Organizer Information
The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) is a public research university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Its academic structure includes the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, which offers programs in studio art, art history, music, theatre, and other humanities and arts disciplines. The university provides undergraduate and graduate study, with admissions requirements, fees, and deadlines determined by the relevant degree program and applicant category.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MS, PhD, and other university-awarded degrees, depending on the program
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Studio Art, Art History, Animation, Photography, Video Production, Design, Music, Theatre, and Humanities
- Relevant Programs: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art; art history and other arts-related programs offered through the relevant academic departments
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Varies by study level, program, and entry term
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate first-year Early Action — 5 November 2026; Regular Decision — 15 January 2027
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027 for the listed undergraduate deadlines
- Application Fee: $90 for standard first-year undergraduate applications and graduate applications; program-specific exceptions may apply
- Tuition: Varies by degree level, residency status, and program
- Funding: Scholarships, financial aid, and other funding opportunities, subject to eligibility
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- UMass Amherst offers arts-related study through its College of Humanities and Fine Arts and other academic units. The BFA in Studio Art includes six concentrations: animation, ceramics, intermedia (photography and video production), painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Students can also pursue coursework in design and creative technologies.
- Applicants should consult the individual program's admissions requirements to determine whether their previous studies, creative experience, or portfolio meet its criteria. Requirements for one arts program should not be assumed to apply to another.
General Eligibility
- The university accepts applications from domestic and international students. Eligibility depends on the intended program and study level.
- International first-year applicants are eligible to apply for undergraduate admission, subject to the university's academic and documentation requirements. However, international applicants who need a student visa generally cannot enter through spring undergraduate admission unless they are currently attending a U.S.-based high school with a valid student visa.
Educational Background
- First-year undergraduate applicants must meet the university's secondary-school admission requirements. Graduate applicants must meet the academic qualifications established by the Graduate School and their intended program.
- Applicants to the BFA in Studio Art should review the program's current curriculum and admission instructions. The exact prior-degree requirements for graduate arts programs must be checked on the relevant program page.
Language Requirements
- The language of instruction is English. International applicants must meet the applicable English-language proficiency requirements.
- For graduate admissions, the Graduate School lists the following minimum scores, subject to program-specific requirements and exemptions:
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall |
| TOEFL iBT, tests taken before January 2026 | 80 |
| TOEFL, tests taken January 2026 onward | 4 on the revised scale |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 overall |
| PTE Academic | 53 overall |
Some programs may require higher scores. Applicants should confirm the requirements and accepted exemptions for their intended program.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate first-year applicants | $90 |
| Graduate applicants | $90 |
The university's published undergraduate international admissions page has also listed an $85 application fee. Applicants should confirm the amount displayed in the current application portal before submitting. International undergraduate applicants are not eligible for the university's standard application fee waivers.
Tuition
The following figures represent the university's published 2026–2027 undergraduate cost estimates for a nine-month academic year. They are not guaranteed final charges.
| Undergraduate category | Tuition and fees per academic year |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts residents | $19,212 |
| Out-of-state students | $43,299 |
| International students | $43,819 |
International students should also budget for the separately listed estimated supplemental health insurance cost of $2,470 per academic year. Housing, food, books, travel, and personal expenses are additional.
Funding & Financial Support
- UMass Amherst provides financial aid and scholarship opportunities, subject to eligibility and the conditions of each award.
- The MFA in Studio Art offers a teaching assistantship to every admitted student, according to the university's program information. The program also provides access to studios, equipment, and facilities. Applicants should consult the current MFA handbook for the financial terms, duration, and conditions of assistantships.
- International applicants should verify their eligibility for each funding opportunity rather than assume that all university scholarships or forms of financial aid are open to them.
University Services & Academic Support
- The MFA in Studio Art offers 24-hour access to studios, equipment, and facilities for admitted students. The interdisciplinary program includes opportunities for critique and interaction with professional artists and peers, as well as teaching experience and preparation for teaching art in higher education. MFA students may also use resources across the Five Colleges consortium.
- For other programs, access to studios, laboratories, specialist facilities, and academic support depends on the relevant department and enrollment conditions.
Application Requirements
Requirements vary by degree and department.
Undergraduate applicants: First-year applications generally require the Common Application, official secondary-school transcripts, a recommendation letter, and evidence of English proficiency when applicable. Applicants with previous college coursework must provide the relevant college records. SAT or ACT scores are optional under the university's published test-optional policy.
MFA in Studio Art applicants: The 2026–2027 application requires:
- Résumé or curriculum vitae.
- Creative Work Statement, maximum 600 words.
- Personal Statement, maximum 600 words.
- Graduate School Short Essay, maximum 600 words.
- Two letters of reference.
- Portfolio containing 20 images, submitted through the Slate application system.
- Undergraduate transcripts and other required academic records.
Portfolio submissions must follow the department's instructions for documenting still images and time-based work.
MA in History of Art and Architecture applicants: Required materials include an application form, a one- to two-page statement of purpose, two recommendation letters, academic transcripts, and a sole-authored art-historical writing sample of no more than 20 pages of text, plus relevant images and bibliography.
Applicants to other programs should follow their department's current instructions. Do not assume that the MFA portfolio requirements apply to every arts degree.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate admissions — Fall 2027
- Common Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Early Action Deadline: 5 November 2026
- Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
- FAFSA Priority Deadline: 1 March 2027
- Enrollment Deposit Due: 1 May 2027
Undergraduate admissions — Spring 2027
- First-Year Application Deadline: 15 October 2026
- Transfer Application Deadline: 5 November 2026
MFA in Studio Art — Fall 2027
- Application Opens: 1 November 2026
- Application and Portfolio Deadline: 1 December 2026
MA in History of Art and Architecture
- Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
Dates are based on the university's published admissions and program pages. The MA deadline above is listed without a year on the cited department page; confirm the applicable admissions cycle before relying on it.
Location
University of Massachusetts Amherst — Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
Additional Details
- The MFA in Studio Art is a three-year interdisciplinary graduate program. Admission is competitive, with approximately six students accepted annually according to the Graduate School's program page.
- Undergraduate applicants interested in Art, Architecture, Dance, or Music should contact the relevant department early because some majors involve additional portfolio reviews or auditions.
- International applicants should verify visa eligibility, English proficiency, financial documentation, and the availability of their intended entry term before applying.
- Tuition estimates and admissions requirements may change. Confirm program-specific information directly with the university before making financial or application decisions.