US Applicants

SFU’s School for the Contemporary Arts is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The school offers an innovative interdisciplinary program within a multi-campus university. It is situated in an ultramodern facility in the downtown core of Vancouver. Specialized in providing a dynamic learning environment, the studio classes in dance, film, music, theatre, and visual art are taught by practicing artists. Critical courses in art, culture, and film are taught by scholars who engage students with the historical, philosophical and political contexts of the arts. The SCA’s goal is to equip students with the skills, discipline, flexibility, creativity, understanding, and acumen to excel in the arts on a global stage.

Please contact Dean Lastoria, the SCA's New Student Advisor, at lastoria@sfu.ca.

Students applying for Dance, Film, Music, Theatre Performance, Theatre Production & Design, Visual Art, or Art, Performance & Cinema Studies BFAs will participate in an additional application process for entry into the School for the Contemporary Arts. Depending on the Area, the audition, interview or portfolio review will occur TBA. Please see below.

Please contact us to find about about alternative options if travel to Vancouver is not an option.

As our programs are cohort based, students usually start in the Fall. Those interested in January or May start dates should contact us for a review of the specific details.

US college or university transfer students can find the admission requirements HERE.

ADMISSION FROM THE US: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Applicants studying at an accredited US high school/American international school will be considered on a combination of factors, including senior academic courses, test scores, and advanced academic course work (International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, honours, etc.).

General Requirements

  • English admission requirement (go HERE for more information)
  • Quantitative skills requirement (go HERE for more information)
  • Graduation from an accredited high school
    SAT I score of 1550 out of 2400 or ACT Composite score of 22 
    (SAT institution sending code: 0999; ACT institution sending code: 5374)
  • Minimum of three senior level academic subjects

For full details, please go to the main SFU Admissions page for US students HERE.

ADMISSION FROM THE US: COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY TRANSFER STUDENTS

You must have successfully completed 24 units of transferable post-secondary course work and may transfer up to a maximum of 60 units toward your degree program. If you have completed fewer than 24 units, you will be required to meet the high school admission requirements.

For full details, please go to the main SFU Admissions page for US students HERE.

UNIVERSITY APPLICATION

Step 1: Apply to SFU HERE
Step 2: Follow the steps listed HERE
Step 3: You will be contacted by a representative from the School for the Contemporary Arts to discuss the additional requirements (i.e. audition, interview, or porfolio) and make arrangements.

APPLICATION FOR FALL 2018

The application deadline for the 2018 Fall Semester for all students is February 28, 2018. Most of our programs have secondary application deadlines prior to this. Please see below for program area specific information.

DANCE

Entry is by audition. Auditions will take place Friday, February 16 and Monday, April 16, all days beginning at 9am. Please e-mail ca@sfu.ca to book your time.

It is a full day with a class in the morning and an interview in the afternoon. It is strongly recommended that you attend the audition, but if you cannot attend, please contact Dean Lastoria (lastoria@sfu.ca) to discuss your options. 

Audition by Video Instructions: Download PDF.

Find out more about the Dance program HERE.

FILM

The process to apply for the Film program is a questionnaire followed by an interview. Film questionnaires can be submitted by either January 15 or April 1. A phone or in-person interview will follow later based on a review of the questionnaire. Please note, unsuccessful applicants who have submitted their questionnaires in January will be reconsidered in April so there is no need to re-submit.

Film Questionnaire: Download PDF.

Based on the results of the submitted questionnaire, a phone or in-person interview will follow later for approximately half the students who have applied. Click here for the Film FAQ PDF.

Find out more about the Film program HERE.

MUSIC

Entry to music is by Questionnaire, which can be submitted by either January 15 or April 1. After Questionnaires are reviewed, prospective students will be contacted about a possible music theory placement test.

If you are from outside the BC Lower Mainland, we can send the test to teachers or counselors who would be willing to supervise a 45 minute test, or if you have post-secondary music credit and extensive composition experience, please contact Dean Lastoria (lastoria@sfu.ca) for information on submitting a portfolio for a placement assessment.

Music Questionnaire: Download PDF.

SCA Music Placement Exam

Please contact ca@sfu.ca for an individual sitting time for the music placement exam. 

Find out more about the Music program HERE.

THEATRE PERFORMANCE

Prospective Performance students can audition in-person at the following locales and dates:

PLEASE CHECK BACK

Please email ca@sfu.ca to book your time locally and to find out more information about precise audition times and locations.

Audition by Video: Prospective students are strongly encouraged to audition in person if possible. If this is not possible, video audition applications are considered. Click here for Theatre Performance Program Instructions for Exceptional Audition by Video PDF.

Students from high school, or without post-secondary theatre courses, will audition for entry into the first year of the program; students with post-secondary theatre transfer credit will audition for entry into the second year of the program. Please contact our please contact Dean Lastoria (lastoria@sfu.ca) To discuss your options.

Find out more about the Theatre Performance program HERE.

THEATRE PRODUCTION & DESIGN

All prospective Production & Design students will submit an online questionnaire either January 15 or April 1.

Production and Design Questionnaire Downloads: High School PDF | Post Secondary PDF

Find out more about the Theatre Production & Design program HERE.

VISUAL ART

All prospective Visual Art students’ portfolios will be due January 15 or APRIL 1. Students will be interviewed after submitting a PDF portfolio with images and written responses. Please note, unsuccessful applicants who have submitted their portfolios in January will be reconsidered in March, so there is no need to re-submit.

Visual Art Questionnaire Downloads: High School PDF | Post Secondary PDF

Find out more about the Visual Art Program HERE.

ART, PERFORMANCE & CINEMA STUDIES

Prospective students can submit a questionnaire by either January 15 or April 1.

Art, Performance and Cinema Studies Questionnaire: Download PDF.

Find out more about the Art, Performance & Cinema Studies prorgam HERE.

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