Graduate Admissions

Graduate Application Process

Graduate programs include: Residency Master of Design and Master of Applied Arts and Low Residency Master of Applied Arts programs

The Graduate programs are primarily designed for individuals working in the Art, Design, Media and New Media fields as well as recent graduates of universities and art and design schools that have art, media and design undergraduate programs. All applicants must hold a recognized four-year BFA, BMA or BDes (or directly related degree) with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or higher from an accredited University or Institute.  Applicants with less than an overall 3.0 (B) grade point average will not be considered.  Please note that the University is not authorized to consider an applicants professional or industry experience in lieu of the required four year undergraduate credential.

Applications open September 15 and close January 15.  All application packages must be submitted by January 15.  All portfolios must be submitted online by February 1.

You may only apply for one program per year: Residency Master of Design, Master of Applied Arts or Low Residency Master of Applied Arts

You are required to apply for a specific stream:

  • Residency Master of Design or
  • Residency Master of Applied Arts in Visual Arts (includes Media Arts) or
  • Low Residency Master of Applied Arts in Visual Arts (includes Media Arts)

If you mistakenly apply to an incorrect program do not reapply contact admissions@ecuad.ca .

Regardless of the program you apply for you will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee on the basis of the:

  • Portfolio of work
  • Official transcripts of post-secondary education
  • Professional letters of recommendation (3)
  • Statement of intent
  • Curriculum vitae or resumé outlining related exhibitions, publications and/or professional experience.

In addition in some cases applicants are required to submit evidence of English language proficiency.

To apply carefully follow the steps below.

Step 1 |

Complete an online application through ApplyBC https://applybc.ca . A non-refundable application fee of $100.00CDN is required for all applications.  Applications open September 15 and close January 15.  All application packages must be submitted by January 15.

Step 2 |

Once the applicant has received an application confirmation from Emily Carr they should proceed to SlideRoom. At SlideRoom you will be required to select your program of choice and to upload your portfolio (specific file formats can be found on the SlideRoom page).  Once you submit your portfolio you will be charged a non-refundable submission fee of $12.00US.

Step 3 |

APPLICATION PACKAGE

In support of your visual art portfolio you must also submit the following documents in one application package:

  • Final Official Transcripts and proof of English Language Proficiency if required.
  • Statement of Intent
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • 3 recommendation letters

You must collect and submit these documents in one application package.  Please note that your official transcripts and recommendation letters must be sent to your home address.  Official Transcripts - please see below for information on what constitutes an official transcript or educational document.  Recommendation Letters - to ensure the authenticity of your recommendation letters your referees must sign over the seal of the envelope.  Once you receive your official transcript(s) and recommendation letters, do not open these documents, they must  remain in their original sealed envelopes and placed inside your application package with your statement and CV.  Your application package may be submitted in person or sent by courier and must arrive by January 15.  Send your admission package to Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Graduate Admissions, 1399 Johnston Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R9, Canada, Telephone +1-604-629-4510.  If you require notification that we have received your admission package then you must either drop it off in person or send it via a courier service that allows you to track its receipt.

Portfolio Submission Process

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of 18 - 20 examples of their visual projects; this may include documentation of static (2D or 3D) and dynamic (sound,video, performance, etc) work. 

Applicants are required to submit their portfolios online at SlideRoom. Access to SlideRoom will open September 15 and close February 1.

During this time period applicants may upload images (jpg, png, gif) or video (mov, wmv, flv, mp4) or music (mp3).

To optimize image quality and upload speed, ensure that image files are approximately 1024 x 768px at 72 dpi and please keep video files under 60MB each. Our SlideRoom portal offers additional instruction for submitting work. For technical assistance, contact support@slideroom.com . You can also access a help desk at http://slideroom.zendesk.com.

SlideRoom allows the applicant to log in and edit as often as required, however, please note, that once the portfolio is submitted changes can no longer be made.  Once the applicant is ready to submit a $12 US fee will be charged to the applicant .

Official Educational Documents or Transcripts

Applicants must submit a full set of official educational documents or transcripts in sealed envelopes from all accredited post-secondary institutions attended. Applicants currently enrolled in courses must send an official interim report of their grades and then follow up with a full set of official educational documents or transcripts when their courses are completed.

Educational documents or transcripts must contain the academic record, showing the courses or subjects studied, the grades earned, and the hours of study or number of credits for each course. Depending on the country that issues the educational document, it may be called a transcript, detailed marks card, relevé de notes, examination report, extract, student's book, index, or another name.

In order for an educational document to be considered official it must be enclosed in a sealed envelope sent from the appropriate authority or educational institution that awarded the credential, and must bear the proper seals, signatures, and/or postal markings.

Foreign documents from non-English speaking schools must be sent in the original language and accompanied by an official certified English translation. Foreign documents may need to be assessed by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). The Admissions Office will contact the applicant if the documents require further assessment.

Statement of Intent

All applicants are required to include a statement of intent (300-500 words) that outlines the direction of their research and/or studio practice and their intentions in pursuing graduate studies seeking at Emily Carr. Statements should also address intent with respect to an internship placement.

Graduate students are encouraged to take full advantage of the excellent technical facilities available at the University and all efforts will be made to assign individual studio space. Keeping in mind that studio space is limited, please make sure that your statement of intent addresses your anticipated space and technical needs.

The Statement of Intent should, where applicable, concisely and articulately:

  • Discuss the content/focus of the visual work represented in the portfolio
  • Propose a focus of graduate study at Emily Carr
  • Consider the candidate's expectations regarding graduate study
  • Demonstrate historical and theoretical awareness of the field (Design, Media or Visual Arts) and the applicant’s relationship to it
  • Consider intent with respect to an internship placement
  • Mention of any unique interdisciplinary interests, motivations, accomplishments and/or future goals
  • Address specific technical requirements, interests or expertise

Curriculum Vitae or Resumé

A current curriculum vitae or resumé of academic and professional accomplishments may include education, exhibition, publication and community service history.

Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters should be written by instructors or professionals who are prepared to comment on your educational and professional qualifications and with whom you have recently (or last) studied or worked.  It is recommended that referees use the MAA Recommendation Form below, however, they may also use their own stationery, but it is critical that they include the applicant's full name in the letter.  All referees must send their recommendation letter to the applicant in a sealed envelope with their signature over the seal of the envelope.

English Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, must present an acceptable English Language Proficiency test score. For more information please see English Proficiency.

Graduate Studies contact
Email: masters@ecuad.ca