TMU Image Arts: Film (BFA) admission requirements: ENG4U, 75 to 80% range, portfolio and written statement

TMU's program page lists the degree as Image Arts: Film, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in The Creative School, run by the School of Image Arts. It is a four year, full-time program with no part-time format. If you're searching for "TMU Film Studies", this is the program you want.

TMU calls this a Grades-Plus program. Decisions use your grades plus non-academic items. TMU adds that your ability to follow the instructions is part of the assessment, so read every limit carefully.

Ontario students need the OSSD and six Grade 12 U or M courses with an overall average of at least 70%. The one required course is Grade 12 U English, with ENG4U or EAE4U preferred.

The two TMU pages differ on the English grade. The program page says a minimum grade of 70% in English. The 2026-2027 Undergraduate Calendar says the grade in the subject prerequisite is normally in the 65 to 70% range and is set by competition. Plan for at least 70%, and confirm with TMU if your English mark is close.

There's no required math or science. Use our course planner to line up six strong U or M courses.

TMU says an overall average of 70% is required for consideration. The grade range at the top of the program page, 75 to 80%, is what TMU says was needed in previous years. TMU adds that the average can change each year with the number of applications and spaces.

TMU does not publish how many applicants it admits to film. The calendar says the assessment looks at academic performance, communication skills and creative potential. So a portfolio in good shape matters alongside your marks.

Check your number with our Top 6 average calculator.

The Fall 2027 theme is "A Misunderstood Message". TMU says you can read the theme literally, broadly or metaphorically. Your short film must address it. Your three visual pieces don't need to.

Upload the film to Vimeo. If you use Vimeo's privacy settings, TMU asks you to use the password FILM2027, and notes that Vimeo charges for privacy settings. You can skip privacy settings and avoid that fee.

The project outline is a non-binding proposal, and TMU says it may keep it. The written statement must reflect only your own effort. That is TMU's rule, so the words need to be yours.

To submit, get your TMU Student Number from your application email, activate your TMU Online Identity, then wait 24 hours before you log in to the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal. Upload under "Portfolio Pieces". TMU says you should submit well before the deadline because of system load.

TMU's application dates page lists February 1 as the guaranteed consideration date for Fall 2027 for all programs. The film page says the non-academic requirements are due February 1, 2027, or 10 business days from when you submit your application, whichever is later.

Ontario students also apply through OUAC. See all the dates on our Ontario university deadlines page. Applying in December gives you time to activate the portal and pay the $50 fee before February.

First year has eight required courses plus two liberal studies courses. In first semester you take MPC 103 Reframing Art History, MPF 110 Film Production I, MPF 115 Introduction to Cinematography and MPF 290 Introduction to Film Studies. In second semester you take MPC 220 Forms of Storytelling, MPC 225 Intro to Creative Technologies, MPF 210 Film Production II and MPF 215 Introduction to Picture Editing.

This is a new curriculum, first offered in 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after. Second year adds documentary production, writing for film and sound for film. Third year includes directing for camera, fiction production and capstone development.

Image Arts: Film does not have co-op. The program page lists "Internship available" as its experiential learning, and says you can combine your studies with an internship placement and make your own short fiction and documentary films. It also mentions exchanges, travel intensives and the Global Campus Studio.

The film page lists 2026-2027 full-time tuition and fees of $7,466 to $8,018 for Ontario students, $9,266 to $9,851 for out-of-province students and $38,733 to $39,209 for international students. These match TMU's range for The Creative School on its main tuition page.

TMU says detailed program fees are updated each July for the year starting in September, so Fall 2027 figures may differ. On-campus residence for 2026-2027 is listed at $9,000 to $15,100 or more, plus a meal plan. Any gear you buy is extra.

TMU's guaranteed, renewable entrance scholarships for students admitted in 2027-2028 start at a final average of 86%. TMU lists $3,000 a year at 95% and up, $1,500 at 90 to 94.99% and $750 at 86 to 89.99%. Renewal depends on your yearly CGPA.

Because past film admits were in the 75 to 80% range, many film students won't reach 86%. TMU also has need-based entrance awards through AwardSpring, some needing an 80% average. Browse more in our scholarship finder.

TMU's Media Production BA, also in The Creative School, is Grades-Only. There's no portfolio. It asks for the same six U or M courses and ENG4U at 70%, but its past grade range is higher, 80 to 85%. It also lists an optional internship.

So the trade-off is simple. Film asks for less on marks but a full creative file. Media Production asks for higher marks and no file. Many students apply to both.

The portfolio has five parts and a fee, and TMU marks how well your child follows the instructions. Help with the calendar, a camera and quiet time. Don't edit the statement. TMU says it must reflect only the applicant's effort.

See our TMU guide for campus and residence context.