BFA Graphic Design at University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Programme overview

The BFA in Graphic Design combines a design foundation with a 45-hour graphic design sequence including a portfolio review.

Faculty: College of Architecture and Design | Duration: Foundation 12 hours plus Graphic Design 45 hours (plus further requirements) | Intake: Fall, Spring and Summer entry | Study mode: full-time | Location: Knoxville, TN, United States

What you will study

Foundation courses are Design Foundation Studio I-III and The Idea of Design; graphic design courses include Graphic Design Portfolio Review (GRDS 200) and Beginning Typography.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

College of Architecture and Design: a portfolio is recommended but not required for admission; graphic design has additional programme requirements, and the GRDS 200 portfolio review is completed within the programme. First-year applicants: Go Vols or Common Application, self-reported academic record (STARS) and ACT/SAT scores (required), one essay, $75 application fee; holistic review of core GPA (16 core units recommended: 4 English, 4 math, 3 science, 1 American history, 1 European/world history or geography, 2 foreign language, 1 visual or performing art). Early Action submission deadline Nov 1, Regular Decision Jan 5. International applicants: English proficiency minimums TOEFL iBT 79 (before Jan 21, 2026), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 110, Pearson PTE 53, or ACT English 21 / SAT Reading and Writing 540.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms: Summer/Fall (first-year Early Action and Regular Decision) and Spring (first-year deadline December 15). Transfer students may enter Fall, Spring or Summer.

First-year Summer/Fall: Early Action submission November 1 and materials November 15; Regular Decision submission January 5 and materials January 20. First-year Spring: December 15. Confirmation deadline May 1. Decisions: Tennessee Early Action early December, out-of-state Early Action mid-December, Regular Decision early March.

Transfer application completion deadlines: Fall July 1, Spring December 15, Summer April 15. Enrollment confirmation: Fall August 1, Spring January 13, Summer May 15.

International undergraduate deadlines: Spring October 1 (confirmation November 1); Summer March 15 (confirmation April 1); Fall Early Action November 1 and Regular Decision January 5 (confirmation May 1).

The first-year application fee is $75 and nonrefundable; apply through the Common Application or the Go Vols application. Fee waivers are available to US citizens and permanent residents but not to international applicants. Standardized test scores are self-reported in the Go Vols portal and official scores are due May 15; Nursing applicants must include ACT/SAT scores.

International applicants pay the $75 nonrefundable undergraduate application fee and must show English proficiency (for example TOEFL iBT, Duolingo or PTE) unless exempt; conditional admission via the ELI carries a $50 application fee.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.utk.edu/

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