Master of Fine Arts Visual Arts

The University of Ottawas Department of Visual Arts offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Fine Arts (MFA).

The program is bilingual and covers a variety of artistic practices, from photography and media arts to sculpture, painting and drawing, video and installation art. Students take an in-depth look at theories informing contemporary art and image culture, and can choose to pursue either an interdisciplinary studio approach or to specialize in a single medium. In accordance with University of Ottawa policy, students may choose to complete written assignments, examinations, and studio critiques in either English or French.

The program is two years in length and is offered on a full-time basis only.

The program is governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

Applicants to the program are required to have a bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts (either a BFA, or a BA with major or specialization in Visual Arts), with a minimum B+ (75%) average in the last two years of study and an overall B (70%) average. Candidates with an honours bachelor’s degree in another discipline may be accepted if they submit a portfolio of exceptional quality.

To be eligible, the candidate should have:

• A portfolio that demonstrates significant artistic accomplishment and potential;
• A solid background in the history and theory of art, with a particular emphasis on contemporary art and art discourse, as demonstrated by the student having completed at least 12 units of art history and theory courses at the undergraduate level, with at least nine of those units in contemporary art.
  • ^​Note: The Admissions Committee may, when recommending admission, add up to two undergraduate art history and theory courses to the normal requirements of the master’s.
• At least a basic technical grounding in the visual and multi-media disciplines in which they will be working during their time in the program, as shown by the admission portfolio and/or undergraduate studies;
• Proficiency in one of the two official languages (English or French) and at least a passive knowledge of the other official language, that is, the ability to read and understand it;
• Proof, as demonstrated by their portfolio and exhibition records, that they have been capable of sustaining an artistic practice for at least two years since completing undergraduate studies. This regulation may be waived for older students with outstanding records of artistic accomplishment.

In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, assignments, examinations, research papers and theses can be produced in either English or French.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.