Organizer Information
The University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) is a public research university in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Its School of Humanities and Social Sciences includes the Department of Media, Art and Design, which offers undergraduate study in art history, film and media arts, media, art and design, and studio art. Art history also offers graduate study, with participation in the university’s interdisciplinary doctoral program.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Missouri–Kansas City
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral (interdisciplinary)
- Degrees Offered: BA, MA, PhD (interdisciplinary)
- Academic Fields: Film and Media Arts, Art History, Studio Art, Media and Design
- Relevant Programs: BA in Film and Media Arts; BA in Art History; BA in Media, Art and Design; BA in Studio Art; MA in Art History; Interdisciplinary PhD
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Opens 1 August for the general admissions cycle
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate priority dates include 15 January for first-year fall applicants and 1 May for fall transfer applicants; international and graduate deadlines depend on the application category and program.
- Start of Studies: Fall and spring, subject to program availability
- Application Fee: $75 for international applicants
- Tuition: Program- and residency-dependent; undergraduate rates are charged per credit hour.
- Funding: International merit scholarships and academic-unit awards are available to eligible students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
UMKC’s relevant arts and media disciplines include:
- Film and Media Arts: Film production, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound design, and film studies.
- Art History: Historical and critical study of art.
- Media, Art and Design: Interdisciplinary study of visual design, creative development, media, and applied arts.
- Studio Art: Studio-based artistic practice and visual arts.
The undergraduate programs provide opportunities to develop creative work and practical skills. The university’s Film and Media Arts curriculum includes narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental filmmaking.
General Eligibility
- UMKC accepts international applicants for degree-seeking study. Applicants must satisfy the university’s admission requirements and any additional conditions imposed by their intended academic program.
- International applicants must submit academic records, demonstrate English proficiency when required, and provide the documentation needed for their immigration status. Applicants seeking an F-1 or J-1 visa must also document sufficient financial resources.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate programs: First-year applicants generally submit official secondary-school records. Transfer applicants must provide transcripts from previous colleges or universities, according to their transfer status.
- MA in Art History: Applicants should review the graduate program’s specific prior-degree and admission requirements.
- Interdisciplinary PhD: Applicants must meet the applicable doctoral-program and graduate-school admission requirements.
- International academic documents must include official English translations when issued in another language. Graduate applicants must submit official transcripts documenting their previous university studies.
Language Requirements
- UMKC publishes the following general minimum English-proficiency scores for international applicants:
| Test | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 70 | 79 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.0, with at least 5.5 in each band | 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each band |
| PTE Academic | 48, with at least 44 in all skills | 53 |
| Duolingo English Test | 100, with at least 90 in each subscore | 110 |
Other accepted tests and exemptions are listed in the official English Proficiency Policy. Certain academic programs impose higher or different requirements; applicants should confirm the policy applicable to their intended degree.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic undergraduate | $0 |
| International undergraduate | $75 |
| Domestic graduate | $45 |
| International graduate | $75 |
Tuition
The following official estimates apply to the 2026–2027 academic year for international F-1/J-1 students. They are estimates for tuition and fees, not tuition alone.
| Study level | Estimated annual tuition and fees | Billing basis |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate — most bachelor's programs | $37,821 | 30 credit hours per academic year |
| Graduate — master's and doctoral programs | $26,597 | 18 credit hours per academic year |
These estimates cover fall and spring enrollment and exclude professional-program fees. Actual tuition depends on the program, enrollment, and applicable rate.
Additional mandatory fees for fall 2026 and spring 2027 include:
- Student Life Fee: $366.90 for up to 6.99 credit hours; $779.70 for 7–12.99 credit hours; $885.10 for 13 or more credit hours per semester.
- International student services fee: $150 per fall or spring semester and $50 for summer.
- Orientation fee: $75 at initial enrollment.
- Health insurance: International students may be subject to the university's health-insurance requirements.
The published international cost estimates already include specified fees and estimated living expenses. Applicants should avoid adding these charges twice when calculating their budget.
Funding & Financial Support
UMKC offers merit-based scholarships to eligible international students. For qualifying F-1 bachelor's and master's students, the international scholarship program includes awards that waive portions of the difference between nonresident and resident tuition:
- Chancellor's International Award: 100% of the nonresident tuition differential.
- Provost's International Award: 80%.
- Dean's International Award: 60%.
- Global Scholar Award: 50%.
Eligibility, award amounts, renewal conditions, and exclusions apply. These awards do not necessarily cover the full cost of attendance. Graduate students may also explore assistantships, fellowships, grants, and academic-unit awards.
University Services & Academic Support
Relevant academic opportunities include:
- Film production: Production coursework covering directing, cinematography, editing, sound, and screenwriting.
- Film industry experience: The Film and Media Arts program describes opportunities through the Student Film League, workshops, guest lectures, local productions, festival trips, and internships.
- Art and design facilities: Studio Art students have access to teaching studios and laboratories, with opportunities to engage with Kansas City's arts organizations.
- Art history resources: Courses draw on collections at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and other regional art institutions.
Access to particular facilities and activities depends on the course, program, and applicable arrangements.
Application Requirements
Applicants should prepare the following documents according to their admission category:
- Official academic transcripts and applicable school records.
- Previous-college transcripts for transfer and graduate applicants.
- English translations of international academic documents, where required.
- English-proficiency test results, unless an exemption applies.
- Citizenship, residency, and visa information, where applicable.
- Official financial documentation for international student immigration processing.
ACT/SAT scores are optional under the university's test-optional undergraduate admission process, although scores may be relevant to scholarship consideration.
The Film and Media Arts BA develops students' portfolios through coursework, but applicants should not assume that submitting a portfolio is a separate admission requirement. Confirm any additional materials directly with the relevant graduate program or academic unit.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Opens: 1 August
- Spring Priority Deadline — Undergraduate: 15 November
- Fall Priority Deadline — First-year undergraduate applicants: 15 January
- Fall Priority Deadline — Transfer applicants: 1 May
- Fall Application Deadline — Undergraduate: 15 June
- Supporting Documents Deadline — Fall undergraduate applicants: 1 July
These dates are published in UMKC's general admissions guidance. Priority deadlines relate to consideration for scholarships and awards; program-specific and international application timelines may differ.
Location
University of Missouri–Kansas City — Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Additional Details
- The university's Department of Media, Art and Design offers four relevant undergraduate BA degrees and an MA in Art History. Its participation in the Interdisciplinary PhD does not mean that a standalone PhD in Film and Media Arts or Studio Art is offered.
- Graduate admission deadlines vary by program. Applicants should verify the intended program's deadline before applying.
- International students should allow sufficient time for document review and immigration processing. UMKC recommends applying from outside the United States at least three to four months before the intended semester begins.
- Tuition rates, mandatory fees, scholarship eligibility, and admission policies can change. Confirm the current requirements before submitting an application or making financial commitments.