Media Arts
BFA
Immerse yourself in the future of media creation with the Media Arts BFA. Media Arts is the home of experimentation and imagining the future of media and storytelling experiences across a wide range of media practices, including using and imagining new possibilities for emerging technologies. Our students create work inside game engines and in virtual production studios, learn special effects, create art and stories for virtual and augmented reality, experiment with animation, build pieces for immersive sonic environments and co-create with artificial intelligence tools.
Program Overview
Explore the future of digital storytelling and creative media in York University’s BFA in Media Arts. This program combines studio-based media production with courses in media theory, history and writing.
You will learn through constant experimentation with a wide range of technologies, techniques and processes in visual and multi-sensory storytelling, and finding your own path within a dynamic, changing and growing media industry environment. You will work with the newest digital tools, 3D design software, and virtual production techniques that blend animation, game design, VFX, sound design, motion capture, AR/XR, with more traditional audio and video and approaches that combine physical and digital materials
Students can develop core skills in animation, world-building and immersive media, while mentorship from faculty and visiting artists ensure personalized guidance. Access to BetaSpace, our high-tech media lab, provides hands-on experience with projection domes, VR/AR gear, sound studios and editing suites. The program culminates in a capstone project and field placement, often at leading facilities, including the York Motion Media Studio at Cinespace Film Studios Toronto.
Sample Courses
As a Media Arts student, you can take courses like:
- Sonic Cinema
- Virtual Cinematography
- Games and Media
- The Art of Animating
- Virtual Environment
Career Possibilities
As a Media Arts student, you can become:
- Creative Technologist
- Experimental Media Artist
- Narrative Designer
- Immersive Media Producer
- Interactive Storyteller for games, moving-image or spaces
- Unreal/VR/AR Developer
- Digital Twin Creator
- AI/ML Character Developer
- Motion-capture Choreographer
- 360° Environment Designer
- Escape Room Designer/Content Creator
- Spatial Sound Designer/Experience Director
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Department
Film and Media Arts
Duration
4 years
Entry Options
Fall, Winter or Summer
Next Steps
We’re excited that you’re considering applying to York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD). Check out our step-by-step guide to submitting an application.
Student & Alumni Testimonials
My undergraduate journey at AMPD introduced me to many inspiring media practices that emphasized collaboration with my classmates, turned colleagues, turned friends. BetaSpace has been an excellent community media-making studio space where I have been able to experiment with emerging media equipment and technologies. This collaborative spirit has stayed with me beyond AMPD and continues to shape my work.
Ivan Ceria (BFA ’25)
Multimedia Artist, Photographer and Educator
I love my program. It’s been amazing to explore so many different mediums and ways of creating. The community at AMPD is so friendly and creative, you just love being here. If you don’t want to be limited to one medium and you have ideas you want to bring to life, this is the place to do it. Whether you’re just starting out or already experienced, you’ll learn so much and have an amazing time.
Athena Philippou
Fourth-year Media Arts Student
I really love the flexibility and variety that Media Arts offers. It’s given me the chance to try out so many different things and figure out what I truly enjoy. As an international student, the transition to York was surprisingly easy. Everyone in AMPD is so inclusive and welcoming that it felt like home very quickly.
Xavier, Fourth-year Media Arts student
International Student – USA
The knowledge I gained in digital and interactive media was a huge asset for my current role. The Media Arts program offered a strong foundation in film, media studies, and production, while also letting us dive into areas that excited us. One of my favourite Media Arts experiences was shooting a 360 short film at the York U Motion Media Studio. It was my first time on set and a valuable learning experience. As production manager, I coordinated the shoot and team roles. It was an exciting experience that I was proud to lead.
Adina Brodkin (BFA ’22)
Digital Associate Producer at CBC
In today’s ever-changing field of media arts, staying current with new technologies and methodologies is vital. My time at York emphasized not just the hard skills for the technology of today, but also helped me develop the ability to grow and adapt to the technology of tomorrow.
Alysa Collucci
Media Arts (BFA 2024)
Program Highlights
Master classes with renowned visiting artists and theorists.
Access to state-of-the-art technologies that are defining new directions in screen and sound art.
Field placement opportunities.
Small class sizes, ranging from 25 students in first-year to 10-15 students in upper years.
Mentorship and guidance to develop your creative vision through diverse media.
More than 50 years of nurturing creative, bold and meaningful work by new generations of filmmakers and scholars!
Learning Outcomes
Share your story, find your vision, build the future
Building a Solid Foundation
- Build a solid foundation in Media Practice I & II studio classes, where students will be introduced to a wide range skills: camera work and image composition, sound recording and mixing, basic 2D animation and 3D asset creation, worldbuilding, screenwriting and interactive game writing essentials.
- Analyze and understand cinema and media in a cultural and economic context through courses that ground media practice in key theoretical concepts and histories
Acquire Specialized Training
- Acquire specialized training in Media Practice III and Fourth Year Projects through work on crews and collaborative team projects.
- Explore electives with hands-on experience using multiple creative technologies (motion capture, virtual cinematography, virtual environment design, interactive video platforms, spatial sound systems, 360VR domes and mixed reality headsets).
- Develop a capstone project and professionalization skills to launch your career in the media industries.
How to Apply
Get Ready to Apply
IMPORTANT DATES
Stay informed about all the key dates and deadlines for applying. Make sure to submit your application by the specified deadline to ensure guaranteed consideration. Note that some programs require a supplementary application, so be sure to check the deadlines for those as well.
TUITION, FEES & FUNDING
Tuition and Fees will be paid to York University. For information on Undergraduate Tuition and Fees, please see the Future Students Website. Entrance Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries are available each year to support your education.
REQUIREMENTS
Our programs are open to students directly from high school, those with previous post-secondary studies, international students, exchange students, and mature applicants.
Get in Touch
Reach out to us for more information on our programs, upcoming events, open houses, and applying to AMPD. We're here to assist you with any questions you may have and to help guide you through the application process.
Need More Information?
If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to connect with us. Our team is here to help! You can also schedule a visit to see our campus in person.