Can I apply across majors to study abroad in art?

The number of Chinese students studying abroad has always remained high. In recent years, the trend of art students studying abroad has become more and more obvious. Many students have asked, can I change my major and apply to study abroad in art? Let’s find out with me.

It’s the study abroad season again, and there are many non-art students in China who want to switch to art studies. But will the school accept cross-major applications? How difficult is it to change majors? Which majors accept cross-major applications? Is it more tolerant?

1. Do foreign universities accept cross-major applications?

Most foreign universities accept cross-major applications. Relatively speaking, American colleges and universities are more professionally inclusive. Especially majors such as fashion design, jewelry design, graphic design, illustration, animation, photography, and industrial design, you can choose with confidence. For example, when it comes to the industrial design major that people have many doubts about, they may worry that they do not have relevant professional knowledge and cannot choose between majors. In fact, this is not the case. Art Center College of Design (ACCD) is the best school for industrial design in the United States, and most of its industrial design majors Graduate students are all students with relevant backgrounds and experiences, but ACCD values ??the collision of multiculturalism and attaches great importance to the voices from different majors. Therefore, it also relaxes the background requirements and accommodates applications from undergraduate non-design majors. Other institutions such as Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and New York School of Visual Arts (SVA) are also very tolerant, but the premise is that your portfolio must be outstanding.

2. What is the timing and key to change majors?

If you decide to apply across majors, the sooner the better, because most students need basic art studies. Of course, this also depends on your artistic potential and determination to study abroad in art.

Portfolios are undoubtedly the determining factor in the success or failure of cross-major applications. Admissions officers use portfolios to examine students' artistic potential and understanding of art. Non-art major students are relatively weak in artistic thinking and need professional teachers to guide them and provide portfolio training.

3. What are the differences in the application requirements?

For cross-major students applying for the art major, the requirements for the portfolio remain unchanged. Friends, you just need to prepare every item carefully. But there is also a very important issue involved here: the basis of technique. Many cross-major students are very motivated to apply at the beginning, but may be rejected later because they are not professional enough and the portfolio they prepared often does not meet the requirements of art schools, wasting a lot of time. Here, I suggest friends with zero foundation to look for reliable and professional art study abroad institutions to help lay basic techniques, develop artistic cells, and guide the production of more professional portfolios.

Other materials will be discussed separately.

Transcripts: The application of art students will include the grades of the art major they studied, while most non-art students will include the grades of courses in other majors. However, foreign art academies pay more attention to students’ comprehensive ability and artistic potential. And a certain number of places will be reserved for students who want to change majors from non-arts, so they will measure your strength among the many non-arts applicants.

PS: Non-art students should write about their own relevant art practices. Why did you change your major, why did you choose this art major and this school, and your future plans.

4 How to choose a major when applying across majors?

For students applying across majors, choosing a reasonable target major is the top priority. I suggest that you follow the principle of proximity: those with painting skills can choose fine art or illustration, and those who are good at using software can prefer graphic or industrial design. By comprehensively assessing your strengths and weaknesses and getting closer to your goals, you will be more likely to succeed in cross-professional applications.

If you really plan to apply for art study abroad across majors, I suggest that you pay attention to the production of your portfolio. Prepare in advance so you don’t have to rush into it when the time comes.

It seems unbelievable for non-art students to go abroad to study art. This is probably due to the fixed thinking in China that "every line is like a mountain". ACG has many students with no foundation in art who have applied to top foreign art schools, and some have even received scholarships.