Undergraduate Academic Advising: Faculty of Fine Arts
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- September 2023: Program and registration planning info for new and transfer students will be updated by May 15. Registration dates are assigned in June.
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Planning a Faculty of Fine Arts degree or program
Interested in applying to a Faculty of Fine Arts degree or program? This section is about major programs. Skip to the next section for information about planning a minor.
Prospective (new) students to UVic: If you're applying from high school or another post-secondary you can schedule a personal appointment with a UVic recruiter to discuss any application or program questions. Use the online booking system or email recruitment@uvic.ca for assistance. See the list of programs and admissions links below.
Returning UVic students | Use My UVic Application
An application to resume studies is required after a leave of one or more years. Any post-secondary studies completed elsewhere must be declared. Returning BMus students may be required to re-audition; contact musicadmin@uvic.ca. Degree and program requirements are subject to change. If you're planning to apply to return to a different program see the list of programs and links below.
Current UVic students: To apply to a Faculty of Fine Arts degree from another UVic faculty or to change from one Faculty of Fine Arts degree to another | Review Deadlines | Use My UVic Application
Music, Theatre, Visual Arts applicants must also refer to the departmental websites linked below for supplementary (audition, portfolio, essay, resume, etc.) application instructions.
Note: If you want to apply to music, theatre or visual arts as part of a degree with a double major in another faculty:
- Email the music, theatre or visual arts department by January 31 to explain that you're intending to take their program while registered in another faculty otherwise your supplementary application (see instructions and contact links below) may not be reviewed. Copy fineartsadvising@uvic.ca on your emailed request. Always include your name and V number.
- Do not submit an online My UVic Application to change your faculty/program (My UVic Application). Ask your faculty/program academic advising office for program declaration instructions.
Note: The "Admissions" links provided for each program area listed below are only intended for prospective (new) students to UVic. The other links are provided for current and returning students.
Art History and Visual Studies (BA)
Admissions | Program requirements | Worksheet | Departmental website | Department 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 | Department 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 | Department 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 | Department 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 | Department 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 | Department 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 | Department 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.
Transfer students to all Faculty of Fine Arts programs: Review the 'transfer credit summary' and 'program and prerequisite waiver requests' sections further below on this page for important information and additional instructions.
Minor programs
The Faculty of Fine Arts offers ten exciting minor programs that are open to declaration by all students who are taking part in a degree with a major or honours program. Some of the Fine Arts minors can be taken as a 'general' in a different type of degree program -- read on for details.
Most faculties and programs permit students to request to declare an interfaculty minor, however there are some exceptions so it's important to check with your advising service.
Minor:
- 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 up to 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 can declare up to 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:
- 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.
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.
Interested in taking an studio arts minor or electives related to classroom or community education? Take note of the art education minor and AE courses offered by the Faculty of Education. AE courses are open to all students.
Ask an academic advising question (UVic students)
Faculty of Fine Arts students (including interfaculty requests):
- Use the tips and planning resources provided on this page to begin.
- Email Sarah Riecken at fineartsadvising@uvic.ca to ask questions or request an appointment.
- Include your V number (V0XXXXXXX) Your preferred name and pronouns are helpful.
- Provide details to explain your question(s) to help with a supportive response as quickly as possible. List your questions in point form.
- Include screen shots from your UVic registration, CAPP report, or the UVic website (Calendar) if it helps to explain your question.
- Asking about a course? Include the course code not the title (for example, WRIT 100). Depending on your question it could also help to include the section number (such as A01, T03, B02) or course registration number (A CRN has five digits: 12345).
- Review the Fine Arts Academic Advising email auto-reply in case you need to provide other info or contact another office.
Advising appointments are available over Zoom or MS Teams or by telephone. Sarah will coordinate a time to connect with you - normally between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. First, she'll respond with info for you to review or consider before booking a meeting (or she may refer you to another service office depending on the assistance you request).
Before you request an appointment refer to UVic program planning and course registration tutorials and other information on this page.
All students, access and review your administrative transcript in your online account.
Declared Fine Arts students, access and review your degree evaluation/CAPP report in your online account.
Undeclared Fine Arts students with 12 units of credit or more already completed? Email your program declaration request, including interfaculty programs, to fineartsadvising@uvic.ca to get a degree evaluation/CAPP report.
Looking for academic advising for another faculty? Find your advising service on the directory of academic advisers.
Are you a new or prospective graduate student? Advising and admissions contacts for MA, MFA, MMus, and PhD programs are listed on the graduate programs page.
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Parents, family members and friends of students
See info for parents and guardians.
If you're supporting a student as they make the transition to University, thank you! Becoming a university student can be a substantial life change and having a supportive community can be a big help.
It's important that students contact academic advising services and course instructors directly from their preferred email address with any questions and request appointments themselves.
Your support can include help to review UVic web resources, draft emails, provide advice on asking effective questions, making to-do lists, and help to plan and follow through on advice or instructions. Making a list of questions together after reviewing available information online is a great first step.
After an advising 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, if they want to).