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Design

University of Alberta

Design and Visual Communication: blue ink subject illustration
Image source

AI-generated ink illustration

Conceptual study artwork, not a photograph of teaching facilities.

Unidex · generated with ImageGen

Checked 2026-11-05

Symbolic subject artwork; no university facility depicted

Deadlines

October 2026

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Next deadline

  • Applications open for admission, awards and residence

    2027 entry

    Admission, entrance awards and residence applications open on the same date.

    Official deadline
Other deadline details
March 1Fall: PortfolioStanding annual entry · Every year
  • BDes Fall applicants
  • March 1
SourceChecked
No central deadline published by ApplyAlbertaApplyAlberta, deadlines are set per institutionRecurring annual · Every year
  • No central deadline published by ApplyAlberta
  • ApplyAlberta handles applications, but each institution publishes its own deadlines and fees
Full source wording

ApplyAlberta publishes NO deadline dates at all on its public pages. Its How to Apply page describes the process only: verbatim, "Now you will 'Start a New Application' at the institution of your choice. You will be directed to the institution's application portal where you will apply and pay any application fees", and "All application fees are paid directly to the institution you are applying to. Each institution has its own unique application fees". Deadlines must be read from each of Alberta's 26 publicly-funded institutions.

SourceChecked
March 1Fall: ApplicationStanding annual entry · Every year
  • BDes Fall applicants
  • March 1
SourceChecked

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites
  • English Language Arts 30-1
  • Present four other eligible Grade 12 subjects, with no more than one approved Fine Arts subject. A minimum 70% average is required.
  • Submit a portfolio for admission.
University of Alberta BDes applicant subjects and portfolio
Application steps
  1. Step 1Check the admission requirements
    • Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
    University of Alberta BDes applicant subjects and portfolioUniversity of Alberta BDes applicant subjects and portfolio
  2. Step 2Apply through ApplyAlberta
    • Create your application and select this program.
    ApplyAlbertaApplyAlberta
  3. Step 3Non-refundable undergraduate application fee
    • $150 for new applicants and $100 for current or former University of Alberta students. Some programs have a separate fee.
    University of Alberta admission requirements and feesUniversity of Alberta admission requirements and fees
  4. Step 4Final official school and postsecondary transcripts
    • Alberta records can transfer through ApplyAlberta with consent. Ontario high school applicants arrange direct submission from their school. Transfer applicants submit all required postsecondary records; university records already held by Alberta need not be resubmitted. Final official documents must come from the issuer or ministry.
    Alberta transcripts and documents by applicant groupAlberta transcripts and documents by applicant group
  5. Step 5Official AP or IB results, if you took those courses
    • Applicants with Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate coursework must request an official electronic result transcript in addition to their school or postsecondary records.
    Alberta AP and IB transcript rulesAlberta AP and IB transcript rules
  6. Step 6Apply to the Bachelor of Design and complete the separate portfolio submission in Launchpad.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    University of Alberta BDes applicant subjects and portfolioUniversity of Alberta BDes applicant subjects and portfolio

All BDes applicants.

University of Alberta BDes applicant subjects and portfolio
Applicant pathways
Engineering route

Applicants to the Engineering route within the BDes.

  • Complete Mathematics 30-1 or the published equivalent. Mathematics 31 and Physics 30 are recommended.
University of Alberta BDes applicant subjects and portfolio
Social Sciences route, Psychology concentration

Students planning Psychology course registration in the Social Sciences route.

  • The department identifies Grade 12 math as a prerequisite for certain university courses in this route.
University of Alberta BDes applicant subjects and portfolio

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements
  • Complete at least 24 course weights over Fall and Winter for progression. The normal full-time load is 30 to 33.
  • Each of the four BDes routes requires 120 units.
ReferencesUniversity of Alberta 2026/27 Calendar · Bachelor of DesignUniversity of Alberta Department of Art and Design · BDes common first yearUniversity of Alberta Arts 2027–28 viewbookUniversity of Alberta 2026/27 Calendar · Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design
Grades and academic standing
  • Maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA for promotion and graduation.
ReferencesUniversity of Alberta 2026/27 Calendar · Bachelor of DesignUniversity of Alberta Department of Art and Design · BDes common first yearUniversity of Alberta Arts 2027–28 viewbookUniversity of Alberta 2026/27 Calendar · Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design

Program facts

Academic minimum70% minimum
University of Alberta BDes applicant subjects and portfolio

Majors & specializations

Students choose a route within the degree and may change it in the first few years. After the foundation year, concentrate in Industrial Design, Visual Communication Design, or both.

Business and Marketing

BDes

Combine design study with the Business and Marketing elective route.

Published requirements

Courses

Bachelor of Design common first-year studio courses across the four routes.

Year 1 · Shared Art and Design studio core5 listed

The department confirms this studio core is shared by BDes and BFA students. Route requirements apply to the rest of the degree.

University of Alberta Department of Art and Design · BDes common first year

Careers

Career examples have not been verified for this page.

Official program page

Costs

Design · Tuition by applicant category

Published tuition

2026–27 domestic · Fall 2027 international entry · Domestic per registered course · International per year · CAD

Canadian citizens and permanent residents example · Choose your category

Tuition onlyNot researched

Domestic tuition depends on course registration. The international amount is the published Fall 2027 cohort rate.

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