Organizer Information
University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university in Orlando, Florida, with undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, online, and continuing-education offerings across 12 colleges. UCF lists approximately 250 degree programs and provides dedicated admissions pathways for freshmen, transfer, graduate, and international students. Relevant creative disciplines are offered through the College of Arts and Humanities, School of Visual Arts and Design, and Nicholson School of Communication and Media.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Central Florida
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA / BFA / BDes / MA / MFA / PhD
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Film / Photography / Design / Animation / Emerging Media / Theatre / Music / Creative Writing / Art History
- Relevant Programs: Art (BA), Art – Studio (BA), Studio Art (BFA), Film (BA), Film (BFA), Emerging Media (BFA) tracks, Theatre (BFA), Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Creative Writing (MFA), Emerging Media (MFA) – Animation and Visual Effects, Emerging Media (MFA) – Studio Art and Design, Feature Film Production (MFA), Theatre (MFA).
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Fall / Spring / Summer
- Application Deadline: Varies by applicant type, program, and entry term
- Start of Studies: Fall / Spring / Summer
- Application Fee: $30 undergraduate; $31 graduate international application
- Tuition: Undergraduate: $212.28/credit in-state or $891.07/credit out-of-state; graduate: $369.65/credit in-state or $1,276.48/credit out-of-state
- Funding: Scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships and tuition support are available to eligible students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- UCF offers creative study across fine arts, studio art, photography, design, animation, emerging media, film, theatre, music, creative writing and related humanities. The Art BA includes History and Studio options, while the Studio Art BFA lets you specialize in book arts, ceramics, drawing, illustration, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and related combinations.
- Film study includes the Film BA and specialized Film BFA, while Emerging Media includes Animation & Visualization, Character Animation, and Graphic Design at the undergraduate level and Animation & Visual Effects and Studio Art & Design at graduate level.
- For the Emerging Media MFA – Animation and Visual Effects, applicants may come from animation, art, emerging media, film, theatre, computer science, graphic design, illustration, creative writing, mass communications, game design or related fields.
General Eligibility
- International students may apply to UCF degree programs. Undergraduate applicants must meet the relevant freshman or transfer admission requirements; freshmen must submit an official SAT, ACT or CLT score. International applicants must also provide English proficiency evidence when required and submit the required immigration documentation.
- Graduate eligibility varies by program. For example, the Feature Film Production MFA prefers a BA or BFA in film production but accepts specified related bachelor's degrees when accompanied by a strong video portfolio. The Emerging Media MFA – Studio Art and Design normally requires a bachelor's degree in visual art or a related discipline, while the Animation and Visual Effects MFA accepts bachelor's degrees in several creative, technical and media fields.
- The Film BFA is limited-access: applicants must already be enrolled at UCF in the Film BA, have sophomore status or above, complete specified production prerequisites, and submit a creative portfolio.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency through an accepted pathway. UCF lists minimum scores of IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 4 for tests taken January 2026 or later (80 for tests taken previously), or Duolingo English Test 120, alongside several alternative exemptions and pathways.
- For graduate applicants, UCF's general minimum is TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 120; some graduate programs require higher scores. Relevant creative MFA programs may require TOEFL iBT 91, IELTS 7.0, or Duolingo 125.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate applicants | $30 nonrefundable |
| Graduate international applicants | $31 |
The undergraduate fee may be waived for eligible applicants experiencing financial hardship under UCF's stated waiver procedures.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition & Mandatory Fees | Billing Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Florida resident | $212.28/credit | Per credit hour |
| Undergraduate | Out-of-state | $891.07/credit | Per credit hour |
| Graduate | Florida resident | $369.65/credit | Per credit hour |
| Graduate | Out-of-state | $1,276.48/credit | Per credit hour |
UCF's 2026–2027 standard tuition tables show additional charges such as the international student fee of $50 per term, equipment fees of up to $90 per term where applicable, and material/supply fees of up to $70 for applicable courses. Program-specific tuition can differ from the standard rates.
Funding & Financial Support
- UCF offers undergraduate scholarships, including merit-based awards and department-based scholarships. UCF Global states that scholarships may periodically be available to non-U.S. citizens, while federal student aid is not specifically available to international students.
- Graduate students may receive fellowships, assistantships and tuition support. Qualifying full-time graduate assistantships can include a stipend, tuition remission and health insurance. International students are eligible for graduate assistantships and certain university fellowships.
University Services & Academic Support
- Relevant support includes Academic Success Coaches for academic planning, UCF Global support for international students, graduate funding guidance, career resources, research and teaching support, and access to creative studios and industry-oriented facilities within relevant programs. The Film BFA and Art programs also emphasize professional practice, internships and connections with external organizations.
Application Requirements
- Requirements vary substantially by program and level.
- Undergraduate applicants may need an online application, academic records/transcripts, SAT/ACT/CLT scores, and English-proficiency evidence where applicable. The freshman application fee is $30.
- Film BFA applicants must already be Film BA students and submit the required creative portfolio after completing specified production prerequisites.
- Feature Film Production MFA applicants must submit a personal statement and 1–3 complete short films of no more than 15 minutes each in which they participated as a principal creative collaborator.
- Emerging Media MFA – Animation and Visual Effects applicants submit a statement of purpose, three recommendation letters, résumé, creative portfolio/work samples, academic documentation and applicable English test results.
- Emerging Media MFA – Studio Art and Design applicants submit a research-intent letter, two recommendations and applicable English-proficiency documentation.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate International — Fall: 1 April for students entering directly from outside the U.S.; 1 May for international students transferring from another U.S. institution.
- Undergraduate International — Spring: 1 October for students entering directly from outside the U.S.; 1 November for international students transferring from another U.S. institution.
- Undergraduate International — Summer: 1 February for students entering directly from outside the U.S.; 1 March for international students transferring from another U.S. institution.
- Graduate Emerging Media MFA – Animation and Visual Effects, International: 15 January for Fall 2027.
- Graduate Emerging Media MFA – Studio Art and Design, International: 15 January for Fall 2027.
- Graduate Feature Film Production MFA, International: 15 January for Fall 2027.
- Graduate Fall Priority Deadline: 15 January for applicants seeking consideration for university fellowships or assistantships, unless the relevant program has an earlier deadline.
Location
University of Central Florida — Orlando, Florida, United States
Additional Details
UCF's creative programs frequently use program-specific admission processes in addition to university admission. The Film BFA, for example, is a limited-access program entered after initial study in the Film BA. Graduate creative programs can also impose substantially different portfolio, statement, recommendation and academic-background requirements. Applicants should therefore verify the requirements and deadline for the exact program before submitting an application.