Guides to studying art and design
Choosing a school
Comparing Art and Design Specializations
How schools divide art and design into specializations such as fine art, illustration, graphic design, photography, textiles and interior design, why the same name can mean different things, and what to check in a curriculum. Examples from RISD and UAL; no ranking or career claims.
Updated 23 October 2026
How to Choose an Art School
A practical way to compare art schools: the degree title and level, the studio or research focus, how portfolios are assessed, what the program says about costs and funding, and what you can verify yourself. No rankings and no promises about outcomes.
Updated 23 October 2026
Studio Practice or Art History: Which Path Fits You?
Studio art and art history are different disciplines with different degrees, application materials and outputs. How real programs describe each, where they overlap, and questions to ask before choosing. We do not recommend either path.
Updated 23 October 2026
Qualifications and awards
Art Education Degrees and Teaching Requirements
An art education degree does not automatically grant teacher registration. How degrees, teacher preparation and state or national certification fit together, with examples from England's QTS, Teachers College and RISD. Always check the authority for the place you want to teach.
Updated 23 October 2026
BFA vs BA in Art: What Is the Difference?
Why a BFA and a BA in art are different undergraduate degrees, how schools describe the studio-credit load, final exhibition and electives, and what to check in each program's catalog. Examples from real universities; not a recommendation of either.
Updated 23 October 2026
Practice-Based Research and Doctorates in Art
What practice-based and practice-led research means, how it differs from an MFA and from a conventional PhD, and how the RCA and Heriot-Watt describe their doctoral routes. Definitions vary by institution, so check the regulations of any school you consider.
Updated 23 October 2026
MFA vs MA in Art: Understanding the Difference
An MFA and an MA in art are distinct master's degrees with different designs. How real schools describe them, why 'terminal degree' needs care, and what to check about credits, exhibitions and funding. Neither is a substitute for the other, and none is promised to qualify you for a job.
Updated 23 October 2026
Applying
Applying for a PhD in Art: What to Prepare
A doctorate in art may mean an art history PhD, a practice-based PhD or another research route. How to tell them apart, what applications commonly ask for (proposal, writing sample, portfolio, references), and what to ask about funding. Examples from Stanford and the RCA.
Updated 23 October 2026
Preparing an Art Portfolio for Admission
What art schools say they look for in a portfolio: number of pieces, observational drawing, process work, captions and file format. Real examples from UAL, ARU, Alfred and Montserrat show how much requirements differ, so always follow the school's own instructions.
Updated 23 October 2026
Costs
Art School Costs Beyond Tuition
Tuition is one line in the cost of art study. A checklist of fees, materials, studio, equipment, health insurance, living and travel costs, with how MassArt and other schools word them. Our examples are illustrations from single schools, not typical figures.
Updated 23 October 2026
Online learning
Online, Low-Residency and Hybrid Art Study Explained
Definitions of fully online, low residency and hybrid art programs, with examples from Texas State and Teachers College. Low residency requires attendance: check residency frequency, length, location, travel and extra costs. No program is guaranteed to suit your situation.
Updated 23 October 2026
Studying abroad
Studying Art Abroad: What to Check Before You Apply
Degree titles, national frameworks, language, portfolio and visa questions to settle before studying art in another country. Uses UK examples from GOV.UK and UAL, plus the European and UK qualification frameworks. No guarantee of admission, funding or visas.
Updated 23 October 2026
Funding
MFA Funding: Assistantships, Tuition Remission and Stipends
Plain definitions of guaranteed and competitive funding, assistantships, tuition remission, stipends and renewal conditions, illustrated with wording from UW-Madison, UCSB and Kent State. 'Fully funded' means something only when its terms are attached.
Updated 23 October 2026