Visual Arts

Visual Arts diploma

Entrance requirements

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, or minimum 19 years of age before the first day of classes.
2. Portfolio review. An interview may be requested. Attendance at a program orientation is a required element of the portfolio review process.
3. Students with university-level credit must have a grade point average of 2.00 on all credits attempted. Transcripts must be submitted to substantiate this.
4. Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall and Winter semesters. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, if not 19 years of age or older.
   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended (excluding UFV) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details. To retain their original application date, students should order early so transcripts arrive within two weeks of the date their application is mailed or submitted.
2. When their application has been processed by the Office of the Registrar, applicants will receive information on program orientation and portfolio submission dates, and a copy of the portfolio requirements. Applicants must submit a portfolio of recently created art works and accompanying documentation, as directed in the portfolio requirements. Portfolio requirements are also available from the Visual Arts department offices or on the Visual Arts department website. The portfolio is not due at the time of application, but must be submitted online for review in April for the Fall intake and in October for the Winter intake. Applicants must attend a program orientation. An official letter of acceptance will be sent from the Office of the Registrar.

3. Upon admission to the program applicants will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.

If this program is full, or applicants are waiting to find out about their admission to the program, they will be given an opportunity to register as a Qualifying Studies student. It is not necessary to submit a separate application form. If applicants meet the entrance requirements and a space becomes available later, they will be contacted.

For students under 19 years of age, Fall admission is conditional upon proof of B.C. secondary school graduation. Proof of completion of entrance requirements is due the beginning of August.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation (including portfolio submission), and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Books and additional supplies cost approximately $100 per course. There are other related costs which must be considered by the Visual Arts students over the two-year program:

• Materials approximately $1,800
• Film photography students will require access to a 35 mm SLR film camera

Program duration

The Visual Arts diploma is typically two years in duration, offered in both full- and part-time capacity.

Part-time and non-program students

Students who attend UFV part-time, or who are enrolled in other programs, may take any available Visual Arts or Art History courses for which they have the prerequisites. Those who later decide to complete the Visual Arts diploma program should consult with the calendar or the BFA Academic Advisor to ensure that they have the appropriate courses.

Program outline

Visual Arts studio requirements: 30 credits

Foundation requirements: 12 credits

Studio core requirements: 18 credits

Note: Students laddering into the BFA are encouraged to consult with the BFA Academic Advisor to choose 200-level courses that will meet the 300-level prerequisites for three full studio streams.

Art History requirements: 15 credits

Writing requirements: 3-4 credits

Note 1: Students who received an A in English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, or equivalent (English 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, IB English A (standard level or higher level), or AP English); ENGL 091; or ENGL 099 may replace the ENGL 105 requirement with any ENGL course numbered 108 or higher.

Note 2: UFV’s policy is that when a provincial exam is written for English 12, the higher of the school grade or the blended final grade is used.

Elective requirements: 12 credits

12 credits chosen from:

• Additional Visual Arts credits.
• Up to six credits may be BFA-related electives other than VA, chosen from AH, FD (discontinued), FILM, GD, MACS, MEDA, or THEA; any ENGL course designated as Creative Writing; or LAS 100 or 206.
• Three credits may be any ENGL 100-level or higher, CMNS 120 (discontinued), or CMNS 125 (see Note).

  Note: CMNS 125 must have been taken in September 2017 or later.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

The academic standing of all students covered under this policy for courses where letter grades are assigned will be determined at intervals of nine credits at the start of students’ academic careers and then at the end of every term after 27 credits have been completed. Students will be assessed after every term enrolled, but Academic Standing will only change at the intervals noted above. Students’ academic standing will be permanently reflected on their student record and will appear on official and unofficial transcripts.

After each semester, students put on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or Required to Withdraw status or who are continued on Warning or Probation will be notified by the Registrar.

Course repetition

Students may not register for a course more than twice. Where a course has been repeated, only the higher grade is counted in the GPA calculation.

Readmission

Students who have been required to withdraw from UFV under the Undergraduate Continuance policy (92) are subject to readmission and continuance requirements as listed in the UFV academic calendar. Students are normally only readmitted once to the same program.

To be readmitted to the Visual Arts diploma program, students must complete nine university-level credits (can be duplicate courses), with a minimum CGPA of 2.00. Once these criteria are met, they may apply for readmission at the Office of the Registrar. When readmitted, students will remain on Academic Warning until their overall CGPA is 2.00.

Residency

Students must complete at least 30 of the credits required for the Visual Arts diploma at UFV. Transfer credits and credits earned through prior learning assessment, including course challenge, may only be applied for up to 30 credits of the 60-credit diploma.

Graduation requirements

It is the student's responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with the BFA Academic Advisor. To be eligible to graduate, students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Diploma candidates who qualify to receive a UFV Visual Arts diploma must be approved by the UFV Arts division and the Senate.

Students must apply for graduation in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.