Overview

Highly respected artists, designers, and scholars from fields such as Art, Visual Studies, Film, and Philosophy serve as the teachers and mentors to students who choose to embark in this critical inquiry.

New York City's Chelsea neighborhood is the ideal location from which you will access freelance artists, museums, nonprofit, and corporate organizations. These vital connections will serve as the primary resources to support your exploration of the historical and contemporary societal and cultural perspectives that inform and motivate artists and designers to create.

The program places significant focus on helping you explore, deepen and enhance your making, application, and methodological skills so you are able to both pursue your artistic and intellectual passions resulting in a portfolio of experiences and work that will allow you to succeed in a career or advanced degree.

About the department

As a student in the Visual and Critical Studies at School of Visual Arts you'll have the opportunity to...

gain an in-depth understanding of visual studies, including art and design theory, as well as historical and contemporary discussions about art and criticism
explore the intersection between an artist or designers vision and the resulting output, and the historical or contemporary interpretative constructs that informed the work and those who interact with it
express your ideas through your artistic practices as well as with high impact writing and discussion

You'll hone your making skills with studio courses while enhancing that development by taking courses from an internationally renowned group of artist-scholars in history, art history, literature, music, and philosophy. You'll get the chance to explore a diversity of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, animation, film, graphic design, digital arts, and fibers, preparing you for future pursuits in the exciting and always evolving art and design industry. Apply today and begin your journey to becoming a practicing artist, designer, educator, or leader.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Visuality and Modern Art

Drawing

Political History of the Modern World: 18th and 19th Centuries

Modern Philosophy: 18th and 19th Centuries

Lens Arts

Digital Imaging One

History of the Image

Reading, Thinking, Writing

Space, Shapes and Techniques

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-08 00:00:00

Apply anytime.
Starting 2027-01-11 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00 , International

More details

SVA reviews applicants for admission on a rolling basis.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

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4.9/5 student rating

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

New York City, United States

Disciplines

Visual Arts General Studies View 577 other Bachelors in General Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Application online

Application Fee

Statement Of Intent

Portfolio -15-20 images or a Film Reel/2-Part Film Essay

High School Transcripts

Declaration and Verification of Finances

Recommendation Letters

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

53400 USD / year

≈ 53400 USD / year
Out-of-State

53400 USD / year

≈ 53400 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

53400 USD / year

≈ 53400 USD / year

Living costs

New York City

United States

1819 - 3968 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Visual and Critical Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

About the department

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

New York City

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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