-proficiency requirements where applicable. Transfer applicants follow a separate admission process.
- Graduate applicants generally need an appropriate prior university degree, while individual programs establish their own academic and professional requirements. The History of Art PhD welcomes applicants from other fields but expects sufficient preparation in art history; its department typically expects at least a 3.3 undergraduate GPA and 3.5 graduate GPA.
- For the MFA in Art, applicants complete the university graduate application followed by a Department of Art SlideRoom application and must submit a digital portfolio.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants whose circumstances require proof of English proficiency must submit an accepted test score, including TOEFL iBT 79+ (4.0+ under the post-January 2026 TOEFL scale), IELTS 6.5+, ACT English 21+, SAT Reading 27+, or Duolingo 120+. Ohio State specifies exemption conditions for applicants meeting particular education or citizenship criteria.
- For graduate admission, the university minimums are TOEFL iBT 79 (4.0 under the updated scale), IELTS Academic 6.5, or Duolingo 120, although individual graduate programs may require higher scores or specify accepted tests.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Program | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| International undergraduate applicant | $70 |
| Graduate applicant | $70 |
| MFA in Art supplemental SlideRoom application | $10 |
The MFA Art process therefore involves the university graduate application fee plus the separate $10 SlideRoom fee.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition / Core Charges | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, Columbus, on-campus | International | $538.38/credit hour instructional fee | Per credit hour | $1,259.21/credit-hour non-resident surcharge + $129.29/credit-hour international student fee; program and course fees may apply |
| Undergraduate Art | International | Above university rate | Per credit hour | Art learning technology fee: $13.50/credit hour; Art program fee: $9.50/credit hour |
| Graduate, standard Columbus programs | International/non-resident | $854.63/credit hour instructional fee | Per credit hour | $1,949.44/credit-hour non-resident surcharge; $33.94 general fee and $9.30 student union fee; Art learning technology fee is $27/credit hour up to 5 credits or $162 for 6+ credits |
Ohio State's 2026–2027 fee tables state that additional course, program, technology, insurance and other charges can apply according to program and enrollment circumstances.
Funding & Financial Support
- Ohio State provides scholarships and other funding opportunities, but international undergraduates are generally not eligible for U.S. federal, state, or most institutional financial aid. The university maintains a ScholarshipUniverse system and lists scholarships specifically available to international students.
- The MFA in Art has a specific full-funding policy: all admitted students receive either a Graduate Associateship or Fellowship. Graduate Associateships include tuition and fee authorization, a stipend and subsidized health insurance; associateship assignments normally involve approximately 20 hours of work per week.
University Services & Academic Support
- Relevant academic resources include specialized studio and fabrication facilities, exhibition spaces, faculty advising, research opportunities, and access to university arts institutions. MFA Art students receive 24/7 access to private and semi-private studio spaces and facilities; relevant resources include the Wexner Center for the Arts, Fine Arts and Cartoon Libraries, and Urban Arts Space.
- International students are supported by the Office of International Affairs, which provides transition support and information on funding, immigration and academic resources.
Application Requirements
- International first-year undergraduate: Common Application, required academic records, application fee or approved waiver, and English-proficiency evidence where required. Teacher/counselor recommendations are optional.
- MFA in Art: graduate application, transcripts, recommendation letters, a digital portfolio of no more than 20 examples, and a statement of intent submitted through SlideRoom.
- History of Art PhD: applicants submit the graduate application and materials required by the department; applicants are expected to demonstrate appropriate preparation in art history, with English-proficiency evidence required for applicable international applicants.
For undergraduate Studio Art admission, Ohio State's Department of Art explicitly states that applicants do not submit a portfolio as part of initial university admission; BFA students develop a portfolio for later departmental review during their studies.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application Portal
- Graduate Application Portal
- MFA in Art Supplemental Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Opens: 1 August 2026 — undergraduate Common Application.
- International Undergraduate Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- History of Art PhD Application Deadline: 5 November 2026
- International Undergraduate Early Action Decision: 22 January 2027
- International Undergraduate Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
- International Undergraduate Regular Decision: 5 March 2027
- MFA in Art SlideRoom Application Deadline: 31 December 2026
- International Undergraduate Acceptance Fee Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Autumn 2027 Semester Begins: 24 August 2027
Location
The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio, United States
Additional Details
- Ohio State uses different admission structures across its creative disciplines. Film Studies is an open-enrollment major, while Moving-Image Production is competitively admitted after a first-year pre-major sequence and portfolio review. Design students similarly begin in a shared first-year Design Foundations program before applying to a specific design major.
- The History of Art department does not admit students seeking only a standalone MA; the MA is awarded as part of the department's doctoral pathway. Successful PhD applicants receive full funding according to the department's admissions information.