Organizer Information
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is a public research university within the University of California system. Its academic offerings include undergraduate and graduate programs across the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and other disciplines. The College of Letters and Science and the university's arts departments offer programs in studio art, design, cinema and digital media, art history, music, theatre, and dance. Relevant graduate opportunities include the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Art Studio and the MFA in Design.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of California, Davis
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, BS, MA, MS, MFA, PhD, and other university-approved degrees
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Film, Cinema and Digital Media, Design, Photography, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Dance
- Relevant Programs: Art Studio; Cinema and Digital Media; Design; Art History; Film Studies minor; MFA in Art Studio; MFA in Design; MA in Art History
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications for fall 2027 are submitted from 1 October to 30 November 2026. Graduate application periods vary by program.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate: 30 November 2026. Graduate: program-specific deadlines.
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027 for the standard undergraduate admission cycle; graduate start dates depend on the program.
- Application Fee: Undergraduate: $95 for international applicants; graduate: $155 for international applicants to the MFA in Art Studio.
- Tuition: Undergraduate nonresident tuition and systemwide fees total $15,588 per academic year for 2026–2027, before campus-based fees and other expenses.
- Funding: Scholarships, financial aid for eligible applicants, and graduate fellowships or assistantships, subject to program and applicant eligibility.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Studio and visual arts: Art Studio BA and MFA, with areas including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, printmaking, and time-based media.
- Film and digital media: Cinema and Digital Media BA, covering film history, media theory, filmmaking, digital cinema, animation, and related production practices.
- Design: Design BA and MFA, with areas including visual communication, fashion, exhibition design, textiles, interior architecture, and digital and interactive design.
- Art history: Art History MA and undergraduate study options.
- Related disciplines: Film Studies minor, Music, Theatre and Dance, and other interdisciplinary arts subjects.
Applicants should consult the individual program requirements to establish whether their academic background is suitable. The MFA in Art Studio accepts applicants whose previous degree is not necessarily in art studio, while the MFA in Design specifies relevant preparation in design and related foundational subjects.
General Eligibility
UC Davis accepts domestic and international applicants, subject to the admission criteria of the relevant degree program. Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the university's first-year or transfer admission requirements. Graduate applicants must meet Graduate Studies requirements and any additional departmental criteria.
Admission to graduate arts programs is competitive and may depend on academic preparation, creative work, and the program's assessment of the application. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate programs: Applicants must meet UC Davis first-year or transfer academic requirements.
- MFA in Art Studio: Applicants must hold a degree from an accredited four-year university and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. The previous degree does not have to be in art studio.
- MFA in Design: Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, preferably in design or a related discipline. The program specifies relevant foundational coursework and at least 20 university-level units in design topics related to the program's areas of study.
- MA in Art History and other graduate degrees: Applicants must satisfy the academic prerequisites specified by the relevant graduate program.
Language Requirements
English is the language of instruction. International applicants should check the applicable language-proficiency requirements for their intended program.
For the MFA in Design, the published requirements for international applicants specify one of the following:
- TOEFL score above 90, with a speaking score of at least 26.
- IELTS score of at least 8.0.
- Duolingo English Test score of at least 115.
Other graduate programs may use different requirements or exemptions. Applicants should consult the relevant program's current admissions instructions before submitting test results.
Application Fee
| Application category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate — domestic applicants | $80 |
| Undergraduate — international applicants | $95 |
| MFA in Art Studio — domestic applicants | $135 |
| MFA in Art Studio — international applicants | $155 |
Undergraduate fees are charged for each UC campus application. Eligible applicants may qualify for undergraduate fee waivers under UC rules. Graduate application fees apply separately to each submitted application.
Tuition
| Study level/applicant type | Annual tuition and fees | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate — California resident, new 2026–2027 cohort | $18,077.13 | Academic year |
| Undergraduate — nonresident, including international students, new 2026–2027 cohort | Approximately $55,679 | Academic year |
- The undergraduate nonresident total includes systemwide tuition and fees, the nonresident supplemental tuition charge, and campus-based fees. Health insurance, housing, food, books, and personal expenses may add to the cost. The university's published fee schedules are subject to change.
- Graduate tuition and mandatory charges depend on the program and student classification. Applicants to the MFA in Art Studio and MFA in Design should consult the official graduate tuition schedule for the relevant academic year rather than using undergraduate rates.
Funding & Financial Support
UC Davis provides funding opportunities through scholarships, grants, fellowships, and graduate employment appointments.
- MFA in Art Studio: Applicants may apply for departmental or Graduate Studies fellowships through the program's designated process.
- MFA in Design: Teaching Assistant (TA) and Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions are among the funding opportunities described by the department.
- International undergraduates: Most forms of U.S. federal financial aid are unavailable to students holding common nonimmigrant student visa classifications. International students may qualify for certain scholarships, private loans, or short-term loans.
Funding is competitive and subject to eligibility and application deadlines. Admission does not guarantee an award.
University Services & Academic Support
Relevant academic resources include:
- Arts advising: Advising for undergraduate students in Art History, Cinema and Digital Media, Design, Art Studio, Music, and Theatre and Dance.
- Graduate research and creative practice: Graduate programs provide opportunities to develop research projects and creative work under faculty guidance.
- Design resources: The Design MFA supports interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty across the university.
- Art Studio facilities and creative practice: Applicants should consult the relevant department for program-specific studio access and facilities.
- International student support: Services for International Students and Scholars provides resources for international students.
Access to particular studios, equipment, and facilities depends on program rules and enrollment.
Application Requirements
Requirements differ by program and study level.
MFA in Art Studio
- Academic transcripts and supporting records.
- Artist statement.
- Personal statement, with a maximum of 4,000 characters.
- Digital portfolio of up to 20 files.
- CV, with a maximum length of two pages.
- Online letters of recommendation.
- Application fee.
- Separate fellowship application materials when seeking applicable awards.
MFA in Design
- Academic transcripts.
- Portfolio containing 20 images, submitted according to the department's instructions.
- Audio or video work may be included within the published duration limits.
- English-proficiency test results for international applicants, subject to applicable rules.
- Other graduate application materials required by UC Davis Graduate Studies.
Undergraduate applicants
Applicants must submit the UC undergraduate application and complete the applicable first-year or transfer requirements. The university's application guidance includes Personal Insight Questions.
Do not assume that the MFA requirements apply to other graduate degrees. Check the individual program's current application checklist.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate application opens: 1 August 2026
- Undergraduate application filing period begins: 1 October 2026
- Undergraduate application deadline: 30 November 2026
- MFA in Art Studio application deadline: 5 January 2027
- MFA in Design priority deadline: 15 January 2027
- MFA in Design rolling deadline: 1 April 2027, if space is available
- MFA in Design priority funding consideration: 15 January 2027
- 2027–2028 undergraduate financial aid priority deadline: 2 March 2027
The MFA in Design's later deadline is subject to space availability, and applications submitted after the priority deadline may not receive full funding consideration. Graduate applicants should verify dates directly with their chosen program before applying.
Location
University of California, Davis — Davis, California, United States
Additional Details
- The undergraduate Cinema and Digital Media BA combines media theory, film history, and creative production. Film Studies remains available as a minor; the former Film Studies major is no longer offered.
- The MFA in Art Studio and MFA in Design have separate application requirements, deadlines, and funding processes.
- Undergraduate fees depend on enrollment cohort. Continuing students may have different tuition schedules from students first enrolling in 2026–2027.
- International applicants should verify visa-related financial documentation, English proficiency, and funding eligibility before applying.