How to Apply to Art and Design at Capilano University: The Four-Year Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication at the IDEA School of Design in North Vancouver, Applied for Through EducationPlannerBC with a SlideRoom Portfolio and One Reference, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Capilano University (CapU) is in North Vancouver, BC. Its art and design degree is the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication (BDes) at the IDEA School of Design, in the Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Capilano’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. The program

• Length: four years, full-time, at the North Vancouver campus, fall entry; PGWP eligible.
• Concentrations: branding, illustration or interactive design, declared through myCapU.
• Courses: eight terms of 15 or 16 credits each. The first two years cover design fundamentals, illustration and design principles, typography, digital media, motion design and brand identity; from term five you choose studios in the branding, illustration or interactive concentration. ENGL 100 and breadth electives (at least 6 credits at the 300/400 level) are also required.
• Practice: an eight-week industry practicum before graduation and the annual Grad Show; a week-long third-year trip; and exchanges with Bisen College in Japan and Robert Gordon University’s Gray’s School of Art in Scotland.
• Included in tuition: CapU says tuition includes a personal laptop with software, cameras and substantial art materials.
• The IDEA School also offers a Foundation in Visual Communication Design diploma and an Interaction Design diploma, and the School of Animation & Visual Effects offers 2D and 3D animation diplomas and an animation citation; none are bachelor’s degrees, so they are not covered here.

2. How to apply

• Step 1: everyone applies through EducationPlannerBC. Domestic applicants pay $50 (two programs); international applicants pay a non-refundable C$135 (two programs in the same term).
• Application period (fall 2027): October 6, 2026 to April 6, 2027; CapU notes dates may change.
• Step 2: after the acknowledgement email with your student ID, upload one letter of reference and a portfolio to SlideRoom.
• Zoom dialogue: if required, you are notified by email; it happens 2–4 weeks after the application period closes, dates TBA. Waitlisted applicants are notified after late admission if space opens.
• Admitted international students pay the tuition deposit in their offer letter, then receive the Letter of Acceptance and Provincial Attestation Letter for the study permit.

3. Portfolio

• The portfolio shows your creative potential and is assessed on design ability (form, shape, balance, rhythm, variety), creativity (experimentation or a unique solution with a clear message) and drawing ability (observation and technique).
• CapU highlights a new approach: drawing ability is not a primary factor, and applicants with strong design and creative ability but limited drawing experience are still well considered.
• The program page does not give a number of pieces or a format; check the SlideRoom application or ask the IDEA School.

4. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• Basic requirements (BC): high school graduation and English Studies 12, English 12 or English First Peoples 12 at C.
• Program requirements: one letter of reference and a portfolio.
• Current Grade 12 students can apply for conditional admission with final Grade 11 and interim Grade 12 marks uploaded to EducationPlannerBC; final admission needs graduation and the program requirements. BC students should release grades to CapU through the Ministry’s Student Transcripts Service as soon as possible.
• Optional provincial exams are not required; AP and IB grades are converted to percentages for admission (AP 5 = 96%, 4 = 86%; IB 7 = 96%, 6 = 90%, 5 = 86%).
• The program page gives no admission average.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Basic requirements: the international view of the program page also lists high school graduation, English 12-level English at C (or meeting the English requirement), one reference and a portfolio.
• Diploma: CapU’s international secondary equivalency list (2021 PDF) gives the Chinese equivalent as the Senior Upper Middle School Graduation Certificate. CapU does not mention the Gaokao or a grade requirement; check with admissions.

6. English requirements (from fall 2027)

• Tests: TOEFL 4.5 on the new scale for tests after January 21, 2026 (no section below 4.0), or 83 before; IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6); Duolingo 120 (no subscore below 110); PTE 61; CAEL 70.
• Other routes: English Studies 12, English 12 or English First Peoples 12 at C+ or higher; AP English 3+; IB English A 4+; four or more consecutive years of full-time English-language education in Canada or a country where English is the principal language; and others.
• ENGL 100 is required in the first BDes term and needs English Diagnostic Test (EDT) results unless you are exempt.

7. Tuition and scholarships

• Tuition (no academic year shown): international students pay CAD 30,282 a year plus CAD 1,872 in fees, CAD 32,154 a year or about CAD 128,616 over four years; Canadian students pay CAD 12,562 plus fees, CAD 14,434 a year.
• Entrance awards: CapU says all new students can apply for entrance awards through myCapU.
• International Entrance & Performance Award (IEPA): up to CAD 1,800 off per term, but the BDes is not on the eligible programs list (PDF), so international BDes students cannot receive it.

8. Transfers and changing programs

• From a design diploma: students who finished a design diploma at a BC post-secondary institution in the last four years can apply through block transfer agreements for entry into second or third year; CapU lists its own Interaction Design Diploma and Langara College’s Design Formation Diploma.
• Other transfers: send official transcripts for transfer credit; for courses not in the BC Transfer Guide, see CapU’s transfer credit page.
• Changing programs: submit a new application.

Checklist

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• High school graduation with English 12 or English Studies 12 at C
• Apply through EducationPlannerBC between October 6, 2026 and April 6, 2027, then upload a portfolio and one reference to SlideRoom

Students at high schools in China:

• High school graduation certificate; IELTS 6.5 (6 each), TOEFL 4.5 (new scale) or Duolingo 120
• The portfolio is judged on design and creativity, with drawing not a primary factor; the fee is C$135
• International tuition is about CAD 32,154 a year with fees, and the IEPA does not apply to this program

Transfer students:

• Graduates of a BC design diploma can apply for second- or third-year entry through block transfer

Sources: Capilano University, Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication (overview, admission, tuition, courses); IDEA School of Design; School of Animation & Visual Effects; English language requirements (from fall 2027); Students from B.C.; International students; International secondary equivalencies (PDF); Funding for international students. Information is for fall 2027 entry; the program’s tuition table shows no academic year and the equivalency list is a 2021 edition. Check Capilano for the latest details.