Graduate Filmmaking Admissions

The UNCSA School of Filmmaking offers a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree in Creative Producing or Screenwriting.

Admission to the UNCSA School of Filmmaking is based on the UNCSA online application, required application documents and video essay, portfolio, academic merits and interview.

Dates and Deadlines

Application Dates and Deadlines
Interview Dates

Early Application Date
(Non-binding decision)

Monday, November 3, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST)

Interviews are held virtually, over Zoom.

  • Friday, January 23, 2026 
  • Friday, January 30, 2026 
  • Friday, February 6, 2026 
  • Friday, February 13, 2026
  • Friday, February 20, 2026 
  • Friday, February 27, 2026 
  • Friday, March 20, 2026 
  • Friday, March 27, 2026

Dates are subject to change or rescheduling.

Application Deadline

Thursday, January 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EST)

Early Application Date

Provides early access to scheduling an interview. To meet the Early Application Date, applicants must submit:

  • UNCSA online application
  • application fee
  • required application documents (including letters of recommendation)
  • video essay
  • portfolio

Applicants who meet this date will be reviewed and provided instructions for scheduling an interview.

Application Deadline

To be reviewed for admission and considered to have met the Application Deadline, applicants must submit:

  • UNCSA online application
  • application fee
  • required application documents (including letters of recommendation)
  • video essay
  • portfolio

Applicants who meet this deadline will be reviewed and provided instructions for scheduling an interview.

Admissions Criteria

Prerequisites

Applicants to the graduate Filmmaking programs are required to have completed a bachelor's degree or be scheduled for completion of a bachelor's degree prior to the upcoming fall semester.

GPA

Minimum college GPA of 3.0

Test Scores

GRE Scores (Optional)
The GRE is not required for admission, but scores will be considered. If you choose to submit scores, please have official scores sent to the Office of Admissions.

International Applicants
International applicants are required to submit 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

Completed Application, Fees & Required Documents

  1. Complete the online application.
  2. 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 full legible name of 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.

  3. Upload all Required Application Documents prior to your listed application deadline.

Please note: If you are applying to two different UNCSA art schools (Design & Production, Filmmaking and Music) you will need to complete a second application and pay a second application fee.