Overview

The Visual Arts programme at Columbia University provides a prestigious platform for students to develop their creative practice within a world-renowned academic environment. This master level course focuses on fostering individual expression while grounding students in the historical and contemporary contexts of the global art world.

Participants benefit from a curriculum designed to challenge traditional boundaries and encourage interdisciplinary exploration. By engaging with diverse media and conceptual frameworks, students build a robust professional portfolio that reflects their unique artistic voice and technical proficiency.

Why Visual Arts at Columbia University?

Studying at this institution offers unparalleled access to a vibrant cultural hub, allowing students to immerse themselves in a diverse artistic community. The university provides state-of-the-art studio spaces and facilities that support a wide range of creative disciplines, from traditional painting to digital media.

The faculty consists of distinguished practitioners and scholars who provide personalised mentorship and critical feedback. This supportive environment ensures that every student receives the guidance necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern art market and academic landscape.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 77840 per year
National fee: USD 77840 per year
Local fee: USD 77840 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to balance intensive studio work with theoretical inquiry. Modules may include:

Studio Practice
Contemporary Art History
Critical Theory
Printmaking
Sculpture
Photography
Digital Media
Drawing
Professional Practice

Careers with Visual Arts

Graduates of this programme are well-prepared for diverse roles within the creative industries and beyond. Many alumni establish successful careers as independent fine artists, exhibiting their work in major galleries and museums internationally. The rigorous training also equips students for influential positions in arts administration and curation.

Beyond the studio, former students often find opportunities in art education, consultancy, and media production. The analytical and creative skills developed during the course are highly valued in sectors such as design, film, and cultural heritage management, ensuring a broad range of professional pathways for dedicated graduates.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Graduate Studio: Research and Practice
Critical Thinking
Group Critique
Artist Mentorship
Visiting Artist Lecture Series
Open Studios
First Year Exhibition
Thesis Exhibition

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-08 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-20 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Manhattan, United States

Disciplines

Visual Arts View 432 other Masters in Visual Arts in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Completed Application: Must be submitted online.

Transcripts.

Three Letters of Recommendation: Online submission of letters of recommendation is required. Recommenders should be academic or professional contacts who can speak to your creative ability and potential; personal/friend references are not permitted.

Creative Materials Required for Application

Application Fee: The $110 application fee is required upon submission of your application.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

77840 USD / year

≈ 77840 USD / year
Out-of-State

77840 USD / year

≈ 77840 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

77840 USD / year

≈ 77840 USD / year

Additional Details

International Student Fee - $170 Per semester for all international students

Living costs

Manhattan

United States

2638 - 5751 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Visual Arts.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Visual Arts

About

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

Manhattan

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners