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Image Arts: Photography Media Arts - BFA

Is it for you?

Formerly Image Arts: Photography Studies

Today’s photography industry is a constantly expanding field that includes web, video, installation, and emerging imaging technologies such as virtual reality and 3D modelling. The internationally renowned Image Arts: Photography Media Arts program embraces a full range of lens-based media with a focus on creating images that compel, provoke and inspire viewers. 

Create your own path or mix and match between contemporary art, documentary, editorial, commercial, photojournalism and creative image-making. Learn all aspects of photography and media art including camera and lighting, installation experience, 3D environments, graphic design, and curation, among others. 

Work placements, visiting artists programs, workshops, interdisciplinary collaborations and practical assignments, including publishing and professional gallery exhibitions, are also available to students. You can also access the Image Centre, Canada’s leading centre for the research and exhibition of photography, which contains the world-renowned Black Star Collection.

Program info

Faculty:
The Creative School

Program format(s): 
Full time: 4 Year

Degree: 
Bachelor of Fine Arts

Grade range: 
Mid 70s1

Requirements: 
Grades-Plus

Experiential learning: 
Optional internship


Tuition and fees 

For detailed fees information, visit tuition and fees by program.

Full-time format 2023-2024:

Ontario students fees range: $7,232 - $7,738
Out-of-province students fees range: $8,060 - $8,582
International student fees range: $33,462 - $33,881

First-year courses

Here is a preview of first-year courses based on the available undergraduate calendar information.

1st & 2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

  • MPC 101 Visual Studies I: Design Fundamentals
  • MPC 103 Reframing Art History
  • MPC 201 Visual Art: Concepts and Theories
  • MPC 203 Art in the Contemporary World
  • MPS 106 Photography Production
  • MPS 107 Photography and Digital Imaging
  • MPS 206 Photography Production
  • MPS 207 Photography and the Screen

LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

Your future

  • Commercial photography
  • Web production
  • Visual arts
  • Curatorial, gallery or arts administration
  • Editorial and arts publishing
  • Digital imaging
  • Documentary photography
  • Art buying
  • Teaching
  • Art direction

Graduate studies at TMU including:

  • Master of Fine Arts program in Documentary Media
  • Master's in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management

Thinking of applying? Make sure the program is still accepting applications.


Requirements

Academic requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with a minimum of six Grade 12 U or M courses including the following program specific requirements.

Typically, a minimum overall average of 70% establishes eligibility for admission consideration; subject to competition individual programs may require higher prerequisite grades and/or higher overall averages:

  • English/anglais (ENG4U/EAE4U preferred)
  • The minimum grade required in the subject prerequisite (normally in the 65-70% range) will be determined subject to competition.

Academic admission requirements for all other applicants are available on the admission requirements page.


Non-academic requirements 

This is a Grades-Plus program. In addition to meeting competitive academic requirements, you are required to submit the following non-academic requirements. Your ability to follow and adhere to the requirements is part of the assessment of your application. 

Fall 2024 non-academic requirement due date:
February 1, 2024 or 10 business days from your application submission date, whichever comes later.

Your portfolio submission consists of two parts (see below). Your visual portfolio is an essential part of your admission into the program. It is the principal element in demonstrating your creative talents.

Please ensure that your twelve examples of visual work are saved, clearly labelled and uploaded as one .pdf file in your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal(For example, paste the twelve images into a Microsoft Word document, then export or save the document as a single .pdf file).

Part 1: Six images based on a theme

This should be a carefully edited selection of six images that you have created based on a specific, focused theme. (The theme is the subject or main idea in an artistic work that can be interpreted literally, broadly, or metaphorically. You define the theme for your six images.)

These works can be produced through the use of any lens-based media and may also incorporate mixed and hybrid media elements (e.g. imagery combined with text, sound, video, collage, interactivity, etc.). Demonstrate how you see the world, what media tools you use and how you express yourself. These images should be no larger than 2000 x 1500 pixels, at 150 dpi (medium size).

These images should be introduced by a single statement describing your theme and what it means to you (no more than 250 words). You are encouraged to design a cover or title page for this sequence.

Part 2: Selection of Your Best Six Visual Works

A selection of six visual works you have created that demonstrate your abilities as an image-maker. These works can be done in any media (e.g. photography, video, painting, drawing, 3D graphics, sculpture, installation) and can also incorporate mixed and hybrid media (e.g. image/text, image/sound, photographic/web, etc.).

You are encouraged to present work that shows a broad range of your skills. Demonstrate how you see the world, what media tools you use and how you express yourself. These images should be no larger than 2000 x 1500 pixels, at 150 dpi (medium size).

 Note for Part 1 and Part 2:

  • A maximum of three videos will be accepted. 
  • Your videos must be uploaded to “Vimeo.” When you have a Vimeo URL (e.g. https://vimeo.com/43927921 (external link, opens in new window) ), please paste the link into the same single .pdf file, along with your images from Part 1 and Part 2, and upload the file in your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal. 
  • If you choose to use the privacy settings in Vimeo, there is a member subscription fee to do so. Please use the password “PHOTO2024”. You can also choose to not use the privacy settings and not pay the Vimeo subscription fee.

Discuss your interest in photography, what you hope to get out of the program and/or what your goals are regarding your future in photography and media art.

The statement should be:

  • 8.5” x 11” (approximately one typed page)
  • Double-spaced with 1” margins around
  • 250 words maximum
  • Times New Roman 12pt font

Please ensure your written statement is saved and uploaded as a .pdf file to your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal.

Submit a current resumé outlining your education, creative experience and abilities, computer skills and applications you are familiar with (e.g. Photoshop, etc.), work experience, volunteer activities, related skills, interests and any special awards (not to exceed two pages).

Please save and upload your resumé as a .pdf file to your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal.

The non-academic requirements assessment fee is $50 CDN and must be paid in order for your submission to be reviewed. Here’s how to pay:

  1. Access your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal account (instructions to access the portal can be found below under Submission Instructions).

  2. Click on the button to link to the eForms Centre.

    eForms Centre button highlighted in the applicant portal account
  3. Next, click on the eForms Center tile.

    eForms Center button highlighted in the bottom right corner of MyServiceHub.
  4. Then click on the Non-Academic Fee Form link.

    Non-academic Fee Form highlighted in the eForms Center page.

Applicants are required to submit all components of their non-academic requirements via the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal. Due to the volume of applications received and our system performance, we strongly encourage you to submit your documents well in advance of the noted deadlines.

Applicants unable to use the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal are required to contact the School of Image Arts at imagearts@torontomu.ca to discuss an alternate method of submission.

Here’s how to access your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal account:

  1. Get your TMU Student Number in the email acknowledgement of your application
  2. Activate your TMU Online Identity. Fill in the Activation Form on the Accounts website. When asked for your Student/Applicant ID, enter your nine-digit TMU Student Number. Keep a record of your user name and password
  3. 24 hours after activating your TMU Online Identity, visit the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal

If you are applying for readmission or reinstatement, you are not required to submit non-academic requirements. You must inform the program department of your intentions.

 Email the School of Image Arts at: imagearts@torontomu.ca by February 1, 2024, or 10 business days from your application submission date (whichever comes later).


Student spotlight

Image Arts: Photography Media Arts student commissioned by Porsche to cover SXSW Festival 

During his fourth year in the Image Arts: Photography Media Arts program, Angel Fonseca was commissioned by Porsche to cover the 2023 South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas. Fonseca had the legendary opportunity to document his road trip while driving a 1985 Porsche 911 from Los Angeles to Austin. The film photographer reflects on going behind the scenes for Porsche and shares his experience on his road trip journey. 

Read more: Photography student Angel Fonseca recaps his road trip experience to SXSW festival in Texas


More ways to explore TMU

  

Notes:

  1. Actual minimum grade ranges required for fall 2024 admission/wait list consideration will be determined based on grades and qualifications presented by the applicant pool as they become available. Required grade ranges may fluctuate from year to year (up or down) as a result of competition. Applicants not educated in Ontario may present the equivalent of the Ontario requirements. TMU reserves the right to determine equivalency at its sole discretion.

Disclaimer: 

While every effort is made to ensure accuracy on this site, in the event of a discrepancy, TMU's current Undergraduate Calendar is the official reference.