Design is a creative field that has become popular over the years. The decision to study design almost always comes from a place of passion for the subject, and therefore, the process is both highly rewarding and has a high investment return.
Design and Art programs can cover several disciplines from fashion to computer-aided 3D design. If you are interested in art and design, regardless of the discipline, Canada is one of the countries that actively supports students in this field and provides promising career options and high-paying jobs. Read on to find out the top five design schools in Canada.
Top Design Schools in Canada
1. Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Located in Vancouver, Emily Carr University of Art and Design is one of the best Art and Design universities for international students. The university offers programs like Design, Media Arts, and Fine Arts, which are excellent courses to pursue if you want to pursue a career in design. Moreover, the university warmly accepts international students from over 50 nations.
The courses offered at Emily Carr prepare students to become professionals in specific fields that have an increasing demand both in the country and the international market. According to the Stat scans, there would be about 21,400 new job vacancies for design alone in Canada by 2026.
This university has beaten several Canadian universities like the University of Toronto to become the best university for Art and Design in the country, and 30th in the world. A quick skim through its website would reveal the number of courses it offers, from 3D animation to ceramics sculpting.
2. University of British Columbia
One of our recommended Canadian design schools popular among international students is the University of British Columbia. Its School of Design has a few firsts under its name, one for having one of the finest and most advanced facilities in Canada. It also includes the country’s first digital sculpture lab dedicated to digital and physical art.
Currently, undergraduate degree programs offered are Fine Arts, Media Studies, Music, Social Work, and other dual degree combinations. Since the university is located in downtown Vancouver, a place known to be the heart of Canada’s booming gaming, West Coast film, and entertainment industry, students can get first-hand exposure to the industry while following their degree program of choice.
The University of British Columbia also accepts international students and transfer students, who are well-qualified and display academic success. The acceptance rate for international students was 52.4% as of 2021, which means it’s relatively challenging to get selected without proper qualifications.
3. University of Toronto
The design courses offered at the University of Toronto Mississauga expose students to interior designing, Adobe CC, After Effects, and web designing platforms like Wix. These programs are intended to build technical skills that cover multiple aspects like typography, color, branding, composition, and more.
The University of Toronto is the biggest and one of the oldest universities in Canada. This means students are prepared for the industry in the best environment possible with up-to-date information and study tools. In addition, their curriculum is timely, clear, and practical ensuring that students are industry-ready when they graduate.
U of T is also known to accept students from overseas who are well-qualified and over 25% are international students hailing from 160+ countries. However, there are a few requirements that you need to satisfy without fail to be able to study in this reputed institute including SATs or ACT, GMAT or GRE, and other English proficiency test scores.
4. OCAD University
One of the most time-appropriate and well-curated design programs is offered by the Ontario College of Art and Design, commonly known as OCAD. It gives an up-to-date global perspective of arts in the digital future, specializing in fields like advertising, environmental design, graphic design, illustration, material art and design, and more.
Judging by its name, the university is undoubtedly known for its programs in design. Programs offered are affiliated with the Canadian Film Centre Media Lab, therefore students can take advantage of guaranteed internships, electives, and independent study time while completing one of its offered study programs.
This program makes for exciting careers in entertainment, media, arts, and culture, not only for local students but also international students as well. Building on the importance it gives to global integration, international students are easily welcomed into the institution.
5. Concordia University
Last on our list is Concordia University, dubbed as one of the top Canadian Design Schools for international students. It offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in its Department of Design and Computation Arts which is a three to four-year degree program in design. Further, it also offers a Master of Design( MDes).
The university’s art and design program is the top-ranked program they offer according to the 2020 QS world rankings by subject. This is closely followed by education, communication, and media studies. The university itself is globally recognized making it worth your effort to get in plus its research facilities are some of the best in the country.
International students who gain entrance to Concordia University enjoy being part of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) which supplements their credit towards the degree and possibly covers the tuition fee. Other than that students are also allowed professional internships in reputed companies and studios during their time at Concordia University.
FAQs: Design Studies in Canada
Can International Students Enroll in Design Schools in Canada?
Yes, not only do Canadian design schools offer programs for international students, but several universities in the country also offer a host of scholarships for students pursuing design-based programs.
Across disciplines, most students pick a university in Toronto, because of its comfortable environment and cultural tolerance. Being home to some of the top universities in the world, you are sure to find your favorite design program, be it Interior design, Fashion design, CAD, or any other in one of these reputable universities, be it in Toronto or across Canada. The process for international students is also very transparent and hassle-free if you have all the documents and qualifications ready to present.
Design and Fine Arts is a unique discipline that incorporates both your creative and analytical sides. It’s undoubtedly a highly rewarding and exciting career pathway to follow, provided you have the required skills and talent. Luckily, Design Schools in Canada are known to be the best in the world. You can find reputable design schools offering a wide range of study programs.
We hope this article has helped check the top Design Schools in Canada. You can also visit our Study in Canada and Available Programs for International Students pages for more information about studying in Canada!
