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Visual Studies

University of Calgary · Main campus, Calgary.

Visual Arts: blue ink subject illustration
Image source

AI-generated ink illustration

Conceptual study artwork, not a photograph of teaching facilities.

Unidex · generated with ImageGen

Checked 2026-11-05

Symbolic subject artwork; no university facility depicted

Deadlines

January 2027

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Next deadline

  • Submit portfolio for early consideration

    September 2027 entry · Applicants seeking early consideration

    The Fall 2027 FAQ recommends this date for early review.

    Official deadline
Other deadline details
March 1Application: Fall undergraduate admissionRecurring annual · Every year
  • March 1
  • Verbatim: "Deadline to submit your application, including paying your non-refundable application fee
  • Deadline to make changes to your program choices."
  • The Student Access Process application deadline and the Bachelor of Health Sciences supplemental documentation deadline are the same day
SourceChecked
No central deadline published by ApplyAlbertaApplyAlberta, deadlines are set per institutionRecurring annual · Every year
  • No central deadline published by ApplyAlberta
  • ApplyAlberta handles applications, but each institution publishes its own deadlines and fees
Full source wording

ApplyAlberta publishes NO deadline dates at all on its public pages. Its How to Apply page describes the process only: verbatim, "Now you will 'Start a New Application' at the institution of your choice. You will be directed to the institution's application portal where you will apply and pay any application fees", and "All application fees are paid directly to the institution you are applying to. Each institution has its own unique application fees". Deadlines must be read from each of Alberta's 26 publicly-funded institutions.

SourceChecked
Oct. 1Domestic application opens. Fall undergraduate admissionRecurring annual · Every year
  • Oct. 1
  • Canadian citizens / permanent residents
  • Undergraduate awards application also opens Oct
  • 1
SourceChecked
Aug. 15International application opens. Fall undergraduate admissionRecurring annual · Every year
  • Aug. 15
  • For students requiring a study permit
SourceChecked
March 15Document deadline. Fall undergraduate admissionRecurring annual · Every year
  • March 15
  • Unofficial transcripts and supporting documents
  • Indigenous citizenship/membership documents and the Student Access Process personal statement share this date
SourceChecked
May 1Acceptance deadline. Fall undergraduate admissionRecurring annual · Every year
  • May 1
SourceChecked

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites
  • ENG4UEnglish
  • Four approved courses, one of which may be an approved option.
  • Up to two approved Fine Arts courses may count. Check the profile for eligible option combinations.
  • Submit a portfolio.
  • Meet the university’s English language requirement.
UCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admission
Application steps

Entry terms · Fall (September)

Fall 2027 first-year admission.

UCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admission
  1. Step 1Check the admission requirements
    • Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
    UCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admissionUCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admission
  2. Step 2Apply through ApplyAlberta
    • Create your application and select this program.
    ApplyAlbertaApplyAlberta
  3. Step 3Academic transcripts and requested supporting records
    • Applicants authorize retrieval from Alberta Education and participating Alberta institutions where applicable. Other applicants upload unofficial copies for review. Final official records must come from the education authority, institution or secure transcript delivery system to finalize an offer.
    Calgary calendar: undergraduate supporting documentsCalgary calendar: undergraduate supporting documents
  4. Step 4Certified English translations, if applicable
    • Any supporting record in another language must be accompanied by an English translation prepared by a certified translator.
    Calgary undergraduate document language rulesCalgary undergraduate document language rules
  5. Step 5Select this degree on the UCalgary application.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    UCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admissionUCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admission
  6. Step 6Prepare five pieces of original work and a written statement.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    UCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admissionUCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admission
  7. Step 7Upload the portfolio through Student Centre.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    UCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admissionUCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admission
  8. Step 8Check Student Centre for required documents.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    UCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admissionUCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admission
UCalgary · Visual Studies portfolio submission instructions
Applicant pathways
Portfolio

Fall 2027 Visual Studies applicants

  • Upload one Word or PDF file with five original works and a statement of up to 250 words.
  • Include the title, date, dimensions and materials for each work. Report any use of AI and include working links for video.
  • The Fall 2027 FAQ gives March 1, while the general date table lists March 4. Use the earlier date and confirm the deadline in Student Centre.
UCalgary · Visual Studies portfolio submission instructions

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements
  • Complete 120 units, with 69–81 units in the field of Art.
  • Complete the 45-unit core, 24 units of Art options and 3 units of English.
  • The optional Art Education concentration uses 21 specified units.
ReferencesUCalgary · Visual Studies · 2026–27 Academic CalendarUCalgary · Visual Studies · First-year degree guideUCalgary · Art course titles and descriptionsUCalgary · Art History course titlesUCalgary · Museum and Heritage Studies course titleUCalgary · Faculty of Arts undergraduate degree rules

Program facts

Entering average~Low 80s

Estimated competitive Ontario average. Selection also considers the supplementary requirement.

UCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admissionUCalgary · Visual Studies · Fall 2027 Ontario admission
Co-opOptional Arts co-op

The department identifies an optional co-op route.

University work-study information
UCalgary · Visual Studies degree, co-op and careersCheck work experience options

Majors & specializations

Art Education concentration and Honours have their own requirements after entry. Concurrent BFA/BEd is a separate five-year route.

Art Education concentration

BFA

Complete the specified Art Education courses for the transcripted concentration.

Published requirements

Courses

Published first-year and selected later courses. The linked calendar lists the full degree and option requirements.

First year · Art history and museum choices3 listed

Choose two of the listed three courses.

  • ARHI 201Introduction to Art History I
  • ARHI 203Introduction to Art History II
  • MHST 201Introduction to Museum and Heritage Studies
UCalgary · Visual Studies · First-year degree guide
First year · Examples of studio options4 listed

The first-year guide lists four Art options. The course calendar describes these introductory examples.

  • ART 231Art Fundamentals: 2D
  • ART 233Art Fundamentals: 3D
  • ART 235Introduction to Photography and Digital Imaging
  • ART 241Drawing I
UCalgary · Art course titles and descriptions
Study locations

Careers

Career examples

  • Art gallery assistant
  • Gallery technician
  • Interior designer

Career sectors

5
  • Non-profits
  • Museums
  • Private galleries
  • Commercial photography
  • Design
Career sectorsUCalgary · Visual Studies degree, co-op and careersUCalgary · Faculty of Arts degree and co-op options
Scope and qualifications

Some careers require further study or credentials.

Career examples and sectors published by the Department of Art and Art History.

Costs

Visual Studies · Group A course

Published cost estimate

2026–27 · One 3-unit course · CAD

Canadian example · Choose your category

Tuition per 3-unit course$738.66
Books and suppliesUnpublished
Residence
Not estimated
Meal plan
Not estimated
Estimated subtotalNot available

Published 2026–27 Group A tuition per 3-unit course. Actual charges depend on course selection. Incidental fees are separate.

Housing and meals are outside this estimate.

Last updated

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