Undergraduate Design & Production Admissions
UNCSA offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees in the School of Design & Production (D&P) in several concentrations. Applicants must meet all required Admissions Criteria.
Application Deadline
| Application Dates and Deadlines | |
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Early Application Date |
Monday, November 3, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
| Application Deadline | Thursday, January 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
Dates and Deadlines
Early Application Date
Provides an opportunity for candidates to complete the application process early and receive a decision prior to the new year. Applicants must submit the following by November 3, 2025:
- UNCSA online application
- application fee
- required application documents
- portfolio
- interview no later than December 5, 2025
Application Deadline
Applicants must submit the following in order to meet the January 15, 2026 deadline:
- UNCSA online application
- application fee
- required application documents
- portfolio
Interview
After completing the application, applicants are provided information about how to schedule their required faculty interview. Interviews are scheduled on a "first to apply, first to schedule" basis. Because interview slots are limited, applicants are encouraged to keep multiple dates available.
At the interview, applicants should be prepared to discuss their portfolio. Admission decisions are based on both artistic and academic merit.
On-campus, In-person Interview
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Interview Dates
Interview Dates
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Location UNCSA Agenda
Information Session
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Virtual Interview (Zoom)
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Applicants to be provided links for attending an interview and the required virtual Q&A session. |
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Virtual Interview Dates
Interview Dates
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Virtual Q&A Session
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Admissions Criteria
Academic Requirements
Applicants should have or be on track to receive a high school diploma or equivalent with the following academic subjects:
| Subject | Units | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | Four units in English emphasizing grammar, composition, and literature |
| Social Studies | 2 | Includes one U.S. History credit |
| Mathematics | 3 | Includes Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry or a higher level course |
| Science | 3 | 3 course units in science including a life or biological science course, a physical science course and at least one laboratory course |
| Additional Coursework | 2 | May be in Mathematics, English, World Languages, Social Studies, Science, and/or Computer Science |
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Note: Early College High School Graduates This legislation only applies to seniors graduating from North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High Schools (Early Colleges) who will earn an Associate’s degree in addition to a high school diploma. All other Early College students will be evaluated using standard freshman criteria. Applicants from North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS) receive special consideration in the admission review for UNC system universities based on North Carolina law. According to House Bill 97 Section 11.16.(a) “any student who graduated from a cooperative innovative high school program with an associate degree and who applies for admission to the constituent institution has the option of being considered for admission as a freshman or as a transfer student.” To determine if your school is a CIHS school, visit the CIHS website: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/enhanced-opportunities/advanced-learning-and-gifted-education/cooperative-innovative-high-schools. Being “considered” refers to the evaluation of your credentials and not your student type. Regardless of how you are evaluated, you are considered a new freshman upon enrollment. You will be a freshman with college credit. If you feel strongly that your standardized test scores or high school GPA will hinder you in the freshman review, please don’t hesitate to contact an admissions counselor to discuss the transfer review option. Admission to UNCSA is by audition and/or interview and all applicants to the undergraduate program are considered first time freshmen. The School makes every effort to place the student at the arts level that best reflects their proficiency. |
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GPA
Test Scores
ACT or SAT Scores
All applicants for first-time admission as freshmen with a weighted High School GPA below 2.8 are required to submit either ACT or SAT
test scores with the following minimum score requirements:
- ACT: 17 (writing portion optional).
- SAT: 930 composite score in Critical Reading & Math
Submitting either ACT or SAT test scores with the minimum score requirements is optional for applicants for first-time admission as freshmen who have a weighted High School GPA above 2.8.
The average applicant's ACT score is 24 and the average SAT Critical Reading, Math & Writing score is 1200.
International Applicants
International applicants should submit official ACT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo
scores. Minimum score requirements for international students are:
- TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 79
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 100
- ACT: English Language Arts (ELA) section: 21
- SAT: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (ERW) section: 540
Advanced Standing for Undergraduate Students through Placement Tests
UNCSA accepts Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International
Baccalaureate Diploma (IB), and Cambridge International Certificate college credits.
Our Division of Liberal Arts grants advanced standing credit. Learn more.
Completed Application, Fees & Required Documents
- Complete the online application.
- Pay your Application Fee: $95 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $130 for
international applicants or non-resident aliens. Application fees are non-refundable.
Payment Options- Online: Follow payment instructions at the end of the application or on your Admissions Portal.
- Check or Money Order (through a U.S. bank): Make payable to "UNCSA" and include your full legal name. Mail your payment and fully legible name of the applicant to the Office of Admissions.
- International Applicants: Use Flywire to pay your application fee online through an international bank or pay by check or money order through a U.S. bank as listed above.
- Upload all Required Application Documents prior to your listed application deadline.
Please note: If applying to two different UNCSA art schools (Dance, Design & Production, Drama, Filmmaking, and Music), a second completed application and application fee are required.