Organizer Information
The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a public research university based in Storrs, Connecticut, United States. Its School of Fine Arts offers programs in Art & Art History, Digital Media & Design, Dramatic Arts, and Music. Relevant options for prospective artists, designers, photographers, and filmmakers include undergraduate degrees in Art, Art History, and Digital Media & Design, as well as a graduate Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Art.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Connecticut
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate and graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, MFA; additional degrees across the university
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Industrial Design, Photography, Video, Digital Media, Film Production, Game Design, Sculpture, Ceramics, Printmaking
- Relevant Programs: Art (BA/BFA); Art History (BA); Digital Media & Design (BA/BFA); MFA in Studio Art
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Fall and spring undergraduate entry; graduate application periods depend on program
- Application Deadline: Fall 2027: 1 November 2026 for Early Decision; 1 December 2026 for priority merit and Honors consideration; 15 January 2027 for Storrs first-year applicants
- Start of Studies: Fall or spring, depending on program and admission cycle
- Application Fee: $80 undergraduate; $75 graduate
- Tuition: 2026–2027 Storrs undergraduate tuition: $39,678 per year for out-of-state students; graduate tuition: $41,424 per year for out-of-state students
- Funding: Undergraduate merit scholarships and financial aid; fully funded MFA in Studio Art
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
UConn's School of Fine Arts offers the following relevant academic pathways:
- Art: BA in Art and BFA in Art, with BFA concentrations including Graphic Design, Illustration/Animation, Industrial Design, Painting/Drawing, Photography/Video, Printmaking, and Sculpture/Ceramics.
- Art History: BA in Art History.
- Digital Media & Design: BA and BFA pathways covering areas such as Digital Culture, Digital Film/Video Production, 3D Animation, Game Design, Motion Design & Animation, and Web/Interactive Media Design.
- Graduate Studio Art: MFA in Studio Art, encompassing practices such as painting, drawing, photography, video, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, installation, and performance.
Applicants should select the degree and concentration that match their intended specialization. The Art History BA does not require the additional portfolio component specified for Art BA/BFA applicants.
General Eligibility
- UConn accepts domestic and international applicants for eligible undergraduate and graduate programs. Admission requirements depend on the applicant's study level, academic record, and intended program.
- First-year applicants must meet the university's undergraduate admission requirements. Transfer applicants must meet the applicable transfer admission criteria. Graduate applicants must satisfy The Graduate School's academic requirements and any additional requirements established by their intended department.
- The university does not include interviews in its general first-year admissions process. Certain programs have separate audition or portfolio requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants: First-year applicants must submit the academic records and other documentation required by UConn. Transfer applicants must provide official postsecondary transcripts from every institution attended, whether or not they expect to receive transfer credit.
- Graduate applicants: The Graduate School generally requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants are normally expected to meet the university's minimum academic performance criteria, including a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or an applicable alternative based on recent undergraduate coursework.
- International applicants with qualifications earned outside the United States must follow the university's transcript, degree documentation, and credential-evaluation policies.
Language Requirements
- English is the language of instruction. International applicants must follow the English-proficiency requirements applicable to their study level and program.
- For graduate admission, UConn's policy for applicants entering in Spring 2027 or later provides exemptions for specified categories, including applicants whose primary language is English, applicants with a qualifying degree taught entirely in English outside the United States, and applicants meeting the stated U.S. postsecondary coursework criteria.
- Applicants who do not qualify for an exemption must provide accepted evidence of English proficiency. Graduate applicants should consult the current official policy for accepted tests and minimum scores. International graduate students seeking teaching assistantships may also need to satisfy separate oral English-proficiency requirements.
Application Fee
| Study Level / Applicant Type | Application Fee | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate — first-year | $80 | Non-refundable; qualifying fee waivers may apply |
| Undergraduate — transfer | $80 | Non-refundable; qualifying fee waivers may apply |
| Graduate | $75 | Non-refundable; certain applicants and programs may qualify for waivers |
Tuition
The following figures are for the 2026–2027 academic year. Tuition and university fees are billed separately from estimated living and personal expenses.
| Study Level / Campus | Applicant Category | Annual Tuition | Annual University and Student Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate — Storrs | Connecticut resident | $17,010 | $4,564 |
| Undergraduate — Storrs | Out-of-state | $39,678 | $4,564 |
| Undergraduate — Storrs | New England Regional rate | $26,028 | $4,564 |
| Graduate | Connecticut resident | $19,512 | $3,886 |
| Graduate | Out-of-state | $41,424 | $3,886 |
| Graduate | New England Regional rate | $30,408 | $3,886 |
The published cost estimates exclude financial aid and scholarships. Housing, food, books, transportation, and other living expenses are additional. Fees and costs may differ by campus and student circumstances. The New England Regional Student Program provides reduced tuition for eligible students enrolled in approved programs.
Funding & Financial Support
- UConn offers undergraduate merit scholarships and financial aid. First-year applicants are considered for Honors and merit scholarship eligibility through the initial application review; a separate scholarship application is not required for this consideration. The priority deadline for merit and Honors consideration for Fall 2027 is 1 December 2026.
- The MFA in Studio Art is officially described as a fully funded, three-year graduate program. Applicants should consult the department for the current funding package and applicable conditions.
- Funding eligibility, award amounts, and renewal conditions depend on the relevant program and financial-aid rules.
University Services & Academic Support
- The School of Fine Arts provides discipline-specific learning environments and facilities. Art & Art History students have access to art-making and exhibition spaces, while Photography/Video facilities include digital and wet darkrooms and photography equipment. The department's Materials Library supports hands-on investigation of raw, manufactured, and reclaimed materials.
- The MFA in Studio Art culminates in a thesis exhibition at the William Benton Museum of Art. Access to particular facilities and resources depends on the program and relevant university policies.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants
- Completed Common Application or Coalition Application for first-year admission.
- Non-refundable $80 application fee, unless an applicable waiver is granted.
- Required academic records and supporting application materials.
- Art BA and BFA: portfolio submitted through SlideRoom.
- Art History BA: no additional application component is required.
- Digital Media & Design: applicants should follow the program-specific instructions for their intended degree and concentration.
Transfer applicants
- Completed UConn Application.
- Non-refundable $80 application fee, unless an applicable waiver is granted.
- Official postsecondary transcripts from every institution attended.
Graduate applicants
- Completed graduate application and non-refundable $75 application fee, unless an applicable waiver is granted.
- Transcripts and degree documentation required by The Graduate School.
- English-proficiency evidence, unless an official exemption applies.
- Additional materials specified by the intended graduate program.
Portfolio, interview, audition, recommendation, and creative-sample requirements should be verified against the precise program. Applicants should not assume that requirements for one School of Fine Arts program apply to another.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Fall 2027 — First-Year Undergraduate Applicants
- Early Decision Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Special Programs in Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Law Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision Financial Aid Date: 1 November 2026
- Priority Application Deadline for Merit & Honors Consideration: 1 December 2026
- Storrs Campus Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- FAFSA Deadline for Financial Aid Eligibility: 15 February 2027
- Regional Campus Application Deadline: 1 May 2027
Spring 2027 — First-Year Undergraduate Applicants
- Application Deadline for all UConn campuses: 1 October 2026
Art & Art History
- Art BA/BFA Portfolio Deadline: 15 January 2027
Graduate deadlines and deadlines for other undergraduate programs may differ. Applicants must verify the deadline published by
Location
University of Connecticut — Storrs, Connecticut, United States
Additional Details
- Portfolio submission: Art BA and BFA applicants must submit a portfolio through SlideRoom. Art History BA applicants do not need an additional application component.
- Program selection: Digital Media & Design BFA concentrations include Digital Film/Video Production, Motion Design & Animation, and other specializations. Some concentrations are restricted to the Storrs campus.
- Graduate admissions: Some graduate programs impose earlier deadlines than the general Graduate School calendar. The intended department's admissions page should take precedence for program-specific requirements.
- International credentials: Graduate applicants with degrees earned outside the United States must review UConn's current documentation and credential-evaluation rules.
- Cost planning: Published tuition does not represent the complete cost of attendance. Housing, food, books, transportation, and other expenses should be budgeted separately.