Undergraduate Design Admissions


All prospective students must complete the online University of Kansas application. This application serves as the application for admission to KU, University Scholarships, and the Design program.

In addition, students must submit a portfolio to be considered for admission. Admission is highly selective and competitive.

Requirements for Fall Applicants

  • Applicants must submit a portfolio and must be admissible to KU by assured admission or individual review. 
  • 21+ ACT (1060+ SAT) and 3.25+ GPA or 24+ ACT (1160+ SAT) and 3.0+ GPA
  • If you have not had the opportunity to take the ACT or SAT, your application will be given a holistic review with or without test scores.

Portfolio

All undergraduate applicants must submit a portfolio to be considered for admission to the Department of Design.

Portfolios are submitted online through SlideRoom. Please select "Undergraduate Student - Portfolio Submission" from the directory. For technical support questions while submitting your online application, please contact SlideRoom Support.  

The online portfolio submission includes the following requirements:

Media

Please upload 10-15 images of your strongest creative works. 

  • Please title each piece.
  • In the description, include the medium or software used, the size, date of completion, and a brief one to two sentence description.
  • In the case of documented professional or group projects, applicants should indicate personal responsibilities.
  • Work generated primarily with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be accepted. 
  • Your portfolio must include at least two mediums. Examples: sketches, photographs, drawings, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, 3-D pieces, logos, branding, publications/yearbook, posters or any art or design-related works.
  • Displaying a variety of work is essential; use your strongest pieces and good judgment.

Essay

Why are you interested in studying design, what have you done to prepare, and how do you hope to use your degree?

  • To complete your application you must provide a response to the prompt.  
  • Please limit your response to 200-250 words.
  • Your response should be in your own words. Responses using Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tools will not be accepted. 

Deadlines

  • Priority Consideration - November 1
  • Final Deadline - February 1

Portfolios are not reviewed until after the deadlines. Decision letters are sent approximately one month after the deadline. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis at the beginning of each month after the deadlines.

If you have questions about your application to the Department of Design please contact our Admissions Coordinator, Joan Weaver, at jweaver@ku.edu or 785-864-3167.

Admission to the Department of Design is selective and competitive. Complete the online application by going to admissions.ku.edu and selecting the School of Architecture and Design, then select your major. This application will serve as your application to KU, the Department of Design and University scholarships. In addition, students must submit a portfolio.   

Requirements

Application Deadlines 

  • Fall: February 1
  • SpringOctober 1

Transferring credits to KU

Utilize KU's credit transfer tool to learn more about how your courses may transfer to KU. Please note transfer studio courses with a grade of C+ or lower will not be accepted by the Department of Design for credit. Transfer general education courses with a grade of D+ or lower will not be accepted by the Department of Design for credit. 

Additionally, the KU Photography program coordinates with Johnson County Community College on a streamlined transfer process that allows students beginning their studies at JCCC to complete their BFA at KU within four years total. See more here.

Questions?

If you have questions about your application to the Department of Design please contact our Admissions Coordinator, Joan Weaver, at jweaver@ku.edu or 785-864-3167.

Admission to the Department of Design is selective and competitive. International students should apply through the Office of International Recruitment and Undergraduate Admissions. 

Requirements

Application Deadlines 

  • Fall:

    • Incoming Freshmen - Deadline for Priority Consideration - November 1
    • Incoming Freshmen - Deadline for Final Consideration - February 1
    • Transfer, Current KU Students, or Readmits - February 1
  • Spring:
    • Transfer, Current KU Students, or Readmits - October 1

Questions?

If you have questions about your application to the Department of Design please contact our Admissions Coordinator, Joan Weaver, at jweaver@ku.edu or 785-864-3167.

Admission to the Department of Design is selective and competitive. Students must fill out the Change of School form and select their major. This form will serve as your application to the Department of Design. In addition, students must submit a portfolio.

Requirements

Application Deadlines 

  • Fall: February 1
  • Spring: October 1

Questions?

If you have questions about your application to the Department of Design please contact our Admissions Coordinator, Joan Weaver, at jweaver@ku.edu or 785-864-3167.

All prospective students must complete the online University of Kansas application. This application serves as the application for admission to KU, University Scholarships, and the Design program.

In addition, students must submit a portfolio to be considered for admission. Admission is highly selective and competitive.

Requirements for Fall Applicants

  • Applicants must submit a portfolio and must be admissible to KU by assured admission or individual review. 
  • 21+ ACT (1060+ SAT) and 3.25+ GPA or 24+ ACT (1160+ SAT) and 3.0+ GPA
  • If you have not had the opportunity to take the ACT or SAT, your application will be given a holistic review with or without test scores.

Portfolio

All undergraduate applicants must submit a portfolio to be considered for admission to the Department of Design.

Portfolios are submitted online through SlideRoom. Please select "Undergraduate Student - Portfolio Submission" from the directory. For technical support questions while submitting your online application, please contact SlideRoom Support.  

The online portfolio submission includes the following requirements:

Media

Please upload 10-15 images of your strongest creative works. 

  • Please title each piece.
  • In the description, include the medium or software used, the size, date of completion, and a brief one to two sentence description.
  • In the case of documented professional or group projects, applicants should indicate personal responsibilities.
  • Work generated primarily with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be accepted. 
  • Your portfolio must include at least two mediums. Examples: sketches, photographs, drawings, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, 3-D pieces, logos, branding, publications/yearbook, posters or any art or design-related works.
  • Displaying a variety of work is essential; use your strongest pieces and good judgment.

Essay

Why are you interested in studying design, what have you done to prepare, and how do you hope to use your degree?

  • To complete your application you must provide a response to the prompt.  
  • Please limit your response to 200-250 words.
  • Your response should be in your own words. Responses using Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tools will not be accepted. 

Deadlines

  • Priority Consideration - November 1
  • Final Deadline - February 1

Portfolios are not reviewed until after the deadlines. Decision letters are sent approximately one month after the deadline. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis at the beginning of each month after the deadlines.

If you have questions about your application to the Department of Design please contact our Admissions Coordinator, Joan Weaver, at jweaver@ku.edu or 785-864-3167.

Admission to the Department of Design is selective and competitive. Complete the online application by going to admissions.ku.edu and selecting the School of Architecture and Design, then select your major. This application will serve as your application to KU, the Department of Design and University scholarships. In addition, students must submit a portfolio.   

Requirements

Application Deadlines 

  • Fall: February 1
  • SpringOctober 1

Transferring credits to KU

Utilize KU's credit transfer tool to learn more about how your courses may transfer to KU. Please note transfer studio courses with a grade of C+ or lower will not be accepted by the Department of Design for credit. Transfer general education courses with a grade of D+ or lower will not be accepted by the Department of Design for credit. 

Additionally, the KU Photography program coordinates with Johnson County Community College on a streamlined transfer process that allows students beginning their studies at JCCC to complete their BFA at KU within four years total. See more here.

Questions?

If you have questions about your application to the Department of Design please contact our Admissions Coordinator, Joan Weaver, at jweaver@ku.edu or 785-864-3167.

Admission to the Department of Design is selective and competitive. International students should apply through the Office of International Recruitment and Undergraduate Admissions. 

Requirements

Application Deadlines 

  • Fall:

    • Incoming Freshmen - Deadline for Priority Consideration - November 1
    • Incoming Freshmen - Deadline for Final Consideration - February 1
    • Transfer, Current KU Students, or Readmits - February 1
  • Spring:
    • Transfer, Current KU Students, or Readmits - October 1

Questions?

If you have questions about your application to the Department of Design please contact our Admissions Coordinator, Joan Weaver, at jweaver@ku.edu or 785-864-3167.

Admission to the Department of Design is selective and competitive. Students must fill out the Change of School form and select their major. This form will serve as your application to the Department of Design. In addition, students must submit a portfolio.

Requirements

Application Deadlines 

  • Fall: February 1
  • Spring: October 1

Questions?

If you have questions about your application to the Department of Design please contact our Admissions Coordinator, Joan Weaver, at jweaver@ku.edu or 785-864-3167.