Undergraduate Academic Advising: Faculty of Fine Arts
Tips (updated June 20, 2022):
- Incoming students for September 2022, scroll further below on this page to the 'course registration tips' and 'transfer credit' sections. Sign up for a Registration 101 webinar now: https://www.uvic.ca/undergraduate/tours-events/events/registration-101/index.php
- Winter 2022/23 (September to April) class schedules are now available to view. June 13-30 is the gated course registration period for fall and spring (first and second) terms of the Winter Session. Check your registration status in your online account: https://banner.uvic.ca/StudentRegistrationSsb/ssb/registration/registerPostSignIn?mode=preReg
- Students with any concerns about summer courses in progress should contact the course instructor as well as the course department's main office (admin assistant, chair or director): See UVic directory for departmental contacts.
- Students experiencing extenuating circumstances may request academic concession to withdraw from or defer courses. As was done in previous terms during the pandemic, for Summer 2022 the university has waived the requirement to provide medical documentation from health care professionals for most requests. For more info see: https://www.uvic.ca/registrar/students/appeals/acad-concession/index.php.
- Fine Arts academic advising services: advising support for Fine Arts students is available by email (first) and by Zoom or telephone appointments for those in need of additional support.
- See instructions for contacting the fine arts adviser, further below.
- Emailed questions will be given priority response. If you are confused about something, please include details (a summary of your issue, screen shots or lists) to help with a supportive response.
- Due to a very high volume of requests from returning, continuing, and newly admitted students a response to email and meeting requests may be delayed in June, however time sensitive requests will be given extra priority. See note above.
Faculty of Fine Arts programs include art history and visual studies (BA or minor/general), creative writing (minor/general), digital and interactive media in the arts (minor/general), film studies (minor/general), music (BMus or minor), music and computer science (BSc or BFA), professional writing in journalism and publishing (minor/general), technology and society (minor/general), theatre (BFA or minor/general), visual arts (BFA or minor/general), visual arts and computer science (BSc or BFA), and writing (BA or BFA).
Prospective students to Fine Arts major/honours programs
Academic advising services are for registered and returning UVic students.
Returning students | Use My UVic Application
An application to resume studies is required after a leave of one or more years. Studies completed elsewhere must be declared. Program requirement changes may be applied after a leave of five or more years. BMus students may be required to re-audition; contact musicadmin@uvic.ca to enquire.
Prospective students to UVic in the Faculty of Fine Arts, schedule a personal appointment with a UVic recruiter to discuss your program or application questions. Use the online booking system or email recruitment@uvic.ca for assistance.
To apply to the Faculty of Fine Arts from another UVic faculty or to change your primary Faculty of Fine Arts program | Review Deadlines | Use My UVic Application
- Music, Theatre, Visual Arts applicants should refer to departmental websites linked below for supplementary application (audition, portfolio, etc.) requirements.
- If you're intending to apply to a music, theatre or visual arts program as part of a degree with a double major in a faculty other than Fine Arts:
- Do not submit the online UVic application to change your faculty/program (My UVic Application). Consult your faculty/program academic advising office for program declaration instructions instead.
- Email the department you're applying to directly by January 31 to explain that you're intending to take their program while registered in another faculty, otherwise your supplementary application may not be reviewed. See each program area below for contact links. Copy fineartsadvising@uvic.ca. Include your name and V#.
Fine Arts Program options: (The Admissions links provided for each program are only intended for prospective students to UVic; current and returning students refer to the other linked resources.)
Art History and Visual Studies (BA)
Admissions | Program requirements | Worksheet | Departmental website | Contact
September entry recommended for optimal AHVS course selection (January 31 deadline). Students entering in January may be waitlisted for courses. There are limited AHVS course offerings summers. The department also offers an Honours program.
Music (BMus)
Admissions | Program requirements | Worksheets | Departmental website | Contact
September entry. Deadline January 31. Core courses offered during winter session (fall/spring). Online UVic application and School of Music audition required. Admission is competitive. Successful completion of MUS courses is not a guarantee of admission. The School offers a choice of six major programs. BMus students take a common first year program before requesting to declare a major.
Combined Music and Computer Science (BFA/BSc)
Admissions | Program requirements | Worksheet | Departmental website | Contact
September entry. Deadline January 31. Online UVic application and School of Music application/portfolio required. Admission is competitive. Successful completion of CSC, MATH, or MUS courses is not a guarantee of admission. Core music courses offered during winter session (fall/spring). There are limited computer science and math course offerings summers. The admission and program requirements are the same for both degrees. Students may request a change in degree (BSc vs BFA) prior to graduation.
Theatre (BFA)
Admissions | Program requirements | Worksheets | Departmental website | Contact
September entry. Deadline January 31. Core courses offered during winter session (fall/spring). Online UVic application and departmental resume/essay are required (a portfolio is optional). Admission is competitive. Successful completion of THEA courses is not a guarantee of admission. The department offers a choice of seven focus areas. Students take a common first year program before requesting to declare a focus area (interview/audition/minimum GPA may apply). The department also offers a BA Honours in Theatre History with entry after completing Year 2 of the BFA.
Visual Arts (BFA)
Admissions | Program requirements | Worksheet | Departmental website | Contact
September entry. Deadline January 31. Core courses offered during winter session (fall/spring). Online application and portfolio required. Admission is competitive. Successful completion of ART courses is not a guarantee of admission. The department also offers an Honours program with entry in Year 4.
Combined Visual Arts and Computer Science (BFA/BSc)
Admissions | Program requirements | Worksheet | Departmental website | Contact
September entry. Deadline January 31. Core visual arts courses offered during winter session (fall/spring). Online application and portfolio required. Admission is competitive. Successful completion of ART, CSC, or MATH courses is not a guarantee of admission. There are limited computer science and math course offerings summers. The admission and program requirements are the same for both degrees. Students may request a change in degree (BSc vs BFA) prior to graduation.
Writing (BA/BFA)
Admissions | Program requirements | Worksheet | Departmental website | Contact
September entry. Deadline January 31. Core courses offered during winter session (fall/spring). The admission requirements are the same for both degrees. The BFA degree includes 7.5 units of Faculty of Fine Arts electives other than writing courses (choose from AHVS, ART, FA, MUS, THEA, TS courses). Students may request a change in degree prior to graduation.
Transfer students to Writing: Review the advanced standing application process for WRIT 100, Introduction to Writing waivers. The application deadline is April 15. Those who do not request or receive advanced standing approval, including those with WRIT '100-level' or '10L' transfer credits must complete WRIT 100, a full-year course, with B grade or higher before taking any second-year creative writing workshop courses.
All admitted transfer students to Fine Arts programs should refer to the 'transfer credit summary' and 'program and prerequisite waiver requests' sections further below on this page for more info.
Request an academic advising appointment (for UVic students)
Take time to understand your program and how to register for courses. Use the tips and planning resources provided on this page to begin. You'll have the most success if you start your planning before your assigned registration date and ask questions early on.
Sarah Riecken, is the undergraduate academic adviser for Faculty of Fine Arts students. Sarah also supports students in other faculties who are taking Fine Arts programs in their degree and admitted exchange and visiting students from other institutions.
After reviewing this page for information relevant to your interests, email fineartsadvising@uvic.ca if you'd like to ask other questions or to request an appointment.
For registered and returning students, appointments are available over Zoom or telephone by request. Sarah will coordinate a time to connect with you - normally between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on the day of your request. If a same day appointment is not possible, Sarah will follow up with you within one or two days.
Sarah may respond with information for you to review or consider before booking a meeting, or refer you to another service office, depending on the assistance you request.
Before requesting an appointment, refer to UVic program planning and course registration tutorials and other information on this page.
Declared students, refer to your online degree evaluation/CAPP report first.
Are you a new or prospective graduate student? Find advising and admissions support for MA, MFA, MMus, and PhD programs on the graduate programs page.
Meet with a career educator, discover career services (for UVic students)
Learn what you can do with your degree!
Career services are available for new, continuing, and graduated students (UVic alumni).
Caroline Riedel, Career Educator for Fine Arts, can help you explore career options, decide on a university program, and learn how to prepare and apply for for employment and graduate programs.
- résumés, cover letters and interviews
- career exploration, research and planning
- searching for work
- graduate and professional school research and applications
- career workshops and programs
Wellness supports (for UVic students)
Counsellors can help you make positive changes in your thinking and behaviour to improve your mental health and well-being. Your counsellor can work with you to explore concerns (e.g., stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness), gain insight and learn new coping strategies.
Nurses provide integrated, holistic healthcare and can work with you to establish wellness goals. They are available to provide information and support in a variety of areas including physical health conditions, mental health concerns and general well-being.
Physicians support your physical and mental health. They can assist with exploring and addressing underlying medical or psychiatric conditions and are available to help with time-sensitive or unexpected health concerns. Treatment plans may include non-pharmacological therapies as well as medication management.
Spiritual Care Providers provide emotional, social and spiritual support regardless of your religion, or lack thereof. Working with a spiritual care provider may be a good fit if you are looking to make sense of the world, exploring life’s big questions, or just looking for a non-judgemental space to discuss any topic.
Parents, family members and friends of students
See info for parents and guardians.
If you are supporting a student as they make the transition to University, thank you! Becoming a university student, especially for the first time, can be a substantial life change, and having a supportive community behind you can be a big help.
Students should contact academic advising services and course instructors directly from their preferred email address with any questions and request appointments themselves.
It can be helpful to offer support such as reviewing UVic web resources, drafting emails, coaching how to ask effective questions and follow through on advice or instructions given. Making a list of questions together after reviewing available information online is a great first step.
Following an appointment, students can ask their adviser to provide a summary of advice given by email to help ensure information or instructions provided verbally is understood (and to use for sharing with their off-campus support team).
Planning a minor/general program
The Faculty of Fine Arts offers ten exciting minor and/or general programs that are open to declaration by all students. The faculty welcomes participation by undergraduates in all faculties that offer degrees with the option to add a minor or a general program. There are no application requirements. Students add a program by placing a declaration request through their faculty/program advising service. Refer to the list of programs below for more details.
Minor Program:
- A minor offers the opportunity to focus on a second area of study in a degree. Requirements for the minor can be used to fulfill elective credits indicated on the program planning worksheet for your major or honours program.
- Faculty of Fine Arts students can declare one minor program from any faculty in their degree by request to fineartsadvising@uvic.ca. Refer to the program declaration section below on this page for more information.
- Students registered in Engineering & Computer Science, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences degrees may declare one minor program from any faculty with approval of their advising office.
- Students in Education, Engineering, and Human and Social Development programs should check with their faculty/program advising office to find out if they can include an interfaculty program in their degree and how to make a declaration request.
General Program:
- Three faculties at UVic offer the option to obtain a degree with a General Program (as opposed to a Major or Honours Program): Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences.
- An undergraduate degree with a General Program must include at least two approved generals including at least one that is offered by the student's faculty. The degree can also include a minor or minor/general as a third program (this is optional).
- The Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences each offer a BA with General Program that can include one Fine Arts general as well as one Fine Arts minor as an optional third program in the degree.
- Examples:
- a student in the Faculty of Social Sciences could pursue a BA with anthropology and creative writing generals with an optional third program, such as a minor in museum studies or art history and visual studies.
- a student in the Faculty of Humanities could pursue a BA with film studies and visual arts generals with an optional third program, such as a minor in music or theatre.
- Note that Film Studies is offered jointly by Humanities and Fine Arts so it can be included as the requisite Humanities general in the degree.
- Academic advising about completing a degree in the Faculty of Humanities or Social Sciences with a General Program is provided by the Academic Advising Centre.
- Consult Fine Arts Academic Advising for questions related to the program requirements for Faculty of Fine Arts minors and minor/generals listed on this page.
List of programs offered:
Art History and Visual Studies Minor/General
Academic calendar | AHVS course descriptions | Explore this program
Most AHVS courses are open to all students and do not include prerequisites. Refer to course descriptions for more details. AHVS 120 is normally offered first term; AHVS 121 second term. Both courses include mandatory lecture and tutorial sections. 3.0 units of 200-level AHVS courses are mandatory so may not be substituted with higher-level courses. For registration support contact ahvsasst@uvic.ca.
Creative Writing Minor/General
Academic calendar | WRIT course descriptions | Explore this program
Students in the creative writing minor do not have access to register in creative writing workshop courses. These are reserved for Writing Majors. For registration support contact writing@uvic.ca.
Digital and Interactive Media in the Arts (DIMA) Minor/General
Academic calendar | Explore this program
Many of the DIMA course options are open to all students. Priority registration for ART courses is given to Visual Arts Majors. Priority for music technology courses is given to Combined Majors in Music and Computer Science. Writing workshop courses are reserved for Writing Majors. Refer to course descriptions from the academic calendar listing and class schedule notes for details.
Film Studies Minor/General (jointly offered with Humanities)
Academic calendar | Explore this program
Film studies provides a focus on film culture, history, and theory with limited technical and production opportunities. Most film studies course options are open to all students, however the writing workshop courses are reserved for writing majors. Those intending a career in film direction, production, and screenwriting are recommended to pursue the BA or BFA writing major (taking courses in film production and screenwriting) with a film studies minor. Visual arts programs include course options in video art so may also be relevant to those with a broad interest in studio arts as well as film production. Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences students should consult the Academic Advising Centre for advising services for film studies.
Museum Studies Minor/General
Academic calendar | Explore this program
Refer to course descriptions from the academic calendar listing and class schedule notes for details. For registration support with AHVS courses contact ahvsasst@uvic.ca. 300/400-level AHVS courses taken for the minor cannot also be applied to the major or honours program in art history and visual studies.
Music Minor (not available as a general)
Academic calendar | MUS course descriptions | Explore this program
Students in the music minor do not have access to individual lessons instruction provided for BMus students only. Minors intending to take ensemble courses should start at the 200-level (MUS 280A-G, MUS 281). Music composition lessons other than MUS 105, performance, and technology topics are reserved for students in related BMus major programs. For registration support contact musicadmin@uvic.ca.
Professional Writing in Journalism and Publishing Minor/General
Academic calendar | Explore this program
Refer to course descriptions from the academic calendar listing and class schedule notes for details. For registration support with WRIT courses contact writing@uvic.ca. For registration support with English (ENGL) professional communication topics contact pcadvisor@uvic.ca.
Theatre Minor/General
Academic calendar | Program website
Refer to the program website for tips about selecting approved courses and how to obtain departmental permission when necessary for registration. Theatre performance courses are reserved for Theatre Majors with a performance focus only. For registration support contact theatre@uvic.ca.
Technology and Society Minor/General
Academic calendar | Explore this program
Most TS courses and program options are open to all students and do not include prerequisites. For registration support with TS courses contact fineasst@uvic.ca.
Visual Arts Minor/General
Academic calendar | ART course descriptions | Explore this program
Priority registration in ART courses is given to Visual Arts Majors. 300-level ART courses are reserved for declared visual arts minors and majors only. Most 300-level ART courses are scheduled full year (September to April). Refer to course descriptions and class schedule notes for details. ART 150 is included as prerequisite to most 300-level ART courses. For registration support contact visualarts@uvic.ca.
Students interested in taking a studio arts-related minor or electives should also be aware of the art education minor and AE courses offered by the Faculty of Education. Most AE courses are open to all students.
Note: All ART ‘E’ courses are offered off campus as part of the Foundations in Indigenous Fine Arts program in Penticton, BC at the En’owkin Centre in partnership with the Faculty of Fine Arts and the department of Visual Arts.
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