How to apply for art and design at the University of Missouri: the BFA and BA in art and the BFA in graphic design in the School of Visual Studies need no portfolio at entry, with a portfolio review after foundation courses, portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

At the University of Missouri (Mizzou), art and design are taught in the School of Visual Studies (SVS) in the College of Arts and Science. Here are the majors, portfolio rules, timeline, requirements for students from China and Canada, and costs.

1. Degrees

• Art: a BA or BFA. The BA blends studio art with liberal arts and has a language requirement; the BFA has more studio courses and no language requirement. Media areas are ceramics, drawing, fibers, foundations, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.
• BFA credits: the 2026-27 catalog says the BFA combines 65-74 credit hours of studio art (35+ at MU) and 12 of art history, within 120 credits to graduate; art and art history courses with a D do not count.
• BFA in Graphic Design: topics listed by the school include packaging design, corporate identity, letterpress printing, hand lettering and design history; 120 credits to graduate.
• Other majors: the school also lists art history, film studies and digital storytelling; they are not covered here.
• Equipment: since fall 2022 graphic design students must buy a laptop and Adobe Creative Cloud ($60 a year through Mizzou); faculty recommend a Mac.

2. When the portfolio comes in

• When you apply: none of the school or admissions pages we read say a portfolio is needed to apply; follow admissions.
• Sophomore review for art majors: BA and BFA art students must pass the SVS Portfolio Review, which is required to graduate. You must have completed (or be enrolled in) four foundation courses: Introduction to Visual Studies, 2D Materials and Methods, 3D Materials and Methods, and Drawing Materials and Methods. The school suggests spring of sophomore year.
• What to submit: seven required projects, two each from 2D and 3D and three from drawing, which the school names. BFA students also submit a selection of personal work and a statement of intent to pursue the BFA.
• Written statement, two versions: the top of the review page says all students submit a written statement; the FAQ on the same page says it is required for the BFA and optional for the BA. Both are given here.
• Timing: a review event is held each spring, probably in February; you then upload work to a Canvas site, with a deadline around the second week of May.
• Graphic design has its own review: the catalog says every student pursuing the graphic design BFA must pass the Graphic Design BFA Portfolio Review, after the SVS foundation courses, Digital Tools and Concepts and Introduction to Typography (GD1, which may be in progress). Graphic design students do not take the art review.
• What graphic design asks for: the transfer page says you turn in all GD1 work, a letter of intent and an unofficial transcript at the end of fall; those who pass may take the next course.

3. Timeline and documents (international applicants)

• No deadline: Mizzou says international applicants have no application deadline and should apply 6-12 months ahead; decisions start October 1 and can come about two weeks after materials are complete.
• Scholarship deadline: for fall entry, apply and submit everything by December 1 to be considered; offers go out by late January.
• Fee: $65.
• Testing: SAT/ACT not required but preferred for international freshman scholarships.
• Core coursework: 13 units: math 4 (algebra or higher), science 3, social studies 3, languages 2, fine arts 1.
• Grades: a core GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, 3.5 on a 5.0 scale, 80 on a 100-point scale or 8 on a 10-point scale; or five IGCSEs at C or higher plus three A Levels at C or higher.

4. English (College of Arts and Science)

• Scores: IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6); TOEFL new scale 4.5 (4.0 per section), or 79 (17 per section) for tests before January 26, 2026; Duolingo 110 (100 per subscore); PTE 59; Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 180.
• Other routes: IGCSE English B or higher, or 5+ on IB English A: Language & Literature SL or HL.
• Possible waiver: education in a listed English-speaking country, which includes Canada (except Quebec); Mizzou may still ask any applicant for proof.

5. Students at Chinese high schools

• Grades: the international standard of an 80 average on a 100-point scale or a converted 2.5 GPA.
• Gaokao and art exams: Mizzou does not say whether they are used; ask international admissions.
• English: required, such as IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 4.5 on the new scale.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• Grades: a specific BC requirement is not published; the general standard (80 average or a converted 2.5 GPA) applies.
• English: students educated in Canada (except Quebec) may not need English scores.

7. Transfer students

• International transfers: apply any time, ideally 6-12 months ahead.
• Graphic design: community college and four-year transfers are welcome; finish the foundation courses, take GD1, then the fall-end graphic design review. The transfer page lists three foundation courses and the catalog lists five (adding Introduction to Visual Studies and Digital Tools); both are given here.
• Degree name, two versions: the school's majors page lists only a BFA in graphic design, while the transfer page refers to students pursuing "a BA or BFA in Graphic Design." Both are given; confirm with the school.
• Art: at least 35 studio credits of the BFA must be taken at MU; how transfers take the art portfolio review is not published, so ask the school.
• Credit preview: the catalog points prospective students to Transferology for a preliminary degree audit.

8. Costs and scholarships (USD)

• 2026-27 international estimate: tuition and fees 39,688-43,816 a year (tuition varies by major; the tier for art and graphic design is not published), books 918, housing and food 12,734, personal 3,466, medical insurance 2,818; 12-month total with summer housing 62,124-66,252; plus a one-time $300 enrollment fee.
• International freshman scholarships (2027-28): International Honors $20,000 a year and International Merit $10,000 a year, reviewed holistically with SAT/ACT preferred; applied only to the nonresident portion of tuition.
• Transfer scholarships (2027-28): the international scholarships page lists Nonresident Transfer Scholarships, for example $20,000 a year with a 3.90 GPA.
• School scholarships: SVS undergraduate scholarships go through the Mizzou Scholarship Application Portal, and work must be created while enrolled at MU, so they are for current students; Arts and Science scholarships are due February 1 and other undergraduate scholarships March 1.

Checklist

Students at Chinese high schools:

• For scholarships, apply and submit everything by December 1, 2026; fee $65; no portfolio to apply
• IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6) or TOEFL 4.5; after enrolling, finish the foundation courses and prepare for the sophomore spring review

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Education in Canada (except Quebec) may waive English scores; ask how BC grades are assessed

Transfer students:

• For graphic design, finish the foundation courses and GD1, then submit work, a letter of intent and a transcript at the end of fall

Sources: University of Missouri, School of Visual Studies degrees; Art; Graphic Design; Sophomore BA/BFA Portfolio Review; Graphic Design transfer information; School of Visual Studies scholarships; 2026-27 catalog: BFA in Art; Catalog: BFA in Graphic Design; International admission requirements; International how to apply; English language requirements; International student scholarships; Costs. Costs are 2026-27 estimates and scholarship amounts are for 2027-28. Check Mizzou’s website for the latest.