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School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design

AMPD Frequently Asked Questions

Six credits from the AMPD 1900 3.00 series of courses, outside the major, are required of all School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design degrees. These courses may be used toward satisfying the humanities general education requirement, the in/out requirements or an AMPD elective. For students admitted to the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design with a minimum of 54 transfer credits, the six credits from the 1900 3.00 series of courses outside the major are optional. Only courses with FA/_ _ _ _ 1900 in the course code fulfill this requirement. You can find them in the York University Courses website by searching School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, the Department and 1900 under 'Faculty, Subject and Number.' Some 1900 courses such as Dance have online lectures so when you add them to your schedule there won't be a scheduled time for class but there may still be a scheduled tutorial.

Portfolio requirements vary by program.
    • Admission to the Art History (BA Honours) program is based solely on academic performance.
    • Admission to Visual Arts (BFA Honours) program is based both on academic performance and artistic merit. Both programs require the completion of a portfolio.
Portfolio Reviews are conducted through an online submission process. Once you have applied to the program, you will receive an email that will include your reference ID and directions for accessing and completing the portfoliosubmission. This email will be sent approximately 5-10 business days after you submit your application.
  • Visual Arts (BFA)
    • The applicant portfolio should comprise 8 artworks that illustrate the student’s technical and creative abilities. At least two different media should be presented from the following: drawing, photography, sculpture, digital art, printmaking, computer-generated imagery, painting, audio-video, experimental work. All digital images should be high quality in either jpeg or PDF format.  Your portfolio may include work completed for class assignments (high school, university or college) as well as independent projects. A current sketchbook is required and will count as one of your 8 artworks.

Undergraduate students can request enrolment into a course that requires departmental permission by completing the MachForm at ampd.yorku.ca/permission. This form may be used up until the last date to add a course without permission. To find the dates for the current academic term, refer to registrar.yorku.ca/enrol/dates under Add/Drop Deadlines.

After such time, students need permission of the instructor to add a course. AMPD Departments handle these permissions differently and it is best to ask the Department for advice or to get copies of the required paperwork (if by voicemail or email, always include your full name, student number, the course code and instructors name).

If you are currently enrolled and registered as an undergraduate student and wish to request a transfer to a different academic program/degree, please review the information at the Program Change page. Submit your program change request via this link.

A number of AMPD programs require an audition/interview/portfolio review before you can be admitted. When you submit your program change request, you should also contact the Department office.

Independent Studies In Visual Arts & Art History designed so that students may pursue an intensive independent project under the supervision of a Visual Art & Art History faculty member on topics that are not generally available in the standard department curriculum. No more than one Independent Studies course may be taken in any given semester. Applicable supplementary fees are charged for Independent Studies courses in studio areas where such fees are required.

Prerequisites/Restrictions:

  1. Independent Studies applicants must be in their final year of study
  2. Independent Studies applicants must have successfully completed a 4000-level course in the requested area of study e.g., painting, sculpture, 20th century art, Renaissance, etc.
  3. Students can only take 6.0 credits in Independent Studies in a single academic session.

To apply for an Independent Study there is a form available at the Department of Visual Arts & Art History reception area which you will need to fill out and have the professor sign.

Typically, the applicant selects the art pieces to include in their portfolio from school-assigned projects, independently developed art projects, extra curricular art classes or professional work where appropriate. Any original artwork developed by the applicant can be included in the portfolio.