Organizer Information
The University of Richmond is a private liberal arts university in Richmond, Virginia, founded in 1830. Relevant study opportunities for art, film, and visual media are offered primarily through the School of Arts & Sciences, including the Department of Art & Art History and the Film Studies program.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Richmond
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Academic Fields: Art History / Visual & Media Arts / Film Studies / Theatre
- Relevant Programs: Art History; Visual and Media Arts Practice; Film Studies
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: First-year admission; Early Decision I / Early Action / Early Decision II / Regular Decision
- Application Deadline: 1 November / 1 January, depending on application plan
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $50 USD; waived for international applicants living abroad
- Tuition: $70,725 USD per year
- Funding: Merit scholarships and need-based financial aid available.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- The University offers a BA in Art History and a BA in Visual and Media Arts Practice. The latter covers drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, film, video, and sound.
- The Film Studies BA combines film history, theory, aesthetics, and production. Its curriculum includes film production, editing, documentary work, international cinema, and interdisciplinary coursework.
- Students can also pursue related arts fields such as Theatre and the interdisciplinary Arts Management & Creative Industries minor.
- No specific prior academic discipline is required for declaring the relevant undergraduate majors; admission is to the University rather than to a specific school or major.
General Eligibility
The University accepts international and domestic first-year applicants. Applicants must complete secondary education and submit an application demonstrating their academic preparation. Richmond uses a holistic admission process.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must submit an official high school transcript covering grades 9–11 and, upon enrollment, a final high school transcript. A school report and at least one recommendation from a school official are also required.
- Applicants completing high school in a non-traditional setting must meet additional documentation requirements; a high school diploma or recognized equivalent is required.
Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an approved waiver. Richmond accepts TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test scores.
Published competitive scores are:
- TOEFL iBT: 100, or 5.5 under the updated scoring scale
- IELTS: 7.5
- Duolingo English Test: 135
These are competitive scores rather than minimum admission scores. Approved waivers include qualifying English-medium secondary education and certain SAT, ACT, AP, IB, or A-level English results.
Application Fee
| Applicant Category | Application Fee | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| First-year applicants | $50 USD | Available under Richmond's fee-waiver policies |
| International applicants living abroad | $50 USD | Application fee waived |
The standard first-year application fee is $50. Richmond states that international applicants living abroad receive an application-fee waiver.
Tuition
| Study Level / School | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate — Arts & Sciences | All students | $70,725 USD | Per academic year | International health insurance: $2,540/year for eligible non-immigrant students |
The 2026–27 undergraduate tuition for Arts & Sciences is $70,725 per year. International degree-seeking students on non-immigrant visas are required to purchase the University health insurance plan unless they qualify for an exception.
Funding & Financial Support
- Richmond offers merit scholarships and need-based financial aid. International students may receive consideration for merit scholarships and need-based aid. For international applicants, admission is need-aware.
- International applicants seeking need-based aid must submit the University of Richmond Certification of Financial Responsibility and the CSS Profile by the applicable financial-aid deadline.
- Applicants who submit their admission application by 1 December receive consideration for the Richmond Scholars Program.
University Services & Academic Support
- Students in the relevant arts fields can access faculty mentoring, undergraduate research opportunities, University Museums activities, and Career Services. Art History students can participate in museum exhibitions and research, while Film Studies provides opportunities for film production and faculty-supported academic work.
- The Richmond Guarantee provides eligible continuing undergraduate students in the School of Arts & Sciences with a fellowship of up to $5,300 for an unpaid or underpaid summer internship or faculty-mentored research project.
Application Requirements
- Common Application or Coalition Application
- $50 application fee, subject to applicable waivers
- High school transcript covering grades 9–11
- Secondary School Report
- One recommendation letter from a school official
- Richmond supplemental essay
- Senior progress grades
- Standardized test scores: Optional for students entering Fall 2027
- Arts portfolio: Optional
- International applicants: Certification of Financial Responsibility
- English proficiency: Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score unless an approved waiver applies.
For applicants submitting artistic work, the optional arts submission may include up to 12 original artworks or a video under 10 minutes for visual artists. Theatre designers, actors, dancers, musicians, and composers have separate submission requirements.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision I Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Action Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Richmond Scholars Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Early Decision II Application Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Regular Decision Application Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Early Decision I Credential Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Action Credential Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Early Decision II Credential Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Credential Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Early Decision I Approximate Notification: 15 December 2026
- Early Action Approximate Notification: 25 January 2027
- Early Decision II Approximate Notification: 15 February 2027
- Regular Decision Approximate Notification: 1 April 2027
- International Need-Based Financial Aid Deadline — Early Action: 15 November 2026
- International Need-Based Financial Aid Deadline — Early Decision I: 15 November 2026
- International Need-Based Financial Aid Deadline — Early Decision II: 1 February 2027
- International Need-Based Financial Aid Deadline — Regular Decision: 1 February 2027
Location
University of Richmond — Richmond, Virginia, United States
Additional Details
Admission is to the University as a whole rather than to a specific school or major; students have until their sophomore year to decide on a major or minor. The relevant arts and film programs are therefore undergraduate academic options rather than separate program-specific admission tracks.
The arts portfolio is optional for admission, but applicants seeking consideration for Richmond Scholars or Presidential Scholarships through artistic work must submit the portfolio by 1 December.
International admission is need-aware. International applicants must submit the Certification of Financial Responsibility whether or not they intend to apply for need-based financial aid.