Visual Arts

Visual Arts diploma

Entrance requirements

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or 19 years or older 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 2.0 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/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.
  Students who have attended a post-secondary institution must submit an official transcript (sealed envelope) for each institution attended, whether or not they have completed courses there. Students must request an official transcript from each institution attended. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details. To retain your original application date, order early so transcripts arrive within two weeks of the date your application is mailed or submitted.

2. When your application has been processed by the Office of the Registrar, you 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, you will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required before you register for courses (see the Fees and Other Costs section). This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. Final payment of all course fees is due the end of the second week of classes.

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

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.

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 requirements

A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required in order to receive a diploma.

Undergraduate continuance

Students must maintain a 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 the University. 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).

Course repetitions

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

Undergraduate continuance

Academic standing will be governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92). Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or above) 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.

The academic standing of all students covered under this policy for courses where letter grades are assigned will be determined at intervals of 9 credits at the start of a student’s academic career 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.

Required to withdraw

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

Re-admission to the program

To be readmitted to the Visual Arts diploma program, you must complete nine university-level credits (can be duplicate courses), with a minimum 2.0 CGPA. Once these criteria are met, you may apply for re-admission at the Office of the Registrar. When readmitted, you will remain on Academic Warning until your overall CGPA is 2.0.

Residency

A student 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, which includes course challenge, may only be applied for up to 30 credits of the 60-credit diploma.

Graduation

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.

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 by completing a Request to Graduate form available at the Office of the Registrar. We recommend this be done in the first month of the graduating semester. The final deadline for submissions is April 1, with all program requirements completed by April 30 for students wishing to attend the June convocation ceremony.

Program outline

Visual Arts Studio requirements: 30 credits

Note: Students with credit for VA 180 may omit VA 284 and complete an extra elective course as described below.

Art History requirements: 15 credits

Writing requirements: 3 credits

Note 1: Students who received an A in English 12 or equivalent (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 Art History, Fashion Design, Film Studies, Graphic Design, MACS, or Theatre; any ENGL course designated as Creative Writing; or LAS 100 or 206
• Three credits may be any ENGL 100-level or higher, or CMNS 155

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.

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