Design Courses in Canada: Top Universities, Fees, Requirements, Eligibility & Scholarships

Design is a broad field with numerous disciplines, including graphic design, interior design, fashion design, and more. Design courses focus on the fundamentals of design that can be specific to one of these disciplines or provide a broader overview of design principles and practices. We live in a world where picturesque things and aesthetic-looking objects capture our attention quickly. We observe the designs of everything around us to describe them. Hence, design is an important aspect in the current times. There are various job opportunities in the field of design, and therefore there has also been a rise in courses related to design. Canada is one such country that offers multiple design courses to students all over the world. Read on to know more about it.

Design Course Highlight

Here is a detailed overview of the highlights of the design course in Canada:

Why Study Design Courses in Canada?

Canada is a wonderful country where students from abroad constitute the majority of the population. Most of them are in the country to pursue a degree in the field of design and art. Here are a few reasons why you should study design courses in Canada:

• Quality Education - Canada is home to various internationally recognized institutions in the field of design and art. It encourages students to build stronger connections and widen their scope of creativity.
• Multi-cultural environment - Canada has built a reputation of being diverse and boasts of a multicultural environment, accepting of other cultures. 
• Safe Country - Crime rates in Canada are lower than in other countries. It is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world. 
• Variety in Design Courses - The design courses in Canada are not limited to one particular kind. A community of diverse artists and designers is exploring different forms of art and designs. 

Best Universities for Design Courses in Canada

Canada has numerous colleges and universities that provide a variety of courses in design and art. Here are some of the top universities that students consider enrolling in and the specializations these universities offer:

1. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

Ranking - 25 in QS WUR Ranking By Subject 2023.

It is one of the earliest universities of arts and design established in Canada. Emily Carr University offers specialization education in the fields of Arts, Design, and Media. It offers a master's in Fine Arts and in Design. The university is well-known for being the pioneer in merit in the area of arts and design. The university provides a spectrum of fields in areas such as Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Photography, and other bachelor’s courses, each spanning over a 3-year duration.

2. University of Alberta

Ranking - 110 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

It has been ranked as one of the top 5 universities in Canada. The University of Alberta presents a thorough 4-year bachelor’s degree in various domains of Art and Design like Drawing, Sculpture, and Industrial Design. The university also offers several courses in Design for students at the master’s level.

3. Concordia University

Ranking - 551-560 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

The Department of Arts and Design at Concordia University provides various courses in Arts and Design at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some of the principal courses offered by the university include a bachelor's degree and master's degree in Game Design, Design for Theatre and Animation, Design and Computation Arts, etc.

4. University of Manitoba

Ranking - 651-700 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

The University of Manitoba is among the top universities in Canada as it is renowned for offering comprehensive programs in Design. The Department of Architecture at the university has sweeping courses in Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and City Planning.

5. Ryerson University

Ranking - 801-1000 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

Ryerson University has one of the most prosperous design schools in the world. Its Department of Communication Art and Design presents a scope of courses in Design and Arts. The university offers comprehensive courses for design enthusiasts at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Level of Study

The diverse degree courses for design studies delivered by Canadian Universities are mentioned below:

1. Diploma and certificate courses

These courses usually last from six months to 1 year and offer highly sought-after certificates of completion to students who pursue them.

2. Bachelor’s degree 

These are undergraduate courses such as Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Design that offer a 3-year or 4-year program.

Eligibility criteria:

• The essential conditions to earn a bachelor‘s degree from a Canadian university are mentioned below:
• Students should have a school certificate or 10 2 passing score of 70%
• Proficiency in the English language proof of which is through exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE
• Application forms for admission
• Letters of recommendation
• Financial proof
• Health insurance and other supporting documents

Fees and Costs:

The average tuition fee for pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in a design course in Canada is 12,000 CAD to 25,000 CAD.

3. Master's degree

These are for postgraduate courses such as Master of Art and Design, Master in fine arts, and Master of Design. This course usually lasts for around two years. Some of the prevalent design colleges in Canada also offer specialized design courses.

Eligibility criteria

The essential conditions to earn a bachelor‘s degree from a Canadian university are mentioned below:

• A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 65% marks
• Proficiency in English Language proof of which is through IELTS, TOEFL, PTE
• Academic transcripts
• Resume
• At least three Letters of recommendation
• Proof of work experience in the area of design

Fees and Costs:

The average tuition fee for pursuing a Master's Degree in a design course in Canada is 11,000 - 30,000 CAD.

4. Doctorate: PhD

Eligibility criteria

The essential conditions to earn a bachelor‘s degree from a Canadian university are mentioned below:

•  A Master's degree with a minimum of 3 to 3.5 GPA
• Proficiency in English Language proof of which is through TOEFL or IELTS
• At least three letters of recommendation
• Academic transcripts
• Resume
• Proof of working experience and research publications

Fees and Costs:

The average tuition fee for pursuing a Doctoral Degree in a design course in Canada is 6,000 to 22,000 CAD.

Scholarships & Financial Aid for Design Courses in Canada

Some of the distinguished scholarships offered in design courses in Canada are cited below: 

Career Opportunities after Design Courses in Canada

Design students have been in high demand in the corporate world in recent times. The potential jobs that are available in the job market employ a starting pay that amounts to around 47,000 CAD per annum. 

Someone with a bachelor's degree in design can get employed for a whopping 170,000 CAD per annum. This depends on factors such as the individual's work experience and their specialization degree. 

Additionally, opting for a career in design courses provides a wider scope to specialize in a variety of sub-disciplines ranging from graphic design to pottery and sculpting. Individuals can choose a course that piques their interest and aim for higher job prospects. 

Some of the major firms in Canada that employ design graduates are KPMG LLP, Figure 3, Groupe Dynamite, and Critical Mass. 

Here below are some of the job opportunities or fields where design is vital and the pay scale: