program detail
Application icon

CAD 21231

Annual Tuition Fee

!
*Subject to change and other fees
Application icon

CAD 102

Application Fee

Duration icon

24 months

Duration

Duration icon

7

IELTS

Duration icon

94

TOEFL

Duration icon

73%

Min GPA

Program Overview

 

The Master of Design (MDes) is an interdisciplinary, two-year, 60-credit program. The MDes program prepares students to lead the development of new ideas in design, providing them with a competitive edge in securing forward-looking careers by giving them the opportunity to work with a variety of materials and fabrication processes, under the mentorship of design faculty.


The MDes curriculum develops and expands design domains to include the full breadth of modern problems and how they might be solved. The advantage of the NSCAD University Master of Design is that it offers both studio and classroom courses throughout the duration of the program, allowing students to apply in our studios and workshop facilities the concepts and theories they learn and develop in seminars and classrooms.

Over the course of four consecutive semesters beginning in September every year, MDes students pursue practice-led design research, explorations of process, applications of theory and scholarly writing. In a series of studio and theory courses and in their thesis projects, students are encouraged to look beyond the conventional strategies to formulate new and critical responses to social design opportunities.


Given the interdisciplinary nature of the program, the MDes welcomes students with diverse academic and cultural backgrounds. Part-time study is also available, provided the program is completed within five years. Summer electives open to full and part-time students will be available to help ensure timely program completion.


By working in an interdisciplinary studio environment and interdisciplinary teams, students gain experience in thinking and working with others who bring an international point of view to design and its opportunities, stretching across the globe for creative endeavours outside traditional design areas. Few design programs offer the opportunity to combine theory and practice, at the drawing table and in the workshop, in this manner, and NSCAD University is very pleased to provide this distinctive program.

 

Read more

Additional Information

Program Level Master's Degree

College/University Processing Time 30 Days

Program Format Full-Time

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) work permit

Program Intake

Open

Sep 2025

Closed

Sep 2024

General Admission Requirement

  • IELTS
    • Minimum Overall Score - 7.0 - With No Band Less Than - 6
  • TOEFL
    • Minimum Overall Score - 94 - With no score less than - 22

Academic Requirement

Minimum Level of Education Required: To be accepted into the Master of Design Program, applicants should possess a Bachelor of Design Degree, a Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline, or the equivalent qualifications from a four year university or college program; ability as an artist, crafts person or designer; an interest in the role of design in society; the economy; design history and theory; teaching and research at a postsecondary level; and academic competency.


Applicants to the MDES Program will generally be expected to have completed the equivalent of NSCAD’s undergraduate art history and critical studies and liberal arts and science requirements and to have maintained an overall “B” average in relevant academic course work.


Applicants from other disciplines are welcome; however, they may be admitted on the condition that they successfully complete specific qualifying courses at the undergraduate level. A minimum grade of “B” must be earned in all courses.


The selection of qualifying courses is at the discretion of the MDES Admissions Committee and may include both studio and historical and critical studies courses. This study will be undertaken at the applicant’s own expense and does not guarantee admission to the MDES Program.

7 IELTS Score
94 TOEFL Score Minimum Overall Score
73% CGPA Minimum Overall Score

Similar Programs

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

21231

Tuition Fee
(CAD)

CAD 102

Application Fee
(CAD)

20000 Per year

Average Cost of Living
(CAD)

info icon

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

Scholarships and Bursaries

The university awards about $100,000 annually to students, with more than 90 internal scholarships and bursaries available per academic year. External funding can also top $100,000 per year, with outside scholarships such as the Harrison McCain Scholarships in memory of Marion McCain, the Canada Graduate Awards, and other financial aid options.

 

Entrance awards

When you apply for admission to NSCAD by March 1, you are automatically considered for entrance scholarships and bursaries. The current range of individual entrance awards is $500 to $9,000 and some awards are renewable for up to four years of study.


When you apply for admission to NSCAD by the registration deadline, you are automatically considered for Entrance Scholarships. The current range of individual entrance scholarships is $500 to $6,000 and some awards are renewable for each of four years of study, making our top award approximately $25,000! After each year of study at NSCAD, more scholarships will be available for application by qualified students.

 

Internal awards

NSCAD University offers several internal scholarships and bursaries to current students. Most internally offered scholarships require at least one full time semester of study before qualifying for an application. Applications can be found in the NSCAD Form Portal and are posted throughout the year. Scholarships and bursaries are automatically credited to a student’s tuition and fees account in the following semester. Note: Fall awards are put on accounts in the winter semester and winter awards are applied to accounts in the fall semester.

 

External scholarships

External scholarships and awards are sponsored by organizations from all around the world, and are open to all students, not just those at NSCAD. These funding opportunities are sent to us from various government, corporate, and non-profit sector groups to be shared with the student body. These opportunities will be sent out via NSCAD email as part of the bi-weekly Submissions and Applications email students receive.

Not sure what you are looking for?

Don’t worry, we are here to help.

Let's Talk

World class education waiting for you.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

Study in Canada Blogs & Articles