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HD in Graphic Design

Algonquin College

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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At Algonquin College in Ottawa, Canada, HD in Graphic Design is offered as a higher diploma in Applied Design programme. The programme runs for 3 years, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English.

At a glance

Degree: Higher Diploma
Field: Applied Design
Duration: 3 years
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English

We have no tuition fees on record for this programme yet. — it helps other students.

Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·

Program details

Overview

Overview Apply your creativity to shape a career communicating ideas and concepts. The three-year Graphic Design Ontario College Advanced Diploma program is your launchpad to a career in visual communication. Prepare to ignite your artistic passion and develop your art of conveying ideas through captivating visuals across print and digital media. In this program, you will embark on an educational experience that blends theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on learning. Develop expert skills in design, typography, image manipulation, colour theory, coding, motion graphics, interaction design, and production processes. Become a creative problem-solver who can manage and execute visually effective projects from concept to completion. Whether designing for print or for screens, you will explore innovative concepts and techniques that elevate your visual storytelling abilities. Communicate your creative visions to clients and bring your ideas to life through various design stage products: sketches prototypes storyboards interactive mock-ups Immerse yourself in the latest industry-standard software tools, ensuring you graduate with the cutting-edge skills that employers demand. Field trips and real-world client projects bridge the gap between classroom and workplace, providing invaluable hands-on experience. From your second year onward, you will enjoy the prestige of being a student member of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario, a testament to your commitment to professional excellence. In your final semester, embark on a six-week fieldwork placement, working side-by-side with experienced professionals in the industry. This invaluable opportunity allows you to gain authentic experience, build a professional network and seamlessly transition into your career. Upon graduation, you will have crafted a design portfolio that showcases your creativity, problem-solving skills, and artistic prowess. Present your work to industry professionals and potential employers at the annual Grad Show exhibition, a celebration of your achievements and a gateway to many career opportunities. With your Graphic Design diploma, you will be prepared to embark on a rewarding career in various industries, including: graphic design studios advertising agencies motion graphics studios interactive/web design studios in-house design roles for organizations or government the television and entertainment industry game development or as a freelance creative professional Unlock your creative potential and embark on an exciting journey in the world of graphic design towards a fulfilling career in visual communication.

Requirements

Admission Requirements: Algonquin publishes these requirements for the Sept 2027 - Aug 2028 admissions year on this program's own page; the requirements for Sept 2026 - Aug 2027 are shown separately there and can differ. Program code 1400X01FWO. All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility. COLLEGE ELIGIBILITY: an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or its equivalent, or mature-student standing - 19 or older, and without a high-school diploma, by the time the program begins. Mature entry may be settled by academic achievement testing, for which a fee is charged. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY: Grade 12 English (ENG4C or equivalent), plus a portfolio. PORTFOLIO: 10 to 15 samples of your strongest work. Submission instructions are on Algonquin's Additional Admission Requirements page, and portfolio questions go to the program coordinators. Applicants presenting transcripts from outside Canada must document the subjects above and may be asked for evidence of language proficiency; a domestic applicant holding international transcripts must have them assessed by the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES). ENGLISH: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with nothing under 5.5 in any band; or TOEFL iBT 80 overall with 20 in each of reading, listening, speaking and writing where the test was sat before 21 January 2026, or 4 overall with 4 in each section where it was sat after that date; or a Duolingo English Test score of 110 overall with 110 in Literacy and nothing under 95. If qualified applicants outnumber the seats, Algonquin selects on English proficiency.

Application Details

Start Date: Intake terms Algonquin lists for this program, read from its own availability table on 6 September 2026: Fall 2026 (AC Day 1 orientation 8 September 2026; Fall term classes start 9 September 2026). Term start dates come from the Registrar's Important Dates page, which also gives 11 January 2027 for the Winter 2027 term and 10 May 2027 for the Spring 2027 term. Availability changes as seats fill and an intake already under way may be closed, so check the program page before applying. Algonquin's academic year runs September to August.
Application Deadline: DOMESTIC APPLICANTS (Canadian citizens and permanent residents). Algonquin publishes no deadline unique to this program; the dates below are the college-wide Ontario colleges cycle and apply to every full-time day program. Applications go through ontariocolleges.ca, where 1 February is the equal consideration date each cycle: apply by then and your application is assessed alongside every other one received by that date, while applications arriving later are handled first-come, first-served for as long as places remain. For entry in Fall 2027 the ontariocolleges.ca application opened on 26 September 2026, colleges may begin issuing offers on 1 November 2026, the equal consideration date is 1 February 2027 and an offer must be accepted by 1 May 2027. The equal consideration date that governed the Fall 2026, Winter 2027 and Spring 2027 intakes was 1 February 2026 and has already passed, so those three starts are now first-come, first-served while seats last. INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS. Apply directly to Algonquin on the International Application Form in its International Application Portal (AC360) rather than through ontariocolleges.ca, with a CAD 135 application fee. There is no single fixed international deadline: Algonquin asks you to confirm the program is open before applying, warns that a program's status can change to waitlisted or closed before an admissions officer reviews the file, and publishes a closing-date sheet for each intake. For the Fall 2026 intake that sheet gives this program's own dates: 16 September 2026 is the last day to apply on the International Application Portal and receive an acceptance, and 21 September 2026 is the last day to register.

About Algonquin College

Type: College
Founded: 1967
Programs: 154
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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Frequently asked questions

What degree does HD in Graphic Design award?

Algonquin College awards a Higher Diploma in the field of Applied Design on completion of this programme.

How long does HD in Graphic Design take?

The programme runs for 3 years.

Can HD in Graphic Design be studied online?

No — the programme is taught on campus at Algonquin College.

What language is HD in Graphic Design taught in?

The programme is taught in English.

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