How to Apply to Art and Design at UNC Charlotte: The B.F.A. in Art with Six Concentrations and the B.F.A. in Graphic Design, Both Requiring University Admission First and an Entrance Portfolio on SlideRoom, Fall Entry Only with a 10 February 2027 Deadline, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte), art and design are taught in the Department of Art & Art History in the College of Arts + Architecture; the department notes that the university is an accredited member of NASAD. Here is what you need to know, based on UNC Charlotte’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

• B.F.A. in Art: the programs page lists six concentrations: digital media and game design, illustration, painting, photography, print media, and 3D interdisciplinary studies (ceramics, digital fabrication, fibers, sculpture). The department home page says seven, adding art education, while the programs page lists art education under the B.A. in Art. Both are quoted here; check with the department.
• B.F.A. in Graphic Design: preparation for careers in design, advertising, marketing and visual communication.
• B.A. in Art: for students pursuing a double major or a career outside art; the department says it is not intended for in-depth study in a single studio area.
• B.A. in Art History: indicate interest on the university application; no portfolio.
• Majors only: all studio art and art education courses are open only to Art (B.A. or B.F.A.) and Graphic Design majors, and the department offers no studio courses to help non-majors build a portfolio.

2. Entrance portfolio

• Process: first-year and transfer students must (1) be admitted to UNC Charlotte, (2) submit an Entrance Portfolio Application by the yearly deadline, and (3) be accepted after portfolio review. Admitted students receive a SlideRoom link by email (named here as published; we did not access it).
• Deadline: noon on Wednesday, 10 February 2027. The department admits new majors for fall only. Decisions usually come about three weeks after the deadline and no later than 1 May; no individual feedback is given.
• When to apply to the university: the department urges applying early enough to meet the portfolio deadline. Its page says by 1 November and no later than 15 January; the Graphic Design guidelines say 1 November and no later than 5 January; the Art guidelines also say 5 January but still carry 2025 and 2026 years. All versions are quoted; plan on 1 November and confirm with aahadmissions@charlotte.edu.
• One major per year: you may apply to only Art or Graphic Design in each cycle, and to the department twice in total (you may switch majors the second time; students admitted on a second try take longer to graduate). Not being admitted to the department does not affect your university admission.
• Art portfolio (2027-2028 guidelines): 10–15 works, one per slide, with extra views allowed up to 20 images. Label each with title, year and media or software, and add a description of up to 1,000 characters (ideas, process, inspiration, course). Include at least 3–5 drawings; a range of processes is encouraged; include work from any AP or college art courses. Video or animation clips up to 2 minutes and 250 MB (mp4).
• Graphic Design portfolio (2027-2028 guidelines): a short essay of up to 1,600 characters (about 250 words) answering two or three of four prompts (why graphic design, how your interests meet your strengths, how the education prepares you, what appeals about UNC Charlotte), plus 10–15 works (up to 20 images) with the same labels and descriptions. At least two drawings are recommended; first-year students should include AP work and transfer students college work in graphic design, foundations or studio art.
• What not to include: work that is not original, including copies of other artists’ work or photos you did not take, grid transfers, close renderings of anime, comic, cartoon or game characters, step-by-step tutorial pieces, and designs dragged into Canva or Adobe Express templates. Work must be your own, and descriptions should cite the source of any reference or provided imagery.
• Review criteria: potential for success, use of design elements and principles, creative problem solving and concept, technical ability and craft, inventive use of media; and in the writing, clarity, responsible use of intellectual property and adherence to the guidelines.
• Current students: a cumulative GPA of 2.0, a Google Form to request the SlideRoom link (links close in May and reopen in September), and the same portfolio review.

3. Applying to the university (international first-year)

• Deadlines: apply by 1 November for a decision by 30 January, or by 1 February for a decision by 1 April; after 1 February, space permitting. Required documents are due within 15 days of the deadline. Admissions advises Art, Architecture and Music applicants to apply early to allow time for the supplemental application.
• Credentials: secondary records from outside the US need a NACES course-by-course evaluation sent directly by the agency. Students must finish their country’s pre-university curriculum before enrolling (for example, A Levels in the British system).
• English: TOEFL iBT 70 (14 per section), IELTS 6.0 (5.0 per band), Duolingo 105 or PTE 48 (35 per section), among other options; conditional admission through the English Language Training Institute is available.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao and art exams: UNC Charlotte does not say how they are used; ask international admissions.
• Timing: to meet the 10 February 2027 portfolio deadline, apply to the university by 1 November and arrange the NACES evaluation early.

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

• English: Canada (except Quebec) is on the exemption list for citizens studying in Canada.
• Grades: requirements for BC and other provinces are not published; Canadian transcripts also need a NACES evaluation.

6. Transfer students

• Portfolio: like first-year students, transfers must be admitted to the university first and submit the entrance portfolio by 10 February 2027, for fall entry only; include work from college studio or design courses, especially those you want to transfer.
• University requirements: at least 24 transferable credits (otherwise first-year criteria apply), a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, and only college courses with a C or better transfer. The department notes that a 2.0 GPA does not guarantee admission to the major; a higher GPA is more competitive.
• Dates: the international transfer page lists 1 July (application) and 15 July (documents) for fall, with an USD 80 fee; Art and Graphic Design applicants must still meet the February portfolio deadline. Both dates are quoted; plan around the department’s.

7. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 out-of-state on-campus estimate: tuition USD 22,018, fees 3,285, total including room and board USD 46,228. Whether international students pay extra, and studio material fees, are not published.
• Department scholarships: apply through the Niner Scholars portal, due early each spring for the following fall. For first-year students these include the Irma Irene Mull Memorial Scholarship (typically USD 1,500; high school GPA 3.0–4.0) and the Esther Lucille Fishel Art Scholarship (typically USD 500; GPA 2.5–4.0); most others are for juniors and seniors. The page does not say whether international students are eligible.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply to the university by 1 November, choosing Art or Graphic Design; arrange a NACES evaluation
• Prepare 10–15 original works (at least 3–5 drawings for Art), each with labels and a description of up to 1,000 characters; a 250-word essay for Graphic Design
• Submit the portfolio through the emailed SlideRoom link by noon on 10 February 2027
• TOEFL 70 or IELTS 6.0

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

• Canadian citizens outside Quebec may be exempt from English tests; you still need a NACES evaluation and the February portfolio

Transfer students:

• At least 24 transferable credits and a 2.0 GPA; include college studio work and meet the February portfolio deadline

Sources: UNC Charlotte, Department of Art & Art History; Undergraduate programs; Art & Art History admissions; 2027-2028 Art Major Entrance Portfolio Guidelines (PDF); 2027-2028 Graphic Design Major Entrance Portfolio Guidelines (PDF); Department scholarships; International first-year deadlines; English proficiency; International transfer deadlines; Transfer requirements; Cost of attendance. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published; those quoted are 2026-27 estimates. Check UNC Charlotte’s website for the latest.