How to apply to art and design at George Mason University: admission to the university means admission to the School of Art, no portfolio for first-year or transfer students, the Art and Visual Technology BFA (studio art, graphic design) and BA, requirements and timelines for students in China, students in Canada and transfer students

George Mason University is in Fairfax, Virginia. Undergraduate art and design are taught by the School of Art, in the Art and Design Building on the Fairfax campus. This guide follows George Mason’s website and is written for students in China (including A-Level, IB and AP students), students in Canada (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Degrees

• BFA in Art and Visual Technology, Studio Art: 120 credits, for students who want to become professional artists or go on to graduate study. It starts with the Studio Foundations Experience, then studio core and research practicum courses, art history and critical theory, with studio electives across many areas.
• BFA in Art and Visual Technology, Graphic Design: 120 credits covering design principles, visual communication, typography and digital media, with options in branding, illustration, UX design and motion graphics; internships, collaborative projects and professional practice training are emphasized.
• BA in Art and Visual Technology (Interdisciplinary Arts): 120 credits with a liberal arts emphasis; students may add a minor, a secondary program or intermediate proficiency in a foreign language.
• Senior show: BFA students take part in the Senior Art + Design Show.
• Other options: 10 minors (such as animation, graphic design, illustration and design thinking) and accelerated master’s pathways open after at least 60 credits, for example the BFA with an Art Education MAT (144 credits) or the BA or BFA with an Arts Management MA (150 credits). There is also a graphic design certificate for working adults with a bachelor’s degree.

2. Getting into the major

• One-step admission: apply to George Mason through the Common App or George Mason’s own application; if admitted, you are also admitted to the School of Art, with no other steps.
• Portfolio: the School of Art says it has lifted the portfolio requirement for incoming freshmen and transfer students for both the BA and BFA.
• University selective-majors page: it lists extra requirements for computer science and engineering, nursing and others, with a link about audition or portfolio review; the School of Art page says undergraduate portfolios are no longer required, so follow the School of Art and confirm with admissions if unsure.
• Changing major: requirements for current students moving into the School of Art are not described on the pages we read; ask a School of Art advisor.

3. Applying and deadlines

• International freshmen (fall; no year shown): non-binding early action November 1, also for Honors College consideration; regular decision February 1; final fall deadline June 1.
• Spring entry: priority deadline October 1; enrollment deposit December 1.
• Testing: international students may submit SAT or ACT scores or apply Score Optional; George Mason has been score optional since 2007.
• Other materials: official transcripts from all secondary schools and official results of any leaving certificates or university entrance exams, with certified English translations; two recommendations suggested (counselor and teacher); an optional but strongly encouraged statement of about 250 words.
• Application fee: required; the amount is not stated on the pages we read.

4. Students at high schools in China

• English (undergraduate minimums): IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each section); TOEFL 4.5 (4.0 each section) for tests from January 21, 2026, or 80 (18 each section) before; Duolingo 110; PTE 59; or SAT Reading and Writing 500 or ACT English and Reading 20. Scores must be under two years old.
• IB or UK curriculum: from fall 2026 applicants, graduates of schools offering IB or the British curriculum with four years of college-prep English, each at C or 4 or better, are exempt from English testing.
• Gaokao or art exams: the international page asks for official results of university entrance exams taken, but no Gaokao score requirement or use is published.

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

• English waiver: Canada (excluding Quebec) is on the waiver-eligible list; students who attended all four years (grades 9–12) at a school where English is the primary language of instruction, with college-prep English at a C equivalent or better, are exempt.
• Grade requirements: not published for Canadian or BC curricula.

6. Transfer students

• University requirements: competitive applicants generally have a 2.5 GPA, 24 credits and English composition equivalent to ENGH 101; with fewer than 24 credits, send a high school transcript. Deadlines: March 1 for fall and October 1 for spring, then space-available.
• School of Art: no portfolio for transfer students either; admission to George Mason means admission to the School of Art.

7. Costs and aid

• 2026-27: out-of-state full-time undergraduate tuition about USD 39,803 a year (12–15 credits per semester). On-campus food and housing about USD 15,020, books 1,380, transportation 1,380 and personal 2,384. One-time new student fee: USD 350 for freshmen, 275 for transfers. Some courses carry course or lab fees.
• International aid: non-U.S. citizens cannot receive federal aid. George Mason offers a limited number of merit scholarships to highly qualified international freshmen and transfers (full-time, F-1); all admitted applicants are considered automatically, renewable up to four years for freshmen and two for transfers. School of Art entering scholarships are not described on the pages we read.

8. Checklist

Students in China:

• Apply early action by November 1 for Art and Visual Technology; no portfolio needed
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each) or TOEFL 4.5 (80 old scale) or Duolingo 110; SAT/ACT optional
• Send transcripts and Gaokao results with certified translations; two recommendations and a statement are encouraged

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

• Same deadlines; four years at an English-medium high school waives English testing (Quebec excluded)

Transfer students:

• 2.5 GPA, 24 credits, English composition; fall deadline March 1; no portfolio

Sources: George Mason University, School of Art admissions; School of Art how to apply; School of Art degree programs; Freshman requirements; Selective majors; International freshman requirements; Dates and deadlines; English language requirements; International financial aid; 2026-27 cost of attendance; Transfer requirements. The deadlines page shows no year; check George Mason’s website for the latest.