Art History & Studio Art (BFA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Why study Art History and Studio Art?
The major in Art History and Studio Art is the ideal choice for someone interested in both the study and practice of art. In this program, your art history research can inform, inspire and shape your art practice, while your academic work is enriched from the insights of making art. On the Art History side, you can focus on periods and media that interest you, from the sculpture of ancient Greece to contemporary installation art, while developing the research and writing skills of a scholar. On the Studio Art side, students in this major can take full advantage of the Faculty of Fine Arts, working in studios equipped with professional tools and equipment in Ceramics, Fibres and Material Practices, Intermedia (Video, Performance, and Electronic Arts), Painting and Drawing, Photography, Print Media, Sculpture and Installation.
As a major in Art History and Studio Art, you will develop critical abilities and benefit from the exchange of ideas with practising artists. This interdisciplinary program will position you to both pursue a vocation as an artist and prepare for ongoing academic study.
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 options:
- Major in Art History and Studio Art (60 credits)
This program is only available for Fall admission.
Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements
- Quebec CEGEP: DEC
- High School: C+
- ACT or SAT is NOT required
- Canadian curricula course requirements
- Accepted international qualifications
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 26
- Baccalauréat français: 11
- British system of education (GCE):
- A-levels: At least two A-level exams CD or
- AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
- BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
- Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
- University Transfers (internal/external): C
Courses
None. You must meet Concordia’s minimum admission requirements.
Additional requirements for admission
- Letter of intent
- Portfolio
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.
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.
If you are applying to more than one Fine Arts program, be sure to submit a separate portfolio for each program choice.
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.
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 galleries and performance venues.
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.
You will graduate with the knowledge and discipline that underpin a creative and productive life, and the ability to think critically about your work. You’ll have gained valuable problem-solving skills and the leadership abilities required for successful entrepreneurial endeavours.
Your degree can lead to many paths such as:
- Practising artist
- Research or graduate studies
- Museum or gallery curator
- Art educator (you’ll have two teachable subjects)
- Critic, journalist or writer
- Exhibition designer