Undergraduate Filmmaking Admissions
UNCSA offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees in Filmmaking across several concentrations. In the first year, students explore the fundamentals of all offered concentrations. In the second year, students begin to focus on a discipline to pursue in years three and four.
To apply, submit a completed application form, all required documents, and a portfolio in time for one of the deadlines. Applicants who meet admissions criteria will be reviewed by faculty. Admission is based on a combination of artistic and academic merits.
Deadlines and Decisions
Deadlines for applying to the School of Filmmaking have passed. The application for 2023-24 entry is now closed.
In order for an application to be reviewed for admission, the application must be completed with all materials submitted (includes letters of recommendation), a complete portfolio, and the application fee paid by one of the following deadlines:
|
Application Deadline |
Decision Release Dates |
|
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
Friday, January 27, 2023 |
|
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 (11:59 p.m. EST) |
Monday, March 27, 2023 * |
* revised February 23, 2023
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 |
| Foreign Language | 2 | Two consecutive credits of the same language. American Sign Language is acceptable |
| 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 | Three course units in science including a life or biological science course, a physical science course and at least one laboratory course |
|
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.” This link http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/cihs/ will tell you if your school is a CIHS. 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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Transfer Applicants
Transfer or advanced placement credits for liberal arts classes taken at another institution are subject to the general policies of the Division of Liberal Arts.
Curriculum in the School of Filmmaking from Year One onward is sequential and intensive, and therefore requires students—including college transfers—to complete all four years of the program. Transfer credits in lieu of film classes required of the School of Filmmaking will be considered on a case-by-case basis, only if the student has earned a B or better for the course, and the course meets with faculty approval (based on review of the syllabus and course description).
GPA
Test Scores
ACT or SAT Scores
Applicants should submit ACT or SAT scores with the following minimum requirements:
- ACT: Minimum score of 22
- SAT: Minimum score of 1060
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on test availability, the UNC Board of Governors waived the standardized test requirement for first-year students applying for admission in Fall 2023.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired program may submit qualifying SAT or ACT scores in order to meet Admissions Criteria.
Transfer Applicants
ACT and SAT scores are waived for college transfer students who are age 21 or older
and/or have earned 24 or more academic credit hours at the time of application.
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
Completed Application, Fees & Required Documents
1. Complete the online application.
2. Pay the Application Fee: $95 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $130 for international applicants. 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 applicant to the Office of Admissions.
- Fee Waiver: Submit an SAT, ACT or NACAC Fee Waiver Request signed by your high school counselor.
- International Applicants: Use Flywire to pay an 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 an application deadline.
Please note: If applying to two different UNCSA art schools (Dance, Design & Production, Drama, Filmmaking or Music), a second application and application fee will be required.