Undergraduate Filmmaking Admissions

UNCSA offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees in Filmmaking across several concentrations. In the first year, students explore the fundamentals of all offered concentrations. In the second year, students begin to focus on a discipline to pursue in years three and four. 

To apply, a completed application form with all required application documents and a portfolio must be submitted in time for one of the deadlines. Applicants who meet both admissions criteria and a deadline will be moved forward for evaluation by the faculty committee.

Interviews are by invitation only and are scheduled based on the faculty committee evaluation. 

On-campus interviews will be conducted from January through March.

Deadlines and Decisions

* Updated 1/18/24: The deadline to apply to the BFA programs in the School of Filmmaking has passed. Applications are no longer being accepted.

An applicant is evaluated for admission only when all required application documents (including letters of recommendation), a complete portfolio, and the application fee paid have been submitted by one of the following deadlines:

Application Deadline

Application Status Updated

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 (11:59 p.m. EST)

Mid-December 2023

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (11:59 p.m. EST)

Mid-February 2024

Interview Invitation

Applicants whom the faculty committee determines shall move forward to interview will be contacted directly with scheduling instructions. Applicants may contact Admissions with any questions.

Admissions Criteria

Academic Requirements

Applicants should have or be on track to receive a high school diploma or equivalent with the following academic subjects:

Subject Units Specifications
English 4 Four units in English emphasizing grammar, composition, and literature
Social Studies 2 Includes one U.S. History credit
Mathematics 3 Includes Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry or a higher level course
Science 3 Three course units in science including a life or biological science course, a physical science course and at least one laboratory course
Additional Coursework 2 May be in Mathematics, English, World Languages, Social Studies, Science, and/or Computer Science

Note: Early College High School Graduates

This legislation only applies to seniors graduating from North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High Schools (Early Colleges) who will earn an Associate’s degree in addition to a high school diploma. 

All other Early College students will be evaluated using standard freshman criteria. Applicants from North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS) receive special consideration in the admission review for UNC system universities based on North Carolina law.

According to House Bill 97 Section 11.16.(a) “any student who graduated from a cooperative innovative high school program with an associate degree and who applies for admission to the constituent institution has the option of being considered for admission as a freshman or as a transfer student.” To determine if your school is a CIHS school, visit the CIHS website: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/enhanced-opportunities/advanced-learning-and-gifted-education/cooperative-innovative-high-schools.  

Being “considered” refers to the evaluation of your credentials and not your student type. Regardless of how you are evaluated, you are considered a new freshman upon enrollment. You will be a freshman with college credit. 

If you feel strongly that your standardized test scores or high school GPA will hinder you in the freshman review, please don’t hesitate to contact an admissions counselor to discuss the transfer review option. Admission to UNCSA is by audition and or interview and all applicants to the undergraduate program are considered first time freshmen.  The School makes every effort to place the student at the arts level that best reflects their proficiency.   

Transfer Applicants

Transfer or advanced placement credits for liberal arts classes taken at another institution are subject to the general policies of the Division of Liberal Arts.

Curriculum in the School of Filmmaking is sequential and intensive. Students, including college transfers, are therefore required to complete all four years of the program. A request to evaluate a Filmmaking course completed at another institution for possible transfer may be submitted by a transferring student if the following criteria is met:

  • Course syllabus meets the same learning outcome as required by the School of Filmmaking.
  • Student earned a grade of “B” or better.

The School of Filmmaking will only review a completed course that meets the above standards to determine if transferable. Transfer review is conducted on a case-by-case basis.

GPA

High School or College GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Test Scores

ACT or SAT Scores
Applicants should submit ACT or SAT scores with the following minimum requirements:

  • ACT: Minimum score of 22
  • SAT: Minimum score of 1060

Due to the impact of COVID-19 on test availability, the UNC Board of Governors waived the standardized test requirement for first-year students applying for admission in Fall 2024.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired program may submit qualifying SAT or ACT scores in order to meet Admissions Criteria.

Transfer Applicants
ACT and SAT scores are waived for college transfer students who are age 21 or older and/or have earned 24 or more academic credit hours at the time of application.

International Applicants
International applicants should submit official ACT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores. Minimum score requirements for international students are:

  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 79
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5
  • Duolingo English Test: 100
  • ACT: English Language Arts (ELA) section: 21
  • SAT: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (ERW) section: 540

Completed Application, Fees & Required Documents

1. Complete the online application.

2. Pay the Application Fee: $95 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $130 for international applicants. Application fees are non-refundable.

Payment Options

  • Online: Follow payment instructions at the end of the application or on your Admissions Portal.
  • Check or Money Order (through a U.S. bank): Make payable to "UNCSA" and include your full legal name. Mail your payment and fully legible name of applicant to the Office of Admissions.
  • Fee Waiver: Submit an SAT, ACT or NACAC Fee Waiver Request signed by your high school counselor. 
  • International Applicants: Use Flywire to pay an application fee online through an international bank or pay by check or money order through a U.S. bank as listed above.

3. Upload all Required Application Documents prior to an application deadline.

Please note: If applying to two different UNCSA art schools (Dance, Design & Production, Drama, Filmmaking or Music), a second application and application fee will be required.