How to apply to Lesley University for art and design: six BFA majors and a BA in Art at the College of Art and Design in Cambridge, fall and spring entry with rolling admission, no portfolio listed on the admissions pages, and portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

Lesley University is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and its College of Art and Design is one of the university’s four areas; Lesley says the college is accredited by AICAD and NASAD. This guide summarizes the undergraduate art and design majors, application requirements and costs from the university’s official website, for students at high schools in China (Gaokao, A-Level, IB, AP), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Majors and degrees

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), six majors: Animation, Communication Design (previously Graphic Design), Film, Game Art & Design (previously Game Design & Immersive Technologies), Illustration and Studio Arts.
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Art.
• Credits: BFA, BA and BS degrees are 120 credits: 27 general education, 48 studio credits in the major, 18 studio foundation credits, 15 art history/theory and 12 free electives.
• Students can take 12 graduate credits during the bachelor’s that count toward the M.Ed. in Visual Art Education for initial licensure.
• Start terms: fall or spring, full-time or part-time on campus.
• Lesley’s Scholar Partner Program offers guaranteed internships upon acceptance.
• Major requirements are in the academic catalog, which is hosted on a third-party site and was not read for this guide. The admissions pages do not say whether you choose a major when applying; ask admissions (admissions@lesley.edu).

2. Portfolio

• The undergraduate how-to-apply page lists transcripts and one teacher recommendation as required documents and does not list a portfolio; the international page does not mention one either.
• Portfolio size, format and submission method are not published on the admissions pages. If you are applying to an art and design major, ask admissions whether a portfolio is required or recommended.
• The scholarships page notes that two community scholarships for specific Boston high schools require “an outstanding portfolio” for College of Art & Design applicants, and finalists present portfolios at interview. That is a scholarship requirement, not a general admission requirement.

3. How to apply and deadlines

• Application: Lesley’s own application or the Common App, considered equally.
• Deadlines (currently posted for 2026 entry): fall Early Action December 1 (decision by January 5; fall only); fall Regular Decision February 17; spring January 5. Check the website for 2027 dates.
• Rolling admission: you can still apply after the deadlines. The same page says in one place that decisions come within two weeks of a complete application and in another within 72 hours; both statements appear on the site.
• High school preparation: holistic review; the typical student has a GPA of about 3.1 or higher with four years of English, three of math (including Algebra II), three of science (two or more lab courses) and three of history/social sciences (including U.S. History). A fourth year of math and two years of a foreign language are recommended.
• Recommendation: one letter from a teacher.
• Tests: SAT and ACT are not required and do not affect admission; scores can be used to waive the Accuplacer placement test.
• AP and IB credit: AP scores of 4+ earn credit in most subjects, and AP Studio Art or AP Drawing earns credit with a 3+. A full IB Diploma of 24–29 earns 18 credits and 30–45 sophomore standing (30 credits); HL exams earn 3 credits for a 4 and 6 credits for a 5 or higher.
• Application fee: not published on the admissions pages.

4. International applicants

• Transcripts: official high school transcripts sent by the school, with a notarized translation if not in English.
• English (if English is not your native language): Duolingo 105, TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, or the required level at a partner language school.
• Waiver: graduates of a school or program taught in English may qualify for a waiver; if your transcript does not show it, ask the school for a letter on the language of instruction.
• For the I-20 and F-1 visa, contact International Student Services (iss@lesley.edu).

5. Notes for students from China and Canada

• China: whether the Gaokao or art exams are considered is not published; transcripts need a notarized translation.
• Canada (including BC): BC diploma or grade requirements are not published. Graduates of English-taught high schools can ask for the English waiver above.

6. Costs (undergraduate, 2026-27)

• Tuition: full-time on campus (12–16 credits a semester) USD 18,200 per semester; each credit over 16 is USD 1,215.
• Comprehensive fee: USD 525 per semester full-time.
• Room and board: single room USD 7,265, double/triple/quad USD 6,520 per semester; meal plan USD 4,140 per semester, required for residents.
• Health insurance: undergraduate premium USD 4,173 a year; health services fee for residents USD 525 per semester; new student orientation USD 150.
• Lesley notes that tuition and fees are subject to change June 1.

7. Scholarships

• Lesley Merit Scholarships: first-year and transfer applicants are considered automatically based on academic record and potential, and they are available to international students; renewable with full-time enrollment and good standing. Amounts are not published.
• The Urban Scholars Initiative (50% tuition for low-income and first-generation students recommended by partner organizations) is also listed as open to international students; the other awards are mostly U.S. federal, state or Boston programs.

8. Transfer students

• Application: Lesley Transfer Application Form; deadlines are the same as first-year (currently posted for 2026 entry: fall Early Action December 1, Regular Decision February 17, spring January 5), with rolling admission.
• Documents: official transcripts from every college; a high school transcript if you have fewer than 30 college credits.
• Credit limit: up to 90 transfer credits, or 66 for BFA programs, from regionally accredited institutions; pass/fail courses transfer only if the transcript shows the pass equals at least a C-. Check courses on Transferology or book a transfer counselor.
• Transfer applicants are also considered automatically for merit scholarships.

Checklist

Students from China:

• Pick a BFA major and ask admissions whether a portfolio is needed and what the application fee is
• Prepare Duolingo 105, TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5, and notarized transcript translations
• For fall 2027, work to the Early Action date once Lesley updates it

Students from Canada (including BC and Vancouver):

• Apply with Lesley’s application or the Common App, with one teacher recommendation
• Ask admissions about the English waiver and how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Send all college transcripts and estimate credits with Transferology or a transfer counselor
• Keep in mind the 66-credit limit for BFA programs

Sources: Lesley University, College of Art and Design; Undergraduate art and design programs; How to apply (undergraduate); How to apply (international students); How to apply (transfer); 2026-27 cost of attendance; Aid and scholarships. Posted deadlines are still for 2026 entry and costs are 2026-27 figures; check the university’s website for the latest.