How to Apply | Undergraduate Admissions

Choose your path

Direct entry is a selective process. All future students must apply through Education Planner BC. There applicants can select their first and second choice programs. All available programs will be listed for selection. For successful applicants, admission to Emily Carr offers you direct entry into the program of your choice.

All applicants who wish to apply for direct entry to a program at Emily Carr must apply to the university as a whole and select a first and second choice program during the application process.

Can I explore before making a decision about my preferred program?

Future students eager to explore the many areas of study at Emily Carr can apply without declaring a preferred program.

To apply without selecting a preferred program, select the undeclared option in Education Planner BC.

A limited number of seats are available for students to be admitted without selecting a preferred program. There is no guarantee of acceptance into a major of choice when applying to a major entering second year.

For those who choose to go ahead with the undeclared option, it gives space and time to be curious about the range of disciplines and program specializations. Throughout Foundation Year, students across programs will learn what it is like to be a student in each program area.

Students with an undeclared program apply to a first and second choice program during the second term of their Foundation Year. Admission is based on GPA and availability of seats in the program.

What will the first year of my degree look like?

We believe creating a broad understanding of several art and design disciplines is a key to future success. This is why all undergraduate students begin with a common Foundation year.

In their first term, students focus on introductory interdisciplinary studies. These include hands-on studio and critical studies courses.

All students are automatically registered in the Foundation Forum lecture series in their Spring term.

Review your eligibility to apply

Start by reviewing our academic requirements and portfolio requirements.

Applicants who attended educational institutions where the primary language spoken was not English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency.


Apply online and submit your Portfolio

Apply online at EducationPlannerBC and submit your portfolio through SlideRoom.

Tip: Get feedback before you submit by registering for a portfolio review. Please note that portfolio reviews are presently fully booked. We hope to open up more spaces in the near future. This information will be posted here when available.

Submit your transcripts and supporting documents

In-progress transcripts and English Language Proficiency scores can be sent via email to submitdocuments@ecuad.ca.

All final high school and post-secondary transcripts must be sent directly from your educational institution to Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Transcripts issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by verified English translations.

Where to send your supporting documents

Digital in-progress transcripts and English Language Proficiency scores can be sent via email to submitdocuments@ecuad.ca.

Physical transcripts must be sent by mail or courier or dropped off in-person to:

Transcripts for Admission
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
520 East 1st Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5T 0H2

If you are requesting transcripts from within BC, you can order them online.

If your first language is not English you must submit an English language proficiency test.

Specific instructions are available for transfer, exchange + other student applications.

Key Dates

Fall Intake

September 15 | Applications open

January 15 | Applications close for Fall

All your application materials, including your portfolio, must be submitted by midnight Pacific Standard Time. Admission decisions will be sent via email no later than April 15.

May 1 | Deadline to pay your deposit

Details on the deadline to pay your deposit will be contained in your acceptance package.

August 1 | Deadline to send your final documents

If additional documents have been requested, follow the instructions in those requests regarding deadlines.

Spring Intake

Along with our main Fall intake in September, we also offer a Spring intake in January into select programs, including those in the two drop-down menus below.

Applications for our Spring intake open on September 15 and close on October 1. Your documents and portfolio are due October 15, including proof of high school graduation. Admission decisions will be sent via email no later than November 15.

First Year | Second Semester

Successful applicants to this intake who do not meet the equivalent transfer credit of the first semester will be required to complete those credits before continuing into their second-year major. This might take three semesters.

Bachelor of Fine Arts | Visual Arts Major

This intake is restricted to second and third-year Transfer Students only.

To apply for entry into our Spring Term, applications open on September 15 and close on October 1. Your documents and portfolio are due October 15. This includes proof of high school graduation.

Keep track of it all—download the undergraduate studies application checklist.

Please note that due to the volume of application materials we receive, we cannot individually update applicants regarding the receipt or status of transcripts and other supporting documents. Provided you follow the steps outlined on the following Application Checklist, your application will be complete. We will notify you if we experience difficulties processing any part of your application.

Download checklist

Back to top

Watch your inbox.

Once your application is complete, watch your inbox for important information that we will share with you via email. Admissions decisions are sent no later than November 15 and April 15 for the Spring and Fall intakes, respectively.

Information about paying your deposit and key dates will be shared in your acceptance package. Good luck!

Back to top