Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

camera with sculpture — Faculty of Arts

Department of Visual Arts

Undergraduate programs

Visual Arts

Program overview

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Our programs take you on an exploration of the visual arts, with a special emphasis on contemporary creation. Both programs include compulsory practical and theoretical courses designed to encourage creation and reflection. The department provides photography and media art labs (CoFab), as well as spacious painting, drawing and sculpture studios. Based in the heart of Ottawa, you will also have access to a wealth of artistic venues such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Ottawa Art Gallery. In addition, you will train under nationally and internationally recognized artists, curators, art historians and theorists. While maintaining its focus on traditional disciplines (drawing, painting, sculpture and photography), the department also encourages and helps you to discover new media and technologies in the visual arts.

At the end of each academic year, Bachelor of Fine Arts students who are completing their programs organize and host a week-long exhibition, also known as "Grad Show", in the Department of Visual Arts building located at 100 Laurier Avenue East. It it an annual tradition where BFA students take their first steps toward a professional career as practicing artists.

Why choose this program

Contemporary Emphasis: The Department of Visual Arts at the University of Ottawa offers programs that explore contemporary creation in visual arts, alongside traditional disciplines like drawing, painting, sculpture and photography to foster both creativity and critical reflection.

State-of-the-art Facilities: Students benefit from access to photography and media art labs, as well as spacious painting, drawing, and sculpture studios, providing them with the resources they need for artistic exploration and experimentation.

Proximity to Artistic Venues: Located in the heart of Ottawa, students have access to many artistic venues, such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Ottawa Art Gallery, which enrich their learning experience and expose them to a variety of artistic expressions.

Expert Instruction: Students train under nationally and internationally recognized artists, curators, art historians and theorists, providing them with valuable insights and mentorship to help them develop their artistic practice and achieve career aspirations.

Career Preparation: Both the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program and the major in visual arts prepare students for careers as visual artists or within other cultural industries, such as museums, galleries, and government agencies by combining practical studio courses and theoretical studies.

Program structure

Get a glimpse into how uOttawa’s Bachelor of Fine Arts is structured and the courses you’ll have the opportunity to take.

Understand program path and options

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The four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is geared to original forms of expression associated with artistic production in the new millennium. While maintaining the traditional disciplines (drawing, painting, sculpture and photography), the Department also extends its teaching to new technologies (media arts). This program is composed of practical (studio) and theoretical courses (in the History and Theory of Art) that encourage both creation and reflection on the Visual Arts. This is a fundamental program that prepares you for a career as a visual artist or within other cultural industries, such as museums, galleries as well as governmental, provincial and municipal agencies.

To apply for the Bachelor of Fine Arts program you must submit a portfolio, as well as meet the general admission requirements. There are 2 steps to the application process for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program. You must complete both steps to be eligible. You must apply to the university via the OUAC website (click the red How to Apply button above) AND you must submit a portfolio.

The yearly application deadline through OUAC is March 1st for the Fall session.
The yearly portfolio submission deadline through Slideroom is April 1st.

NOTE: There are no January admissions in Visual Arts.

We encourage applicants to apply early. You can begin creating your portfolio in SlideRoom as early as October 1st.

Course sequence

Program structure

Admission requirements and deadlines for the Bachelor of Fine Arts

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After your studies

After completing your undergraduate studies in Visual Arts, you have two main paths to consider: continuing your education or entering the workforce.

You may choose to pursue graduate studies, such as a Master’s degree. The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a bilingual two-year program where you will work within a variety of artistic practices, from photography and media arts to sculpture, painting and drawing, video and installation art. You will take an in-depth look at theories informing contemporary art and image culture, and choose between an interdisciplinary studio approach or specializing in a single medium.

In order to ensure high-quality instruction, the program has limited enrolment: only six candidates are admitted per year and twelve candidates are in the program at any given time. The program is for students wishing to study full-time only. Generous bursaries and teaching assistantships are provided for students with appropriate academic and professional achievements.

Alternatively, you can move directly into the job market. Your degree can lead to a variety of careers in fields such as professional artist, graphic artist or illustrator, art critic, art teacher, arts administrator, and curator.

Whether you choose further studies or enter the workforce, your degree provides a strong foundation to build a career in visual arts.

Potential Career Paths

Tuition and fees

Learn about the costs associated with your program and explore the scholarships and funding options available to help support you along the way.

Tuition fees

Scholarships and bursaries

Student experience

Students' Association of the Faculty of Arts uOttawa

SAFA represents the interests of undergraduate students of the Faculty of Arts within the UOSU, the Faculty, the University, the community, and the provincial and federal governments. The students’ association also works to foster a sense of community through social, academic, and cultural events, while at the same time offering a variety of services to its members.

Student Showcases

Students are able to showcase their artworks in gallery and curated spaces.

VASA - Visual Arts Student Association

The Visual Arts Student Association (VASA) is a group of students committed to speaking for the Visual/Fine Art student body each school year. The association acts as a liaison between students, The Faculty of Arts, and the Department of Visual Arts. The group prepares and controls events and fundraisers, and holds weekly office hours within the Visual Art building.