Develop Your Artistic Ideas

Apply for one of our bachelor's degree programs in art & design.

Study in Cambridge, a Hub for the Arts

At Lesley University, our art and design students are pushing their ideas forward and gaining experience for a professional career. Whether you want to illustrate children’s books, tell your stories using various media, or design for today’s world, you’ll get the foundation you need to put your creativity to work.

Located in the heart of Cambridge, you'll also have access to world-class museums, film screenings, and exhibitions. And with early and guided hands-on learning, you'll graduate ready to succeed in the rapidly-growing creative economy.

Apply Now for Fall 2022

Portfolio Tips

If you’re applying for a BFA program, you’ll need to include a portfolio—a collection of your strongest work. Your portfolio is a way to introduce yourself as an artist and to make a great first impression.

What you’ll need:

12-20 images in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, collage, photography, or other media (traditional or digital)
Or, 12 minutes of video clips (for digital filmmaking)
Review our portfolio guidelines

5 Application Tips

Your application is a way to introduce yourself to Lesley University. Present yourself in the best light with these tips.

Recommendations. Ask for recommendations from your teachers early so they have time to write a thoughtful letter that’ll add value to your application.
Essay. Write an essay that is about you. Admissions counselors want to learn something that isn’t obvious in your application. Have fun and make the essay your own.
Communication. Avoid slang or abbreviations like “LOL” in your communication with admissions counselors.
Interview. Meet with an admissions counselor or get your portfolio reviewed, all virtually. Find out how to make your application or portfolio stand out.
Proofread. Complete your application, set it aside, then proofread it with fresh eyes to make sure it’s mistake-free.

Apply Today

Applying to Lesley University couldn’t be easier. There’s no fee, and if you apply by our February 15 preferred deadline, you'll have an answer within three weeks.

1. View the application requirements for U.S. students or for international students.
2. When you're ready, apply here.
Contact our Admissions Counselors at 617.349.8800 or admissions@lesley.edu if you have any questions.

Fill out your FAFSA form

Our goal is to break down financial barriers so that if you want to learn at Lesley University, you can. It starts with being one of the most affordable private universities in New England. But we also customize our aid packages based on each student's needs. And, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid.

So if you haven’t already, complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. The sooner you do, the sooner we can create your customized tuition plan.

Come meet us virtually

The best way to get a feel for life at Lesley is to see it for yourself. For the Fall 2022 semester, we are running several virtual Open Houses, Information Sessions, and other events for future undergrads like you.

Check out virtual options and sign up.

Portrait in progress of Jon Lopez-Wilen. Stands with a student, both are masked.

Student Story

Jonathan Wilen-Lopez

Illustration Major Leads Socially Distant Mural Crew

Before joining Boston Mayor Walsh's Mural Crew, Jonathan Lopez-Wilen ’22 hadn’t considered art as a career or even a hobby. Now, he's in Lesley's Illustration BFA program to pursue a career in the arts. This year, Jonathan led the Mural Crew. But with social distancing requirements, they had to get creative.

See how Jonathan and the Crew created art in nature.

Areas of Study

Art & Design Programs

At Lesley, you can get your BFA in:

Animation & Motion Media / Digital Filmmaking / Fine Arts / Game Design & Immersive Technologies / Graphic Design / Illustration / Interactive Design / Photography / Visual Effects (VFX) / Visual Narrative

We also offer a BA in Art and 25 liberal arts majors. Combine your BFA with a second major or one of our 45+ minors—in art & design or a liberal arts subject—to expand your career opportunities.