OVERVIEW
Pursue Your Next Creative Chapter
Our graduate programs are designed for artists, designers and researchers who are ready to deepen their practice, expand their thinking and engage with a vibrant community of peers and mentors. As Canada’s #1 art and design university, we welcome makers and thinkers who want to push boundaries and reimagine what’s possible.
This section walks you through everything you need to apply to the Master of Design (MDes) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs.
Important Information
- Application Intake Dates for Fall 2026: open October 1, 2025 and close January 15, 2026.
- International Applicants: If you’re applying from outside Canada, start early. Review study permit requirements and allow extra time to gather and submit all materials before the deadline. Explore our International Student Guide.
- We offer one yearly intake for all graduate programs, in the fall (September). You may only submit one application per intake.
- Admission is highly competitive, and not all applicants who meet academic requirements will receive an offer.
- Use your legal name on your application. You may also provide a preferred name, which we will use whenever possible. If you have used other family/last names, include these as well in all of your submitted material.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Your Academic Requirements
Review our academic requirements and make sure you meet them.
Step 2: Apply Online Using the Application Portal
Apply online using the EducationPlannerBC Application Service. Select Emily Carr from the list of B.C. institutions during the application period.
- A non-refundable application fee is required for all graduate applications.
- You may only apply to one graduate program at Emily Carr University per academic year.
- Proceed to Step 3 to upload your supporting material on our internal application site.
- Review our Frequently Asked Questions for assistance or Contact Us.
Step 3: Upload and Submit Your Portfolio + Required Supporting Material
Within 48 hours of applying online using the EducationPlannerBC Application Service, you will receive an email from us with instructions for the next step.
The email will direct you to our online application portal, where you will upload your portfolio and all required supporting material, including your academic transcript(s) and, if applicable, your English Proficiency test score.
If you do not receive the email within 48 hours, please check your spam/junk folder. If it has not arrived, contact us at masters@ecuad.ca.
Step 4: Receive Updates and Follow ECU Notifications
Watch your inbox for important information that we will share with you via email. You will also be able to check the status of your application on ECU’s portal. All application results are released by April 30.
Step 5: Pay your Deposit
If you’ve been accepted, you will be asked to secure your place in the program by paying a non-refundable deposit within two weeks from receiving a Letter of Admission.
Key Graduate Academic Dates
October 1, 2025 | Applications Open
EducationPlannerBC Application Service opens to accept online applications. Applicants are directed via email to our online application portal to upload and submit their portfolio and all required supporting material, including your academic transcript(s) and, if applicable, your English Proficiency test score.
January 15, 2026 | Application Deadline
The deadline to apply via EducationPlannerBC Application Service, and submit your portfolio and supporting documents online via ECU’s application portal.
Variable – two weeks after receiving a Letter of Admission | Deadline to Pay Your Deposit
The deadline to pay your deposit and secure your place in the program is within two weeks after receiving your letter of admission via email. Further details are included in said email.
Variable | Waitlist Notifications and Decisions
You will be contacted by the Graduate Admissions Office when a spot opens up; you will not be assigned a number on the waitlist. If a spot does not open in the program stream you applied for, you will be given the option to join in the next intake. Waitlisted applicants may receive their final decision as late as the first week of September.
August 1, 2026 | Additional or In-Progress Documents
All relevant final educational documents are due, as requested directly through the admissions process by the University.