Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design in Canada at VIU Canada




University Vancouver Island University (VIU Canada)
Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Type Public
Program Type Coursework
Language English
Program Duration 4 years
Students 16,175
Learn more about Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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Detailed Information of Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design in Canada at Vancouver Island University

Program Overview for Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design in Canada:

Are you a visual communicator,  and do you think you would like to pursue a creative career? VIU's four-year graphic design bachelor's degree program is taught by graphic designers, artists, and photographers. It is a practical course taught in a studio using industry-leading technology. 


Why should I get a degree in graphic design? Every company, organization, and product needs a designer. Bachelor of Design students in the graphic design graduate industry is ready to add an excellent portfolio to their resumes. Are you ready to start creating?

The Bachelor of Graphic Design Design is for students who wish to pursue a digital and print graphic design creative disciplines. Graphic design is an interdisciplinary problem-solving activity that combines visual sensitivity with skills and knowledge in communication, technology, and business. Graphic designers are good at constructing and organizing visual information and promoting communication and guidance.

The client provides the following: research, cost calculation, planning, coordination, project management, quality control, design and aesthetic judgment, advertising, and art direction.

Graphic designers are engaged in new media and web design, packaging, illustration, animation, production and pre-press, advertising, marketing communication design, art, and creative guidance, corporate image, broadcast design, corporate communication, information design, design publishing, education, Experience and exhibition design, signage and related occupations.

Graphic designers develop the skills needed in today's economy, which can be applied to almost any profession, including creative problem solving and design thinking.

This degree course has practical and rich application elements and experiential learning, aiming to prepare students for the ever-changing requirements of the graphic design and visual communication industries in today's knowledge and information culture. The degree also enhances the skills associated with the Bachelor of Arts program, including analytical and critical thinking skills, strong oral and written communication skills, and general flexibility and adaptability.

Students will develop an understanding of social responsibility, ethics, cultural background, and global communication considerations. The program includes lectures, courses of study, computer lab instruction, reviews, project work, portfolio development, and graduation displays. All courses require strict professional ethics and time management skills.

As with careers, students have to deal with multiple projects and deadlines, take on team projects, research, report, collaborate, communicate, and showcase their work.

The program will build on a solid foundation of general skills during the first year. The second-year curriculum will require students to apply and expand basic skills in more detailed and specific subfields. Advanced courses in this degree will explore problem-solving, inquiry, creative exploration, innovation, and cultural and background issues at a deeper and more complex level.

Students must take 21 credits of elective courses and choose employment-oriented electives and academic electives (in consultation with the course). Students must purchase laptops and software that meet industry standards (as specified in the plan) and school supplies and textbooks.

The eligibility for Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design in Canada for both domestic and international student is:

Students are eligible for admission to University Academic programs if they meet one of the following conditions:

  • graduation from a B.C. secondary school, or equivalent, with a minimum “C” grade in either English 12 or English 12 First Peoples;
  • visiting student from a college or university (a “Letter of Permission” from the home institution is required);
  • a transfer student from a college or university (at least 24 transferable university-level credits completed);
  • English 12 with a minimum "C+" grade or equivalent.
  • A minimum "C+" grade in one of Principles of Mathematics 11, Applications of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Pre-calculus 11, or equivalent. A mathematics assessment and placement examination is available for applicants without this admission requirement.

Other Admission Requirements: Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design students must submit the following to support their application:

  • A portfolio
  • A 100-300 word written statement on reasons and goals for seeking enrolment in the program and indicating research about the profession
  • A résumé including two references
  • Applicants' portfolios should include 6-12 items. The work can come from a variety of mediums, including, but not limited to hand-rendered sketching (pencil, ink), painting (water colour, oils, acrylics), collage (mixed media, other), photography, 3D sculpture, or prop building, writing (essays, poems, blogs), digital work (commissioned or not), jewelry making, pottery, fabric work (original sewing, needle work), motion (video, digital), websites (blogs, animation), sound (music, recordings), journals (sketching, writing), process sketch books

N.B: Most universities have specific international admission requirements based on different education systems.

These are the test eligibilities for the Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design to qualify.

The English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design in Canada: are:

  • TOEFL(ibt): 88
  • IELTS(academic): 6.5
N.B: ELP is not mandatory for all international students. You could apply without ELP if your previous degree's medium of instruction were in English. Students of Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, for example, are not required to take the ELP test.

The international student tuition fees and costs for Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design in Canada.

Items Costs
Application Fees CA$41.72
Living Cost CA$12,000.00/year
(CA$1,000.00/month)
Student Earning CA$18,688.00/year
You will earn CA$18,688.00/year by working (20h * 4 weeks * 8 months * CAD 14.50/h) + (40h * 4 weeks * 4 months * CAD 14.50/h) at minimum wage of CA$14.60/hour.

The domestic student tuition fees and costs for Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design in Canada.

Items Costs
Application Fees CA$41.72
Living Cost CA$12,000.00/year
(CA$1,000.00/month)
Student Earning CA$18,688.00/year
This is just an estimate. You don't have any work hour limit. You will earn CA$18,688.00/year by working (20h * 4 weeks * 8 months * CAD 14.50/h) + (40h * 4 weeks * 4 months * CAD 14.50/h) at minimum wage of CA$14.60/hour.

The second or third year of a bachelor's degree in graphic design may be admitted depending on the available seats. It will be determined based on the portfolio interviews and credit equivalents determined by all the above content and the review of the transferring institution and/or PLA. Official higher education transcripts are required.

Candidates who have a diploma in graphic design applied arts from Vancouver Island University, have been interviewed, and meet the requirements for continuing students, must qualify for entry into the third year but may not be guaranteed a seat as enrolment is limited.

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