Organizer Information
The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is a public research university in Riverside, California, United States. Its Department of Art offers a three-year, full-time Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual Art, emphasizing independent studio practice, critical theory, interdisciplinary experimentation, and advanced artistic research. The program provides individual studios, specialized production facilities, faculty mentorship, and opportunities for exhibitions.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of California, Riverside
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Graduate
- Degrees Offered: MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
- Academic Fields: Visual Art, Fine Arts, Photography, Film, Video, Digital Media, Sculpture, Painting, Drawing, Interdisciplinary Art
- Relevant Programs: MFA in Visual Art
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: 2027–2028 admissions cycle
- Priority Deadline: 15 December 2026
- Application Deadline: 11 January 2027
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027 admissions cycle
- Application Fee: US$155 for international graduate applicants, plus US$10 for the portfolio submission
- Tuition: Program-specific tuition and mandatory fees; international students may qualify for nonresident tuition support within the standard three-year completion period
- Funding: Teaching assistantships, fellowships, fee remission, health insurance coverage, and departmental awards for eligible students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- The MFA in Visual Art is a non-media-specific program. Applicants can develop a practice through traditional or interdisciplinary media, with an emphasis on studio production, critical inquiry, and independent creative work. Relevant practices include photography, film, video, digital media, sculpture, painting, drawing, and other forms of visual art. The curriculum is not restricted to a single medium.
General Eligibility
- Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of both the Department of Art and UCR Graduate Division. International applicants are eligible to apply.
- Admission is competitive, and applicants must submit a complete application, including a digital portfolio. International students admitted to the program must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 under the department's published international-student conditions to avoid risking their funding eligibility.
Educational Background
- Applicants should demonstrate relevant experience and achievement in visual art through their statement of purpose, CV, and portfolio. The published program page does not establish a specific undergraduate major as a universal prerequisite.
Additional Eligibility Conditions
- GRE scores are not required.
- International applicants must submit official TOEFL scores.
- Applicants seeking consideration for financial support should observe the earlier funding deadline.
- International students who exceed the program's normative three-year completion period may become responsible for their tuition and fees independently.
Educational Background
- Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or a recognized international equivalent. UCR Graduate Division generally requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a B-equivalent. The Visual Art MFA program may apply additional standards, and international MFA students are subject to the department's published 3.5 GPA condition during enrollment.
Language Requirements
- International applicants must submit official TOEFL scores. Applicants should consult the official graduate admissions requirements for the accepted tests, minimum scores, and applicable exemptions. The Visual Art MFA program does not require a foreign-language qualification for the degree itself.
Application Fee
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| UCR graduate application — international applicant | US$155 |
| Slideroom portfolio submission | US$10 |
| Total application and portfolio fees | US$165 |
The graduate application fee is non-refundable. The published hardship fee-waiver scheme is restricted to eligible domestic applicants; international applicants should not assume they qualify.
Tuition
| Fee category | 2026–2027 published rate |
|---|---|
| Graduate tuition and student services fees | US$5,022 per quarter |
| Nonresident tuition | US$5,034 per quarter |
| UCR campus fees | US$298.57 per quarter |
| Graduate student health insurance | US$2,089.55 per quarter |
| Graduate and Professional Council fee | US$3 per quarter |
| Total — California resident graduate student | US$7,413.12 per quarter |
| Total — nonresident graduate student | US$12,447.12 per quarter |
- These are standard graduate rates, not a confirmed individual MFA invoice. The health insurance charge may be waived for students who demonstrate qualifying alternative coverage. The Graduate and Professional Council fee is optional under the university's opt-out policy.
- International MFA students who complete the degree within the normative three-year period are eligible for UCR's stated subsidy of the nonresident supplemental tuition fee. The program's teaching-assistantship and fellowship arrangements may further reduce eligible students' costs.
Funding & Financial Support
The Department of Art identifies several funding opportunities for admitted MFA students:
- Teaching assistantships, which include a salary and fee remission while employed as a teaching assistant.
- Health insurance coverage associated with eligible teaching appointments.
- Competitive fellowships, including the Gluck Fellow program.
- Departmental awards for international students.
- Nonresident tuition support for international students who complete the MFA within three years.
Funding is not guaranteed for every applicant or for the entire degree period. International students who exceed the standard completion period may be responsible for their tuition and fees.
University Services & Academic Support
- MFA students receive individual studio spaces and access to facilities including photography, video and digital labs, and a sculpture workshop equipped with 3D printing and CNC equipment. The department offers faculty consultation, visiting-artist lectures and studio visits, and opportunities to exhibit work at the Riverside Art Museum, Phyllis Gill Gallery, and UCR ARTS.
- The program also organizes MFA Open Studio events. Access to specific equipment and facilities is subject to departmental policies and applicable reservation procedures.
Application Requirements
Applicants to the MFA in Visual Art must submit both the university graduate application and the Slideroom digital portfolio.
UCR Graduate Division application
- Graduate Statement of Purpose, maximum 2,000 words.
- At least three letters of recommendation.
- Unofficial transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
- Curriculum vitae (CV), including references.
- Graduate Division Supplemental Fellowship Information Form — optional but encouraged.
Slideroom portfolio
- Artist Statement, maximum 3,000 characters.
- Up to 20 image, video and/or audio files.
- Captions for each work stating its title, date, dimensions and medium.
- US$10 portfolio submission fee.
The Artist Statement is separate from the Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement. International applicants must also submit official TOEFL scores. GRE scores are not required. Official transcripts are requested if an applicant is offered and accepts admission.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Priority Deadline: 15 December 2026.
- Financial Support Consideration Deadline: 5 January 2027
- MFA Application Deadline: 11 January 2027
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027; exact program start date to be confirmed
Location
University of California, Riverside — Riverside, California, United States
Additional Details
- The MFA is a full-time, three-year program comprising nine quarters and at least 12 units per quarter.
- The degree requires 72 units and culminates in a public thesis exhibition and written component.
- The department's current admissions page and the e-flux announcement both identify 11 January 2027 as the application deadline.
- The published 2026–2027 tuition figures should not be treated as confirmed fees for the 2027–2028 academic year.
- International applicants should review the university's financial verification and visa procedures before accepting an offer.