Offered by Capilano University in North Vancouver, Canada, Visual Communication: Bachelor of Design Degree (BDes) is a bachelor's degree in Applied Design programme. The programme runs for 4 years, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 30,282 per year (CAD 12,562 per year for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Bachelor's Degree
Field:Applied Design
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 12,562 / year
International tuition: CAD 30,282 / year
Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The Bachelor of Design Degree in Visual Communication will prepare you for careers in illustration, branding, graphic design, visual design, art direction, character design, typography and storyboarding, interactive design, UI (user interface) and UX (user experience), editorial design, publishing, digital media, environmental design and more. As part of your degree, you can choose from one of three concentrations: branding, illustration and interactive design. Prior to graduation, you'll take part in an eight-week industry practicum placement to help you transition into your new career.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Admission requires B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, with English Studies 12 (C), English 12 (C), or English First Peoples 12 (C). The programme page defers to Capilano's general English Language Requirements for applicants educated in a language other than English: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no band below 6), TOEFL iBT 83, CAEL 70, PTE Academic 56, or Duolingo English Test 125+ (no sub-score below 115). Beyond the academic requirement, applicants submit one letter of reference and a portfolio. Grade 12 students may apply for conditional admission on their final Grade 11 and/or interim Grade 12 marks, with final admission contingent on graduation.
Application Details
Start Date:Fall 2027
Application Deadline:Domestic and international applicants both apply through EducationPlannerBC: the domestic application fee is $50 CAD and the international fee is $135 CAD, each covering up to two programmes. Capilano University publishes no university-wide application-opening or closing date for either group for the 2026-27 cycle; its how-to-apply pages instruct applicants to check the application and document deadlines on their chosen programme's own page, since every programme sets its own intake window there. Admission is effectively rolling at the institution level, governed programme by programme, with some programmes (for example the Health Care Assistant Certificate) publishing a fixed intake window that opens and closes months ahead of the start date. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
