How to Apply to Art and Design at the University of Calgary: Visual Studies BFA with Five Works and a 250-Word Statement, No Single-Medium Track, with Portfolio Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Calgary (UCalgary), undergraduate art is offered by the Department of Art and Art History in the Faculty of Arts as the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Studies. The department’s FAQ states that UCalgary has no visual communication design program, although it offers courses relevant to design careers such as art fundamentals and digital illustration. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UCalgary’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Degrees and courses

• Options: BFA in Visual Studies, BFA Honours in Visual Studies, and a concurrent BFA/BEd in Visual Studies and Education (five years, per the department), all with a co-op option and study abroad. The department also offers a BA in Art History and a minor in Museum and Heritage Studies.
• Interdisciplinary: UCalgary says the BFA is interdisciplinary, so students do not specialize in one medium and can take painting, printmaking, digital photography, video and more.
• Sample first-year courses: Art Fundamentals (2D), Art Fundamentals (3D), Media Arts (Practice and Theory I), Art (World War II to the Present) and a survey of Western art.
• Honours: a thesis project in the final year, with the chance to exhibit at the Nickle Galleries. Current students applying to Honours also submit a portfolio, by March 1.

2. Portfolio

• Content: your five best original works in one Word or PDF document, each with title, date, size and materials, showing your interests, influences and range of media. Video works are submitted as a link. All work must be your own original work.
• Statement: in the same document, no more than 250 words on why you want to major in Art, which artists, writers or experiences influenced you, and why art matters to you.
• File name: Last Name First Name UCID Portfolio (e.g. Smith Jane 1234567 Portfolio).
• How to submit: a Portfolio To-Do item appears in your Student Centre 24–48 hours after you apply; upload there. Applications are reviewed in the order received, so earlier submission means an earlier decision.
• UCalgary gives three versions of the deadline:
  • the department’s program page: January 15 for high school students seeking early admission and March 1 for regular admission;
  • the university’s dates page: the Visual Studies portfolio document deadline is March 4;
  • the portfolio page: the deadline shown in your Student Centre after you apply.
  Prepare for the earliest date and follow your Student Centre.
• No interview is mentioned.

3. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• BC requirements: English Studies 12 or English 12 First Peoples plus four approved courses (one may be an approved option). A maximum of two approved Fine Arts courses count—either two Fine Arts options, or one Fine Arts option and one 2- or 4-credit option. Fine Arts courses include visual arts, drama, dance and music.
• Estimated competitive average: mid-70s, with consideration of the portfolio.
• Early and standard admission: current high school students are reviewed each time new grades arrive. Early admission uses four Grade 11 courses, with fewer offers at a higher average; standard admission uses five Grade 11 or 12 courses, at least one at Grade 12. Admitted students must complete all Grade 12 requirements, keep the admission average and graduate.
• How to apply: students in Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and Yukon apply through ApplyAlberta; BC students should enter their PEN.
• Application window: October 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Credential: a Senior Middle School transcript; UCalgary states the Gaokao is not required.
• Requirements: English plus four approved courses (one may be an option). Approved courses include art, biology, calculus, chemistry, dance, economics, geography, history, mathematics, music, physics and languages other than English; 12th-year mathematics can count as two subjects (mathematics and calculus). A maximum of two Fine Arts courses count. Plus the portfolio.
• Average: admission is competitive; no figure is published.
• Application window: August 15, 2026 to April 1, 2027 for international applicants (on the program page for China). The university’s dates page lists March 1 as the fall application deadline without a separate international date; the two differ, so plan for March 1.
• IB and AP courses can count as approved courses.

5. English requirements

• IELTS Academic 6.5; TOEFL iBT 4.5 on the new scale for tests from January 21, 2026, or 86 before; Duolingo 120.
• Three years of study in an English-exempt country or at an accredited English-language Canadian, American, British or CIS school can exempt you.

6. Timeline and fees

• August 15, 2026: international applications open; October 1: domestic applications and award applications open.
• December 1: deadline for Prestige Awards for incoming high school students (including the International Entrance Scholarship), with documents due December 15.
• January 15: early-admission portfolio (per the department).
• March 1: fall application deadline, including the application fee.
• March 4: Visual Studies portfolio deadline (per the dates page); March 15: transcripts and supporting documents.
• May 1: deadline to accept offers dated April 1 or earlier.
• Application fee: CAD 125 with only Canadian credentials, CAD 145 with any international credentials.

7. Transfers

• Who: applicants with at least 12 units of academic coursework at an accredited post-secondary institution.
• Requirements: BC transfer applicants also need English Studies 12 or English 12 First Peoples and the portfolio; the estimated competitive GPA is 2.5–2.8, calculated on the most recent coursework up to 30 units.
• Timing: the same window as high school applicants (October 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027); courses required for admission must be finished by April 30.
• Transfer credit: courses listed in the Transfer Credit Search Tool are credited automatically; courses from accredited Canadian or US universities not in the tool receive generic credit.

8. Tuition and awards

• Tuition: the Visual Studies page does not list tuition, so no figure is published there; use the Undergraduate Student Cost Estimator.
• President’s Admission Award: CAD 5,000, automatic for students entering directly from high school with a final admission average of 95% or higher, regardless of citizenship.
• International Entrance Scholarship: CAD 20,000, two awards a year, for international students paying international tuition and entering first year in any undergraduate program, based on academic merit; renewable in years two to four with a GPA of 2.60 among other conditions. Apply through the high school Prestige Awards by December 1.

Checklist

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

• English Studies 12 plus four approved courses, aiming for the mid-70s or higher
• Five original works and a 250-word statement in one document, uploaded in the Student Centre
• Apply through ApplyAlberta by March 1, 2027; for early admission, submit the portfolio by January 15

Students at high schools in China:

• High school transcript, no Gaokao; English plus four approved courses
• IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 4.5 (new) or Duolingo 120
• Apply by December 1 if you want International Entrance Scholarship consideration

Transfer students:

• At least 12 academic units, a GPA of 2.5–2.8 or higher, a portfolio, and an application by March 1

Sources: University of Calgary, Visual Studies BFA program; BC admission requirements; China admission requirements; Transfer requirements; Department of Art and Art History: Visual Studies; Entrance portfolio; Dates and deadlines; English language requirements; International Entrance Scholarship; Undergraduate student cost estimator. Information is for fall 2027 entry. Check the University of Calgary for the latest details.