Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, Mount Allison University

Sackville, New Brunswick

48 Months

Check Eligibility

About this course

Studying Fine Arts at Mount Allison helps you enhance your artistic and creative talents while developing your critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills related to art. The program has a rich history dating back to the Women's Academy in 1854 and was the first in Canada to offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1941. It offers a unique blend of studio work and liberal arts education, allowing students to explore various mediums such as drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and open media. First-year courses provide a broad foundation, with specialization in selected studio areas in later years, culminating in a final independent studio project. Complementing studio practice, students engage in courses in art history and visual culture to deepen their understanding of art’s cultural context.

Why this course is highly recommended

This course is ideal for students seeking a comprehensive arts education that combines hands-on studio practice with a liberal arts perspective. Mount Allison's long-standing focus on arts education, its historic significance as the first university in Canada to grant a BFA degree, and its excellent facilities like the Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts and Owens Art Gallery make it a standout choice. The program’s diverse course offerings, strong alumni network, and opportunities such as scholarships, internships, and residencies provide a supportive environment for aspiring artists to grow professionally and personally, making it a top pickup for students with artistic ambitions.

Specialisation

The Fine Arts program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) primarily aimed at developing skills in drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. It emphasizes studio work and media principles along with art history courses to refine artistic judgment and verbal articulation of art. The program also provides an option through the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Fine Arts, which combines studio courses with a broader academic scope, allowing students to integrate their art studies with other disciplines. Additionally, students can choose a Minor in Fine Arts, focusing mainly on studio work, which can complement any other degree.

Course fees

Application fees

12.84L

1st year tuition fees

12.84L

Living cost

Degree requirements

For a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), the program requires 120 credits, including 72 credits in Fine Arts, 24 credits in Art History, and 24 credits in electives. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Fine Arts also totals 120 credits but distributes credits differently with 60 in Fine Arts, 24 in any minor, and 36 electives/distribution credits. A minor in Fine Arts comprises 24 credits, mainly studio courses, and can be combined with any degree program. Both degree paths include courses in studio practice, art history, and electives.

English language test

PTE

DUOLINGO

110

IELTS

6.5

TOEFL

Career prospects

Graduates of Mount Allison's Fine Arts program find pathways into many creative and cultural fields. Popular careers include artist, art gallery director or curator, illustrator, art critic, art educator, and art therapist. Others explore roles as conservators, web designers, interior and landscape designers, or enter fields like architecture or scientific illustration. The program’s emphasis on experiential learning and a well-rounded arts education helps prepare students for careers in galleries, museums, media, and beyond, with high acceptance rates into top graduate programs and professional schools.

FAQs

What are the main media covered in the Fine Arts program?

Students will work with drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and open media, gaining practical skills across various artistic disciplines.

Are first-year courses open to students from other programs?

Yes, some first-year courses are open to students outside of Fine Arts, depending on space and with permission from the department.