The School takes in to consideration the breadth of each application including the applicant’s academic achievement, intellectual readiness and evidence of creativity and design aptitude in selecting the most competitive students for the Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urbanism.
Admission to the Bachelor of Design is competitive. Applicants who meet the minimum criteria are not guaranteed admission.
UBC's procedures, policies, and general admission requirements are specified in Admissions.
Application and Document Submission
Applicants are directed to Undergraduate Admission Procedures for detailed information on UBC Undergraduate Admission procedures.
Additional requirements for all applicants to the Bachelor of Design consist of participation in a video interview, completion of a Creative Test and submission of a 1-2 page Resume. Further information is available at Bachelor of Design.
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all supporting documents, including official transcripts, are submitted by the published deadlines.
Admission from Secondary School
In addition to satisfying general university admission requirements (as appropriate to the secondary school curriculum being presented), it is recommended that applicants complete either History or Geography at the BC Grade 12-level or the equivalent. Applicants are directed to UBC’s policies on Admission from Secondary School for detailed information.
Admission and Transfer from Post-Secondary Study
Applicants seeking admission from post-secondary study require an overall average of 65% or better calculated on the most recent transferable credits with a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 30 transferable post-secondary credits, including any failed courses. The overall average is calculated in accordance with the general admission requirements for applicants from a college or university.
In addition, applicants require a minimum core design average of 65% on all attempts of DES 110, 130, 200, 220, 230, VISA 180 or their equivalent.
Applicants are directed to UBC’s policies on Admission from Post-Secondary Study for detailed information.
To be eligible for consideration for admission to second year standing in the B.Des. program, applicants must have completed the following UBC requirements or their equivalent:
- Reading requirement as described in year one requirements (3 credits)
- Writing requirement as described in year one requirements (3 credits)
- Geography requirement as described in year one requirements (3 credits)
- 6-12 credits Electives
- 6 credits of DES 130, 200, 220, 230 and 3 credits of DES 110 or VISA 180
Students with 24 or more transferable credits who are deficient in more than two of the above requirements will be considered for first year only.
Applicants who have greater than 6 but fewer than 24 transferable credits may be eligible for first year entry and are required to meet the requirements for both Post-Secondary Study and Secondary School as noted above. Further information is available at Applicants from a College or University.
Applicants from another UBC Degree Program or Campus are directed to Change of Degree Program and/or Change of Campus for further information. Applicants who are former UBC students are directed to Readmission for further information.
Post-secondary applicants may contact Bachelor of Design Advising for a review of course equivalency for consideration for promotion purposes.