Frequently Asked Questions

• Priority Deadline – November 15
• Regular Deadline – January 15

Supporting documents (transcripts, references, test scores, essays, portfolios etc.) should be submitted by the deadline you choose.

Applications submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first by our Admissions team, and decisions will also be made and released first on these applications.

Priority applicants receive decisions on/by January 15.

Regular applicants receive decisions on/by April 1.

If you want to join VCUarts Qatar immediately after completing your studies in your current school or university, we recommend that you begin the application process mid to late September of your last year of study in your current school or university.

All applications are submitted via CommonApp. Step-by-step guidance on how to register, add documents, and submit applications on CommonApp are available here. 

You will need to submit: 

• Personal Essay
• Official transcripts of grades 10, 11 and 12 
• English proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo/SAT English reading and writing results
• Letter of recommendation (advisor, counselor or teacher)
• Art portfolio (for BFA applicants ONLY)
• Additional essay (for BA in Art History applicants ONLY)
• Passport copy for international students
• Passport and QID for residents/citizens of Qatar 

You will receive an email informing you of the decision, along with an electronic acceptance letter as an attachment.

Our Admissions team makes the decision on whether you require an interview or not.

Typically, we don’t invite applicants for interviews. When granted, interviews are not a guarantee of acceptance/admission.

You are only exempted if you’re a native English speaker (and/or a US, UK, Australian, or Canadian passport holder).

All other applicants must demonstrate a required level of English proficiency by submitting scores from one of the following tests: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test. Further details on required scores can be found on our application guidelines webpage.

Information regarding the latest tuition costs is provided here. Additionally, you can contact [email protected] for information on aid and scholarships.

An art portfolio:

• is submitted ONLY by BFA applicants.
• is an important part of your application.
• contains samples of your artwork.
• shows your creative ability and potential.
• can contain examples/scanned copies of artwork created in any medium/material. For instance, it can include 2D, 3D, time-based works as well as video, animation, sound (2 minutes max) and/or digitally generated pieces. 
• should not contain files in HEIC (i.e. iPhone Live photos) formats. Files should be in PDF, JPEG, JPG, or PNG formats. 

We highly recommend that you carefully follow the step-by-step guidance available here before you start compiling your portfolio.

If you have completed post-secondary coursework at an institution of higher education other than VCUarts Qatar, you may apply as a transfer applicant. Further details are available on our website’s Transfer Applicants page.

Our Admissions team is happy to help you. You can reach them at:

• Email: [email protected] 
• Telephone: +974 44020530 (8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Sunday to Thursday)
• Whatsapp: +974 44020530

Step-by-step guidance on how to register, add documents, and submit applications on CommonApp are available here. 

Online:

• Submissions must be made by a teacher/counselor/staff member from your latest high school or university. 
• They must be sent from their official email addresses to [email protected]  

In person: 

• If you’re in Qatar, you can meet the Admissions team with the required transcripts/documents. They will scan, upload and return the originals to you immediately. 
• You can also have someone deliver the documents to the Admissions team on your behalf.

The academic year generally starts in the third week of August.

Each academic year has two semesters. They are usually referred to as the Fall (Aug-Dec) and Spring (Jan-May) semesters.

• Only term-time, credit-based classroom teaching aimed at BA, BFA and MFA degrees stops from May to August. 
• Other classes, such as summer school, community education, and continuing education, are held according to their specific schedules. 
• Admissions teams are always on hand to meet with you, irrespective of the time of the year. 

Working hours are between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., Sunday to Thursday.

Yes.

• We offer an exciting array of jobs under the Student Employment Program. 
• From helping manage our creative studios, becoming a teaching assistant, or assisting faculty in research—there are many options!
• This allows you to earn and gain work experience while you’re a student. 
• Additionally, you’ll come across job and internship opportunities across Education City and Doha.

Our Admissions team is well-informed about the details of each academic pathway and the various resources available at VCUarts Qatar. They will be happy to meet you, show you around and answer your questions.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +974 44020530 (8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Sunday to Thursday)

Whatsapp: +974 44020530

You can visit our website for information on our vibrant student life and outstanding accommodation options! If you have specific questions, you can reach out to VCUarts Qatar’s Student Life and Engagement team at [email protected].

• Research is part of learning and teaching at VCUarts Qatar.
• Additionally, students get to collaborate on faculty-led projects.
• VCUarts Qatar also boasts an Institute for Creative Research where students work with alumni and faculty on a variety of research projects.  

The Art Foundation Year or AFO: 

• is the first year for those who join the BFA (only) program.
• is the same for all BFA applicants, irrespective of the major you plan to study.
• consists of four core courses – Drawing, Surface, Space, and Time.
• introduces the essentials of contemporary art and design.

Irrespective of whether you study a BA or BFA:

• First-year students are referred to as Freshmen (Here, Freshmen who study BFA are said to be in their Art Foundation year)
• Second-year students are referred to as Sophomores.
• Third-year students are referred to as Juniors.
• Final/fourth year students are referred to as Seniors.

Of course, you can apply! Not all students join with a clear idea of what they want to specialize in. In fact, one of the reasons you’re required to complete the first year of Art Foundation is to give you an idea of the different specializations available at VCUarts Qatar. This first year will provide you with a fair idea of what interests and inspires you the most. 

There have been numerous occasions when students have joined with the plan of studying a certain major but realized that they want to pursue another major after the AFO year.

Yes, this is correct. One of the best things about studying at VCUarts Qatar is access to a range of academic courses at other universities in Education City. This is in addition to the exciting range of inter-university events that take place across the year! You can find more information here, and our Admissions team will be able to share further details as well.

Most globally recognized and country-specific national curricula are accepted. 

We look for strong results/grades as per the following:

Qatari independent schools (Thanawiya): 

• 80% or higher is recommended.

U.S. system: 

• 3.00/4.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or higher is recommended.                                            
• 3-5 grades for Advanced Placement (AP) exams. These AP scores have the potential to render college-level credits.

U.K. system: 

• 5-6 International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and                                                                 
• 3-4 for Advanced Subsidiary (AS) or Advanced (A) Level subject exams.                                                                                    
• A or B grades are recommended. 
• Exam scores (depending on the course) have the potential to render college-level credits.

International Baccalaureate (IB):                                            

• 32+/- for Academic Score Total, with
• 4-7 scores for Higher Level (HL) exams and
• 5-7 scores  for Standard Level (SL) exams
• Both HL and SL have the potential to render college-level credits.

We accept other school systems/country’s grades and curricula. Please contact our Admissions team for further information on this.

Translation:

Please also note that transcripts issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English language translation through an approved translation and evaluation company listed at NACES.org.

Equivalency:

All students (including international students) are required to submit a Certificate of Equivalency from the Ministry of Education in Qatar (excluding graduates from Qatari Secondary/Independent Schools). International students will be required to submit the certificate after they have joined the course, and their resident permits are ready.

College credits:

College credit will be determined during the application review process and pending final submission of all final transcripts and official exam results. Note: detailed information on high school curricula regarding VCU’s college credit evaluation standards can be found here.