Visual Arts (Master of Fine Arts (MFA))

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Visual Arts (Master of Fine Arts (MFA)) cost?

  CAD 20,960 / year.

• What English score does it need?

  IELTS 6.5 overall is the score listed for this programme.

• How long is it?

  6 terms, as listed by the university.

• What are the entry requirements?

  Programme admission requirements as published by Western: • A BFA or Honours BA degree in visual arts with a minimum B+ standing. Students with a studio concentration in a Bachelor’s program will also be considered if they can demonstrate significant experience and accomplishments in the field. It is preferred that students also have a minimum of three full courses (or equivalent) in art history, including modern, contemporary, and Canadian art. || Additional requirements: • Students must submit a sample of written work of at least 1000 words. In addition, we require photographic, video or digital documentation of studio practice, accompanied by a description of the work.. || SGPS university-wide minimum - Master's: 'Applicants must possess a four-year degree from a university, college or institute. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires at least a 70% average across courses taken in the last two full-time years of the undergraduate degree. Equivalent qualifications may be considered based on the standards of the discipline or profession.' Doctoral: 'Applicants must possess a Master's degree or equivalent from a university, college or institute, and provide evidence of research potential. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires at least a 70% average in the Master's degree, as determined by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.' Source: https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/international/index.html || English language proficiency: Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory* achievement within the last two years in one of the following: • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). iBT (internet-Based Test): The minimum acceptable score is 86, with no individual score below 20. • The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score is 6.5 out of 9. • The Duolingo English Test . Applicants must attain a minimum score of 115. • The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). The minimum acceptable score is 60. • Western English Language Centre . The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level. • Fanshawe College’s ESL Program . The requirement is graduation from Level 10, English for Academic Purposes, with a minimum 80% in all components. *Programs at Western may require a higher minimum score than those listed above. Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to complete one of the above tests or programs and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies by the testing agency. · English: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL iBT 86; Duolingo English Test 115 · English test waiver: Western does not publish a blanket country or medium-of-instruction waiver for graduate admission. SGPS states the requirement applies to 'Applicants whose first language is not English', and under 'Exemptions': 'Applicants may request an exemption by contacting their graduate program(s) of interest. For the French and Hispanic Studies programs only, evidence of proficiency in English is a degree requirement but not a requirement for admission.' Western also offers a conditional route instead of a test: the Western English Language Centre 'allows academically eligible students interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Western the opportunity to receive a conditional offer of admission to graduate studies without successful completion of an English language proficiency test', on condition the student completes the Centre's programme. Source: https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/apply.html and https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/international/index.html · Application fee: CAD 185.00 - 2026-2027 Application Fees Table 3, Graduate Programs: 'All other graduate programs 185'. Source: 2026-2027 Application Fees (Table 3), https://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/2026-27-Application-Fees.pdf · Deposit: CAD 2,000.00 non-refundable - 2026-2027 Program-Related Tuition Fees (Table 2), General section, line 226 'Tuition Deposit, Full-time International Masters, non-refundable, 2,000'. Source: https://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/2026-27-Program-Related-Fees2.pdf

• Is there a scholarship?

  Western Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS), Graduate Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Fellowships and Graduate Student Assistantships are administered by the graduate programme; SGPS states 'Decisions regarding the structure, sources and annual amount of your graduate funding over the course of your program are made primarily at the Faculty and/or graduate program.' Doctoral funding guarantee, open to international students: 'For domestic and international doctoral students who start their program in September 2026 (September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027), Western guarantees a minimum annual funding support package of $17,000, plus $6,487 for tuition, for a total of $23,487.' Average funding received from all sources: Doctoral CAD 35,476 (2025), Master's CAD 26,277 (2025). International students are eligible for Western's Graduate Bursary and for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). Western lists formalised international sponsorship partnerships with: CGS-Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements, China Scholarship Council, Libya North-American Scholarship Program, Egypt Cultural and Educational Bureau, Mitacs Globalink Research Awards, Organization of American States Program, Rhodes Scholarships, Russia Global Education Program, Saudi Arabia King Abdullah Scholarship Program and the Vietnam International Education Development Program. Source View scholarship page