Organizer Information
The University of West Florida (UWF) is a public university in Pensacola, Florida, United States. Its College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities offers undergraduate study in art, fine art, graphic design and digital media, communication, theatre, and related disciplines. UWF provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with admission requirements, tuition rates, and application deadlines determined by study level, program, and applicant category. The university's 2026–2027 academic catalog is the primary reference for current degree structures.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of West Florida
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, specialist, and certificate study
- Degrees Offered: AA, BA, BFA, BS, MA, MS, MBA, MEd, EdS, EdD, PhD, and other discipline-specific degrees
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Graphic Design, Digital Media, Photography, Communication, Theatre, Humanities, Education, and other fields
- Relevant Programs: Art, BA; Fine Art, BFA; Graphic Design and Digital Media, BFA; Communication, BA; Theatre, BA; Theatre, Fine Arts, BFA
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Depends on entry term and program
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate freshman deadlines include 1 December 2026 for Spring 2027 and 1 April 2027 for Summer and Fall 2027
- Start of Studies: Spring, Summer, and Fall terms, subject to program availability
- Application Fee: $30 for standard undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking applications
- Tuition: 2026–2027 Pensacola-campus rates start at $213.23 per undergraduate credit for Florida residents and $707.03 for non-Florida residents
- Funding: Scholarships, grants, and other financial aid are available to eligible students
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Art, BA: Art History, Art Teaching, Pre-Art Therapy, and Studio Art. Studio Art offers areas including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, ceramics, and new and mixed media.
- Fine Art, BFA: A professional studio-art degree with concentration options including digital art, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and ceramics.
- Graphic Design and Digital Media, BFA: Graphic Design and Digital Media, and Illustration.
- Communication, BA: Includes Digital Storytelling and Journalism, Communication Studies, and Advertising, Public Relations, and Social Media.
- Theatre, BA and BFA: Theatre study includes areas such as acting, design and technology, and musical theatre, depending on the degree.
General Eligibility
- UWF accepts applications from domestic and international students. Applicants must satisfy the university's admission standards and any additional requirements for their intended program. International applicants must also meet applicable credential, immigration, and English-proficiency requirements.
- For graduate study, admission is assessed at both university and departmental levels. Additional requirements may include standardized tests or program-specific application materials.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants must meet the relevant first-year or transfer admission requirements. Transfer applicants are classified according to their completed postsecondary credits and must provide the required academic records.
- Graduate applicants must submit academic transcripts documenting previous postsecondary study. UWF's general graduate admission guidance specifies a bachelor's degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, assessed through the applicable cumulative or final-60-credit-hour criteria. Individual graduate programs may impose additional academic prerequisites. International academic records may require credential evaluation and certified English translations.
Language Requirements
International applicants must satisfy the English-proficiency rules applicable to their admission category.
For undergraduate applicants with 60 or more college credits, accepted options include:
| Test or qualification | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 |
| TOEFL, before 21 January 2026 | 79 |
| TOEFL, on or after 21 January 2026 | 4.5 |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 |
| Pearson Test of English | 53 |
| CEFR | B2 |
Other accepted options and exemptions may apply. Undergraduate applicants with fewer than 60 credits follow the applicable standardized-test admission rules. International graduate applicants must consult the graduate-specific English requirements and any additional program conditions.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree-seeking | $30 | Standard application fee |
| Graduate degree-seeking | $30 | Nonrefundable; no waiver under the general graduate policy |
Tuition
| Residency classification | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Florida resident | $213.23 | $378.85 |
| Alabama resident | $318.23 | $483.85 |
| Non-Florida resident | $707.03 | $1,137.43 |
These rates exclude market-rate and self-supporting programs. Tuition and mandatory fees may change. Additional costs can include housing, meals, books, materials, and program-specific charges. The university publishes estimated costs separately; students should use the applicable program and residency classification when budgeting.
Funding & Financial Support
- UWF offers scholarships and financial aid to eligible students. Freshman applicants seeking scholarship consideration should observe the applicable priority deadline. Eligibility, award amounts, and international-student access depend on the specific funding opportunity; funding should not be assumed to cover full tuition or living costs.
University Services & Academic Support
- UWF provides academic advising and student-support services through its academic departments and university offices. Art and design students can consult their department regarding curriculum planning, studio-course requirements, and available facilities. International students should use the university's international admissions resources for guidance on documentation and immigration-related requirements. Access to specific facilities and services depends on the program and applicable university policies.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants: Application, application fee, academic records, and the required admission-test information or scores. Freshman applicants must also provide the required high-school academic record.
- Transfer applicants: Academic records from previous institutions and the applicable transfer-admission materials.
- Graduate applicants: Application, application fee, transcripts, and any additional departmental requirements. Depending on the program, these may include recommendation letters, a statement of intent, writing samples, interviews, or standardized admission tests.
- International applicants: Required international academic records, certified translations for documents not in English, and any applicable credential evaluation and English-proficiency evidence.
- A portfolio or audition should be submitted only when the specific program's official admissions requirements call for it.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application Portal
- Graduate Application Portal
- International Undergraduate Admissions Portal
- International Graduate Admissions Portal
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate freshman applicants
- Application Deadline — Spring 2027: 1 December 2026
- Application/Scholarship Priority Deadline — Summer 2027: 1 December 2026
- Final Application and Materials Deadline — Summer 2027: 1 April 2027
- Final Application and Materials Deadline — Fall 2027: 1 April 2027
- First Day of Classes — Spring 2027: 6 January 2027
- First Day of Classes — Summer 2027, Parts of Term 1, 2, 10 and 96: 10 May 2027
- First Day of Classes — Summer 2027, Part of Term 4: 7 June 2027
- First Day of Classes — Summer 2027, Part of Term 90: 14 June 2027
- First Day of Classes — Summer 2027, Part of Term 3: 21 June 2027
International graduate applicants seeking an on-campus F-1 visa
- Application Deadline — Spring entry: 1 October 2026
- Application Deadline — Summer entry: 1 March 2027
- Application Deadline — Fall entry: 1 May 2027
Location
University of West Florida — Pensacola, Florida, United States
Additional Details
- The university's 2026–2027 academic catalog lists the current undergraduate and graduate degree structures. Program availability and delivery format should be verified for the intended entry term.
- International graduate students in F-1 status must complete at least three credit hours of face-to-face coursework per semester, including when considering an otherwise fully online program.
- International graduate applicants are advised to apply six to nine months before the intended semester to allow time for credential evaluation and visa processing.
- Meeting published minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission. Departmental requirements may be more restrictive than university-level requirements.