Architecture & Design in Canada
Canada offers 43 Architecture and Design programmes across 17 universities, with options at bachelor's, master's, and diploma level suited to aspiring architects, interior designers, and urban planners. Leading institutions include the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, the University of Calgary, and Trinity Western University, providing access to internationally accredited professional degrees and strong industry connections.
Tuition information is not available for this group of programmes, so prospective students should contact institutions directly or consult official fee schedules. Canada's bilingual landscape means some programmes are available in French (particularly in Quebec and Ontario), broadening the options for francophone applicants from around the world.
Advanced Interior Decorating
Architectural Technician – Sustainable Design
Gain the practical skills and fundamental knowledge needed to start a career in architecture. This program focuses on building code standards, materials, and project planning, equipping you with skills in 2D and 3D Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), Building Information Modeling (BIM), visual problem-solving, contract document preparation, and detailing. You will learn in a campus designed specifically for architecture studies, featuring exposed building elements, sustainable features, a Material ConneXion Library, industry-grade CAD labs, and large-scale printers.
Architecture (Bachelor of Architectural Studies)
The Bachelor of Architectural Studies program at the University of Waterloo offers a comprehensive education in architecture, blending design principles with a deep understanding of cultural history, social context, and sustainable building practices. This pre-professional program emphasizes hands-on studio work from the first year, providing students with dedicated space to develop their ideas and skills. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including building materials, construction techniques, visual and digital media, environmental design, and urbanism. The program is unique in its integration of a robust co-op component, offering significant paid work experience. The School of Architecture is located in a historic building in Cambridge, Ontario, separate from the main Waterloo campus, and is equipped with studios, labs, galleries, and a specialized design library. Students have the opportunity to study abroad for a term in Rome, Italy, further broadening their academic and cultural perspectives. This program is designed to prepare students for further professional study towards becoming a licensed architect.
Art + Design
Trinity Western University's Art + Design program offers a unique opportunity to explore and hone your creative talents within a supportive Christian community. You will learn to use visual language to interpret, challenge, and engage with the world around you. The program encourages critical thinking, risk-taking, and the intersection of faith and art, preparing students to be adaptable and innovative leaders in the field of visual arts and design.
Bachelor of Arts in Art + Design
Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies (BEDS) & Master of Architecture (MArch)
The Professional Architecture Program at Dalhousie University is a comprehensive, two-part degree designed to educate individuals aspiring to become professional architects. It is structured in three stages: the first two years can be completed in any subject at any university, followed by the Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies (BEDS) over two years, and culminating in the Master of Architecture (MArch) over another two years. This program provides a robust foundation in design, representation, architectural history and theory, technology, and professional practice, preparing graduates for a career in architecture or related fields.
Certificate in Cybersecurity Architecture and Management
This certificate program is designed for IT security professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in cybersecurity architecture and information security decision-making. It provides essential knowledge and develops the abilities needed to manage cybersecurity and implement projects within IT infrastructure architecture. The program is delivered entirely online, offering flexibility for working professionals. It's also possible to combine this certificate with other cybersecurity certificates to pursue a Bachelor's degree with a specialization in Cybersecurity.
Concentration in Art + Design
Design Thinking
This course, DSN2100 Design Thinking, introduces students to a designer's approach to creating innovative products and services. The focus is on developing a deep understanding and empathy for users. You will learn a holistic innovation process, from building an initial business case to applying design thinking and creative problem-solving strategies, aiming to make innovation a sustainable practice within any organization or area of interest. This course can be taken as part of several part-time programs offered both on-campus and online.
Digital Futures
The Digital Futures program at OCAD University equips you to create the technologies that shape how we live, work, and play. You will learn to leverage new technologies to solve problems, address contemporary issues, and envision future possibilities. This program focuses on developing skills in areas such as games, wearable technology, mobile applications, virtual and augmented reality, and interactive installations. You'll gain foundational digital skills while emphasizing collaborative learning in a creative environment that integrates art, design, and your personal interests. The curriculum is supported by internationally renowned faculty with expertise across art, design, science, and business.
Digital Product Design
Launch into the in-demand field of digital product design with a graduate certificate from Sheridan College. This program is designed to equip you with a comprehensive skill set covering business strategy, research methods, visual design, prototyping, and user experience. You will learn to design intuitive and efficient digital products that meet user needs, considering ethical approaches and societal impact. Taught by industry experts, you'll utilize professional software like Figma, Mural, and Adobe Creative Cloud, mimicking real-world workflows to develop and iterate on your ideas effectively.
Game Design
The Game Design program at Brock University prepares students for collaborative and leadership roles in the creation of video games. This program is offered concurrently at Brock University and Niagara College, providing a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of game mechanics, storytelling, character design, level design, 3D modeling, audio immersion, and user interface design. Beyond technical skills, the program also delves into core concepts surrounding games, such as play, agency, narrative, dynamics, and immersion. Designed for aspiring game developers, the curriculum emphasizes intensive production courses in the second, third, and fourth years. These courses involve working in collaborative groups to develop game components, prototypes, and fully realized games. This hands-on approach ensures graduates are well-equipped for a dynamic career in the evolving video game industry.
Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design
This program prepares you to become an architect of learning experiences. You will study how people learn and explore how technology can enhance this process. The curriculum focuses on designing compelling educational content for training sessions, professional development, and classroom settings. You'll gain practical skills in areas like graphic design and project management, alongside a deeper understanding of educational theories and student needs.
Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design
Graphic Design Essentials Microcredential
This 120-hour microcredential offers a foundational understanding of graphic and digital design principles. You'll gain a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, focusing on core Adobe Creative Suite applications to prepare you for creating designs for websites and publications. The program covers graphic design principles, digital asset creation, layout optimization, and how to organize design deliverables. You will use software tools to produce a small portfolio of projects that demonstrate your design skills.
Honours Bachelor of Craft and Design (Ceramics)
This Honours Bachelor of Craft and Design program offers a hands-on learning experience in one of Canada's leading Ceramics studios. You will explore a wide range of processes and techniques, guided by dedicated faculty, with a focus on contemporary ideas and community engagement. The curriculum covers innovative approaches to clay, including wheel throwing, hand building, mold making, slip casting, and various firing techniques. Beyond the studio, you'll gain real-world experience through professional events, workshops, competitions, and exhibitions, building leadership skills and engaging with the local and international art community. The program also emphasizes a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, allowing you to broaden your skills across other Craft and Design studios while developing expertise in your chosen specialization. Graduates will be well-prepared for careers in the arts and design fields, with opportunities to build a professional network through internships and connections with visiting artists and an established alumni community. The program is housed in a state-of-the-art facility designed to foster a creative and supportive learning environment.
Industrial Design
The Industrial Design program at OCAD University focuses on developing innovative solutions for everyday life, encompassing both physical products and digital applications. You will learn to research user needs, develop concepts, and create prototypes, with a strong emphasis on designing sustainable products that consider diverse cultural contexts and long-term usability. The program balances theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on creative courses, including design and drawing, preparing you for a career in a rapidly evolving field.
Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media and Design
The Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media and Design (IAMD) program fosters a community of artists, thinkers, and researchers dedicated to developing respectful practices of knowledge creation. You will engage with shifting landscapes of culture, tradition, technology, and decolonial frameworks through rigorous practice and research. The program encourages global and intercultural dialogue, focusing on interdisciplinary processes and expanding your understanding of ancestral traditions, performance, media, and digital fabrication. Through the IAMD program, you will develop critical research methodologies, position your work in relation to Indigenous knowledges and decolonial pedagogy, and participate in graduate-level studio practice. You will explore theory and research methods through seminars, electives, self-directed study, and residency opportunities. The program culminates in a major studio project with a written critical analysis (for MFA/MDes) or a thesis with a creative project (for MA), contributing new knowledge to the field and promoting sustainable, socially responsible, and diverse perspectives.
Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture
Master of Advanced Studies in Landscape Architecture
Master of Architecture
The Master of Architecture (MArch) is a two-year graduate program designed for students who have completed a pre-professional degree in architecture. This program builds upon foundational knowledge, preparing you for professional accreditation. If you hold the University of Waterloo's Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) or an equivalent degree, you may complete the MArch in as little as three terms. For other applicants with a pre-professional architecture degree, two terms of transitional coursework will be required before beginning your thesis year, with a maximum completion time of six academic terms. The program has a Fall intake only. Waterloo also offers a unique collaborative Master of Architecture (Water) program, focusing on multi- and inter-disciplinary perspectives related to water issues, jointly offered by ten departments. Additionally, you can pursue a Master of Architecture with a Structures Certificate, which involves undergraduate civil engineering courses in structural engineering, though this does not grant professional engineering accreditation.
Master of Architecture (MArch)
The Master of Architecture (MArch) program at the University of Waterloo provides rigorous preparation for professional practice, emphasizing architecture as a cultural act. The program fosters critical thinking and debate within the discipline, allowing students to delve into design or research theses. You will explore global contexts of architecture, landscape, urbanism, technology, sustainability, and fabrication under the guidance of internationally recognized faculty. The program is typically two years long, with options for co-op, international research travel, and a term in the Rome studio. A unique collaborative program in Water, involving multiple faculties, is also available. Applicants with a pre-professional Bachelor of Architectural Studies from Waterloo or an equivalent degree may be eligible for advanced standing, potentially completing the MArch in fewer terms.
Master of Architecture (MARCH)
The Master of Architecture (MArch) is a professionally accredited graduate degree program at UBC. This demanding, three-year course of study is primarily coursework-based, integrating design studios with studies in architectural history and theory, technical and material systems, and representation methods. While the curriculum is rigorous, students have opportunities to develop their individual interests through specialized design studios, elective courses, and a significant Graduation Project. The program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in any discipline, though those with a pre-professional architecture degree may be considered for advanced placement.
Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture (Dual Degree)
Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP)
The Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP) program at UBC's School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) equips students with essential theories, skills, and critical thinking abilities to address contemporary planning challenges. It focuses on issues like climate change, social justice, building resilient communities, and decolonizing planning practices. The program is designed to be intensive and professionally oriented, fostering well-rounded graduates who can act as agents of equitable change in a rapidly evolving world. SCARP aims to transform knowledge into action through planning in partnership to improve lives, communities, and both built and natural environments.
Master of Landscape Architecture
The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design offers a professional degree for students aspiring to become leaders in the field. The program is structured to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address complex environmental, social, and urban challenges through design. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, research, and innovative design practices, preparing graduates for diverse career paths in landscape architecture and related disciplines. Applicants can apply for either the three-year MLA program or, if they hold a relevant bachelor's degree, for advanced standing which shortens the program to two years.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) is a demanding, accredited three-year professional degree program. The curriculum integrates design studios with courses in landscape history and theory, site analysis and planning, and environmental management. Students can develop specialized skills through elective design studios and a graduation project. Internships are available for academic credit, allowing students to gain practical experience in firms or agencies, hone design and documentation skills, and build professional networks. The program benefits from small student-faculty ratios and close involvement with faculty and local professional design communities in studio reviews and mentorship. Students also have access to UBC's extensive research library and can collaborate with faculty from engineering and community and regional planning. The program offers opportunities for study abroad to engage with global architectural and landscape architecture concerns.
Master of Urban Design (MUD)
The Master of Urban Design (MUD) is a post-professional program focused on the design and management of cities. It addresses the complexities of urbanization, global economics, and technological advancements. The one-year curriculum integrates design studios with courses in urban design history, theory, economics, and public policy, allowing students to tailor their studies through electives and research topics. The program emphasizes a blend of academic learning and professional practice, often involving community partnerships and real-world projects for potential future applications.
Master of Urban Design (MUD)
The Master of Urban Design (MUD) program is designed for individuals with backgrounds in architecture, landscape architecture, or planning who are looking to advance their careers in design research and professional practice at the urban and regional scales. It offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates design as a primary tool with a strong foundation in related fields such as geography, environmental studies, social sciences, economics, and engineering. The program fosters responsible and innovative design thinking in the context of contemporary urban development, addressing challenges related to new urbanization paradigms, global economic shifts, and technological advancements. It aims to be a leading Canadian center for advanced research, design innovation, and critical discourse in urban design.
Minor in Art + Design
Online Programs at Lambton College
Lambton College offers a variety of online programs designed for flexibility and accessibility. These programs allow students to pursue their educational goals from anywhere in the world. The college is committed to providing quality education through its online offerings.
Performance Production & Design, BFA
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Performance Production & Design at Simon Fraser University's School for the Contemporary Arts (SCA) equips you with a comprehensive set of skills and practical experience for a career in performance and design. This program offers a hands-on environment where you will develop technical, conceptual, and critical abilities relevant to live performance and beyond. You'll gain experience in areas such as technical direction, producing, various design disciplines (set, lighting, sound, projection), production management, and more. The interdisciplinary nature of the SCA means you'll collaborate with students from Dance, Film, Theatre & Performance, Music & Sound, and Visual Art, providing a broader understanding of production and design than a traditional theatre program. Upon graduation, you will possess a strong portfolio of work and highly transferable skills, enabling you to work across diverse artistic fields and industries. These include theatre, dance, live music, opera, corporate events, film, interactive experiences, and installations. The program emphasizes individual feedback, professional development through internships and apprenticeships, and fostering your ability to create original artistic work and collaborate effectively with others.
PhD in Architecture, Landscape, and Design
The PhD in Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto's Daniels Faculty is a research-intensive doctoral program. It offers a unique opportunity for scholars to conduct in-depth studies in areas related to the built environment, focusing on the intersections of architecture, landscape, urbanism, and design. The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches, allowing students to explore complex issues through diverse methodologies and theoretical frameworks. This program aims to cultivate critical thinkers and leading researchers who can contribute new knowledge and perspectives to the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design. Students will engage with faculty who are at the forefront of research and practice, contributing to a vibrant academic community. The research focus can encompass historical, theoretical, and critical analyses, as well as explorations of contemporary issues impacting cities and environments globally.
Strategic Foresight and Innovation (MDes)
The Master of Design (MDes) in Strategic Foresight and Innovation (SFI) program equips you with design thinking and foresight skills to drive success in business, foster positive societal impact, and manage organizational change. You will learn to identify, frame, and solve complex problems to create sustainable futures. The program fosters a diverse cohort of entrepreneurs, social scientists, artists, designers, and engineers, enabling you to imagine, plan, and develop a better world. The curriculum encourages holistic thinking, exploring and challenging assumptions to guide present and future actions with deeper meaning.
Urban Development (Master of Planning)
The Master of Planning (MPl) in Urban Development program offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and shaping our communities. It examines the economic, socio-cultural, political, ecological, and spatial aspects of urban development, focusing on the interconnectedness of urban life and the natural environment. The program emphasizes the principles of inclusivity and sustainability in planning and design practices. Students can choose between two streams: a two-year regular stream for university graduates seeking to launch a planning career, and a one-year accelerated stream for experienced professional planners or planning graduates with significant work experience who want to advance their careers. The program leverages Toronto as a living laboratory through studios, internships, and research opportunities, connecting students with real-world urban challenges and experts.
Video Game Prototyping Microcredential
Embark on a journey into video game design and learn the art and science behind creating captivating gaming experiences from scratch. This program focuses on bringing ideas to life, testing gameplay mechanics, and crafting immersive narratives. Video game prototyping involves creating simplified, early versions of a game to test design concepts and mechanics before full development. This hands-on microcredential equips learners with creative and technical skills to prototype interactive gaming concepts.
Website Development for Small Business
This course is designed for small business owners who want to create a professional online presence. You will learn how to build basic web pages using simple tools and gain confidence in creating content with WordPress. The course will also cover how to improve your website's layout and navigation, focusing on key components of successful websites. Emphasis is placed on the importance of mobile-friendly and accessible design.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Architecture and Design study in Canada cost?
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Tuition varies by programme — check each listing or contact the institution directly, as standardised figures are not available for this group.
Which universities offer Architecture and Design programmes in Canada?
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17 universities are listed, including the University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Calgary, and Trinity Western University.
Can international students enrol in Architecture and Design programmes in Canada?
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Yes. International students need a Canadian student permit. Architecture professional degrees also typically require accreditation recognition, so verify programme accreditation with the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).
What are the entry requirements for Architecture and Design programmes in Canada?
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Requirements differ by level and institution. Portfolio submission is commonly required alongside academic transcripts, and some professional programmes specify mathematics and art prerequisites.
How do I apply to an Architecture and Design programme in Canada?
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Apply directly through each university's admissions system. A design portfolio is a key part of most applications, alongside transcripts and English or French language evidence.