Outgoing Exchange Students

ECU participates in the Student Exchange/Mobility Program and has exchange agreements with numerous art and design schools globally.

Each year, ECU students attend these schools for a semester of study and art practice.

About the Program

You must be in your second year of your ECU program to apply. The exchange will take place in either your Fall OR Spring semester of third year.

Research your options from our list of Partner Schools. You must independently perform the required research in advance of your application to find a host school that will best suit your artistic practice and educational goals, and have a program most similar to your program at ECU. You may choose up to three schools for consideration, however you will only be nominated to one.

As of May 2023 AICAD (Association of Independent Colleges of Art + Design) has made significant changes to their exchange program which means there are less exchange schools available in North America. Please refer to the list of active Partner Schools to choose from. Because of this change, the selection process for the remaining Partner Schools will likely be very competitive.

All applicants will be ranked on their GPA. Based on GPA, students will be nominated to their first available host school. ECU may only nominate a maximum of 2 students to each host school per year.

ECU International Programs will notify you of your successful nomination. We will also notify the host school of our nominations.

Students will then complete the application directly to the host school through their individual processes and deadlines. At that time you will submit a portfolio, transcript and reference letter to the host school. The final decision of acceptance lies with the host school. ECU nomination does not guarantee you will be accepted by the host school.

Need more information? Email the Exchange office or make an appointment with the International Exchange Advisor in Student Commons.

Applying For the Student Exchange Program

  1. You must be in your second year of your ECU program to apply. The exchange will take place in either your Fall OR Spring semester of third year.
  2. Research your options from our list of Partner Schools. You must independently perform the required research in advance of your application to find a host school that will best suit your artistic practice and educational goals, and must have a program most similar to your program at ECU. You may choose up to three schools for consideration, however you will only be nominated to one.
  3. Apply by January 15 2025.
  4. All applicants will be ranked on their GPA. Based on GPA, students will be nominated to their first available host school. ECU will only nominate a maximum of 2 students to each host school per year.
  5. ECU International Programs will notify you of your successful nomination. We will also notify the host school of our nominations.
  6. Students will then complete the application directly to the host school through their individual processes and deadlines. At that time you will submit a portfolio, transcript and reference letter to the host school. The final decision of acceptance lies with the host school.
PLEASE NOTE - Important information regarding global disruptions: Emily Carr University is bound by guidelines set forth federally, provincially and by our University Executive for the safety of our students and community. Travel restrictions may result in ineligibility to participate or a cancellation of the Emily Carr Exchange Program at any time.

The application for 2025/2026 is now closed

The deadline to apply was January 15, 2025

Need more information? Email the Exchange office or make an appointment with the International Exchange Advisor in Student Commons.

Student Exchange Program Policies

During second year, students at ECU can apply to become an exchange student for one semester of your third year of study at a variety of art and design schools globally.

Both part-time and full-time students are eligible to apply; however, students must be full-time in their third year while on exchange.

The exchange program is open to both domestic and international students.

Please note students who transfer to Emily Carr at the third-year level are not eligible to apply for the exchange program.

The application fee is $25.

The cost of the exchange program is the equivalent of 15 ECU credits.

If you are on a Canadian student loan you maintain your eligibility for financial awards, including student loans while on exchange.

However, US students on the US Department of Education's Direct Loan Program are NOT eligible to participate in the exchange program.

To be eligible to apply for the exchange program, you must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. You must also have a 3.0 GPA on the first term of second year of your program (or for part-time students, the first 15 credits of your second year courses).

You continue to pay tuition to Emily Carr. While away, you are registered here in an 'exchange program' course and will pay the appropriate tuition and fees equivalent to the cost of 15 credits.

You will need to complete the application process for your host school as per their instructions. Final selection rests with the host institution.

You are responsible for your travel and living costs and may be responsible for lab or other fees at the host institution. You are also responsible for your own accommodation.

You must apply and register in a program of studies and credit requirements at the host institution that will allow you to maintain normal progress toward your Emily Carr degree.

You should keep a journal, document your works-in-progress with photographs, and be prepared to discuss your work and experience with Emily Carr staff and faculty upon return.

Upon successful completion of your semester abroad, you are required to send Emily Carr University a hardcopy, official transcript from your host institution (sealed, and sent directly from the institution). This will enable our Admissions Advisor evaluate and apply your transfer credit accordingly. Retaining course descriptions is also helpful to ensure we have assessed your transcript correctly.

There is one application deadline per year. The deadline is January 15.

Applicants will be ranked for exchange nomination on the basis of their GPA. Each student will be nominated to one (1) host institution based upon your GPA.

You will submit a final official transcript after your exchange is complete for assessment by ECU.

ECU would like students to share their exchange experiences with Emily Carr students, faculty and staff. The exchange experience is for you, but is for your peers as well. What you bring back to the classroom through new insights, approaches, and perspectives benefits your classmates and teachers.

You will be required to participate exhibiting work in a Student Exchange Exhibit in the Fall of fourth year. As a former exchange participant, you may be called upon to share your new knowledge and insights with next year's group of exchange students at the information and orientation sessions that will take place after your return.