How to apply for art and design at the University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School: BFAs in Animation and Game Art, Illustration, Visual Communication Design and five studio art areas, 10–20 works and one-on-one virtual portfolio reviews, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

The Hartford Art School (HAS) is the art school of the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut. This guide summarises the university’s official information on its art and design majors, portfolio and admission requirements for students from China (Gaokao, A-Level, IB, AP), students at Canadian high schools (including BC/Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Majors and degrees

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): Animation & Game Art, Illustration, Visual Communication Design, and Studio Art concentrations in Ceramics, Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture.
• BA in Art History: no portfolio required.
• Visual Communication Design: after the foundation year, students move into independent studios and design intensives, completing 77–80 studio credits and 45–46 academic credits, with 20 credits from the foundation year, plus sophomore and junior reviews. Seniors work with real clients and exhibit their work. The international application page lists Visual Communication Design among STEM-designated degrees (relevant to the F-1 OPT extension).
• Animation and Game Art: built on a traditional arts foundation, covering 2D and 3D animation and game art asset development; core courses include 2D hand-drawn animation, 3D game art studio, storyboarding, and drawing for animation and games, ending with a fourth-year portfolio and project. It is also offered as a minor.
• Credit requirements are in the course catalog. The pages read do not say how students enter a major after foundation or how to change majors; ask HAS admissions (artschool@hartford.edu).

2. Portfolio

• Who needs one: every BFA applicant; Art History applicants do not.
• Content: 10–20 examples of your best original work from the last two years, in any media, showing who you are as an artist and the breadth and depth of your work, ideas, technical skills, conceptual abilities and particular talents.
• Virtual portfolio reviews: book a one-on-one video meeting with an HAS admission coordinator from the online calendar and be ready to talk about your work. Seniors with a complete portfolio upload it to SlideRoom; seniors with a portfolio in progress and juniors can email images or a link. Incomplete portfolios are welcome for feedback.
• National Portfolio Days: you can also show your work to HAS at National Portfolio Days, regional portfolio days or HAS visits to your high school. The 2026-27 dates listed include virtual days on Aug. 29, Oct. 11, Nov. 7, Dec. 5, Jan. 10 and May 8, and a Connecticut National Portfolio Day at HAS on Oct. 31.

3. How to apply and deadlines

• How to apply: online; on paper in person with an admission coordinator at high school visits or portfolio days; or through the Common App to the University of Hartford, requesting an art major.
• What counts: proficiency in the visual arts shown in the portfolio, and academic achievement shown on official transcripts; SAT/ACT optional. An official high school transcript is required.
• Early Action (non-binding): submit the University of Hartford application by Nov. 1, complete your portfolio review on Nov. 5 and submit all materials by Nov. 15. The page still says decisions come in “January 2025”, so confirm the timeline for fall 2027 with admissions.
• Regular deadline: Feb. 15. Later applicants are reviewed as portfolio review slots and program space allow, and scholarships may be limited. The FAFSA is also due Feb. 15 for those applying for federal aid.
• Fee waiver: the HAS admission page says applying by Dec. 15 waives the application fee and brings earlier aid, scholarship and admission notices; the university’s first-year application page says Early Action by Nov. 15 waives the $35 fee. Both are on the official site; confirm with admissions.

4. International applicants

• Grades: 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, 3.75 on a 5.0 scale or 80% on a 100-point scale; 70% for India and Canada. GCSE or GCE: five passes at A, B or C, four of which must be English, mathematics, natural/physical science and social science. IB and AP are not required but may help admission and scholarships.
• English, two different sets of scores: the international application page (all programs except the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture) lists IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 110, TOEFL 80 (4.0 on the new scale with no subscore below 3.5) and PTE 58; the international FAQ lists IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120, PTE 52 and TOEFL 80 for all undergraduate programs. Follow International Admissions’ answer (intlinfo@hartford.edu). Alternatives include a US college English composition course with C or higher, IB English A1 or A2 grade 3 or higher, or AP English 3 or higher.
• Review order for art applicants: the FAQ says art applicants first hear whether they meet the academic requirements (two to three weeks), then get portfolio review results in the last week of February or first week of March.
• Documents: electronic transcripts can be used for review, with all official documents due three weeks before arrival. For the I-20 you need a bank statement covering at least one year of costs and a sponsor form. The international application page says enrollment confirmation for international undergraduates is extended to July 1.
• Zoom interviews can be requested at intlinfo@hartford.edu.

5. Notes for students in China and Canada

• Students in China: the qualifications table lists high school graduation for China. Whether the Gaokao or art exams are used is not published; email intlinfo@hartford.edu.
• A-Level, IB, AP: IB credit depends on exam results, with no credit for subsidiary-level subjects; AP scores of 3 and above are considered for credit. A-Level credit rules are not published.
• Students in Canada: grades of 70%; the qualifications table lists the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), an equivalent provincial diploma or the first year of CEGEP. English proof is required if English is not your native language, and no exempt-country list is given. How BC courses convert to 70% is not published; ask International Admissions.

6. Costs (2026-27)

• Full-time, on-campus undergraduate estimate: tuition $48,464, fees $3,444, housing $9,013, meals $6,495, total billed $67,416; with books and supplies $1,460, transportation $1,056, personal $2,382 and loan fees $100, the total estimate is $72,414.
• The tuition page says the full-time undergraduate rate includes international students; 12–18 credits per semester cost the same. The pages read do not list separate art school material or studio fees.

7. Scholarships

• International students: the international FAQ says all international undergraduates are considered for scholarships of $10,000–$23,000 and up to full tuition for music, art and dance. The academic International Scholarship ($10,000–$23,000) excludes music, art and dance applicants, who should follow their school’s scholarship requirements. Students on a valid visa are considered for talent or merit scholarships, not need-based aid.
• HAS Scholarship Competition: a select group of accepted students, chosen on merit and portfolio, is invited to a one-day collaborative team art challenge in early spring, with all materials provided. Three students receive full-tuition scholarships that replace their current offer and renew for four years based on full-time status and GPA; all other participants get an extra $1,000 a year. The page still shows the date as Saturday, March 7, 2026; confirm the 2027 date with HAS.

8. Transfer students

• Placement: students may enter as freshmen, sophomores or juniors, and rarely as seniors; at least 30 credits must be completed at the University of Hartford for a degree. Placement depends on credits and the quality of work in the intended major; credit evaluations happen after acceptance and tuition deposit.
• Timing: fall or spring, with fall strongly suggested; aid is not always available for spring entry. Ideally submit recommendations, transcripts and portfolio review by Feb. 15; admission is rolling with no official deadline.
• Documents: official sealed transcripts from every college; with fewer than 30 college credits, also an official high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores.
• Transfer credit: only grades of 2.0 or higher from institutions accredited by one of the six regional agencies or by NASAD.
• Portfolio: 10–15 recent pieces focused on your intended area; some high school work may be included if you have little college coursework. Any media, content or technique; in-person review is ideal, or submit through SlideRoom.

Checklist

Students in China:

• Prepare 10–20 works from the last two years; you can book a virtual portfolio review first
• Prepare IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80, and confirm which Duolingo and PTE scores apply
• Early Action materials by Nov. 15; regular deadline Feb. 15
• Ask whether the Gaokao is used and the 2027 scholarship competition date

Students in Canada (including BC/Vancouver):

• You need a 70% average; ask how BC grades are converted
• If English is not your native language, confirm the English requirement

Transfer students:

• Prepare 10–15 recent pieces focused on your intended major
• Submit everything by Feb. 15; with fewer than 30 college credits, add your high school transcript and SAT/ACT

Sources: University of Hartford, Hartford Art School; How to apply to the Hartford Art School; Undergraduate admission; Transfer admission; Portfolio reviews; Scholarship competition; Visual Communication Design; Animation and Game Art; International application process; International FAQ; First-year application process; 2026-27 tuition and fees; Undergraduate tuition rates. Costs are 2026-27 estimates; check the University of Hartford’s website for the latest.