Emily Carr University of Art and Design crest

Emily Carr University of Art and Design

Vancouver, Canada • Founded 1925

Updated Sep 2026

Overview

Acronyms: ECU
Founded: 1925
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Motto: Eye, Mind and Hand
Colours: Pantone 8420 (metallic), Pantone 3955 and Pantone 422
Emily Carr University of Art and Design institutional building
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Founded in 1925, the Emily Carr University of Art and Design is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Vancouver (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), British Columbia.

Officially recognized by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of British Columbia, Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECU) is a very small-sized coeducational Canadian higher education institution. Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study.

This 99-year-old Canadian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 50-59% making this Canadian higher education organization an averagely selective institution.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

ECU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Need to mail, call, or visit Emily Carr University of Art and Design? Address, phone, and digital contact options below. Religious and cultural accommodation queries route through specific student services.

Address: 520 E 1st Ave
Postal Code: V5T 1A7
Phone: +1 (604) 844 3800
Fax: +1 (604) 844 3801
Social Media:

Academic Details

These figures give a quick read on Emily Carr University of Art and Design's scale, staffing levels, and academic standing. Use them to ground decisions about programme fit and institutional capacity.

Recognition: Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of British Columbia
Admission Requirements: Emily Carr admits undergraduates as high-school, post-secondary-transfer, mature-student (21+), or Indigenous Learner Pathway applicants via EducationPlannerBC, with a required portfolio for all routes. High-school applicants need a C+ (67%) average across five Grade 12 (or equivalent) academic courses, including Grade 12 English literature at a minimum C (60%); SAT/ACT are not required. International curricula (UK A-Levels/GCSEs, IB, Cambridge Pre-U, US state diplomas, etc.) are mapped to equivalent standards. Graduate applicants (MFA Full/Low-Residency, MDes) apply directly with a portfolio, transcripts, references and a statement; criteria are set per program. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit an English Proficiency test unless exempted (e.g. prior full-time secondary or post-secondary study in English). Undergraduate minimums: IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0/component), TOEFL 4.5 overall/4.0 per skill (new scale, from Jan 2026) or 84 (prior scale), Duolingo 110, PTE 56, CAEL 70, CELPIP Academic 4L. Graduate minimums: IELTS Academic 7.0 (6.5/component), TOEFL iBT 90 (20+/skill), PTE 66, CAEL 80.
Total Students: 2,400
Student Enrollment: 1
Academic Staff Range: 200-299
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Universities Canada (UC) Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA)

Academic Structures

Emily Carr University of Art and Design delivers teaching through the academic units below — useful for orienting yourself before reading individual programmes. Each unit operates with a degree of academic autonomy.

Unit 4 items
  • Faculty of Culture and Community
  • Faculty of Design and Dynamic Media
  • Faculty of Graduate Studies
  • Faculty of Visual Art and Material Practice

Programs Offered

Every programme Emily Carr University of Art and Design offers, searchable by name and grouped by level. Pathway programmes leading from foundation to bachelor entry are sometimes listed separately from full degree programmes.

23 programmes on record. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada

Bachelor's Degree 10 programmes

Master's Degree 7 programmes

Certificate 1 programme

Micro-credential 5 programmes

How to apply to Emily Carr University of Art and Design

Step-by-step guidance for applying to Emily Carr University of Art and Design, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Use the programme finder to browse Emily Carr University of Art and Design's 23 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Programme-level requirements at Emily Carr University of Art and Design typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Emily Carr University of Art and Design processes applications through www.ecuad.ca. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (604) 844 3800. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Emily Carr University of Art and Design

Short Q&A on the institutional facts that matter most when shortlisting Emily Carr University of Art and Design as a study destination.

In what year was Emily Carr University of Art and Design established?

Emily Carr University of Art and Design was founded in 1925 (approximately 101 years ago).

In which city is Emily Carr University of Art and Design?

Emily Carr University of Art and Design is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Is Emily Carr University of Art and Design a public or private institution?

Emily Carr University of Art and Design is a public institution.

How many students study at Emily Carr University of Art and Design?

Emily Carr University of Art and Design has approximately 1,000-1,999 students.

What is Emily Carr University of Art and Design's academic structure?

Emily Carr University of Art and Design has 4 academic units.

Is Emily Carr University of Art and Design officially recognised?

The institution holds recognition from Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of British Columbia.

How do I find Emily Carr University of Art and Design online?

You can find Emily Carr University of Art and Design online at www.ecuad.ca.

Top-Ranked Universities in Canada

Graduate-school placement rates among Canada's top universities set the upper bound for that signal. Emily Carr University of Art and Design's placement rate relative to leaders is one signal of academic preparation depth.

Members of Universities Canada (UC)

Membership in Universities Canada (UC) signals a shared commitment to academic quality and cross-institutional exchange. These other members of the same network sit alongside Emily Carr University of Art and Design in that ecosystem, and may offer mobility benefits or programme partnerships.

Faculties at nearby universities

Beyond Emily Carr University of Art and Design, the surrounding area hosts several universities with overlapping research strengths and faculty mixes. They are worth comparing if location flexibility matters to your decision and you want to keep options open within the same region.

Where Else to Study Applied Design

Programme delivery mode varies across the Applied Design programmes listed — online, hybrid, and in-person formats differ in tuition, schedule flexibility, and credential recognition across borders.

Universities Compared with Emily Carr University of Art and Design

Endowment and financial peer comparison signals institutional resources and scholarship depth. Universities comparable to Emily Carr University of Art and Design in this dimension often offer similar aid packages.

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