Organizer Information
University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) is a public research university in La Jolla, California, United States. The School of Arts and Humanities offers opportunities in art, film, media, design, and related fields through Visual Arts, the Institute of Arts and Humanities, and the Department of Communication. UC San Diego offers undergraduate and graduate study in visual arts, cinematic arts, communication, and related interdisciplinary fields.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of California San Diego
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA / MFA / PhD
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Film / Media / Photography / Design / Art History / Communication / Cinematic Arts
- Relevant Programs: Cinematic Arts; Visual Arts — Art History, Theory and Criticism; Media; Studio; Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts; Speculative Design; Visual Arts MFA; Visual Arts PhD in Art History, Theory and Criticism; Visual Arts PhD in Art Practice; Communication; Media Industries & Communication
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate: 1 August–30 November for Fall 2027; graduate application opening dates vary by department.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate: 30 November 2026; graduate: program-specific.
- Start of Studies: Fall term
- Application Fee: $95 per UC campus for international/non-immigrant undergraduate applicants; $155 for international graduate applicants.
- Tuition: Undergraduate 2026–27: $4,734 tuition + $13,090 nonresident supplemental tuition per quarter for students first enrolled in 2026–27.
- Funding: Graduate Visual Arts students receive guaranteed departmental funding according to program-specific terms; undergraduate international students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Relevant undergraduate study includes Cinematic Arts, Media, Art History, Theory and Criticism, Studio, Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts, and Speculative Design. The Cinematic Arts BA combines film studies with production, including cinematography, directing, editing, sound, animation, visual effects, and screenwriting.
- Visual Arts' Media BA focuses on photography, video, film, sound, and time-based practices, while the Studio program covers studio-based artistic practice.
- The Visual Arts MFA and PhD programs are interdisciplinary and may include film, video, new media, photography, installation, performance, digital media, art history, theory, and criticism.
General Eligibility
- UC San Diego accepts both domestic and international applicants. Undergraduate applicants apply through the University of California application system. Graduate applicants apply through UC San Diego's graduate application system, with requirements and deadlines determined by the individual department.
- For the Visual Arts MFA and PhD programs, applicants must hold a four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent and have a minimum 3.0 GPA or B average. The Visual Arts department recommends that MFA applicants be at least one year removed from completing their undergraduate degree; PhD Art Practice applicants are strongly recommended to apply at least three years after completing their undergraduate degree.
Educational Background
- A BFA or BA specifically in art is not mandatory for the Visual Arts MFA, although the department states that most MFA students have a strong background in art-making and humanities or social-science research. The Visual Arts PhD does not require a BA/MA specifically in Art History, although most students have substantial preparation in Art History or an adjacent discipline.
- The MFA requires prior undergraduate coursework in Art History, Media Studies, or a related topic; students lacking the required coursework may complete it at UC San Diego.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English and whose secondary/high-school education was not conducted in English must demonstrate English proficiency. UC San Diego accepts TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test scores, with minimum scores including IELTS 7 and DET 115.
- International Visual Arts graduate applicants must meet the department's speaking-score requirements unless eligible for an exemption based on a qualifying English-medium degree. The stated minimum speaking scores are TOEFL iBT 26, IELTS 8, PTE 84, or DET 150.
- For Visual Arts PhD study, language competency in languages other than English is also part of doctoral requirements,
Application Fee
| Applicant / Study Level | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| International undergraduate applicant | $95 per UC campus |
| International graduate applicant | $155 per application |
The undergraduate UC application fee is $80 for each campus for eligible domestic applicants and $95 for international/non-immigrant applicants. Graduate applicants pay $155 as international applicants; international graduate applicants are not eligible for UC San Diego's graduate application-fee waiver.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Category | Tuition / Mandatory Charges | Billing Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, first enrolled 2026–27 | All students | $4,734 tuition + $462 Student Services Fee | Per quarter |
| Undergraduate, first enrolled 2026–27 | Non-California residents | Additional $13,090 nonresident supplemental tuition | Per quarter |
| Undergraduate | All students | Mandatory health insurance: $1,065 | Per quarter |
| Undergraduate | International first-time enrollment | $200 international student visa administration fee | One-time |
UC San Diego also assesses campus and student fees. Health insurance is mandatory unless a student qualifies for an approved waiver.
Graduate tuition and registration charges vary by program; UC San Diego identifies separate fee structures for certain programs.
Funding & Financial Support
- Graduate Visual Arts students entering from Fall 2026 receive at least one year of guaranteed funding. The department's published support structure provides MFA students with 50% employment plus full tuition and fee remission in Year 1, and 50% employment, full tuition and fee remission, and a $3,000 thesis stipend in Year 2. PhD funding includes 50% employment with full tuition and fee remission in Years 1–3 and a fellowship with full tuition and fee remission in Year 4 or 5.
- UC San Diego also lists fellowships, grants, assistantships, scholarships, and other graduate funding opportunities. International undergraduate students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid.
University Services & Academic Support
Relevant academic support includes undergraduate and graduate advising, faculty mentorship, research opportunities, production facilities, galleries, fabrication shops, and labs. Visual Arts graduate students have access to galleries, fabrication shops, and laboratories, while Cinematic Arts students have access to production studios and editing facilities.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants complete the UC Application and the required UC admissions materials. Arts applicants may additionally submit an optional portfolio/audition. For Visual Arts, optional portfolio submissions are accepted for applicable arts majors and are reviewed by department faculty.
- Visual Arts MFA applicants must submit unofficial transcripts, CV/resume, at least three recommendations, a 750–1,000-word Statement of Purpose, Artist Statement, and portfolio. The portfolio may contain up to 20 still images and up to 12 minutes of time-based work.
- Visual Arts PhD applicants must submit unofficial transcripts, CV/resume, at least three recommendations, a Statement of Purpose, writing sample, research statement, artist statement, and portfolio materials.
- The GRE is not required for Visual Arts MFA or PhD admission.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Undergraduate Application Filing Period: 1 October 2026–30 November 2026
- Undergraduate Supplemental Portfolio Opens: 1 October 2026
- Undergraduate Supplemental Portfolio Closes: 8 December 2026
- First-Year Admission Decisions: By 31 March 2027
- First-Year Acceptance Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Graduate Application Opening: 2 September 2026 or later, depending on department
- Visual Arts MFA Deadline: 7 January 2026 — Fall 2026 cycle
- Visual Arts PhD Deadline: 3 December 2025 — Fall 2026 cycle
Location
University of California San Diego — La Jolla, California, United States
Additional Details
- UC San Diego distinguishes between its Cinematic Arts BA and the Visual Arts Media BA. Cinematic Arts places greater emphasis on film history, theory, and filmmaking, while Visual Arts Media approaches film and video as creative media within contemporary art practice.
- The currently published Visual Arts graduate admission deadlines are for the Fall 2026 cycle; UC San Diego states that graduate deadlines vary by department, so applicants for later cycles should use the department's current admissions page when the new deadline is published.