Image Arts: Photography Media Arts - BFA
Image Arts: Photography Media Arts - BFA
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Faculty: The Creative School
Requirements: Grades-Plus
Grade range: Mid 70s1
Experiential learning: Internship available
Full-time format: 4 Year
Is this degree for you?
Today’s art world and photography industry are constantly evolving fields, from web and installation design, to emerging imaging technologies like augmented reality. The internationally renowned Image Arts: Photography Media Arts degree program offers a comprehensive approach to lens-based practices, focusing on creating impactful and inspiring images and experiences.
Explore contemporary art, documentary, editorial, commercial, photojournalism and creative image-making. You’ll learn all aspects of the field including camera and lighting, installation/experience design, 3D environment design, graphic design and curatorial practice.
Work placements, workshops, interdisciplinary collaborations and practical assignments will enhance your studies. You’ll also access The Image Centre, Canada's top facility for photography research and exhibition, home to the renowned Black Star Collection.
400K+
Photos await you at The Image Centre, TMU’s image-based museum
Student spotlight
Photography workshop by Image Arts alum lands international acclaim
In the past few decades, technology has revolutionized art, dismantling barriers to photography and empowering amateurs and professionals alike to create masterpieces once reserved for a select few. This shift granted students in a photo workshop led by Image Arts: Photography Media Arts alum Rob Davidson the opportunity to showcase their photos at the Pingyao International Photo Festival in China.
Read more: Photography workshop by Image Arts alum lands international acclaim
After you graduate with this degree
🎓 Further education:
- Documentary Media (MFA)
- Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management (MA)
Career possibilities:
- Arts administrator
- Art director
- Commercial photographer
- Teacher
- Visual artist
💼 Employer possibilities:
- FASHION Magazine
- McCann
- National Gallery of Canada
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Toronto Star
Tuition and fees range 2024-2025
For detailed fees information, visit tuition and fees by program.
Full-time format:
Ontario students: $7,305 - $7,798
Out-of-province students: $8,481 - $8,995
International students: $35,102 - $35,521
First-year courses
Here is a preview of first-year courses based on the available undergraduate calendar information.
1st & 2nd Semester
REQUIRED:
LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
The Creative School
The Creative School stands as a beacon of innovation. Here, creativity isn't just a skill—it's the core of everything we do, transforming learning and expanding the boundaries of what’s possible. We offer a truly transdisciplinary education that immerses students in a creative ecosystem and encourages collaboration across faculties and around the globe.
The Creative School degree programs
Thinking of applying? Make sure the program is still accepting applications.
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.
This is a Grades-Plus program. Admission decisions for Grades-Plus programs are based on academic performance plus non-academic criteria such as interviews, auditions, essays and portfolios. Your ability to follow and adhere to the requirements is part of the assessment of your application.
Fall 2025 non-academic requirement due date:
February 1, 2025 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) ), 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 “PHOTO2025”. 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 (not to exceed 250 words).
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 CAD and must be paid in order for your submission to be reviewed. Here’s how to pay:
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Access your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal account (instructions to access the portal can be found below under Submission Instructions).
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Click on the button to link to the eForms Centre.
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Next, click on the eForms Center tile.
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Then click on the Non-Academic Fee Form link.
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:
- Get your TMU Student Number in the email acknowledgement of your application
- 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
- 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, 2025, or 10 business days from your application submission date (whichever comes later).
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Notes:
- Actual minimum grade ranges required for fall 2025 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.