Application Requirements

Graduate Admissions

MFA program
Application Checklist

[ ] VCUarts Qatar MFA Online Application
[ ] Art Portfolio
[ ] University/College transcripts and degrees
[ ] Statement of Intent
[ ] Résumé (Curriculum Vitae)
[ ] English language proficiency scores
[ ] Three letters of recommendation
[ ] Copy of passport or QID

Have questions about the application requirements?

Call us  +974 4402 0530

Sunday - Thursday
8am - 4:00pm 

Admission to the Master of Fine Art in Design Studies at VCUarts Qatar is very competitive. As a minimum, admitted students have the following profile:

  • Bachelor-level degree in design or a related discipline from an internationally accredited university.
  • 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) cumulative grade point average.
  • Strong portfolio, statement of intent, resume, and three letters of recommendations.
  • Acceptable English language proficiency scores.
  • Applicants with degrees in other disciplines may also be considered for admission at VCUarts Qatar, particularly if they have previously completed a broad range of design-related course work.

Application requirements

What How? Where?
Online to VCUarts Qatar
  • Art Portfolio
    • Must be a digital portfolio of visual or written work. 
    • Include samples of relevant work that show creative thinking, idea development, and visualization skills.
    • Works presented in your portfolio should support the ideas shared in your statement of intent.
    • The number of individual works in the portfolio should not exceed 20.
 Upload online to VCUarts Qatar
  • Official University/College transcripts, listing all courses completed and grades earned.
    • Transcripts issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English language translation.
    • Transcript(s) must be properly sealed and stamped by the issuing institution and must be delivered to VCUarts Qatar Admissions Office either by courier or personal delivery.
 Delivered in person or by courier to VCUarts Qatar's Office of Admissions
  • Officially certified copies of all your academic diplomas, certificates, national and other major examination results.
    • Documents issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by official English language translations.
 Delivered in person or by courier to VCUarts Qatar's Office of Admissions
  • Statement of Intent, indicating the following:
    • What motivates your interest in undertaking graduate level design studies?
    • How have your prior academic studies and experiences prepared you for MFA in Design studies?
    • What are your career objectives, and how will an MFA in Design help you reach your goals?
 Upload in VCUarts Qatar's online application system
  • Résumé / Curriculum Vitae
    • Highlight previous experiences and studies as they relate to graduate design study at VCUarts Qatar.
 Upload in VCUarts Qatar's online application system
  • Official English Language Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL or IELTS)
    • Required of all applicants. Some exceptions may apply.
    • TOEFL: 570 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based) 88 (internet-based), or higher.
    • IELTS:  6.5 overall band score, or higher.
    • Test scores must be sent electronically by the testing center. Additionally, students must submit a copy of their Student Test Score report.  
    • VCUarts Qatar’s TOEFL institutional code is 8753. (IELTS does not have institutional codes).
    • Applicants must make test-arrangements directly with ETS for TOEFL) or the British Council for IELTS).
    • Test scores may be no older than two years as of the date received at VCUQatar.
    • For those residing in Qatar: The TOEFL-ibt can be taken at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Make sure to pre-register in accordance with available test dates. Arrive on time for the test. Latecomers are not allowed entry.
 By Test Center AND

Delivered in person or by courier to VCUarts Qatar's Office of Admissions.
  • Recommendation Letters
    • Three letters required.
    • Must be written by former professors, teachers, mentors, or supervisors.
    • Recommenders must be familiar with your academic and/or professional ability and aptitude towards graduate study.
    • You will be able to send an electronic request for a letter of recommendation to those you list as recommenders via the VCUarts Qatar Online MFA Application system
    • Alternatively, you can deliver a printed recommendation letter to the Admissions Office. Download a recommendation template.
 Online or in hard copy to VCUarts Qatar
  • Copy of Passport Identification Pages or QID
    • Upload a legible copy of your passport using the online application.
 Upload in VCUarts Qatar's online application system

Office of Admissions

Al Luqta Street (P.O. Box 8095)
Doha - QATAR

T +974 4402 0530

E vcuqadmission@vcu.edu

HOURS

8:00am-4:00pm

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