• TypeUniversities
• LocationLos Angeles, The United States
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Otis College of Art and Design is a private nonprofit art and design college in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1918, it describes itself as the first professional school of the arts in Los Angeles. It awards Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees and also runs extension programmes for adults and young people.

• Eight BFA programmes, including Animation, Fashion Design, Graphic Design and Toy Design
• 15 minors
• Two MFA programmes: Fine Arts and Graphic Design
• Professional certificates and youth and pre-college courses through Otis Extension

All first-year students follow a common Foundation year of studio courses before choosing a major. International students make up 15% of the student population. Full-time international students study on an F-1 visa, for which the college issues the I-20 form after admission, and several BFA majors and the MFA in Graphic Design are designated STEM programmes. International applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. First-year students are typically housed in the Residence Hall, and older students mainly in the affiliated Park West apartments.

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9045 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, The United States, 90045-3505

Otis College offers eight Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programmes, preceded by a common first-year Foundation programme, plus 15 minors:

• Animation
• Fashion Design
• Fine Arts
• Game and Entertainment Design
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Product Design
• Toy Design

Minors include entrepreneurship, creative writing and sustainability. Animation, Game and Entertainment Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Toy Design and Product Design are STEM-designated.

Otis College offers two Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programmes for applicants who hold or will hold a bachelor's degree:

• MFA in Fine Arts
• MFA in Graphic Design (STEM-designated)

There is no application fee for graduate applicants.

Undergraduate applicants apply through the Otis Online Application (no fee for first-year applicants) or the Common Application ($50 fee). Students can start in the fall (Foundation, sophomore or junior level) or in the spring. Applications for Fall 2026 are accepted on a rolling basis and Spring 2027 applications are open. Requirements:

• Portfolio (no application is reviewed without one)
• Personal statement of at least 500 words
• Official transcripts, with official English translations if not in English
• Course-by-course evaluation by a NACES-recommended agency for transfer students who studied outside the US
• Proof of English proficiency; SAT/ACT scores are optional

Applicants whose first language is not English must take one of four recognised tests. Minimum scores for BFA admission:

• TOEFL iBT: 79 (or 4.5)
• IELTS: 6.5
• Pearson Test of English: 58
• Duolingo English Test: 105

Applicants who completed non-ESL English or literature courses at an accredited school taught in English may be considered proficient.

Otis College offers merit-based institutional scholarships to all qualified students, including international students. No separate scholarship application is needed: applicants are considered on the basis of their academic achievements and portfolio review at the time of admission. Otis scholarships require full-time enrolment (12 units). Federal and state aid (FAFSA) is limited to US citizens, permanent residents and other eligible non-citizens.

Otis College offers on-campus housing with a ten-month contract for the full academic year, or five months for spring only. For 2026-27, first-year Foundation students are typically assigned to the Residence Hall, while sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students mainly live in the affiliated Park West apartments. Each apartment or suite houses four students, two per bedroom. There is a separate move-in day for international students, and the college also provides off-campus housing resources.

https://www.otis.edu/admissions-aid/international/apply.html