Organizer Information
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC–Chapel Hill) is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For applicants interested in art, design, media, film-related study, and the humanities, relevant offerings span the Department of Art and Art History, Hussman School of Journalism and Media, Department of Communication, Department of Dramatic Art, and interdisciplinary programs including Global Cinema.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA / BFA / MA / MFA / PhD
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Art History / Photography / Media / Journalism / Communication / Dramatic Art / Cinema
- Relevant Programs: Art History, B.A.; Studio Art, B.A.; Studio Art, B.F.A.; Art History, M.A.; Studio Art, M.F.A.; Art History, Ph.D.; Media and Journalism, B.A.; Media and Communication, M.A.; Media and Communication, Ph.D.; Dramatic Art, M.F.A.; Global Cinema Minor; Screenwriting Minor.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications for Fall 2027; graduate application periods vary by program.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate Early Action — 15 October 2026; Regular Decision — 15 January 2027. Graduate deadlines are program-specific.
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: Undergraduate — $85; Graduate School — $95
- Tuition: Undergraduate nonresident tuition — $23,736 per semester at 12+ credit hours; graduate tuition varies by program and enrollment.
- Funding: Institutional scholarships, grants and assistantships; the Studio Art MFA provides full tuition funding and stipends to accepted MFA students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- UNC–Chapel Hill offers undergraduate study in Art History and Studio Art, with Studio Art available as both a B.A. and a preprofessional B.F.A. The B.F.A. provides more intensive visual-art training and is specifically positioned for students considering further study in visual arts, design, or architecture.
- Graduate study includes Art History M.A./Ph.D. and Studio Art M.F.A. The Art History graduate programs accept applicants from related academic backgrounds, while the M.F.A. welcomes applicants with bachelor's degrees outside art when they can demonstrate a strong art portfolio and the specified art-history preparation.
- Media-oriented applicants can also consider the Media and Journalism B.A., graduate M.A./Ph.D. in Media and Communication, Communication Studies B.A., and interdisciplinary Global Cinema and Screenwriting minors.
General Eligibility
- Undergraduate first-year applicants must complete secondary school or an equivalent credential and satisfy UNC System minimum eligibility and course requirements. International applicants are evaluated within the context of their country's educational system.
- For graduate art programs, eligibility differs by program. Studio Art MFA applicants may hold an undergraduate degree in art or another field, but applicants without an art bachelor's degree must have completed basic- and intermediate-level art-history coursework. Art History graduate applicants must have completed at least 24 semester hours in art history, archaeology, cultural anthropology, or aesthetics.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate: Secondary-school graduation or equivalent is required for first-year admission.
- Studio Art M.F.A.: A bachelor's degree is required. Applicants from other undergraduate disciplines may apply with a strong art portfolio; applicants without a bachelor's degree in art must also have specified art-history preparation.
- Art History M.A./Ph.D.: A bachelor's degree in art history or a related field is accepted. The department requires at least 24 semester hours in art history, archaeology, cultural anthropology, or aesthetics. Applicants holding an M.A. in art history may apply directly to the Ph.D.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants who are non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents and whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency.
- For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026, UNC lists the following typical strong-applicant scores: TOEFL 5 or higher on the new scale, IELTS Academic 7.5 or higher, Duolingo 130 or higher, or Cambridge English C1 Advanced 185 or higher. UNC states that these are not minimum admission scores. A waiver may apply to applicants who have lived for the last four years in an English-primary-language country or attended a school where English was the primary language of instruction for the last four years.
- Graduate English requirements are program-dependent.
Application Fee
| Applicant Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $85 |
| Graduate School | $95 |
The undergraduate application includes a nonrefundable application fee or approved fee waiver. The Graduate School application also requires payment of the application fee before an application can be reviewed.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Nonresident | $23,736 | Per semester, 12+ credit hours | $1,060.50 student fees per semester |
| Undergraduate | Resident | $3,615 | Per semester, 12+ credit hours | $1,060.50 student fees per semester |
| Graduate | Program-specific | Varies by program and enrollment | Program/credit-based | Program-specific |
The 2026–2027 undergraduate nonresident rate is reported at $23,736 per semester for 12 or more credits, with $1,060.50 in mandatory student fees per semester. Health insurance charges are additional where applicable. Graduate tuition is not a single institution-wide amount and must be checked against the relevant program's rate.
Funding & Financial Support
- UNC provides scholarships, grants, loans and work-study support for eligible students. International students should not assume eligibility for need-based financial aid; funding eligibility depends on the specific award and applicant category.
- Studio Art is particularly notable at graduate level: all accepted MFA students receive full tuition funding and stipends through teaching assistantships and/or designated departmental awards. Art History applicants are automatically considered for nomination for Graduate School awards when their applications are completed by the applicable deadline, and teaching and research assistantships are also available.
- The Studio Art undergraduate program also awards more than $44,000 annually through departmental scholarships, with individual awards ranging from $500 to $12,000.
University Services & Academic Support
- Art students have access to the Hanes Art Center, exhibition galleries, specialized art library resources, visual-resources collections, photography and printmaking laboratories, studios, and a BeAM makerspace. Graduate Studio Art students receive individual studio space.
- The Department of Art and Art History also provides visiting-artist lectures, professional-arts visits and critiques. The Ackland Art Museum provides additional exhibition, internship and fellowship opportunities for UNC students.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants must submit the application, official secondary-school transcripts, required essays, a school report, and one teacher recommendation. International applicants must also meet the applicable English-proficiency requirement.
- Studio Art M.F.A. applicants must submit the Graduate School application, undergraduate transcript, three letters of recommendation, application fee, statement of purpose, portfolio images through SlideRoom, and an image list.
- Art History M.A./Ph.D. applicants must submit a writing sample of no more than 15 pages in addition to the Graduate School application.
- A portfolio is therefore specifically required for the Studio Art M.F.A., rather than being a general requirement for every UNC art-related program.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Undergraduate Early Action Deadline: 15 October 2026
- Undergraduate Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Graduate Art History Deadline: December 2026
- Graduate Studio Art Deadline: January 2027
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
UNC states that graduate programs establish their own application deadlines. The Department of Art and Art History currently identifies December deadlines for Art History and January deadlines for Studio Art; exact program dates should be confirmed on the department's admissions page when published.
Location
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States
Additional Details
UNC's 2026–2027 catalog identifies Art History M.A./Ph.D. and Studio Art M.F.A. as the department's graduate degrees. The Studio Art M.F.A. is a two-year, 60-credit program and admits students for the fall semester only. Art History has no spring admission.
For international students, admission and visa preparation are separate considerations: UNC requires admitted international students needing an I-20 to document sufficient funds for the first year of tuition and living expenses. Foreign higher-education coursework must undergo a course-by-course WES evaluation where required by the university's international admissions policy.