Apply to Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

You have three different paths for applying to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program in our School of Design. Please select your path below:

– First-year students applying to enter UT Knoxville
– Transfer students from another institution applying to enter UT Knoxville
– Transfer students currently enrolled in another major at UT Knoxville

 

First-Year Students

A first-year student is someone who will be entering the university for the first time. For this, you will need to apply to both the university and the Graphic Design program for admittance. Seating in the first-year Graphic Design Foundations program is limited; therefore, students are encouraged to apply for admission as early as possible.

  • November 1 – Early-action deadline for admission to the college and deadline to apply for competitive scholarships including the category called Chancellor’s Scholarships. Admitted students will receive an email with the link to the scholarship application, which you need to complete by December 15. We strongly encourage you to apply for admission as early as possible.
  • December 15 – Regular admission deadline for the University of Tennessee

There are two ways to apply online:

  • Go Vols account – this portal will allow you to apply for scholarships available within UT Knoxville.
  • Common application – You’ll need to activate your Go Vols account to apply for scholarships.

Once within the application, applicants need to select Graphic Design as first major choice.

Once your application has been submitted, it will first be reviewed for admission into the university. Upon admittance to UT, applications are then forwarded to our college for entrance into our School of Design’s Graphic Design Foundations year. The School of Design employs a holistic application process that considers students’ overall academic performance in combination with academic activities and review of application essay submissions.

We will communicate admission decisions in mid-December and mid-February. Upon approval, you will receive an acceptance letter directly from the School of Design with directives to secure your spot in the Foundations year.

Transfer Applicants Coming from Another Institution

Students interested in applying to the Graphic Design program with degree credit from another institution are encouraged to attend an Open House or Transfer Information Session prior to application submission. These occur regularly throughout the year, and many of your questions about the program can be answered in these sessions, in particular, if you are requesting a transfer into upper-division courses.

Transfer Sessions for Fall 2025 Cohort:

Students interested in being considered for the fall 2025 semester should email Julie Beckman with GRDS Interest in FA25 in the subject to schedule a Zoom session regarding the process.

Upon completing this session, transfer applicants from outside the university will follow-up by applying to both the university and the program.

  • December 1, 2024 – Application deadline for Spring 2025 entry (limited seats)
  • July 1, 2025 – Application deadline for Fall 2025 entry

Once within the application, applicants need to select Graphic Design as first major choice.

If you have a portfolio that you would like to be considered, which is optional, please follow these instructions:  After you’ve submitted your application, login to your Go Vols account, and under the “Upload Materials” section, select “Architecture Portfolio” from the drop-down list.  (“Architecture Portfolio” is for the College of Architecture and Design applicants, including those applying to the School of Design.)  Then upload the portfolio files from your computer.

Your application will first be reviewed for admission into the university. Upon admittance, applications are then forwarded to the college for entrance into the School of Design’s Graphic Design program.

Upon approval, you will receive an acceptance letter directly from the School of Design with directives to secure your spot.

Transfer Applicants Coming from Within UT Knoxville

We welcome internal transfers to start in our fall 2025 Graphic Design Program!

UT students interested in applying to the Graphic Design program should reach out to schoolofdesign@utk.edu or call 974-5265.