Art History and Film Studies (BFA)
Why choose Art History and Film Studies?
Delve into the interlinked histories of art and film, and learn how the two fields intersect on the levels of art practice, critical practice, and institutional histories. Students with an equal interest in Art History and Film Studies will have the opportunity to engage directly with the techniques and discourses that are shared between these two fields.
The Art History and Film Studies Major facilitates students' understanding of the critical intersections between art and film, both historically and today, and offers an opportunity to better understand the future of these media practices.
Program structure
A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.
Program option
- Major in Art History and Film Studies (60 credits)
The Major in Art History and Film Studies teaches students to detect relationships between the work of visual artists and filmmakers, along with the common and divergent concerns of the disciplines of art history and film studies. Students studying the combined Major Art History and Film Studies develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the visual and audio-visual arts, as well as the critical and theoretical discourses pertaining to each discipline. Emphasis is placed on a historical and contextual analysis of art and film from a variety of social, cultural, political and critical perspectives.
Courses
Internships and other study opportunities
Professional internships
Internships provide students with the opportunity to pursue work in the film industry, film research, archival work, editing film publications, or writing film criticism.
Escuela internacional de cine y television - Cuba
In 2007, the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema signed an agreement with the prestigious Escuela internacional de cine y television (EICTV) in Cuba to explore opportunities for collaboration in education and research. Since then, MHSoC faculty members David Douglas, Richard Kerr, Rosanna Maule and Peter Rist have taught at EICTV and several Concordia film production and film studies students have participated in workshops there. In 2009, Professor Douglas offered a joint class with Fernando Birri, the founding director of EICTV. During the same year five EICTV students received scholarships from the Canadian government to study at MHSoC.
Other international study opportunities
Concordia University offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to take part in an International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) that will count for credit towards their Concordia degree, while paying the same tuition fees they do at home and possibly receiving funding.
Independent studies
Students may explore specific areas of film through independent study.
Admission criteria
- This program is available for Fall admission only.
- Applicants to Art History and Film Studies may be be put on a wait list depending on applicant pool and space in the program.
Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements
- Quebec Cegep: 22
- High School: C+
- ACT or SAT is NOT required
- Canadian curricula course requirements
- Accepted international qualifications
- University Transfers (internal/external): C+
- Baccalauréat français: 11
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 26
Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.
Student story

Gita Subaran
Major in Art History and Film Studies
Volunteering and student clubs enhanced Gita Subaran’s university experience.
Other programs of interest
- Major
- Minor

In our flexible program within the Faculty of Fine Arts, you focus on artistic periods that interest you. You perform academic research, learning to write formally and extensively about art.
Department
Faculty
- Major

The Major in Art History and Studio Art is the ideal choice for someone interested in both the study and practice of art. Perform academic research and learn to write formally about art as you focus on periods that interest you, from ancient Greece to contemporary art and architecture.
Department
Faculty
- Major
- Minor
- Specialization

Film studies will teach you how to read our visual culture and speak the dominant creative language of the last century.
Department
Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
Faculty