In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Environmental Design requires:
For applicants who are required to prove proficiency in English, a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based); or 105 (Internet-based test); or an IELTS score of 7.5.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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 resources are available. 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) A funding plan that demonstrates that financial resources are available for the entire program of study.
d) Three reference letters.
Master of Environmental Design (MEDes)
Applications are encouraged from a variety of academic backgrounds (including first professional degrees in architecture, landscape architecture, planning and design) or a combination of undergraduate degree and work-related experience.
In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Environmental Design requires:
a) A clear, concise and substantive statement of interest (1,000 to 1,500 words), which informs the Admissions Committee of:
- the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the MEDes degree
- how the applicant’s specific educational background and professional and personal experience relates to their proposed thesis project
- the applicant’s thesis research interests and ideas to clarify the applicant’s supervisory needs
b) At least one example of the applicant's previous academic or professional work such as a written essay, published research paper, major academic paper, thesis, design project, or consulting report.
In addition, applicants may submit a portfolio 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, the applicant should clearly identify their individual contributions. 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) A funding plan that demonstrates that financial resources are available for the entire program of study.
d) Three reference letters.
Master of Planning (MPlan)
Admission to the Master of Planning is a competitive process. Applicants must meet minimum Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements (including a 3.00 GPA and English proficiency). 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 interest in planning and how the applicant's specific educational background and professional or personal experience relates to Planning as a field of study.
b) 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.
A portfolio should be submitted that 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.
The requirements for digital portfolio submissions are found in the Faculty of Environmental Design website at: .
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.
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 one or more years of undergraduate-level coursework in four areas: Design, Technology, Graphics, and History/Theory (equivalent to the courses taken in the minor in Architectural Studies, or in the MArch Foundation year). In order to complete these prerequisite requirements, applicants may be admitted to the MArch Foundation or qualifying year. 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 found in the Faculty of Environmental Design website at: .
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.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Environmental Design requires:
a) Applicants with previous related design degrees (e.g. a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture) may have some or all of the foundation year courses waived. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, this review will require supporting documentation such as course outlines. 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.
b) Candidates for the Master of Landscape Architecture must provide evidence of original and/or creative work in any field or medium. This could include design work, professional work, research, creative ability, or ideas related to their statement of intent or interests in Landscape Architecture. The requirements for digital portfolio submissions are found on the Faculty of Environmental Design website at:
c) Statement of Interest
d) CV/Resume (optional)
e) Three reference letters
Program Descriptions