Accelerated Summer Foundation Program
Ready to fast-track your journey towards a thriving career in art, media and design?
Application deadline: March 1, 2024.
Apply Now!The Accelerated Summer Foundation is a one-of-a-kind program offering students an intensive, fast-paced journey through the first year of your degree – the Foundation year at ECU – in just 15-weeks.
Come fall, you’ll jump straight into the second year of your degree at Canada's #1 ranked university for art and design.
All first-year undergraduate students complete our Foundation program to build skills through critical inquiry, creative explorations and interdisciplinary practice. The Accelerated Summer Foundation Program now allows students to streamline their foundation studies and move quickly into their chosen field of study.
Over the summer, you will build close connections with fellow artists and instructors as you learn the skills, concepts and approaches to working in visual arts, design, film and screen arts. You’ll split your time between hands-on studio work, learning creative processes, and engaging with humanities and writing.
Get ready to ignite your creative passions and catapult towards endless new possibilities.
Designed for students who:
- Graduated from high school and are interested in fast-tracking the first year of their undergraduate studies.
- Are a transfer student or student who has completed their bachelor or master’s degree.
- Have a clear vision for your creative future and are eager to dive right into your chosen field of study.
- Want to graduate with a bachelor's degree in 3.5 years.
- Want to save on cost of living expenses by completing a shorter program without compromising on quality or opportunities.
Jump to...
Key Dates
Before the semester starts, successful applicants are expected to submit any outstanding official documents.
- September 15th - Applications for the 2024 summer intake open.
- March 1st - Deadline to apply and submit all documents.
- Mid-April - Admissions decisions are sent.
- May 1st – Deadline for successful applicants to pay their deposits to indicate their offer acceptance.
About the Program
Jumpstart your creative journey this summer.
The program consists of two consecutive seven week semesters over 15 weeks with one break in the middle. Courses run from May through mid-August, culminating in an opportunity to participate in the annual Foundation exhibition. Students will build new connections with peers and learn conceptual approaches and introductory skills within visual arts, design, film and screen arts.
Due to the rigorous course structure, strong time management skills are essential for this program. Students are required to complete 21 credits in the summer and move into 2nd year in the fall. Students then need to complete additional deficient credits in the 2nd year.
Students can choose from one of the following three streams of study:
- Visual Arts
- Film and Screen Arts
- Design
It’s a great space for very highly motivated and productive students. It’s an intensely focused time that can yield high results.
Pre-requisites
- Have completed a high school diploma.
- Meet the academic requirements.
To meet ECU’s minimum requirements for admission to any of our undergraduate programs, you need to have graduated from grade 12 secondary school, have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 (C+ or 67%), and have completed five grade 12 subjects from the BC Ministry approved courses below (or their equivalents if you completed school internationally or in a province other than British Columbia).
For more information, visit here.
Schedule
Term 1 – Tuesday, May 07 to Saturday, June 22
University closed on Monday, May 02, Victoria Day.
Break Week – Monday, June 24 to Saturday, June 29
University closed on Monday, July 01, Canada Day.
Term 2 – Tuesday, July 2 to Saturday, August 17
University closed on Monday, August 05, BC Day.
Student Experience
Our small class sizes lead to strong bonds and increased access to studio spaces.
The accelerated cohort is a tight-knit group, supporting each other throughout the program and the final exhibition, as active participants in the university. This program has a social and artistic crossover with other students in concurrent programs, such as the Summer Institute for Teens, MFA Low Residency Summer Intensive and MFA Thesis Exhibition events.
Students get personalized support with professors and will find generous access to studios and other specialized facilities during the quieter summer months.
Having that amount of one-on-one contact with my professors was so beneficial for a better, stronger overall idea of my art practice. It was an experience I’ve never had in university before, where you’re able to be that in-touch with your professors about everything.
Tuition Fees + Advising Support
Expedite your Foundation year without compromising on quality or opportunities.
ECU offers competitive tuition rates and a range of financial aid options, including awards and bursaries. To help prepare for your career ahead, ECU offers dynamic co-op opportunities and career pathway support.
Your creative future is within reach, and we're dedicated to supporting your artistic journey.
Courses
Summer Term
Complete 21 credits over 15 weeks.
Courses run for seven weeks, pause for a Break Week, and continue for a final seven weeks.
See below for the detailed schedule.
FNDT 115 Indigenous Presence (3 hours a week)
FNDT 164 Core Visual Arts Studio (6 hours a week)
FNDT 165 Core Interdisciplinary Studio (6 hours a week)
HUMN 100 Academic Core (6-9 hours a week asynchronously online)
Final Exhibition
Accelerated Sumer Foundation Program students celebrate completing this program with a final Foundation exhibition.
The final exhibtion is a vital milestone for students, providing them with a sense of fulfilment and excitement as they celebrate their accelerated efforts and look towards completing the rest of their degree.
The exhibition is a culmination of students’ transformative learning experience, a testament to their hard work and creativity.
Meet Your Future Community
Preston Buffalo
An interdisciplinary Indigenous artist + current student.
Henry Tsang
A faculty member explores anti-Asian violence.
Erica Stocking
An alum creating performance art during lockdown.