Organizer Information
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Relevant creative and humanities study is offered through the School of Arts and Sciences and the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, including Cinema & Media Studies, Fine Arts, Design, Architecture, History of Art, and Art and Archaeology. Penn states that undergraduate and graduate admissions are administered through separate processes, with graduate applicants applying directly to their program of interest.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Pennsylvania
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA / BFA / MA / MFA / PhD
- Academic Fields: Film & Media / Fine Arts / Design / Architecture / Art History / Art & Archaeology
- Relevant Programs: Cinema and Media Studies, BA; Fine Arts, BA; Design, BA; Architecture, BA: Design; History of Art, BA; Cinema and Media Studies, MA and PhD; Master of Fine Arts; Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean World, MA and PhD.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Fall 2027 undergraduate applications are open; graduate application periods vary by program.
- Application Deadline: 1 November 2026 Early Decision; 5 January 2027 Regular Decision for undergraduate applicants. Weitzman MFA deadline: 13 January 2027.
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $75 undergraduate; $80 Weitzman graduate programs; $90 School of Arts and Sciences graduate applications.
- Tuition: Undergraduate tuition $65,670 for 2026–2027; Weitzman master's full-time tuition $32,887 per term.
- Funding: Need-based undergraduate financial aid; international undergraduates may receive aid covering 100% of demonstrated need; Weitzman master's scholarships are available to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Penn offers interdisciplinary study across film and media, studio art, design, architecture, art history, archaeology, and visual culture. Cinema & Media Studies combines film and media history, theory, criticism, and practice, including screenwriting and production. Fine Arts includes animation, ceramics, design, drawing and painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and video.
- For undergraduate Fine Arts and Design majors, Penn states that there are no additional admissions requirements to pursue the major; applicants may submit a portfolio as a supplement.
General Eligibility
- International and domestic applicants may apply. Undergraduate applicants apply to one of Penn's undergraduate schools or an eligible coordinated program. Graduate applicants apply directly to their selected graduate program because admissions requirements differ by program.
- For the Weitzman MFA, applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree. The MFA requires an application, portfolio review, and interview.
- For Cinema & Media Studies, the MA and PhD are graduate research programs. The PhD is full-time and requires advanced study of cinema and media, including global and comparative approaches.
Language Requirements
Undergraduate international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency unless English is their native language or was their primary language of instruction for at least three years in high school, college, or a combination of both. Accepted tests include TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test. Penn states that competitive applicants tend to have IELTS 7.0+, TOEFL 100+ on the previous 0–120 scale, or Duolingo 130+, with consistency across sections.
The Cinema & Media Studies PhD additionally requires reading knowledge of at least one research language relevant to the student's subfield.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Program | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate first-year / transfer | $75 |
| Weitzman graduate programs, including MFA | $80 |
| School of Arts and Sciences graduate programs | $90 |
Undergraduate applicants may request an application fee waiver through the Common Application or Coalition Application when the fee represents a significant financial burden. Weitzman and School of Arts and Sciences also provide fee-waiver mechanisms under their respective policies.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $65,670 | Annual | General Fee $6,620; Technology Fee $918; Clinical Fee $770 |
| Weitzman master's, including MFA | $32,887 | Per term | General Fee $2,134 and Clinical Fee $385 per full-time term |
| Penn PhD programs in Arts & Sciences/Design | $46,540 full tuition | Annual academic-year rate | General Fee $4,268; Clinical Fee $770 |
The undergraduate 2026–2027 tuition-and-fee total is $73,978 before other applicable costs. Weitzman states that tuition and fees may increase annually. Penn's PhD cost page states that most PhD programs are fully funded for four to five years, subject to program-specific arrangements.
Funding & Financial Support
- Penn provides need-based undergraduate financial aid. International undergraduate applicants are eligible for institutional financial aid but are considered under a need-aware admissions policy. International applicants seeking aid must request it when applying for admission; they cannot first enroll without aid and later request institutional aid.
- Weitzman offers merit-based scholarships to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. Applicants do not separately apply; faculty admissions committees determine scholarship awards during admissions review.
- The Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean World PhD states that admitted students are fully funded for at least five years.
University Services & Academic Support
- Cinema & Media Studies provides undergraduate internship opportunities with film festivals, distributors, agencies, management companies, and production companies, alongside screenings, lectures, workshops, and faculty-supported research.
- Fine Arts MFA students receive studio-based faculty critique and access to visiting artists, curators, writers, research opportunities, residencies, and professional-development funding.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants must submit the application form, personal statement, activities information, official high-school transcript, counselor/school report, recommendation from a counselor or college official, recommendation from a core-subject teacher, Penn-specific essays/short answers, and SAT or ACT scores unless an approved testing waiver applies.
- Weitzman MFA applicants must submit the online application, transcripts, three recommendation letters, résumé/CV, personal statement/community essay, English-proficiency documentation where applicable, and a digital portfolio. The MFA portfolio may include still images and/or video. MFA applicants are required to interview.
- Cinema & Media Studies MA/PhD applicants apply through the School of Arts and Sciences graduate process, with program-specific requirements and deadlines.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application Portal
- Weitzman Graduate Application Portal
- School of Arts and Sciences Graduate Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate Application Opens: Fall 2027 application currently open
- Early Decision Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Regular Decision Deadline: 5 January 2027
- International Undergraduate Financial Aid Deadline — Early Decision: 6 November 2026
- International Undergraduate Financial Aid Deadline — Regular Decision: 1 February 2027
- Weitzman MFA Deadline: 13 January 2027
- Weitzman PhD in Architecture / PhD in City & Regional Planning Deadline: 16 December 2026
- Fall 2027 School of Arts and Sciences Graduate Application: 1 October 2026 application availability is confirmed for the History of Art graduate program; individual graduate groups set their own deadlines.
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
Location
University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Additional Details
Penn's undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program currently has a pause on accepting applications. The Fine Arts BA remains listed in the 2026–2027 catalog.
Graduate admissions are decentralized. Penn explicitly states that each graduate program has its own admissions process, so requirements and deadlines should be checked at program level rather than generalized across the university.