Design: Master's Degree (MDes) - UBCO at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada is a master's degree in Applied Design programme. The programme runs for 12 months, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 52,600 per year (CAD 30,220 per year for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Master's Degree
Field:Applied Design
Duration: 12 months
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 30,220 / year
International tuition: CAD 52,600 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
UBC Okanagan's Master of Design is a compact, full-time 12-month program run jointly by the School of Engineering and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, structured around four themes: design, innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. The 30-credit calendar moves from early-summer courses in design thinking and participatory research, through mid-summer work on visualization, production, and social entrepreneurship, into a two-term studio residency that ends in a public showcase, with one elective fitted in along the way. Admission looks for a bachelor's degree with a strong upper-year average, a statement of interest, and a portfolio or description of relevant projects rather than a narrow academic profile. Graduates typically move into roles such as design strategist, product manager, or design director rather than academic research positions.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:76.00 / %
Admission Requirements: Applicants who studied in Canada or the United States must have completed an undergraduate degree with an overall average of 76% or better in their upper years of study; requirements for applicants from other countries vary by country of origin. The program is designed for graduates of engineering, technical, business, creative, or arts bachelor's degrees, with relevant field experience preferred but not required. Applicants who completed their degree in a country where English is not the sole official language may need to provide an English proficiency test result; this program page names no specific score, so UBC Okanagan's general graduate minimums apply. Beyond a CV, unofficial transcripts, and two referees, admission requires a professional portfolio of up to ten samples or digital work links, or a written description of completed projects (course-based work is acceptable), plus a statement of interest of up to 1,000 words addressing motivation, goals, and program fit.
Application Details
Application Deadline:Domestic and international undergraduate applicants both apply through EducationPlannerBC for Winter Session 2027/28 (September 2027 entry) and Summer 2027: applications open in early October 2026 and the equal-consideration deadline is 15 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST, the same date for both groups; a few programs keep reviewing late applications on a space-available basis afterwards. Earlier dates apply only to entrance-award consideration -- 15 November 2026 for the International Scholars Program and 1 December 2026 for Presidential/Centennial/Beyond Tomorrow scholars. Several limited-entry programmes -- Law, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing (advanced entry), Occupational/Physical Therapy, Social Work and Teacher Education -- set their own earlier deadlines from October 2026 through February 2027. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
