Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts
About This Programme
A fine-arts degree in studio and visual-arts practice, including painting, sculpture, contemporary art and creative production. Accredited by NASAD (substantial equivalency).
Course Highlights
- Studio degree with NASAD substantial equivalency
- Taught at Zayed University, ranked #588 in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- American-style credit-hour degree taught in English
- UAE nationals are generally government-sponsored
What You'll Study
Delivered in English over 9 semesters at Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Courses run in 16-week terms, generally Sunday to Thursday starting at 8:00am.
Programme courses
Required credit hours: 120. Course list as printed in the Zayed University Catalog 2025-2026, pages 74-76.
- ART121 Fundamentals of Art & Design
- FYE140 Critical Analysis and Composition
- FYE110 Reasoning with Data
- FYE150 Fundamentals of Innovation and
- FYE120 Islamic Culture
- FYE126 Contemporary Emirati Studies
- FYE145 Arabic Concepts for Native Speakers
- FYE146 Arabic Concepts for Non-Native Speakers
- FYE155 Digital Humanities
- ART220 Introduction to Art History
- ART205 Art Foundations
- ART201 Principles of Design
- AVA310 Drawing
- ART251 Basic Design
- ART221 Research Methods for Artists and Designers
- AAH322 History of Islamic Art and Architecture
- AVA312 Painting 1
- AVA340 Photography
- ART223 History of Visual Culture II
- AVA345 Digital Video
- AVA315 Sculpture
- AVA313 Drawing
- AVA360 Printmaking
- ADR492 Senior Research Seminar
- ADR405 Professional Practice
- ART499 Senior Project
- ART490 Internship
- ADR321 Material Culture of the United Arab
- AAH325 History of Design
- AAH420 Communities, Curatorial Practices
- AAH422 Contemporary Art Theory
- AAH427 History of Animation
- AAH430 Curatorial Practices
- AAH425 History of Graphic Design
- AAH426 History of Interior Design
- ART297 Special Topics in Art and Design:
- AVA309 Digital Illustration
- AGD314 Illustration and Visual Narrative
- AVA316 Ceramics
- AVA317 Storyboarding
- AVA318 Three-Dimensional Design
- AVA319 Introduction to Jewelry Design
- AAH328 Cross Cultural Influences in Design
- AVA341 Photography
- AVA342 Introduction to Studio Lighting
- AVA346 Digital Video II
- AGD351 Graphic Design 1
- AGD356 Typography
- AGD357 Designing for the Web
- AGD358 Design for Social Change
- AVA363 Printmaking
- AVA365 Digital Printmaking
- AVA366 Book Structures
- AAD375 Fundamentals of Digital 3D
- AAD376 Animation 1
- ART397 Special Topics in Art and Design
- AVA410 Drawing II
- AVA411 Painting II
- AVA415 Mixed Media
- AVA418 Installation
- ART495 Independent Study
- ART497 Special Topics in Art and Design
- FYE105 Workplace Readiness and Professional Skills
- FYE125 discussion of the arts and the relationship to be bbbo
- FYE195 Artificial Intelligence Essentials and Applications
Entry Requirements
UAE nationals admitted under the government scholarship scheme receive full tuition funding for up to five years. Accepted secondary qualifications and minimums: A-Levels 2 subjects at grade C or higher (excluding Arabic and Islamic Studies), IB Diploma 24 points, IB Certificate 21 points including 2 subjects related to the degree at grade 5 or higher, BTEC Level 3 Diploma 2 Merits. UAE Ministry of Education and American curricula have no minimum overall average, but subject requirements apply.
Careers
Graduates pursue careers in design studios, media, advertising, animation and the creative industries, or in freelance practice.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Substantial equivalency granted by NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design).
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Start Date
August (Fall intake)
Typical Offer
High-school graduation with the subject grades required for the major (for example 80% in Grade 12 Mathematics and English for quantitative majors).
Duration
4 years
Qualification
Bachelors
Subject Area
Art & Design
Campus
Abu Dhabi or Dubai
Course Type
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 75,000/yr
Undergraduate applicants apply online (UAE nationals via the Ministry of Education portal; others via ZU e-services), submit their documents and pay the AED 250 application fee.