How to Apply to Art and Design at the University of South Carolina: Seven B.F.A. Studio Art Concentrations in the School of Visual Art and Design, No Portfolio at Entry, a Portfolio Review Before 300-Level Graphic Design + Illustration Courses, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of South Carolina (USC, Columbia campus), art and design are taught in the School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD), which celebrated its centennial in 2025. Here is what you need to know, based on USC’s official websites, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Degrees and majors

• Undergraduate degrees: the school lists the B.F.A. and B.A. in Studio Art, the B.F.A. in Art Education, the B.A. in Art History, and the B.A. in Film and Media.
• B.F.A. in Studio Art: the 2026-2027 Academic Bulletin describes it as a pre-professional degree with one of seven concentrations: ceramics, drawing, graphic design and illustration, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture (3D studies). It requires 120 credits, including 63 in the major: 12 in Studio Foundations (ARTS 102 Design Technology and Concepts, ARTS 103 Fundamentals of Art, ARTS 104 3-Dimensional Design I) and 51 in the concentration. Students complete a solo exhibition examined by their major faculty.
• B.A. in Studio Art: the school says this 39-credit major lets students explore many media and suits those planning a double major.
• Foreign language: the Bulletin requires proficiency in one foreign language at the 122-course level for all baccalaureate degrees, shown by placement test or course work.
• Graphic Design + Illustration (GD+I): covers motion, interaction, UX and UI, product and packaging design, typography, design systems, and traditional and digital illustration. The program page notes that the school is accredited by NASAD. Students work with real clients in a student-led, faculty-run design studio. The program lists computer system requirements and suggests an external drive of at least 1 TB in the first year.

2. Admission and portfolio

• No portfolio to apply: SVAD states that portfolio submissions are not required to apply to undergraduate programs. The Bulletin says new freshmen who meet university admission standards are eligible for the college’s degree programs; students moving in from another college on campus need a cumulative GPA of 2.00.
• GD+I portfolio review: the concentration requires a portfolio review before 300-level courses. The review takes place the last week of April each spring; students submit a digital portfolio and statement of intent after completing ARTS 102 (early admission) and/or ARTS 246. About twenty students are accepted per cohort. The number of pieces and format are not published; ask GD+I faculty or SVAD advisors.
• Other concentrations: the school pages do not mention a separate review to enter them.
• Minor: the studio art minor (18 credits) needs no application.

3. How and when to apply (international freshmen)

• Application: the USC Application or the Common App, with a nonrefundable USD 100 fee. You choose a major and may add a second choice, or select “Undeclared” in the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Deadlines: Early Action 15 October (credentials by 1 November; decision by mid-December); Honors College 15 November (credentials by 1 December); Regular Decision 1 December (credentials by 15 January; decision by mid-March).
• Testing: optional for fall, spring and summer 2027, including for international freshmen; SAT and ACT are superscored.
• Essay: one essay from the prompts in the application.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Transcripts: official transcripts from all secondary schools, with a certified English translation by a school official if needed, and final transcripts after graduation.
• Gaokao and art exams: USC does not say how they are used; ask international admissions.
• English: TOEFL 77, IELTS 6.5, PTE 53, Duolingo 115, SAT ERW 560 or ACT English 22. Students below the minimum may seek conditional admission through USC’s English program; a one-year International Accelerator Program is also offered.

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

• English: Canada is on the exemption list, but Quebec residents must take TOEFL, IELTS or PTE.
• Grades: USC does not publish requirements for BC or other provinces; ask international admissions.

6. Transfer students

• International transfer: a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25 on a 4.00 scale, higher for some colleges and programs; applicants with fewer than 30 attempted college credits must also meet freshman requirements. Coursework outside the US needs a NACES course-by-course evaluation with GPA plus course descriptions; deans decide which transfer courses count. The fee is USD 100.
• Deadlines: fall, apply by 1 July with credentials by 15 July; spring, apply by 1 November with credentials by 15 December.
• GD+I: transfer students also go through the April portfolio review after ARTS 102 or ARTS 246. How earlier studio courses transfer is not published; ask an SVAD advisor.

7. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 nonresident estimate: tuition USD 38,098, technology fee 400, weighted average program fee 1,580, housing 11,432 and food 5,902, for a total of USD 57,412 (excluding books, travel and personal costs). The page is for nonresidents and does not say whether international students pay exactly the same; it notes departmental charges listed by the Bursar. Art material fees are not published.
• SVAD scholarships: applications for 2027-2028 open in January 2027 and close in early March 2027 (date to be announced). Applicants must be SVAD majors admitted to USC with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (high school GPA for incoming students) and enrol full time. Incoming and transfer Studio Art applicants submit an unofficial transcript, ten digital images of recent artwork and a letter of recommendation. Awards last one year and require a new application each year. The page says out-of-state students may become eligible for reduced tuition, as determined by financial aid; it does not say whether international students can apply.
• University scholarships: the tuition page links to merit scholarships for nonresident freshmen; whether they apply to international students is not stated, so ask admissions.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 15 October for Early Action or 1 December for Regular Decision; choose Studio Art and, if you like, a second major
• No portfolio to apply, but keep ten images of recent work ready for SVAD scholarships after admission
• IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 77 or Duolingo 115; SAT/ACT optional
• For Graphic Design + Illustration, complete ARTS 102 or ARTS 246 and enter the April portfolio review

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

• Exempt from English tests unless a Quebec resident; ask admissions about grade expectations

Transfer students:

• A cumulative GPA of 2.25 or more; NACES evaluation and course descriptions for study outside the US
• Apply by 1 July for fall entry

Sources: University of South Carolina, School of Visual Art and Design; Undergraduate programs; Studio Art and Design; Graphic Design + Illustration; SVAD: Apply; SVAD scholarships and awards; 2026-2027 Academic Bulletin: Art Studio, B.F.A.; International applicants; International transfer; Tuition and scholarships. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published; those quoted are 2026-27 estimates. Check the University of South Carolina’s website for the latest.