About the university
Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) is Vancouver's public art and design university, which began as a small art school in 1925. Undergraduates take a Foundation year and then a major in design, media arts or fine arts; graduate students take a two-year Master of Design or a Master of Fine Arts.
Indian students mostly look at Communication Design, Interaction Design (UX, game design, creative coding), Industrial Design and 3D Computer Animation, which ECU says is the only bachelor's degree in 3D and CG animation in British Columbia. Every undergraduate applicant needs a portfolio. International undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees come to about CAD 31,214 a year for 2026-27, and ECU warns that international rates can rise by up to 6% a year.
- Founded
- 1925; marked its 100th year in 2025
- Type
- Public specialist art and design university in British Columbia
- Undergraduate degrees
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Design and Bachelor of Media Arts (120 credits, starting with a Foundation year)
- Graduate degrees
- Master of Design (Interaction or Interdisciplinary) and Master of Fine Arts (full or low residency)
- Intakes
- Fall (September) and Spring (January); Summer (May) for Foundation only
- Undergraduate cost (international)
- About CAD 31,214 a year in tuition and mandatory fees (2026-27)
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Design, Communication Design
- Fee / year
- C$31,214
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- Proof of English proficiency required from all applicants; check ECU's undergraduate English requirements
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Design, Interaction Design
- Fee / year
- C$31,214
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- Proof of English proficiency required from all applicants; check ECU's undergraduate English requirements
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Design, Industrial Design
- Fee / year
- C$31,214
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- Proof of English proficiency required from all applicants; check ECU's undergraduate English requirements
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Media Arts, 3D Computer Animation
- Fee / year
- C$31,214
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- Proof of English proficiency required from all applicants; check ECU's undergraduate English requirements
- Undergraduate
2D + Experimental Animation (undergraduate major)
- Fee / year
- C$31,214
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- Proof of English proficiency required from all applicants; check ECU's undergraduate English requirements
- Undergraduate
Film + Screen Arts (undergraduate major)
- Fee / year
- C$31,214
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- Proof of English proficiency required from all applicants; check ECU's undergraduate English requirements
- Undergraduate
Illustration (undergraduate major)
- Fee / year
- C$31,214
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- Proof of English proficiency required from all applicants; check ECU's undergraduate English requirements
- Undergraduate
Visual Arts (undergraduate major)
- Fee / year
- C$31,214
- Duration
- 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- Proof of English proficiency required from all applicants; check ECU's undergraduate English requirements
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Design, Communication Design | 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation) | C$31,214 | ≈ ₹20.9 lakh |
| Bachelor of Design, Interaction Design | 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation) | C$31,214 | ≈ ₹20.9 lakh |
| Bachelor of Design, Industrial Design | 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation) | C$31,214 | ≈ ₹20.9 lakh |
| Bachelor of Media Arts, 3D Computer Animation | 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation) | C$31,214 | ≈ ₹20.9 lakh |
| 2D + Experimental Animation (undergraduate major) | 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation) | C$31,214 | ≈ ₹20.9 lakh |
| Film + Screen Arts (undergraduate major) | 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation) | C$31,214 | ≈ ₹20.9 lakh |
| Illustration (undergraduate major) | 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation) | C$31,214 | ≈ ₹20.9 lakh |
| Visual Arts (undergraduate major) | 4 years (120 credits, including First-Year Foundation) | C$31,214 | ≈ ₹20.9 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Emily Carr University of Art + Design with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
- UG and PG entrance
ECU International Entrance Scholarships
Value: CAD 2,000–5,000
Eligibility: International students entering any level of study; applicants are considered automatically
Official page (opens in a new tab) - UG entrance
Renée Van Halm + Pietro Widmer Entrance Scholarship
Value: CAD 1,000
Eligibility: One student entering the undergraduate Foundation programme; all applicants are considered automatically
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Secondary school (Class 12) transcripts plus a portfolio of creative work, uploaded through the ECU Admissions Portal.
- Applicants with 15 or more post-secondary credits apply on the transfer path.
- Apply through EducationPlannerBC (CAD 112.20 international application fee). Fall 2027: apply by 15 January 2027, portfolio by 31 January 2027.
Postgraduate
- A recognised bachelor's degree with GPA 3.0 (B); art and design degrees are preferred. Three-year bachelor's degrees are accepted if equivalent to a four-year Canadian degree.
- MDes: portfolio of 5 studio projects showing process, four written responses, a short video, CV and three recommenders. MFA: 10 studio works.
- Foreign credentials may need a WES or ICES assessment if ECU asks for one.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (UG); degree transcripts (PG)
- Portfolio uploaded to the ECU Admissions Portal
- English test result (or proof of English-medium degree for PG exemption)
- Provincial Attestation Letter after paying the deposit
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (graduate) | 7.0 overall; Speaking, Reading and Writing 7.0, Listening 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (graduate) | 90 (Speaking, Reading, Writing 22; Listening 20) |
| PTE Academic (graduate) | 66 overall |
| English-medium degree (graduate) | Applicants with an accredited university degree taught in English may be exempt with proof; ECU may still ask for a test |
| Undergraduate | All applicants must show English proficiency; see ECU's undergraduate application requirements for accepted tests |
Accommodation and living costs
ECU publishes an off-campus housing and living guide for Vancouver. We could not read current rent figures from it, so check the guide before budgeting. International students pay a one-time health insurance premium until BC's Medical Services Plan starts.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| International health insurance (first 4 months)2026-27; charged again if BC MSP is not in place after 4 months | C$217one-off | ≈ ₹14,555 |
| International application feePaid through EducationPlannerBC | C$112one-off | ≈ ₹7,517 |
Campus and location
ECU is in Vancouver and focuses entirely on art, design and media.
- Undergraduates begin with a Foundation year before choosing a major.
- The MDes (Interaction) has access to on-campus research centres and labs, including a dedicated VR lab.
- Industrial Design students prototype by hand and work with industry partners.
- 3D Computer Animation ends with a graduation short film.
Careers and graduate outcomes
ECU's design and animation majors prepare students for work in UX and interaction design, product design, animation and visual effects, or for graduate study. Jobs are not guaranteed. For work rights during and after study, see our Canada country guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in Canada
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Canada
Photo: aka Tman from Guelph.........Ontario, CANADA, CC BY 2.0 PublicUniversity of Toronto (official website, opens in a new tab)
Toronto, CanadaOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences, Engineering
Photo: CjayD, CC BY 2.0 PublicOften chosen for Life Sciences, Business & Management, Engineering
Photo: JFVoll, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicUniversity of Waterloo (official website, opens in a new tab)
Waterloo, CanadaOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Data Science & AI
Photo: Krylan22, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicUniversity of Windsor (official website, opens in a new tab)
Windsor, CanadaOften chosen for Engineering, Business & Management, Computer Science & IT
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC0), CC0 PublicMcGill University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Montreal, CanadaOften chosen for Life Sciences, Engineering, Law
Photo: WinterforceMedia WinterE229, Public domain PublicUniversity of Alberta (official website, opens in a new tab)
Edmonton, CanadaOften chosen for Engineering, Data Science & AI, Life Sciences
FAQs
How much does Emily Carr cost for Indian students?
ECU estimates about CAD 31,214 a year in tuition and mandatory fees for international undergraduates in 2026-27, or about CAD 124,856 for a four-year degree. The two-year MDes starting in 2026-27 is estimated at CAD 59,455.80 in total.
Do I need a portfolio?
Yes. Every undergraduate applicant submits a portfolio. Graduate applicants submit 5 design projects (MDes) or 10 studio works (MFA), plus written responses and recommendations.
Does ECU accept a three-year Indian degree for the MDes?
Yes, if it is equivalent to a four-year Canadian degree. You also need GPA 3.0 (B) and IELTS 7.0 or equivalent, unless your degree was taught in English and ECU accepts that proof.
Are there scholarships for international students?
ECU International Entrance Scholarships of CAD 2,000–5,000 are open to international students entering any level, and you are considered automatically when you apply.
Sources
- ECU: undergraduate tuition and fees (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: graduate tuition and fees (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: undergraduate How to Apply (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: undergraduate programmes (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: graduate application requirements (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: MDes (Interaction) (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: entrance scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: home page (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ecuad.ca (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details