How to Apply | Graduate Admissions

How to Apply

Below are the requirements and steps to apply for a Master of Design or Master of Fine Arts. We offer one yearly intake for all graduate programs, in the fall (September). You may only submit one application per intake. All steps must be completed in order for your application to be reviewed and considered for admission.

Review our academic eligibility requirements and make sure you meet them.

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 per academic year.

Deadline: January 15, 2026.

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.

Deadline: January 15, 2026.

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.

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 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.