Studio Art (BFA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Offered by:Department of Studio Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts
Why study Studio Art?
Develop your own path as a creative artist in one of Canada’s foremost environments for the study of contemporary visual art. As a Studio Art major, you’ll have the flexibility to choose one or combine any of our seven disciplines: Ceramics, Fibres and Material Practices, Intermedia (Video, Performance, and Electronic Arts), Painting and Drawing, Photography, Print Media, Sculpture and Installation. By joining a large Faculty of Fine Arts with strengths in every artistic field, you will learn a full range of technical and theoretical approaches to artmaking, putting you at the forefront of this exciting, rich and complex field of study.
Working in studios equipped with professional tools and equipment, you will discover a variety of processes and techniques. You will also develop the critical abilities to evaluate artistic work and create your own personal direction through the exchange of ideas on contemporary art with practising artists. Choose from studio courses that reflect currents in today’s art world. Or, combine your studio practice with a degree in Art History, enabling you to balance art practice with academic studies.
Program details
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 Studio Art (60 credits)
By majoring in a Studio Arts program, you will engage in an arena of dialogue and debate that is furthered by critiques, visiting speakers, lectures and panel discussions.
With pedagogical approaches that integrate critical thinking into studio practices, Studio Arts offers an open interdisciplinary environment that positions you as an active participant in the creation of contemporary culture.
Graduates continue to distinguish themselves as leading contemporary artists, curators, critics, educators and citizens.
Annual capacity
(This program is only available for Fall admission)
- 115-125
Cegep profile
No specific courses are required beyond a DEC. However, following a profile in the arts may help applicants build a successful portfolio.
Additional requirements
- Letter of intent
- Portfolio
Minimum cut-off averages
Minimum Cut-off Averages should be used as indicators. Data may change depending on the quality of the application pool. Admission to the Faculty of Fine Arts is very competitive. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.
- Quebec Cegep (CRC): DEC CRC 18.0
- Canadian High Schools: 70%
- U.S. High Schools: C+
- University Transfers (internal/external): C
Admission to most programs is based on portfolio/audition evaluations as well as academic grades. Applicants selected for admission have normally achieved grades that exceed minimum requirements.
- International Bacc. (IB): A minimum total of 26 points. Admission to competitive programs is based on strong portfolio/auditions and, normally, above-average grades.
- Bacc. Français: A minimum grade of 11 for students who have completed their Bacc. Français outside of Quebec. Admission is competitive and based on strong portfolio/auditions and, normally, above-average grades.
(excluding diplôme professionnelle)
Make sure you also meet Concordia’s minimum admission requirements.
NOTE: PHOTOGRAPHY AND INTERMEDIA APPLICANTS – SEE SPECIFIC PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENT under each of your Program page)
The portfolio of artwork for admission to a Studio Arts program should be a collection of your best and most recent work in visual arts. It should represent your individual interests, abilities and explorations. Consider visual, conceptual, and technical proficiency in selecting your best and most recent work.
Your portfolio should contain:
- Minimum number of portfolio items: 15.
- Maximum number of portfolio items: 20.
- Each portfolio item must be a single digital file.
- Either recently completed or currently in progress.
- Include work that demonstrates your ability to work in a variety of media, in both two and three dimensions. Examples include drawings, paintings, prints, collage and other mixed media work, sculpture, ceramics, and fibres work.
- You may also include photographs, animation, film, video, audio recordings, and documentation of performance art.
- Please tailor your portfolio to the specific program area to which you are applying.
- Your work should show evidence of both technical skill and conceptual development. Basic abilities in drawing, composition and color-use must be demonstrated.
- You may not submit your portfolio via email or through other websites.
Letter of intent
Your letter of intent should be no longer than one page and written in English or French. In general, it should describe your educational background and any relevant experience in art, as well as your expectations in relation to the programs to which you are applying.
- What are your reasons for applying to this program? If you are particularly interested in an area within Studio Arts, please indicate why.
- Describe your educational background and any relevant experience.
- What are your goals and expectations in relation to this program?
We consider complete applications year round and we give priority to applicants who apply by official deadlines. Late applications will be considered if places are still available for the fall term only.
| You've sent your application from: | Fall term deadline | Winter term deadline |
| Inside Canada | March 1 Certain programs have extended their deadlines. Please check program availability. |
N/A Admission to this program is only available for the Fall Term. |
| Outside Canada (International) |
February 1 | N/A |
We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.
Sample classes
You have the flexibility to choose from a range of courses that address the practice, theory and history of art. You’ll also take courses with artists across all disciplines — exploring new ideas and imagining the frontiers of contemporary art together. As a Studio Art student you’ll take:
- Art History and Art Theory courses
- Studio art courses across all disciplines
Course descriptions
Browse all Studio Arts course descriptions in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Student work drives the creative energy in the Faculty of Fine Arts, and you’ll have many opportunities to exhibit your work in art festivals and exhibitions at on-campus venues such as the FOFA and VAV galleries.
To see what current students are working on, visit our events page.
Studio facilities in all fine arts disciplines are amongst the best in Canada, offering a full range of workspaces and technicians that can help you learn the skills of an artistic discipline.
Discover the full range of equipment available in each of these facilities.
United States students
A US Federal Student Aid-eligible version of this program is offered. This version meets all US regulations (such as no co-operative education or e-courses) for eligible programs.
