Admission and Transfer
Application to the Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) program offers B.F.A. degrees specializing in one of Acting, Creative Writing, Film Production, Theatre Design and Production, or Visual Art.
Admission to the B.F.A. is limited, and is based upon an evaluation of the total skills and preparation of each applicant, including performance auditions or written portfolios, previous academic record, and letters of recommendation. Meeting minimum admission requirements does not ensure admission to the B.F.A. program.
Outstanding applicants from secondary school may be offered admission directly into one of the five areas of specialization. For minimum degree admission requirements and application deadlines, see Undergraduate Programs and Admissions.
Applying for admission to the B.F.A. program is a two-stage process requiring both an online application form submitted directly to UBC Undergraduate Admissions and additional information (auditions and portfolios) provided directly to your preferred area of specialization.
Your first step is to apply online to the B.F.A. program. Apply to UBC via the youbc Vancouver website and indicate the B.F.A. degree program as your first or second choice.
During the online application for admission to the B.F.A., you will be directed to review the website for your preferred area of specialization (Acting, Creative Writing, Film Production, Theatre Design and Production, or Visual Art) in order to provide additional information directly to the specialization area.
Therefore, an application to the B.F.A. degree program will require you to submit documentation directly to the UBC Undergraduate Admissions Department and also submit information directly to the preferred area of specialization.
The requirements of UBC Undergraduate Admissions, including deadlines to apply online, can be found at the UBC Undergraduate Admissions website.
The requirements of each area of specialization, including deadlines, are outlined below, please see "Application Procedures for Specializations (Majors/Honours) within the B.F.A."
- Admission from Secondary School:
As of the 2017 Winter session, outstanding applicants from secondary school may be offered admission directly into one of the five areas of specialization. For minimum degree admission requirements and application deadlines, see Undergraduate Programs and Admissions. - Admission (Transfer) from another UBC Degree Program or Campus:
For minimum requirements for transfer to the B.F.A. degree program from the Vancouver campus, see Change of Degree Program. For minimum requirements for transfer to the B.F.A. degree program from the Okanagan campus, see Change of Campus. - Admission (Transfer) from Post-Secondary study:
For minimum degree admission requirements and application deadlines as an external transfer applicant, see Undergraduate Program and Admissions.
Where appropriate, credits successfully completed in prior study may be used to satisfy requirements of the B.F.A. program. See Transfer and Exchange Credit. However, students applying to transfer to the B.F.A. program are advised that a minimum of 50% of total degree credits, 50% of upper-level degree credits, and 50% of upper-level specialization credits (Honours, Major or Minor) must be completed while registered as a student in the Faculty of Arts.
Transfer students admitted to the B.F.A. degree program who have not already completed the Writing Component of the Writing and Research Requirement must attempt it during their first Winter Session in the Faculty of Arts or in their first 30 total credits.
- Admission from UBC Vantage Program:
Qualified students who have successfully completed the UBC Vantage Program, particularly those in an Arts stream, are invited to apply for admission to the B.F.A. program. Students follow the application and admission processes described in "Admission from another UBC Degree Program", above. See also Transfer and Exchange Credit. - Admission as a Second Degree Student
Students with a recognized undergraduate degree, from UBC or elsewhere, may subsequently apply to complete a B.F.A. degree. Applications for admission to the B.F.A. degree program and the B.F.A. specialization are evaluated in accordance with the requirements for "Admission from Post-Secondary study", see above. Those whose previous study was in an Arts discipline should note that they may not complete a second degree in the same discipline. For further information, please see the B.F.A. Second Degree Studies calendar section.
Application Procedures for Specializations (Majors/Honours) within the B.F.A.
Admission to B.F.A. specializations is limited, and entry is competitive. In addition to the admission requirements of UBC Undergraduate Admissions, applicants will submit additional information directly to their requested area of specialization (Creative Writing, Theatre and Film and Visual Art Departments within the Faculty of Arts). These additional requirements will be in the form of an audition or portfolio, depending on the B.F.A. specialization requested. International students and others unable to travel to Vancouver may request submission through digital media in lieu of a live audition. Please see below for specifics:
- Acting: An audition is required as part of the application process. Visit the Acting website for further details, including audition dates.
- Film Production: Applicants must submit a portfolio, resume, and a letter of intent. Visit the Film Production website for further details, including portfolio submission deadlines.
- Theatre Design and Production: Applicants must submit a portfolio and/or resume, and a letter of intent. Visit the Design and Production website for further details, including portfolio submission deadlines.
- Visual Art: Applicants must submit a portfolio and supplementary materials directly to the Department of Art History, Visual Art, and Theory. Visit the Visual Art website for further details, including portfolio submission deadlines.
Each of these websites includes contact information. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the area directly.
