Rhode Island School of Design Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

Situated in Providence, one of the oldest cities in the United States, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) was founded in 1877. It was established as the first Art and Design School of America. Offering numerous bachelor’s and master’s programs, RISD is home to learners from across the world, meticulously studying the liberal arts. The school is also open to youngsters and adults who aspire to gain top-notch art and design education through its Continuing Education courses.

 

RISD has successfully established community partnerships at local, national, and international levels to broaden the horizons of students and serve them with innovative and immersive learning experiences. The university also houses the dynamic Rhode Island School of Design Museum, representing distinct cultures and ancient and contemporary art forms.

 

 

Courses Offered

What all courses are available to international students?

RISD offers numerous bachelor’s and master’s programs across 22 majors in Liberal Arts Studies. It is mandatory for enrolling undergraduates to take first-year studios in Experimental and Foundational Studies, followed by a major of their choice. The school offers two types of undergraduate degrees – Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).

Bachelor of Architecture	Bachelor of Fine Arts
Architecture	Apparel Design Ceramics Film / Animation / Video Furniture Design Glass Graphic Design Illustration Industrial Design Interior Architecture Jewelry + Metalsmithing Painting Photography Printmaking Sculpture Textiles

 

UG students also have the option of building on their degree programs to concentrate in one of six additional areas of study beyond a studio major. Concentrations at RISD are similar to ‘minors’ at other colleges and universities.

Interdisciplinary Concentrations	Liberal Arts Concentrations
Computation, Technology and Culture (CTC)	History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences (HPSS)
Drawing	Literary Arts and Studies (LAS)
Nature–Culture–Sustainability Studies (NCSS)	Theory and History of Art and Design (THAD)

 

For graduate aspirants, it offers the following degrees along with a certificate program and a graduate concentration in Theory and History of Art and Design.

Master of Architecture	Master of Arts	Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Design	Master of Fine Arts	Master of Industrial Design
Master of Landscape Architecture	Master of Landscape Architecture + Master of Marine Affairs	Post-baccalaureate

Eligibility & Documents Required

What are the eligibility requirements?

International applicants must meet the US-equivalency requirements for all programs, such as:

 

UG Admissions

Candidates must have completed secondary school or have a high school diploma (US equivalent) to be eligible. SAT or ACT scores are optional, but recommended. Apart from this, non-native English speakers are required to submit proof of their proficiency in English. However, one might be exempted from taking the test if he/she has previously attended a school where the medium of instruction was English. Candidates will be asked to provide the corresponding school history before the final declaration. The university recognizes the following three proficiency tests:

English Exams Accepted	Minimum Score Required
TOEFL	93
IELTS	6.5
Duolingo (DET)	115

 

Note: Some A-Level classes, Advance Placement (AP), and IB credits can be used toward RISD liberal arts requirements. First-year students can transfer a maximum of nine credits from A-Level classes with an earned grade of C or higher or Higher Level IB grades of 5, 6, or 7. RISD will not accept IB credit from art or studio classes.

 

PG Admissions

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. If a student holds a diploma, they must submit a letter from the attended university verifying the status of the diploma program against the US baccalaureate degree. Certain master’s programs require additional qualifications. GRE scores are not required for the admission process. For subject-specific requirements, students are advised to refer to the official website of RISD. English proficiency is required for applicants whose first language is not English.

English Exams Accepted	Minimum Score Required
TOEFL	93
IELTS	6.5
Duolingo (DET)	115

What all documents are needed for application?

Applicants must provide official transcripts of all secondary or university academic work through the most recent grading period. If the academic credentials are not written in English, they must be translated into English by an approved translator prior to submission. Apart from this, the following documents are required during application:

UG Admissions	PG Admissions
English language proficiency tests	English language proficiency tests
Portfolio with 12–20 examples of most recent work	Portfolio with 10–20 examples of visual work, with certain programs suggesting more specific ideas or portfolio requirements
Assignment (choose one pair of concepts for topic)	Statement of Purpose (SOP) outlining interest and goals in pursuing graduate study
Personal essay	Writing sample for certain programs to prove critical and/or analytical writing skills
At least one and maximum three LORs	Three LORs
Other program-specific requirements	Resume (optional)
-	Other program-specific requirements

 

International applicants will also need a copy of their passports, a few photographs, and financial proofs at the time of admission.

Application & Tuition Fees

Is there any application fees?

International applicants need to pay USD 60 as an application fee for both undergraduate and graduate programs. This application fee is non-refundable. An additional non-refundable fee of USD 10 is charged for submitting online portfolio using the SlideRoom service on the official website.

What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?

As per RISD, all applicants need to pay the same tuition and fees for 2021-22 as shown below:

Expense	Fee for Undergraduate (in USD)	Fee for Graduate (in USD)
Tuition	55,220	55,220
Activity fee	270	270
Academic and technology fee	800	800
Estimated housing and dining	14,790	18,110
Estimated books and supplies	2,700	3,965
Estimated transportation	1,000	1,550
Other expenses	2,500	2,575
Estimated total cost of education	77,280	82,490

Source: Rhode Island School of Design

 

Note: Certain courses require an additional cost for the classroom experience. These course charges may cover the usage of studios, materials, field trips or other course-related activities. Fees and other charges are subject to change with each academic year.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?

The Rhode Island School of Art and Design currently does not provide any internal scholarships or financial international students. However, there are several external scholarships which international applicants can avail. For more information, check the ‘financing your education’ page of the university website.

Admission Process

When do the admissions start?

RISD opens for fall admissions each year. While the graduate programs have deadlines around mid-January, on the other hand, the undergraduate programs have the following deadlines:

Admission Plan	Application Deadline
Early Decision	Early November
Regular Decision	Early February

What is the UG application process?

International applicants need to apply through the Common Application portal like the domestics applicants. You can apply to RISD by following these simple steps:

• Submit the application form through the Common Application.
• Send official transcripts to the Admissions Office, either electronically through the Common Application, Parchment or email, or by mail.
• Upload portfolio through SlideRoom.
• Upload responses to The Assignment in SlideRoom.
• Upload writing sample and letters of recommendation through the Common Application.
• Submit credentials electronically using the online tools or send the paper versions to: Admissions Office, Rhode Island School of Design, Two College Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA.

What is the PG application process?

All applicants need to apply to the school directly through the RISD Applicant Portal.

 

Portal Link: admissions.risd.edu/apply/?sr=aabfcf83-dfe9-4283-a35e-ae769399375f&_ga=2.139422643.1468753757.1626770004-559848875.1626770004

 

Step 1: Register as a new user by creating an account.

 

 

Step 2: After signing up, you will be redirected to the admissions portal. Click on “Start New

Application”.

 

 

Select application type, program, and course. Ensure to fill all the sections of the form, upload all documents and give a thorough review before submitting.

When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?

Undergraduate decisions are released as per the application plan chosen by a student. The early decisions responses are released by mid-December, while the regular decisions responses are released in mid-March. Graduate application processing takes time and thus, there is no fixed decision date.

Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

What are the chances to get into this university?

RISD has an undergraduate acceptance rate of 20%, while the graduate acceptance rate goes up to 33%. Competition is tough and the admissions team strongly emphasizes practical learning. Hence, a candidate must have above par portfolio and work equally hard towards their college essay or writing samples. To get a detailed insight into the portfolio and application requirements and expectations, check the ‘RISD Application Tips’ available on the website.

How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?

The Rhode Island School of Design is a highly culturally diverse community standing for equality and non-discrimination and extensively involved in bringing artistic minds from across the globe together. In 2019-20, RISD had 37% international students coming from 50 different nations of the world.

 

 

Part Time Work While Studying

Can I work while studying here?

RISD allows its full-time students to work on and off the campus. The most popular options are to work at the campus tech shops, the RISD Museum and Nature Lab. Students can also choose to work on the campus at the Carr House Cafe, RISD shops, or 2nd Life, a recycled art supply store run by RISD students. International students may work off campus only if they obtain Employment Authorization before beginning work, and all off-campus work must be related to their major. The approved number of hours for a student worker differs, depending on the job, college year, and the major field of study. The Office of International Student Services can provide more information about employment.

Campuses & Accommodation

How many colleges and campuses does the university have?

The Rhode Island School of Design is a premier institute affiliated to Brown University, with its sole campus on College Street, Providence, in the state of Rhode Island in USA.

Is on-campus housing available?

RISD offers on-campus residential options, ranging from shared rooms to apartments to lofts from the first year onwards. Moreover, the residence halls at RISD are gender-inclusive, which means students can choose to live with each other irrespective of gender under the supervision of Residential Advisors. The on-campus living area at RISD is divided into three categories: First-year area, Sophomore area, and Upperclassmen area.

 

First-year Area

The first-year area comprises East Hall, Homer Hall, North Hall, and Nickerson Hall. Students can choose one among the following room types:

First-Year Area Rooms	Semester Rates (in USD)
Single Room	8,450
Double Sharing	7,395
Triple Sharing	7,395
Quad Sharing	7,395

Source: RISD

 

Sophomore Area

The sophomore area comprises South Hall, 15 West Alcove Suite, and Hill House which cost:

Hall	Room Type	Semester Rates (in USD)
South Hall	Single Room	8,450
	Shared Room	7,395
15 West Alcove Suite	Single Room	8,925
	Shared Room	7,500
Hill House	Single Room	8,385
	Shared Room	7,330

 

Upperclassmen Area

The upperclassmen area consists of apartments with amenities such as a kitchen, common area, and bathrooms spread over three locations. These are the 15 West, Colonial Apartments, and Dwight House. Based on the amenities offered, the area is divided into two categories: Cooperative and Independent.

Cooperative Apartments Single Rooms
Residence	Room Type	Semester Rates (in USD)
Colonial	2 or 3 Bedroom Apartment	7,985
Dwight	2 Bedroom Apartment	7,985
15 West	2/3/4 Bedroom Loft or Single Room in a Shared Loft	8,050

Source: RISD

 

Cooperative Apartments Shared Rooms
Residence	Room Type	Semester Rates (in USD)
15 West	Shared Triple Loft	6,625
	Double Room in a Shared Loft	7,475

Source: RISD

 

Independent Apartments Single Rooms
Residence	Semester Rates (in USD)
Colonial	8,990
Dwight	8,990
15 West	9,055

Source: RISD

 

Meal Plans

The meal plan for one semester costs USD 1,100 which includes 100 meals. However, if a student wants to add meals (add-ons) to this basic plan due to reasons such as arriving early or staying late after the semester ends, they can choose from the following add-ons called ‘blocks’.

Block Plan	Cost (in USD)
80 Meal Block	760
50 Meal Block	468
30 Meal Block	288

Source: RISD

 

All rates are subject to change. Students are advised to check the housing webpage for more information.

University Contact Information

Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?

Address: Rhode Island School of Design, Two College Street, Providence, RI 02903-2784, USA

Telephone: +1-401-454-6300

E-mail: admissions@risd.edu

Website: www.risd.edu/