Submit your portfolio
Undergraduate
Portfolio Information
The deadline to submit your portfolio will be reflected in your online Student Centre after you apply for admission. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. The sooner your apply and submit all required documents, including your portfolio, the sooner you will be evaluated!
All admission dates and deadlines are noted online.
The BFA Visual Studies portfolio must be uploaded through your UCalgary Student Centre (main UCalgary application). A Portfolio To-Do list item will generate in your Student Centre within 24-48 hours after you submit your application for admission. Portfolios should be uploaded through your To-Do list as one Word or PDF document.
Change of Program or Honours Program
If you are currently a UCalgary student applying for the Honours program OR Change of Program, please first submit your application through the ASC Change of Program form.
Portfolio Instructions:
In ONE Word/PDF document, submit your portfolio and your written section following these guidelines below.
1. Submit five of your best works in one Word or PDF document with the title format: Last Name First Name UCID Portfolio (i.e. Smith Jane 1234567 Portfolio). Your portfolio document should include original works of art. These works should demonstrate your interests and influences, and show the range of mediums that you work in. For each piece, please indicate the title, date, size and materials. If using AI, please indicate the role that AI played in the creation of that piece. If you are submitting a video-based work, please submit a link to a video hosted on YouTube or Vimeo, protected by a password. Please be sure that the link works and that you provide the correct password.
2. In your own words and in no more than 250 words, tell us why you want to major in Art. You can tell us what artists, writers or experiences have had an impact on your art and your decision to pursue Art at the post-secondary level, describe your engagement with art, and/or what inspires you. Ultimately, we want to know why Art is important to you!
FAQ
A. The deadline to submit your portfolio will be reflected in your online Student Centre after you apply for admission. All admission dates and deadlines are noted in the link
To apply for the BFA Visual Studies, you’ll need to submit the online undergraduate application for admission, all supporting documents and a portfolio.
- Submit your undergraduate application for admission and all other required documents as outlined on our how to apply website.
- Once you apply, you’ll have access to your online Student Centre (my.ucalgary.ca), which is where you’ll upload your portfolio document once it’s ready.
- Follow these instructions when you are preparing your Portfolio document:
- Submit five of your best original works in one Word or PDF document. These works should demonstrate your interests and influences, and show the range of mediums that you work in. For each piece, please indicate the title, date, size and materials. If using AI, please indicate the role that AI played in the creation of that piece. If you are submitting a video-based work, please submit a link to a video hosted on YouTube or Vimeo, protected by a password. Please be sure that the link works and that you provide the correct password.
- In your own words and in no more than 250 words, tell us why you want to major in Art. You can tell us what artists, writers or experiences have had an impact on your art and your decision to pursue Art at the post-secondary level, describe your engagement with art, and/or what inspires you. Ultimately, we want to know why Art is important to you!
- Label your portfolio document: Last Name First Name UCID Portfolio (i.e. Smith Jane 1234567 Portfolio)
- You must save your portfolio works together as one Word or PDF document
- Upload your portfolio document to your Portfolio To-Do item in your Student Centre
A.
1. By attending UCalgary, students have access to courses across a range of subjects inside and outside of the faculty of arts. For example, students can take courses in archeology, math, psychology, or computer science. This can allow students to tailor their experience to their interests.
2. The Department of Art and Art History has a BFA Visual Studies program as well as a BA Art History Program and a Minor in Museum and Heritage Studies. Students in the BFA program can also take a concurrent degree in Education in 5 years. We are the only institution locally to have all three of these options! Given this, students within the BFA have a plethora of opportunities to take courses in Art History. Likewise, students in Art History have the opportunity to take courses in Visual Studies. The minor in Museum and Heritage Studies gives students the opportunity to work in local organizations, gaining real-word experience.
3. The BFA Visual Studies program is interdisciplinary, meaning that students do not necessarily specialize in one media, rather, they can explore all different artistic media throughout their degree. For example, students can take courses in painting, printmaking, digital photography, and video.
4. Students can apply to take a BFA Honours degree where they work on a thesis project in their last year of studies. This culminates with the opportunity to exhibit this project at the Nickle Galleries!
A. Students in the BFA and BA Art History can apply to the cooperative education program where they can gain career-related work experience. Students alternate between full-time, paid work terms with study semesters.
A. There is no visual communication design program at the University of Calgary. The Department of Art and Art History does offer applicable courses to design careers such as art fundamentals and digital illustration.
A. Yes! Students from across campus can take courses in Art, Art History, and Museum and Heritage Studies. Some courses are open first to students register in the program however there is often room for others.