Skip to content

Visual Studies

University of Toronto · Daniels Building, St. George campus

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

November 2026

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
1
2345678
9101112131415
161718202122
23242526272829
30

Next deadline

  • OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades

    2027 entry

    School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.

    Official deadline
Other deadline details
No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry
  • No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
  • No single OUAC deadline
  • University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply
Full source wording

Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.

SourceChecked

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites
  • ENG4UEnglish
  • Complete the OSSD or equivalent and six Grade 12 U or M courses, including English.
  • Grade 12 co-op placements do not count as academic prerequisites.
  • Provide proof of English proficiency if required.
U of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisites
Application steps

Entry terms · Fall (September)

First-year Visual Studies HBA at St. George in September 2027.

U of T Daniels · 2027 Visual Studies application and deadlines
  1. Step 1Check the admission requirements
    • Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
    U of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisitesU of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisites
  2. Step 2Apply through OUAC
    • Create your application and select this program.
    OUACOUAC
  3. Step 3Secondary and postsecondary academic records
    • Disclose all attempted secondary and postsecondary studies. Current full-time Ontario high school grades must arrive through OUAC; do not upload unsolicited Ontario transcripts. Applicants who completed Grade 11 elsewhere must also provide those results. Your portal lists the documents needed for your background.
    U of T required application documentsU of T required application documents
  4. Step 4Translations for documents outside English or French
    • If your academic documents are in another language, submit notarized translations with the original records.
    U of T document translationsU of T document translations
  5. Step 5Apply through OUAC with code TLB.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    U of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisitesU of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisites
  6. Step 6Use JOIN U of T to submit transcripts and the Visual Studies supplement.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    U of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisitesU of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisites
  7. Step 7Upload six to eight images that show your use of different media.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    U of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisitesU of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisites
  8. Step 8Write 250–650 words about two or three of your images. Cover the ideas behind them, how you made them and their connection to contemporary art.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    U of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisitesU of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisites
  9. Step 9Create the images and statement yourself. Daniels prohibits generative AI submissions.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    U of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisitesU of T · St. George Visual Studies Ontario prerequisites

Daniels requires images and a written statement through JOIN U of T.

U of T Daniels · Visual Studies portfolio and statement
Applicant pathways
Other Canadian and international secondary school applicants

Applicants outside the Ontario high school route

  • Check the curriculum-specific entry requirements and the application channel for your situation.
  • Apply by January 15, 2027 and submit the Visual Studies portfolio by February 1, 2027.
U of T Daniels · 2027 Visual Studies application and deadlines
U of T internal transfers

Current University of Toronto students

  • Use the internal application by January 15, 2027 and submit the Visual Studies portfolio by February 1, 2027.
U of T Daniels · 2027 Visual Studies application and deadlines
External Canadian university or college transfers

Postsecondary applicants from outside U of T

  • Apply through OUAC by January 15, 2027.
  • The transfer page lists February 2 for the supplement and the portfolio page lists February 1. Follow the date in JOIN U of T.
U of T Daniels · 2027 Visual Studies application and deadlines

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements
  • Complete 20.0 credits with at least 13.0 at the 200 level or higher and 6.0 at the 300 level or higher.
  • Complete a Visual Studies Specialist or combine the Major with a second major or two approved minors. The Major combinations require at least 12.0 distinct credits.
  • The Visual Studies Major requires 8.0 credits. The Studio and Critical Practices Specialists each require 10.0.
  • Complete at least 5.0 credits outside VIS and JAV.
ReferencesU of T Daniels · Visual Studies calendarU of T Daniels · 2026–27 undergraduate handbook, pp. 30–31U of T Daniels · Honours Bachelor of Arts degree requirements
Grades and academic standing
  • Complete 4.0 breadth credits and earn a final cumulative GPA of at least 1.85 for the Honours Bachelor of Arts.
ReferencesU of T Daniels · Visual Studies calendarU of T Daniels · 2026–27 undergraduate handbook, pp. 30–31U of T Daniels · Honours Bachelor of Arts degree requirements

Program facts

Entering average~High 80s to low 90s

Approximate Ontario high school guidance for TLB. Daniels also reviews the required portfolio.

U of T · 2027–28 domestic undergraduate admissions bulletinU of T · 2027–28 domestic undergraduate admissions bulletin
InternshipInternship details
U of T Daniels · VIS405H1 Visual Studies InternshipCheck work experience options

Majors & specializations

All students enter the Major. The two specialist routes open after first year.

Critical Practices Specialist

HBA

Study criticism, publishing, curating and writing about art and design.

Published requirements

Courses

Fall and winter reflect the 2026–27 handbook. Upper-year courses rotate and the 2027–28 timetable is pending.

Year 1 · Fall3 listed

Three required courses in the 2026–27 handbook.

  • JAV120H1Visual Concepts0.5 FCE

    Study contemporary art and its relationship to critical, cultural and political ideas.

    U of T calendar · JAV120H1
  • JAV130H1Visual Strategies0.5 FCE

    Develop an artistic practice through making and researching work in different media.

    U of T calendar · JAV130H1
  • JAV151H1History of Architecture, Landscape, Urbanism, and Art I0.5 FCE

    Examine pre-industrial sites, buildings and art across the world.

    U of T calendar · JAV151H1
U of T Daniels · 2026–27 undergraduate handbook, pp. 30–31
Year 1 · Winter3 listed

Three required courses in the 2026–27 handbook.

  • JAV101H1Design Studio I0.5 FCE

    Explore how design decisions are developed and communicated through studio exercises.

    U of T calendar · JAV101H1
  • JAV152H1History of Architecture, Landscape, Urbanism, and Art II0.5 FCE

    Examine art and built environments from the post-industrial period across the world.

    U of T calendar · JAV152H1
  • FAH102H1Art and Ideas0.5 FCE

    Study works of art and architecture through close reading, writing and gallery visits.

    The 2026–27 handbook instructs students to enrol in this course themselves.

    U of T calendar · FAH102H1
U of T Daniels · 2026–27 undergraduate handbook, pp. 30–31
Years 2–4 · Major and both specialists1 listed

All three plans require critical theory. Remaining courses depend on the selected route.

  • JAV200H1Introduction to Critical Theory0.5 FCE

    Apply critical ideas to the study of art, architecture and design.

    U of T calendar · JAV200H1
U of T Daniels · Visual Studies calendar
Years 2–4 · Studio Specialist1 listed

Complete the studio thesis and additional Visual Studies and Art History credits.

U of T Daniels · Visual Studies calendar
Years 2–4 · Critical Practices Specialist7 listed

VIS430Y1 is required. Choose 3.0 credits from the six other listed VIS courses.

U of T Daniels · Visual Studies calendar
Years 2–4 · Visual Studies course examples6 listed

Availability rotates. Meet the individual course prerequisites.

U of T Daniels · Visual Studies calendar
Elective choices
  • The Major includes 4.5 VIS credits beyond first year and JAV200H1. Follow the senior-level credit minimums for the chosen route.
  • The Studio Specialist includes the studio thesis, additional VIS courses, 0.5 Art History credit and JAV200H1.
  • The Critical Practices Specialist includes the Critical Practices thesis, 4.5 VIS credits, 1.0 Art History credit and JAV200H1.
Study locations
Teaching campus
Daniels Building, St. George campusU of T Daniels · Visual Studies HBA

Careers

Career examples

  • Art critic
  • Journalist
  • Editor

Career sectors

8
  • Performing and visual arts
  • Graphic design and multimedia
  • UX/UI design and product management
  • Museums and heritage institutions
  • Publishing and editing
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Postsecondary education
  • Independent consulting
Career sectorsU of T Daniels · Visual Studies HBAU of T Career Centre · Daniels Visual Studies pathways
Scope and qualifications

Daniels lists potential roles for Critical Practices. U of T Career Centre lists fields pursued by Visual Studies alumni.

Costs

Visual Studies · 2026–27

Published cost estimate

2026–27 · Fall + winter · CAD

Ontario example · Choose your category

Tuition$6,220.00
Books and supplies$1,000–$2,000 est. / year
Residence
Not estimated
Meal plan
Not estimated
Estimated subtotal$7,220–$8,220

Published full-time tuition. Incidental fees separate.

Housing and meals are outside this estimate.

Last updated

Suggest to a student