
Home > Study in Canada > George Brown College - Waterfront Campus > Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Design Strategy
Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Design Strategy
George Brown College - Waterfront Campus, Canada
CAD 29520
Annual Tuition Fee
CAD 110 Waived
Application Fee
9 months
Duration
6.5
IELTS
88
TOEFL
60%
Min GPA
Program Overview
Each September, a small group of students begins a nine-month program in Interdisciplinary Design Strategy at the Brookfield Sustainability Institute (BSI), where they work as a team to research, design and realize a real-world project.
The Brookfield Sustainability Institute (BSI) has pioneered its Interdisciplinary Design Strategy Program (IDSP) postgraduate-level curriculum using a design-based educational model that fosters learning across disciplines, integrating specialized knowledge and breaking down geographic, cultural and social barriers. The institute offers students the demands of a real project and the intellectual and creative rigour required to undertake it. Each September, a small group of students begins a nine-month graduate certificate program, IDSP, where they work as a team to research, design and realize a real-world project. Initiated in 2003 under the BSI's predecessor, the Institute Without Boundaries (IwB), this program delves into the methods and practices of design research, strategy and social innovation. It is a unique educational experience and is offered by George Brown College in partnership with leading designers and industry.
Transform the world
Our vision at the BSI is to create smart sustainable solutions for a better future. We foster partnerships with government, businesses and non-profits, to develop applied solutions that tackle industry challenges in the fight against climate change. We believe design is a tool that can affect positive change. This ideology encourages values and design outcomes that are intelligent, ethical, sustainable, inclusive and universally accessible. We see the designer as a problem solver, with the ability to affect positive change for humanity. Our aim for IDSP graduates is a new breed of designer who can articulate possibilities – one who is, in the words of Buckminster Fuller, a "synthesis of artist, inventor, mechanic, objective economist and evolutionary strategist."
Cross-boundary, Interdisciplinary
This program will accept strong candidates representing different fields – for example, a geographer, an economist, an artist, an architect, a journalist and others – all of whom see the potential for design to change the world. Students will collaborate within an interdisciplinary team, to tackle real-world challenges within an overarching research project, create comprehensive proposals and present recommendations to key stakeholders. Through collaborative practices, this program provides a systemic and in-depth knowledge of integrated design strategies, critical awareness and advanced design methodologies to solve the most pressing global challenges.
Broaden horizons
Projects at the Brookfield Sustainability Institute focus on learning through participation in every aspect of a project, assuming a variety of roles, and actively engaging with project partners. Project work may involve travel to collaborate with communities outside of GBC. Some examples of the places we’ve been include Matapalo (Costa Rica), Lota (Chile), Milan (Italy), Dublin (Ireland), New York City and Chicago. Students are responsible for some additional travel expenses for projects like these.
Real World Ready
The IDSP's major project acts as a thread that connects all IDS courses, giving students a unique research and design process, that provides a basis for researching, framing, solving problems and communicating design outcomes.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Apply universal and sustainable design principles to complex global problems in order to create intelligent solutions that address environmental, social and economic challenges.
- Manage an Integrated Design Process to deliver human-centred design strategy projects for government, corporations and nonprofit organizations.
- Design collaboratively in an interdisciplinary studio environment to complete environmental, communication, product, service and system design projects.
- Apply primary and secondary research methodologies to the design process using a think/make practice model to achieve project outcomes that meet user needs.
- Adhere to the professional practices of a design studio in order to facilitate the success of design teams in achieving project results.
- Participate in a multiphase design process in order to create a holistic, integrated and realistic design project.
- Liaise and manage the design process to provide solutions for clients, including design, documentation, tendering, fabrication and delivery.
- Present research results and design solutions to a diverse audience utilizing effective communication strategies.
Additional Information
Program Level Postgraduate Certificate / Diploma
College/University Processing Time 14 Days
Program Format Full-Time
General Admission Requirement
- IELTS
- Minimum Overall Score - 6.5 - With No Band Less Than - 6
- TOEFL
- Minimum Overall Score - 88 - With no score less than - 22
- PTE
- Minimum Overall Score - 60 - With no score less than - 55
- DUOLINGO
- Minimum Overall Score - 120.0 Minimum Production - 100.0
Academic Requirement
- Minimum Level of Education Required: To be accepted into this program, applicants must have a Diploma or Bachelor's Degree.
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Tuition Fee
The values given below are estimated figures, excluding extra charges like material fee, student activity fees, athletic fees, health care, etc., for courses. To know more, please visit the Programs page.
Average Tuition Fee Per Year
29520
Tuition Fee
(CAD)
CAD 110 Waived
Application Fee
(CAD)
12000 Per year
Average Cost of Living
(CAD)
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Check program website for more information about funding options.
Scholarships
International Students Awards & Scholarships
To be considered for any of the awards listed below, students must apply by selecting International Centre Scholarships through STU-VIEW and be enrolled full-time as an international student.
Assist on Scholarship for International Students in Two-year Programs |
Assist on Global Service in Canada Ltd. (Kimokran 16 Toronto Inc.) has donated funds for the establishment of the Assist on Scholarship for International Students in Two-year Programs. This award is available to all registered international students at George Brown College in any year of study for all programs in this category
|
International Centre Student Bursary |
This award is available to all registered international students at George Brown College in any year of study for all programs
|
International Student Leadership Award |
The award is available to any international student graduating from their program.
|
International Student ESL Scholarship |
International Student ESL Scholarship is awarded to a student in the ESL Program.
|
International Student Scholarship |
International Centre Student Scholarship is available to full-time international students in any program. The following criteria must be met by the applicant:
|
Kimokran (Toronto) Scholarship for International Students |
Kimokran 16 Toronto Inc. has donated funds for the establishment of the Kimokran (Toronto) Scholarship for International Students. This award is available to all registered international students at George Brown College who are in their 2nd Year or higher for all programs in this category The following criteria must be met by the applicant:
|
Post-Secondary Scholarship for International Students - Certificate |
The award is available to students in the Certificate, Post-grad program in any year of study.
|
Post-Secondary Scholarship for International Students – Diploma/Degree |
Academic Area has donated funds for the establishment of the Post-Secondary Scholarship for International Students. The award is available to students in the Diploma or Degree program in their Second, Third, or Fourth year of study in an approved international work/study experience.
|
Scotiabank and the Scotiabank Bursaries |
Scotiabank and the Scotiabank Bursaries have graciously provided $100,000 (100 bursaries at $1,000 each) for International students.The following criteria must be met by the applicant:
|
Scotiabank International Partner Entrance Scholarships |
The Scotiabank International Partner Entrance Scholarship is available to newly admitted students in their first year of study in any post-secondary (diploma, degree, or post-graduate certificate) George Brown College (GBC) program. Students from GBC’s academic partner institutions in the Caribbean, China, Central/South America and India are encouraged to apply. Two scholarships of $5,000 will be awarded each academic year.
|
Woori Education Scholarship |
Awarded to an international student based on academic performance and community involvement. To qualify, an applicant must:
|
Please Note: Scholarships, awards, and bursaries listed are subject to change without prior notice, and are subject to conditions as may be set down by the college and/or the donor of the award.
Entrance Scholarship
George Brown offers entrance scholarships for eligible degree students based on academic achievement.
Please see the following chart for details for criteria:
Admissions Score | Amount | Type | Maximum total Amount for 4 Years |
---|---|---|---|
95+ | $2,500 | Renewable/year (Up to 4 years) | $10,000 |
90-94.9 | $2,000 | Renewable/year (Up to 4 years) | $8,000 |
85-89.9 | $1,500 | Renewable/year (Up to 4 years) | $6,000 |
80-84.9 | $1,000 | Renewable/year (Up to 4 years) | $4,000 |
Did you know?
This is a renewable scholarship, which means that if you maintain a grade point average of 3.7 (80%) in your program, you will receive additional funding towards your tuition in future years.
*All award recipients will be required to provide their SIN or ITN for T4A tax reporting purposes as mandated by the government.
Eligibility Requirements
- You must meet the eligibility requirements for the scholarship at the time of your initial application and on Day 10 of the initial term of the scholarship.
- Eligibility will be assessed by the Admissions department based on the grades used to determine the student’s admission score for the degree program. The student’s admission score, as calculated by the Admissions office, will be calculated to one decimal place.
- Applicants with conditional offers of admission are required to meet the admissions conditions set out in your offer letter, or your offer and the scholarship could be revoked later.
- You must be registered in, and complete, a full?time course load.
- You must remain full-time in the program to be eligible for renewal.
- Make sure to accept your offer and pay your tuition deposit by the deadline dates to receive this entrance scholarship.
- Entrance scholarships are only eligible for the specific full-time degree program you've been accepted for and the entrance level/term on your offer letter.
*please read the full degree entrance scholarship terms & conditions
Eligible Degree Programs
Arts, Design & Information Technology | Honours Bachelor of Brand Design (G304) Honours Bachelor of Digital Experience Design (G301) |
Business | Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Services) (B302) Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Business Analytics) (B303) Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Supply Chain Management) (B310) Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Digital Marketing) (B312) |
Community Services & Early Childhood | Honours Bachelor of Interpretation (American Sign Language - English) (C302) Bachelor of Early Childhood Education - Honours (Degree Completion) (C305)* *Plus an additional $1,200 entrance scholarship. |
Construction & Engineering Technologies | Honours Bachelor of Technology (Construction Management) (T312) |
Health Sciences | Honours Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis (S302) |
Hospitality & Culinary Arts | Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Culinary Management) (H315) Honours Bachelor of Food Studies (H317) Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality) (H311) |
For Fall 2025:
- For the Fall 2025 semester, George Brown will be offering entrance scholarships for C305 degree completion students in their entry semester (Semester 5). These scholarships are for a total of $1200 (paid in two $600 installments-early in the fall and winter semesters after Day 10).*
- This is a renewable scholarship, which means that if you remain enrolled in the Winter 2026 term (Semester 6), you will receive the additional $600 towards your Winter 2026 term tuition.
- You do not need to apply for these scholarships. They will be credited to your GBC student account if you remain registered after Day 10 of each term.
- These scholarships are offered to both domestic and international students.
To Qualify:
- You must remain full-time in semester two to receive the second installment.
- Make sure to accept your offer and pay your tuition deposit by the deadline dates to receive this entrance scholarship.
- Prospects with conditional offers of admission are required to meet the admissions conditions set out in your offer letter, or your offer and the scholarship could be revoked later.
- Entrance scholarships are only eligible for the specific full-time degree program that you've been accepted for and for the entrance level/term on your offer letter.
- All award recipients will be required to provide their SIN or ITN for T4A tax reporting purposes as mandated by the government. Eligibility Requirements
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