Undergraduate Study

RISD undergraduate students observe a piece of student artwork in a classroom setting

All undergraduate students at RISD take first-year studios in Experimental and Foundation Studies, followed by a major course of study in a specific fine arts or design discipline beginning sophomore year. Rigorous courses in Liberal Arts enrich studio learning.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, here you earn deep disciplinary knowledge, strong critical thinking skills and the agility to problem solve and connect the dots across a wide range of fields.

Experimental and Foundation Studies

Freshman drawing in sketchbook lying on the floor

At RISD we believe that all undergrads benefit from a shared understanding of our approach to studio learning. This is why first-year students follow the same studio curriculum—known here as Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS).

Each of the three programs of study—Drawing, Design and Spatial Dynamics—meets one full day per week, with faculty working closely with you to offer ongoing guidance and feedback. Through group critiques, you’ll present your work and support that of your peers.

Discover EFS

RISD First Year in Florence Program

Situated in the art capital of Italy and modeled on our foundation curriculum, this unique, immersive program provides the thinking and making skills that define our first-year education, as well as perspectives that emerge from creative cultural exchange.

Find out more about RISD First Year in Florence

Undergraduate degrees offered

Apparel Design

BFA

Architecture

BArch

a pair of hands manipulating the wires on a circuit board at a workstation

Art and Computation

BFA

Ceramics

BFA

a film still by RISD alum Brianna DeLuca capturing the movement of a dancer

Film / Animation / Video

BFA

Furniture Design

BFA

A sculpture of a hand by Brown RISD Dual Degree alum Yidan Zeng

Glass

BFA

Graphic Design

BFA

Illustration

BFA

Industrial Design

BFA

Interior Architecture

BFA

Jewelry + Metalsmithing

BFA

Painting

BFA

a black-and-white photo by RISD alum John Shen of hands focusing a camera lens

Photography

BFA

Printmaking

BFA

Sculpture

BFA

a hand manipulates a device featuring eight punk zine-style images, including one of Albert Einstein, with holes for audio cables prominent along the surface

Sound

BFA

Textiles

BFA

Undergraduate concentrations

Laptop controlled contraption drawing on wall

Liberal Arts concentrations

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Focused on the psychological, social, political, philosophical and cultural aspects of life, the History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences concentration is built around nine tracks:

Belief Systems
Environmental Studies
Gender, Sexuality and Race
Global Processes
Media, Technology and Cultural Studies
Mind, Self and Behavior
Politics and Policy
Regional Studies
Scientific Inquiry

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Literary Arts and Studies draws on a wide range of literary traditions, genres, periods and theoretical approaches to let students pursue in-depth studies in literature and writing. Concentrators develop sophisticated critical thinking, reading and writing skills, along with a strong writing voice and understanding of literature’s role in world culture.

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Embracing a range of media and perspectives, Theory and History of Art and Design stresses critical thinking and analysis. Concentrators gain clarity of written and verbal communication and learn artistic expression’s historical and cultural value.

Interdisciplinary concentrations

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Computation, Technology and Culture melds instruction in programming languages with frameworks for understanding the technologies that shape society and culture. Throughout the curriculum concentrators enjoy opportunities to merge digital technologies and art and design practices.

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RISD’s concentration in Drawing offers deep engagement with the notion of drawing as speculation. Studios highlight the discipline’s connection to innovation and discovery, as students explore drawing as both an integral art and design practice and a means for creating resolved artworks. Concentrators think critically about drawing’s history and role in the world and consider their own work in this context.

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The 21-credit undergraduate concentration in Nature–Culture–Sustainability Studies invites focused study on the environmental humanities and interconnected phenomena of contemporary life. Concentrators pursue issues related to biomimicry, emerging technologies, global warming, hybridity and sustainability, among other options. In doing so, they develop an informed planetary point of view along with critical thinking and problem solving skills.