Organizer Information
The University of Rochester (URochester) is a private research university in Rochester, New York. Relevant arts and humanities study is offered primarily through the School of Arts & Sciences, including the Department of Art and Art History, Film and Media Studies Program, and Department of English. Graduate film and visual-culture study also connects with the George Eastman Museum through the L. Jeffrey Selznick School of Film Preservation.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Rochester
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA / MA / PhD
- Academic Fields: Film & Media / Studio Art / Art History / Visual & Cultural Studies / English / Digital Media
- Relevant Programs: Film and Media Studies BA; Studio Arts BA; Art History BA; Film and Media Studies: Selznick Film Preservation MA; English MA with Selznick Film Preservation concentration; Visual & Cultural Studies PhD.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Varies by study level and program
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate deadlines include 1 November, 1 December, and 5 January; graduate deadlines are program-specific.
- Start of Studies: Fall; undergraduate applicants may also apply for spring entry
- Application Fee: $50 undergraduate; $70 for the English/Selznick graduate programs and Visual & Cultural Studies PhD.
- Tuition: Undergraduate tuition is $71,750 per year for 2026–27; School of Arts & Sciences graduate tuition is $2,234 per credit hour for 2026–27.
- Funding: Merit scholarships and need-based financial aid are available to eligible undergraduate international applicants; specific graduate programs may provide tuition remission, scholarships, or stipends.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- URochester offers undergraduate study in Film and Media Studies, Studio Arts, and Art History, with related work in digital media, English, creative writing, theater, and other humanities fields. The Film and Media Studies BA has Theory and Production tracks, while Studio Arts includes contemporary approaches to photography, painting, sculpture, video, collage, and drawing.
- Graduate study relevant to film and visual culture includes the Selznick Film Preservation MA, the English MA with a Selznick Film Preservation concentration, and the interdisciplinary Visual & Cultural Studies PhD.
- For the Studio Arts BA, a portfolio is not required for enrollment, although applicants may submit documentation of their art practice as supplementary material.
General Eligibility
- International and domestic applicants can apply to URochester. Undergraduate first-year applicants apply with a secondary-school academic record; transfer applicants must meet the university's transfer criteria. International applicants must provide English-language evidence or qualify for an English-proficiency waiver.
- Graduate eligibility varies by program. The Selznick Film Preservation MA requires an undergraduate degree, while the English graduate programs consider applicants with strong undergraduate records in English or a related field.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants must provide the required secondary-school academic records. Transfer applicants submit college and high-school records as specified by Undergraduate Admissions.
- Applicants to the Selznick Film Preservation MA must hold an undergraduate degree. The program also requires a substantial 10–20-page writing sample demonstrating analytical ability in film, literature, or critical theory.
- Applicants to the Visual & Cultural Studies PhD submit undergraduate and graduate transcripts, together with a statement of purpose and a 15–20-page writing sample.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants must provide proof of English proficiency through an accepted examination or an approved waiver. URochester lists recommended scores of IELTS 7.5, TOEFL iBT 100 under the former scoring scale, or Duolingo English Test 130. Applicants whose circumstances meet the university's waiver criteria may request an English-proficiency waiver.
- For graduate applicants whose native language is not English, URochester accepts IELTS, TOEFL/TOEFL iBT Home Edition, or Duolingo. Waiver conditions apply to specified applicants.
Application Fee
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | First-year / Transfer | $50 |
| English MA / Selznick Film Preservation MA / English PhD | Graduate | $70 |
| Visual & Cultural Studies PhD | Graduate | $70 |
The $50 undergraduate fee may be waived through the university's fee-waiver process. The undergraduate waiver does not apply to graduate or PhD applications.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| School of Arts & Sciences undergraduate programs | $71,750 | Per year | Activity, transportation, mail-services and mandatory health fees; health insurance is separately charged where applicable |
| School of Arts & Sciences graduate programs | $2,234 | Per credit hour | $10 activity fee and $552 mandatory health fee per semester; health insurance $2,154 per semester where applicable |
| Selznick Film Preservation MA | Approximately $45,000 per year on the Eastman Museum's current program page | Per year | University graduate fees may apply |
- The university's 2026–27 undergraduate table lists $71,750 annual tuition and $1,104 in mandatory health fees, with other charges depending on student circumstances. Graduate tuition is assessed by credit hour in the School of Arts & Sciences.
- The Eastman Museum currently states approximately $45,000 annual graduate tuition for the Selznick MA and notes that admitted students may be considered for a scholarship of up to half of graduate tuition.
Funding & Financial Support
- International undergraduate applicants are eligible for consideration for merit scholarships and need-based financial aid. URochester states that admitted students receive financial-need consideration according to its international financial-aid policies.
- The Selznick Film Preservation MA considers admitted students for scholarships of up to half of graduate tuition. The Visual & Cultural Studies PhD states that successful applicants receive full tuition remission and a stipend for five years.
University Services & Academic Support
- Relevant academic and professional opportunities include the Art New York program, internships with art, media, and cultural institutions, study-abroad opportunities, the Sage Art Center, university galleries, and the Gollin Film Festival. Film and Media Studies students can also access film-related coursework, production facilities, special collections, and internships.
- Graduate students in the Selznick program work across the University of Rochester and George Eastman Museum, with access to film-preservation, curatorial, conservation, archival, and research resources.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate first-year applicants must submit:
- Common Application or Coalition for College Application
- Secondary-school transcript
- One teacher recommendation
- School report/counselor recommendation
- Mid-year report when available
- Final transcript when applicable
- University of Rochester supplemental questions and essay
- English-proficiency evidence or approved waiver for applicable international applicants
Interviews and media links, including art portfolios, are optional for undergraduate applicants. A portfolio is specifically not required for the Studio Arts BA.
Selznick Film Preservation MA applicants must submit:
- Statement of purpose
- 10–20-page writing sample
- Two to three recommendation letters
- Transcripts
- English-proficiency evidence where required
- Online graduate application
Visual & Cultural Studies PhD applicants must submit:
- Statement of purpose
- Three recommendation letters
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- 15–20-page writing sample
- English-proficiency evidence for applicable international applicants
- GRE scores are optional
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate ED I Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Undergraduate Priority Scholarship Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Undergraduate ED II Deadline: 5 January 2027
- Undergraduate Regular Decision Deadline: 5 January 2027
- Undergraduate Spring Regular Decision Deadline: 15 October 2026
- Undergraduate ED I Materials Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Undergraduate ED II Materials Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Undergraduate Regular Decision Materials Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Undergraduate Spring Materials Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Selznick Film Preservation MA Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Visual & Cultural Studies PhD Deadline: 5 January 2027
- Visual & Cultural Studies Admission Results: Mid-March 2027
Location
University of Rochester — Rochester, New York, United States.
Additional Details
URochester's Film and Media Studies Program does not itself offer a graduate degree. Graduate-level film study is available through related programs, including the Selznick Film Preservation MA and Visual & Cultural Studies PhD.
The current published tuition figures are for 2026–27. The university's Bursar states that rates for subsequent academic years are released in March; therefore, applicants planning for 2027–28 should verify the newly published rates when available.