In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Environmental Design requires:
For applicants required to prove proficiency in English, a TOEFL score of 600 (written test); or 100 (Internet-based test); or an IELTS score of 7.5.
Doctor of Philosophy
a) An admission grade point average (GPA) above 3.50 on a four-point scale.
b) A research proposal that describes the nature of the thesis research the applicant expects to undertake. This will be used by an admissions committee as an indicator of the applicant’s ability to conduct doctoral level research and to determine if adequate supervisory and research funding resources are available to support the proposed program. Only if such resources are available will the student be admitted. Please note that this research statement (maximum of 1500 words) must include the following sections: Background, research questions, literature review, research methodology, intellectual merit of the proposed research, and broader impacts of the proposed research. The research statement should also indicate if ethics approval is required to carry out the proposed research.
c) Three reference letters.
Master of Environmental Design (MEDes)
In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Environmental Design requires:
As an interdisciplinary degree, applications are encouraged from a variety of academic backgrounds (including first professional degrees in planning and design) or a combination of undergraduate degree and work-related experience.
Applicants for the Master of Environmental Design must provide:
a) Applicants must submit a clear, concise and substantive statement of interest, which informs the Admissions Committee of:
- the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue the MEDes
- how the applicant’s specific educational background and professional and personal experience relates to environmental design as a field of study
- the applicant’s thesis research interests and ideas in the interdisciplinary context of environmental design, which informs the Admissions Committee of the applicant’s supervisory needs
- the applicant's ‘vision’ (related to their personal and professional goals and intentions), how admission to the MEDes will assist in achieving these goals and anticipated outcomes from completion of the MEDes
b) Required: Applicants must submit at least one example of the applicant's previous academic or professional productivity such as a written essay, published research paper, major academic paper, thesis, design project, or consulting report. It is preferred these examples come in hard copy format;
in addition (optional):
a 'portfolio’ of the applicant's choosing that provides examples of or illustrates the applicant’s design work, professional work, research, creative thinking, community action, planning products, or graphics and visual communication.
If any of the work submitted involved collaboration with others, please clearly identify what aspects of the work are from others. The examples of work and (if applicable) portfolio should be submitted in digital form (portable document (PDF) files), uploaded by the applicant to their Student Centre, upon submission of their online application.
c) Three reference letters.
Master of Planning (MPlan)
In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Environmental Design requires:
a) A clear, well-written, statement of intent which describes the applicant's preference for one of the planning streams and how the applicant's specific educational background and professional or personal experience relates to Planning as a field of study and the applicant's future 'vision' for pursuing a graduate degree in Environmental Design (related to personal and professional goals and intentions).
b) A ‘portfolio’ of the applicant's work, as selected by the applicant, to include at least one example of the applicant’s previous academic or professional writing, such as a written essay, published research paper, major academic paper, design project or consulting report.
The portfolio may also include examples of the applicant’s design work or design thinking, including creative work or ideas, community action, planning or design products, or graphics and visual communication. If any of the work involved collaboration with others, please clearly identify what aspects of the work are from others. The portfolio should be submitted in digital form (portable document (PDF) files) uploaded by the applicant to their Student Centre, upon submission of their online application.
c) Three reference letters.
Master of Architecture (MArch)
In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Environmental Design requires:
a) Prospective applicants are advised to use opportunities within their four year recognized university undergraduate degree studies to develop knowledge in design, the humanities, social sciences, arts, engineering, biological and/or physical sciences – including, wherever possible, studio, laboratory and collaborative learning experiences.
b) Applicants must demonstrate successful completion of eleven prerequisite half course requirements in four areas: Design, Technology, Communications, and History/Theory (equivalent to the courses taken in the minor in Architectural Studies).
Applicants may be admitted to the MArch 'Foundation' or qualifying year in order to complete these prerequisite requirements. An assessment of these prerequisite requirements will be made by an admissions committee and applicants will be informed in offers of admission which, if any, courses at the Foundation level will be required.
c) Candidates for MArch must provide evidence of original and/or creative work in any field or medium, and provide in writing a brief description of the work. The requirements for digital portfolio submissions are as follows:
- 8.5" x 11" page size
- Maximum of 25 pages
- First and last name to appear on cover page
- Footer on each page to include first and last name
- Indication of your specific involvement/contributions to group projects
- File name format: Lastname_Firstname_MArch_2012portfolio.pdf
- PDF file no greater than 30 MB (resolution is for screen viewing, not print)
The portfolio will be submitted in digital form (portable document (PDF) files), uploaded by the applicant to their Student Centre upon submission of their online application.
d) Three reference letters.
Program Descriptions 