Why study this program?
The BFA degree program encourages students to develop their personal creativity and teaches them multiple possibilities of expressing aesthetic, theoretical and cultural issues in their visual representations. Students can specialize in painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, or study a combination of these four disciplines. Courses in the history of art, design, and visual culture complement our studio programs and provide a lively intellectual cross-fertilization of theory and practice.
Our Fine Art programs develop your ability to use your technical, formal, and critical thinking skills to explore contemporary issues through visual art. Learn to see the world more clearly while you build your drawing and painting skills; investigate video, installation, and public art; learn traditional printmaking techniques and combine them with the latest digital technologies; or sculpt with welded steel, clay, plaster, and anything else you can imagine. Courses in the history of art, design, and visual culture complement our studio programs and provide a lively intellectual cross-fertilization of theory and practice.
You must submit a portfolio to meet the academic requirements to be offered a spot in the program.
Why study at the University of Alberta?
The Faculty of Arts boasts one of the most diverse Arts programs in Canada, offering top quality educational opportunities that prepare students for successful careers in every sector of society. With over 900 distinct courses in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts, you will find an academic pathway for you. Your studies will be enhanced by the rich insights that our nationally and internationally recognized faculty members bring to the classroom through unique perspectives drawn from their research and advancement of human knowledge. Academic excellence, innovative problem-solving, and experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom, such as Community Service-Learning and Arts Work Experience programs, will give you the tools to thrive in a diverse and increasingly complex workplace.
- Artist
- Graphic Designer
- Museum or Gallery Curator
- Art Director
- Fashion Designer
- Interior Designer
- Animation Artist
- Web Designer
- Visual Merchandiser
Danielle, from Churchbridge, SK, recently completed a BFA in Art and Design, with a focus on sculpture, and is now taking an after-degree in Astrophysics. Danielle also volunteers at the University Observatory and the Engineering Makerspace.
Admissions Requirements for 2025 - 2026
This information is for students applying directly from high school. Transfer students: see the Calendar
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You must submit a portfolio to meet the academic requirements to be offered a spot in the program.
Because the U of A wants you to succeed, our admissions policy ensures that all students, regardless of citizenship, have the language skills they need to understand, participate and learn in our classes. The primary language of instruction in our classes, with the exception of those at the Faculté Saint-Jean, is English. For more information on the English Language Proficiency policy refer to the U of A Calendar. Information on writing ELP examinations is also available.
At the U of A, we are committed to encouraging Indigenous Students in their work towards a degree. Indigenous students have been under-represented in higher education in Canada, thus our policy is aimed at increasing opportunity, with the goal of our Aboriginal student population being representative of the public we serve. For more information on Admission of Indigenous Students refer to the U of A Calendar.
Deadline
For a complete listing of application and document deadlines refer to the University Calendar.
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The Office of the Registrar administers over $52 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for undergraduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.
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