Program Length
- 4 Years
Credential
- Bachelor Degree
Options
- Major
- Minor
Location Offered
- Nanaimo
Forge your path as an artist; flourish in a creative environment with the support and guidance you need to uncover your inner master artistic maker or creator.
Join VIU’s Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts Studies and regularly interact creatively and exchange ideas with fellow artists while immersing yourself in a unique experiential and interdisciplinary program led by instructors who are practicing artists themselves. Part of a Bachelor of Arts degree, this program gives you the opportunity to choose Visual Arts as a Major or Minor, supplementing your visual arts courses with various electives or majors of interest.
The Visual Art (BA) Program
Vancouver Island University offers an opportunity for undergraduates to study Visual Art as a Major or Minor in a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree. Both options provide an opportunity for students to complement their degree in Visual Art with courses in other disciplines, including Business, Marketing, Theatre, Biology, History, Psychology, Anthropology, Education, Sciences, Media Studies and Creative Writing.
The BA Major offers a professional focus on all aspects of studio art, as well as academic classroom experience. Students may take this degree with a wide variety of electives or they may combine this Major with a Minor in another discipline. The latter may be appropriate to an individual student's academic and/or career goals, enhancing their preparation for a competitive job market. Both options strengthen employment or postgraduate study opportunities and equip students with technical, critical thinking, visual literacy and career adaptability skills.
A BA Minor in Visual Art may be combined with a Major or a Minor in another academic discipline and is appropriate for students contemplating a number of professional choices.
In years one and two, the BA Major and Minor in Visual Art emphasize art-making in a broad range of media with associated techniques and provide a conceptual foundation within the context of contemporary art and art history. In years three and four, the curriculum broadens into greater emphasis on interdisciplinary content, contemporary working methods and cultural theory.
Note: All students enrolled in Art or Design studio courses offered within VIU's Art and Design department must complete mandatory safety training session(s) before they will be allowed to use the department's facilities. Each student must purchase and use safety equipment as specified by the department and sold through the VIU Campus Store.
Requirements for a Major
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A./B.Sc. requirements as outlined in the Calendar, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:
| Year 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
ARTS 101 - (Drawing I) | 3 |
ARTS 110 - (Contemporary Art: Concepts and Terminology) | 3 |
ARTS 111 - (History of Western Art I) | 3 |
ARTS 112 - (History of Western Art II) | 3 |
ARTS 120 - (Two-Dimensional Design) | 3 |
ARTS 121 - (Three-Dimensional Design) | 3 |
6 | |
Six elective credits | 6 |
Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
ARTS 212 - (Survey of European and American Art From 1900 to the Present) or, | 3 |
Select twelve credits of Studio ARTS electives. | 12 |
Fifteen elective credits | 15 |
Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 3 | Credits |
|---|---|
ARTS 301 - (Advanced Drawing I) | 3 |
ARTS 302 - (Advanced Drawing II) | 3 |
ARTS 310 - (Cultural Studies in the Visual Arts) | 3 |
Select six credits of upper-level Studio ARTS courses. | 6 |
Fifteen elective credits | 15 |
Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 4 | Credits |
|---|---|
ARTS 430 - (Art Careers/Curatorial Practices) | 3 |
ARTS 484 - (Advanced Studio: Multi-Disciplinary) | 3 |
ARTS 486 - (Graduating Project) | 3 |
Select six credits of upper-level Studio ARTS courses. | 6 |
Fifteen elective credits | 15 |
Total Credits | 30 |
Requirements for a Minor
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:
| Years 1 and 2 * | Credits |
|---|---|
ARTS 101 - (Drawing I) | 3 |
ARTS 112 - (History of Western Art II) | 3 |
ARTS 120 - (Two-Dimensional Design) | 3 |
ARTS 254 - (Painting I) | 3 |
ARTS 301 - (Advanced Drawing I) | 3 |
ARTS 302 - (Advanced Drawing II) | 3 |
* ARTS 102, 111 and 121 are highly recommended.
| Years 3 and 4 | Credits |
|---|---|
ARTS 310 - (Cultural Studies in the Visual Arts) | 3 |
ARTS 354 - (Painting III) | 3 |
ARTS 384 - (Two- and Three- Dimensional Studies) | 3 |
ARTS 484 - (Advanced Studio: Multi-Disciplinary) | 3 |
Note: For Independent Studies courses offering advanced study check the online calendar list of Independent Studies courses.
Please see course descriptions for prerequisites. Students must take Art courses in the correct sequence.
- Students entering first year courses must come to the Art Department Portfolio/Interview Session with a portfolio that meets the Application Portfolio Requirements. Students will be advised of the status of their application as soon as possible following their interview with the Selection Committee. For interview dates, please contact the Admissions office, 250.740.6400.
- Admission to upper-level courses is based upon a portfolio review by the Art and Design review committee. All students seeking admission to 200-level and above studio courses must submit their portfolios by March 15.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year* | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit) | 4,992.00 |
| Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) | 199.68 |
| Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.35 per credit) | 220.50 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) | 265.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year | 1,500.00 |
| Total | 7,397.98 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year* | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (2 semesters x $11996.55 per semester) | 23,993.10 |
| Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester) | 926.80 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) | 265.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year | 1,500.00 |
| Total | 26,905.70 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts, Major or Minor in Visual Arts program has one start date each Fall.
Application Fee:
$45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Ekaterina Kurovskaia Email: Ekaterina.Kurovskaia@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Justin McGrail Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2090 Email: Justin.McGrail@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
Portfolio: Submit Portfolio electronically and letter of intent by July 31, 2025, for the Fall 2025 program.
Comments:
Learn more about the portfolio interview. Be sure to apply to VIU to the Bachelor of Arts, Major or Minor in Visual Arts, before submitting your portfolio. |
|||
International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$150
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Chair Contact:
Name: Justin McGrail Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2090 Email: Justin.McGrail@viu.ca
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Ekaterina.Kurovskaia@viu.ca Email: Study@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
Portfolio: Submit Portfolio electronically and letter of intent
Comments:
Learn more about the portfolio interview. Be sure to apply to VIU to the Bachelor of Arts, Major or Minor in Visual Arts, before submitting your portfolio. |
|||
Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Visit the Department WebsitePrevious versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.