Top Graphic Design Universities in Canada – Ranking & Fee

“Are you passionate about visual communication and creativity? Canada is home to some of the world’s top universities offering exceptional programs in graphic design. For students passionate about visual communication, creativity, and digital arts, studying graphic design in Canada provides access to cutting-edge technology, innovative teaching methods, and diverse cultural experiences. In this blog, we will explore some of the leading graphic design universities in Canada, their programs, admission requirements, and career prospects.”

Why study Graphic Design in Canada?

Here are several compelling reasons to study graphic design in Canada, highlighting the benefits of high-quality education, cultural diversity, industry connections, and state-of-the-art facilities.

• High-Quality Education: Canadian universities are renowned for their rigorous academic standards and quality education. Graphic design programs in Canada are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of design principles, techniques, and tools.
• Cultural Diversity: Canada’s multicultural environment offers a unique opportunity for students to gain global perspectives and collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds, enhancing their creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Industry Connections: Many Canadian universities have strong ties with the design industry, offering students opportunities for internships, networking, and real-world projects.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Universities in Canada invest in advanced technology and facilities, providing students with access to the latest design software and hardware.

Best Graphic Design Universities in Canada 

Here is a table summarizing the top graphic design universities in Canada and the undergraduate programs offered by them.

University	World Ranking	Programs	Duration	Type	Application Deadline for Batch of 2025	Fee/Annum (INR)	Fee/Annum (CAD)
Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U)	801-1000	Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design	4 years	Full-time	January 15, 2025	1,350,000	22,000
Emily Carr University of Art & Design	701-750	Bachelor of Design in Communication Design	4 years	Full-time	January 15, 2025	1,250,000	20,000
York University	450-500	Bachelor of Design	4 years	Full-time	February 1, 2025	1,200,000	19,000
NSCAD University	801-1000	Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Design	4 years	Full-time	March 1, 2025	1,200,000	19,000
University of Alberta	119	Bachelor of Design	4 years (UG), 2 years (PG)	Full-time, Part-time	January 15, 2025 (UG), March 1, 2025 (PG)	1,300,000	21,000
University of British Columbia (UBC)	34	Bachelor of Media Studies, Master of Digital Media	4 years (UG), 1-2 years (PG)	Full-time, Part-time	January 15, 2025 (UG), December 1, 2024 (PG)	1,500,000	24,000
Concordia University	521-530	Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design	4 years	Full-time	February 1, 2025	1,200,000	19,000
University of Toronto	18	Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies, Master of Visual Studies	4 years (UG), 2 years (PG)	Full-time, Part-time	January 15, 2025 (UG), December 1, 2024 (PG)	1,600,000	25,000

Graphic Design Colleges in Canada for Masters Programs

Here is a table listing some of the best graphic design offering master’s programs to study in Canada.

University	Masters in Graphic Design Programs	Duration	Fee/Annum (INR)	Fee/Annum (CAD)	Application Deadline (2025)	Application Fee (CAD)
OCAD University	Master of Design (MDes) in Health	2 years	₹1,300,000	CAD 21,000	January 15, 2025	CAD 110
University of Alberta	Master of Design (MDes)	2 years	₹1,200,000	CAD 19,000	March 1, 2025	CAD 100
NSCAD University	Master of Design	2 years	₹1,150,000	CAD 18,000	February 1, 2025	CAD 70
Emily Carr University of Art + Design	Master of Design (MDes)	2 years	₹1,300,000	CAD 21,000	January 15, 2025	CAD 100
University of British Columbia (UBC)	Master of Digital Media	1-2 years	₹1,500,000	CAD 24,000	December 1, 2024	CAD 150
York University	Master of Design (MDes)	2 years	₹1,250,000	CAD 20,000	February 1, 2025	CAD 130
Concordia University	Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design	2 years	₹1,200,000	CAD 19,000	February 1, 2025	CAD 100
University of Toronto	Master of Visual Studies (MVS)	2 years	₹1,600,000	CAD 25,000	December 1, 2024	CAD 125
Carleton University	Master of Design (MDes)	2 years	₹1,200,000	CAD 19,000	January 15, 2025	CAD 100
University of Calgary	Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design	2 years	₹1,150,000	CAD 18,000	February 1, 2025	CAD 125

Graphic Design Colleges in Canada for Doctorate Programs

Here is a table listing some of the universities in Canada that offer doctorate programs in Graphic Design, along with their annual fees in both INR and CAD.

University	Fee/Annum (INR)	Fee/Annum (CAD)
University of Alberta	₹800,000	$13,000
York University	₹850,000	$13,800
NSCAD University (Nova Scotia College of Art and Design)	₹720,000	$11,700
OCAD University (Ontario College of Art and Design)	₹900,000	$14,600
University of British Columbia	₹950,000	$15,300

Top Graphic Design Specializations in Canada 

Here are the top Graphic Design specializations in Canada:

1. Branding and Identity Design
2. Web and Mobile Design
3. User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design
4. Typography
5. Illustration and Digital Art
6. Motion Graphics and Animation
7. Packaging Design
8. Environmental and Exhibition Design
9. Interactive Design and Multimedia
10. Print and Publication Design
11. Information Design
12. 3D Modelling and Visualization
13. Advertising Design
14. New Media and Digital Applications

Admission Requirements for Graphic Design Programs in Canada

Here is a table outlining the general admission requirements for undergraduate and doctorate programs in Graphic Design at universities in Canada:

Requirement	Undergraduate Programs	Doctorate Programs
Educational Qualifications	High school diploma or equivalent	Master’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field
Portfolio	Required; showcasing a range of work, demonstrating creativity and technical skills	Required; comprehensive portfolio demonstrating advanced research, creative projects, and professional work
Letters of Recommendation	1-2 letters from teachers or professionals familiar with the applicant’s work and potential	2-3 letters from academic or professional references
Statement of Purpose (SOP)	Required; explaining interest in Graphic Design and career aspirations	Required; outlining research interests, career goals, and why the applicant is a good fit for the program
Transcripts	Official high school transcripts	Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions
English Language Proficiency	TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable)	TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable)
Interview	May be required	Often required, particularly for research-focused programs
Work Experience	Not typically required	Preferred; professional experience in Graphic Design or a related field
Research Proposal	Not required	Required; detailed research proposal outlining intended research area and methodology
Additional Requirements	Some programs may require specific prerequisite courses	May include a detailed CV/resume, publications, and a potential supervisor’s support

Cost of Pursuing Graphic Design in Canada

Here’s a table detailing the estimated costs of pursuing a Graphic Design degree in Canada, including tuition fees and living expenses for both undergraduate and doctorate programs:

Expense Type	Undergraduate (Annual)	Doctorate (Annual)
Tuition Fees	₹800,000 – ₹1,000,000 (CAD 13,000 – 16,000)	₹720,000 – ₹950,000 (CAD 11,700 – 15,300)
Accommodation	₹500,000 – ₹800,000 (CAD 8,000 – 13,000)	₹500,000 – ₹800,000 (CAD 8,000 – 13,000)
Food	₹250,000 – ₹400,000 (CAD 4,000 – 6,500)	₹250,000 – ₹400,000 (CAD 4,000 – 6,500)
Transportation	₹60,000 – ₹100,000 (CAD 1,000 – 1,600)	₹60,000 – ₹100,000 (CAD 1,000 – 1,600)
Books and Supplies	₹40,000 – ₹80,000 (CAD 650 – 1,300)	₹40,000 – ₹80,000 (CAD 650 – 1,300)
Health Insurance	₹50,000 – ₹100,000 (CAD 800 – 1,600)	₹50,000 – ₹100,000 (CAD 800 – 1,600)
Miscellaneous	₹100,000 – ₹200,000 (CAD 1,600 – 3,200)	₹100,000 – ₹200,000 (CAD 1,600 – 3,200)
Total Estimated Cost (Annual)	₹1,800,000 – ₹2,680,000 (CAD 29,050 – 43,200)	₹1,720,000 – ₹2,630,000 (CAD 27,750 – 42,500)

Scholarship & Financial Aid for Graphic Design Courses in Canada

Here is a table listing some of the scholarships and financial aid options available to international students, especially Indians, pursuing Graphic Design courses in Canada:

Scholarship Name	Eligibility Criteria	Amount (CAD)
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)	– Doctoral students – Strong academic and research potential – Leadership skills	$50,000 per year for 3 years
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)	– Graduate students – Academic excellence – Full-time enrolment in an eligible program	$5,000 per session (max $15,000 per year)
Trudeau Foundation Scholarships	– Doctoral students – Research focused on social sciences and humanities – Leadership qualities	Up to $40,000 per year for 3 years
University of Alberta International Scholarships	– Undergraduate and graduate students – Academic excellence – Demonstrated leadership	Varies (up to full tuition and fees)
York University International Student Emergency Bursary	– Undergraduate and graduate students – High academic performance – Leadership and community service	$20,000 – $35,000 per year
NSCAD University Entrance Scholarships	– Undergraduate and graduate students – Academic excellence – Strong portfolio	Varies (up to $10,000)
OCAD University International Student Bursaries	– Undergraduate and graduate students – Financial need – Good academic standing	Varies
University of British Columbia International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)	– Undergraduate students – High academic achievement – Extracurricular involvement	$25,000 per year for up to 3 years
Humber International Entrance Scholarships	– Undergraduate students – High academic performance – Community involvement	$1,000 – $5,000
Canada-India Acceleration Program Scholarships	– Indian students – Enrolled in a Canadian university – Entrepreneurial potential	Varies

Scope & Career Prospects for Graphic Design in Canada

Graphic Design in Canada offers a promising career scope with diverse opportunities across various industries such as advertising, media, publishing, and digital marketing. The demand for skilled graphic designers is high, driven by the growth of digital media and the creative economy.

According to Job Bank Canada, employment in graphic design is projected to grow steadily, with an average annual salary ranging from CAD 40,000 to CAD 70,000, depending on experience and location. Major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal provide vibrant job markets with numerous opportunities for both freelance and full-time positions. The industry also offers potential for career advancement into roles like art director and creative director.

Here is a table with career prospects after pursuing a degree or course in Graphic Design in Canada, including top recruiters, and average annual salaries:

Career Path	Top Recruiters	Average Annual Salary (INR)	Average Annual Salary (CAD)
Graphic Designer	– Shopify – Ubisoft – Bell Media – The Home Depot	₹2,400,000 – ₹4,200,000	CAD 40,000 – 70,000
Web Designer	– IBM – Amazon – TELUS – Canadian Tire	₹2,700,000 – ₹4,500,000	CAD 45,000 – 75,000
UI/UX Designer	– Google – Facebook – Apple – Microsoft	₹3,000,000 – ₹5,400,000	CAD 50,000 – 90,000
Art Director	– Walt Disney – EA Sports – Cossette – Cineplex	₹4,800,000 – ₹7,200,000	CAD 80,000 – 120,000
Creative Director	– Havas – Publicis – Grey Canada – Saatchi & Saatchi	₹6,000,000 – ₹10,200,000	CAD 100,000 – 170,000
Multimedia Designer	– CBC – Netflix – Rogers Communications – Corus Entertainment	₹2,700,000 – ₹4,800,000	CAD 45,000 – 80,000
Animation Designer	– DHX Media – Bardel Entertainment – Nelvana – Atomic Cartoons	₹3,000,000 – ₹5,400,000	CAD 50,000 – 90,000
Freelance Graphic Designer	– Various companies and personal clients	₹2,400,000 – ₹4,200,000	CAD 40,000 – 70,000

How to choose a good Graphic Design University in Canada?

To choose good graphic design universities in Canada, students who wish to pursue design studies should start with preliminary research. Check top universities in Canada like OCAD University, known for their graphic design programs. These colleges in Canada offer comprehensive courses such as page layout, interactive design, and multimedia training.

Ensure the university offers classes teaching digital applications to give students fundamental skills of practice and experience with leading technologies and graphic design software. Consider the average salary and job opportunities for graduates. Submit a portfolio and check if the course structure includes critical thinking skills, communication and interpersonal skills, and practice with traditional print to online and interactive design.

Conclusion

Pursuing graphic design in Canada offers exceptional education, diverse cultural experiences, and strong industry connections. By choosing top universities like OCAD University, students gain access to advanced technology, innovative teaching, and promising career prospects, making Canada an ideal destination for aspiring graphic designers and illustrators.

Elevate your study experience by choosing Canada’s top institutions with Ambitio’s assistance. Our platform provides insights into Canada’s leading universities, tailored advice on your application, and strategies to enhance your chances of admission.

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