Study Creative Arts & Design in Canada

Do you have a passion for creativity? Gifted with the ability to turn ideas and innovation into arts? Have a sense of perfection in designing?

There is a bright future in creative arts and design because the old days of starving poor artists are over. The generation now embrace the contribution of creative artists in industries like advertising, marketing and beauty, just to name a few! 

What is  Creative Arts & Design about?

Creative Art & Design collaborates visual art forms such as printmaking, painting, photography, drawing, sculpting, and fabrics with concurrent digital design skills, such as visual communication design and advancements in design applications, sustainability and ethics. 

Also read: 

• Study in Canada Guide
• Why study in Canada?

What are the major fields in Creative Arts & Design?

There are multiple disciplines in this field that can teach you more than editing photos. No matter which discipline you chose, you can definitely leverage the creativity you have! Here are some major fields you should know:

1. Photography
Angel, lighting and settings affect the quality of a good shot. In photography, you will learn all the essential elements to capture moments with a click. Your work can be reached by millions when it is used in advertising or marketing!

2. Digital Design
There is a lot of design software in the market like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop that have a certain level of complexity. In order to create art pieces, oftentimes, a designer will require to use one of the software. Not only that you will learn on how to design by hand, you will also learn how to produce arts digitally.

3. Interior Design
In interior design, you will learn about the elements to create a harmonious and pleasant environment like the colour combination, space allocation and furniture arrangement. You can always see the masterpiece of interior design in themed cafes, shopping malls and hotels.

4. Architecture
In Architecture, you will design buildings in the most sophisticated way you know, taking the lead in design. It is both the process and the product of planning and designing buildings or any other structures. There are multiple certifications in this path if you wish to be a certified architect. Be sure to check out the necessary certifications before jumping right into architecture. 

5. Multimedia
Moving graphic and animation will come alive in the hands of a multimedia artist. Multimedia is also essential in the gaming industry to improve the gaming industry with almost-real graphics. 

6. Fashion Design
Apparel design is a fast-paced industry with clothing company releases new clothing collection once every few months to keep up with current trends. Not restricted to only designing, you will also learn to craft your very own piece of apparel using a sewing machine!

7. Acting
With a degree from acting school, you will master the skills to bring tears or laughter into the theatre. With the right opportunities, your fame can grow with your career!

What are the entry requirements and qualifications?

The minimum entry requirements vary between programs and level, so read the course information on the website of the institution of your choice carefully and contact them to ask for advice if you need. Generally, in order to study creative arts and design in Canada, there is a range of entry requirements that you have to take note of.

English language requirement
You may need to submit the results of an English language test to apply for the course. The level of English language skill required can be different for your student visa application and institution enrolment. IELTS is one of the English language tests you can consider as it is widely accepted including Canada. 

Also read: General Visa Requirement for Canada

Academic requirements
Again, the minimum requirements for each institution are different so make sure that you check with the institution.  A Foundation Course, also called a bridging study, can help you meet the entry requirements that are same as the academic requirements of a Canada high school qualification. It is usually a year-long and are offered by most tertiary education institutions. 

How long will I be studying this programme?

Even though Master and PhD is uncommon in Creative Arts and Design, the programme is available for a different level of studies including Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and PhD and the duration of study for these levels are different. The duration of study for a programme of the same level offered by different institutions could be different too.

How much does it cost to study Creative Arts and Design?

The cost of studying an Art and Design related course depends on your level of study level and institution. Studying in Canada can be relatively more expensive. Here are the estimated fees of studying Creative Arts and Design in Canada according to study levels:

Also read:

• Economic outlay of Canada
• Lifestyle in Canada
• Cost of Living in Canada

What are the job opportunities?

The demand for creative personnel is growing day by day. Here to name a few job opportunities that you can find in this current market:

• Creative Director
• Fashion Designer
• Graphic Designer
• Commercial Photographer
• Executive Producer
• Art Director
• Freelance designer
• Makeup Artist
• Actor

Also read: 

• Salary outlay in Canada
• Study and Work in Canada

Universities in Canada that offer Creative Arts and Design courses

The demand for Creative Arts and Design graduates is on the rise. Many universities and colleges offer related programmes to produce more creative being for the industry. Here are some institutions in Canada that provide programmes in this discipline:

1. University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo started operations in 1957 at the height of the Cold War. The University was among the first in the world to offer students access to powerful computers of that era. Today, it is ranked 173 in the QS World University Rankings 2020. Studying for a degree at the University of Waterloo can cost a whopping RM160,000 per year!

2. Thompson Rivers University

Thompson Rivers University is a university located in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. The University offers over 140 on-campus programs across its nine faculties and schools. International enrolment exceeds 1,750 students per semester, with students coming from 85 nations worldwide. It offers a great variety of Arts and Design related programmes which have 2 intakes annually.

3. University of Alberta

University of Alberta is one of the top five universities in Canada and the top 100 in the world. There are more than 200 undergraduate programs and 18 faculties across five campuses with more than 7,000 international students. 

4. Queen’s University

Queen’s University is located in Kingston Ontario. The school is home to international students from more than 100 countries. Queen's is a co-educational university with more than 23,000 students and over 131,000 alumni living worldwide. Students may apply for financial aid such as the Ontario Student Assistance Program and Canada Student Loans and Grants through the federal and provincial governments.

The financial aid provided may come in the form of loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, fellowships, debt reduction, interest relief, and work programs. According to Maclean’s magazine, it is in the top ten for Canadian universities in major subjects such as Computer Science, Math, Engineering, Nursing, Environmental Science, Education, and more.

5. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is a public research university with campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia. Established in 1908, UBC is British Columbia's oldest university. The university has ranked among the top three universities in Canada.

6. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. As of Fall 2017, the University of Toronto offers over 700 undergraduate programs in Humanities & Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Commerce & Management, Computer Science, Engineering, Kinesiology & Physical Education, Music and Architecture.

7. Western University

The University of Western Ontario, corporately branded as Western University as of 2012 and commonly shortened to Western, is a public research university in London, Ontario, Canada. Campus life there mirrors the variety of the city itself with numerous clubs and organisations offering students everything from career services to health and wellness to competitive athletics.

8. McMaster University

McMaster University is a public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.It operates six academic faculties: the DeGroote School of Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Social Science, and Science. It is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada. McMaster University is co-educational and has over 27,000 undergraduate and over 4,000 post-graduate students. Alumni and former students reside across Canada and in 139 countries.

Also read: University Rankings in Canada