Visual Arts
The MFA in Visual Arts is a five term studio-centred program in which students independently develop an art practice, guided by faculty advisors who share their practice/theory interests. Seminars, guest lectures and critiques provide an environment of critical and theoretical enquiry that reflects contemporary debates in art and culture. No emphasis is placed on any one medium.
The combined MBA/MFA is offered by the Schulich School of Business and the Graduate Program in Visual Arts. Graduates of this highly challenging program will follow career paths in which knowledge of the arts and of management and business are required.
The PhD in Visual Arts is a four year full-time program of study in which individually defined conceptual foci are materialized and disseminated through an integration of art works, research and writing. This advanced practice-based degree will prepare mature artist-researchers with the highest qualifications to teach studio and theory courses, supervise graduate students within a university context, and have significant professional careers as artists.
Degrees Offered
MFA
Program Length (Full-time)
5 term(s)
Program Component(s)
- Thesis exhibition
- AND Support paper
Minimum Required GPA
B
Fall Entry
- Full-time
Deadline - Fall (Domestic Applicants Only)
2026-01-15Deadline - Fall (International Applicants Only)
2025-12-01English Proficiency Requirement
| Minimum TOEFL (Paper-based) | 600 |
| Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based) | 100 |
| IELTS (Academic Module) | 7.5 |
| YUELI | Academic Program Level 9 with Distinction |
| YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP) | Graduate with distinction |
| CAEL | Overall score of 70, no component score less than 60 |
| Minimum CPE Score | C |
| Minimum CAE Score | B |
| Duolingo | 140 |
| PTE Academic | 76 |
PhD
Program Component(s)
- Comprehensive examination exhibition
- AND Dissertation exhibition
Minimum Required GPA
B
Fall Entry
- Full-time
Deadline - Fall (Domestic Applicants Only)
2026-01-15Deadline - Fall (International Applicants Only)
2025-12-01English Proficiency Requirement
| Minimum TOEFL (Paper-based) | 600 |
| Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based) | 100 |
| IELTS (Academic Module) | 7.5 |
| YUELI | Academic Program Level 9 with Distinction |
| YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP) | Graduate with distinction |
| CAEL | Overall score of 70, no component score less than 60 |
| Minimum CPE Score | C |
| Minimum CAE Score | B |
| Duolingo | 140 |
| PTE Academic | 76 |
Additional Admission Requirements
Number of Recommendation(s)
- 2 recommendation(s)
Other Requirements
MFA
- Applicants must have a BFA or equivalent
- Curriculum vitae (group and solo exhibitions, awards, grants, extracurricular activities, etc.)
- Statement of interest (discuss your recent practice and what you hope to achieve in graduate school)
- Approximately 20 images of work and/or 10 minutes of time-based work (Give us a good sense of your practice. 2-3 bodies of work is recommended)
PhD
- MFA required
- Curriculum vitae (group and solo exhibitions, awards, grants, extracurricular activities, etc.)
- Statement of interest (discuss your recent practice and what you hope to achieve in graduate school, why a doctoral program at this point in your career, etc)
- Qualifying research paper (recent example of your academic writing)
- Approximately 20 images of work and/or 10 minutes of time-based work (Give us a good sense of your practice. 2-3 bodies of work is recommended)
Note: Letters of recommendation(s) should be from teachers or other professionals who are familiar with your art practice, previous course work and can also comment on your potential as a graduate student.
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