Organizer Information
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCUarts) is the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University, a public research university in Richmond, Virginia. VCUarts offers undergraduate and graduate education across visual arts, design, film, music, theatre, dance, art history, and art education.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Virginia Commonwealth University — School of the Arts (VCUarts)
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, BM, MA, MAE, MFA, PhD
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Film/Cinema, Photography, Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Kinetic Imaging, Art History, Art Education, Music, Theatre, Dance
- Relevant Programs: Cinema; Photography and Film; Kinetic Imaging; Communication Arts; Graphic Design; Interior Design; Craft and Material Studies; Painting and Printmaking; Sculpture; Art History; Art Education; Music; Theatre; Dance and Choreography, plus graduate MFA/MA/MAE/PhD programs.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Fall 2027 applications are open for first-year applicants; graduate applications open 15 September 2026.
- Application Deadline: 1 November 2026–15 March 2027, depending on applicant/program
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $75
- Tuition: Undergraduate tuition: $14,047 in-state / $36,521 out-of-state for 2026–27
- Funding: Scholarships, grants, and graduate assistantships available.
General Eligibility
VCUarts accepts first-year, transfer, and graduate applicants. First-year applicants must have completed secondary education or its equivalent. International applicants may apply to VCU degree programs subject to additional international-admission requirements.
Educational Background
Applicants to undergraduate programs must have completed secondary school or an equivalent qualification. Graduate eligibility is program-specific. For example, the MFA in Design in Interior Environments has separate entry-level and post-professional routes: the entry-level option is intended for applicants with a prior degree outside interior design, while the post-professional option requires a prior degree in interior design or an equivalent field.
Program-specific creative requirements apply. For example, the Cinema BA requires a 1–5 minute moving-image piece; Music majors must audition; and Dance and Choreography applicants must audition and interview.
Language Requirements
International applicants whose circumstances do not qualify for an English-proficiency waiver must provide an approved English test. VCU lists a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 for undergraduate admission and 6.5 for graduate admission. Some programs may require higher scores.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Level | Application Fee | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $75 | Fee waivers may be requested by eligible applicants |
| Graduate | $75 | Program/university conditions may apply |
The graduate fee is charged for each separate graduate-program application.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | 2026–27 Tuition / Tuition & Fees | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Virginia resident | $14,047 tuition; $17,963 tuition + mandatory fees | Per credit; standard full-time figure based on 15 credits/semester | Program/major fees and transition fee may apply |
| Undergraduate | Non-Virginia resident | $36,521 tuition; $41,127 tuition + mandatory fees | Per credit; standard full-time figure based on 15 credits/semester | Program/major fees and transition fee may apply |
| Graduate | Non-Virginia resident | $33,746 estimated annual tuition + mandatory fees for master's cost of attendance | Program/credit dependent | Program-specific charges may apply |
International students on F- or J-visas are required to enroll in VCU student health insurance unless they provide proof of comparable coverage.
Funding & Financial Support
VCUarts offers university, VCUarts, and departmental scholarships. International first-year applicants who apply by 1 November are considered for first-year scholarships and may qualify for out-of-state scholarships.
Graduate applicants to VCUarts are eligible for consideration for merit-based Graduate Assistantships providing tuition support, excluding fees, and a stipend. International graduate students are eligible for the same VCUarts graduate funding opportunities, except federal student aid.
University Services & Academic Support
VCUarts provides access to specialized studios, laboratories, equipment, faculty mentorship, critiques, research resources, and career-oriented support. The Photography and Film MFA specifically provides 24/7 access to personal studios, darkrooms, film-processing facilities, lighting studios, printers, computers, and camera equipment.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants generally submit the appropriate university application and transcripts, followed by program-specific materials where required. International transcripts must be official and accompanied by an English translation when issued in another language.
Verified program-specific requirements include:
- Art Foundation: 12–16 individual works created within the previous two years.
- Cinema: 300–600-word Cinema Essay and a required 1–5 minute moving-image piece; pitch video and additional creative portfolio are optional.
- Music: Audition required; Media Scoring applicants also submit two original compositions.
- Dance and Choreography: Audition and faculty interview required.
- Graduate programs: University Graduate Application, statement of intent, three recommendation letters, transcripts and program-specific materials. Portfolio, writing sample, CV/resume, and interview requirements vary by program.
For example, the MFA in Fine Arts in Photography and Film requires a statement of intent, three recommendation letters, CV/resume, and a portfolio of 20 uploads.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Opens — Undergraduate Fall 2027: 1 August 2026
- Application Opens — Graduate 2027: 15 September 2026
- First-Year Scholarship Deadline: 1 November 2026
- First-Year Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Transfer Spring 2027 Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Transfer Fall 2027 Deadline: 15 March 2027
- PhD in Education — Art Education Deadline: 1 December 2026
- MA in Art History — Historical Studies / Museum Studies Deadline: 15 January 2027
- MFA in Fine Arts — Ceramics, Fibers, Glassworking, Jewelry/Metalworking, Kinetic Imaging, Painting and Printmaking, Photography and Film, Sculpture Deadline: 15 January 2027
- MFA in Design — Visual Communications Deadline: 15 January 2027
- MFA in Design — Interior Environments Deadline: 1 March 2027
- MAE in Art Education Final Deadline: 15 March 2027
- MFA in Theatre — Pedagogy/Performance Deadline: 15 March 2027
- International Graduate Applicant Deadline: One month before the applicable graduate deadline
Location
Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, Virginia, United States.
Additional Details
VCUarts uses different admissions routes for first-year, transfer, graduate, and current VCU students. Undergraduate visual-art and design programs include the Art Foundation as a required first-year prerequisite for entry into the listed visual arts and design departments.
Graduate admissions are substantially program-specific. Applicants should therefore use the deadline and requirements associated with their exact degree and concentration rather than applying the requirements of another VCUarts program.