York University
Design (BDes)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Level
Bachelor
Duration
4 years
Campus
Toronto ON M3J 1P3
Intl. Tuition
Fee not confirmed
Intake
September 2027
See how your grades stack up for this course
With an Ascenda account you get your fit and admit odds for every programme, a shortlist you can compare, and your deadlines and applications in one place.
Course Overview
Design (BDes) at York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
Arts and design graduates build portfolio careers as practitioners, educators, creative directors and arts administrators, combining creative practice with commercial and community-facing work.
Student life (indicative)
Toronto is Canada's cultural and economic capital — incredibly diverse food from every country, a major arts and music scene, NBA and NHL teams, great neighbourhoods to explore, and one of the most cosmopolitan student environments in North America.
The University at a Glance
Student Population
45,556
Staff Ratio
21.0:1
International
17.1%
Career Prospects
Avg Starting Salary
£35,550
First-year earnings
Costs & Living
Intl. Tuition
Fee not confirmed
Check the university's official fee page
City & Location
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Design (BDes)
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Year 2
- Intermediate Design (BDes) topics
- Applied Methods and Tools
- Group Project
- Two optional pathway modules
- Career and Industry Insights.
Year 3
- Advanced Design (BDes)
- Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
- Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
- Employability and Professional Development.
Entry Requirements
No specific entry requirements listed.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Student Population
45,556
Total students
Staff Ratio
21:1
Students per staff
International Students
17%
Of student body
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Four seasons
Safety Index (indicative)
7.5/10
Transport
Moderate (coach or indirect connections)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Academic / intellectual | Professional / career networks | Historic / heritage
Student Life & City (indicative)
Toronto is Canada's cultural and economic capital — incredibly diverse food from every country, a major arts and music scene, NBA and NHL teams, great neighbourhoods to explore, and one of the most cosmopolitan student environments in North America.
- Toronto is Canada's cultural and economic capital — incredibly diverse food from every country, a major arts and music scene, NBA and NHL teams, great neighbourhoods to explore, and one of the most cosmopolitan student environments in North America.
What Students Love
- Diverse international food scene
- Vibrant nightlife & bars
- Major shopping & retail hub
- Rich arts & cultural scene
University Stats
Career & Outcomes
Avg Starting Salary
£35,550
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✗ Not offered
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
Arts and design graduates build portfolio careers as practitioners, educators, creative directors and arts administrators, combining creative practice with commercial and community-facing work.
- Arts and design graduates build portfolio careers as practitioners, educators, creative directors and arts administrators, combining creative practice with commercial and community-facing work.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Business
- Law
- Social Sciences
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Intl. Tuition
Fee not confirmed
Check the university's official fee page
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
HIGH
This location has a higher cost of living. Budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and general expenses.
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Cost Overview (indicative)
Above-average costs for a Canadian city — expect around $2,340/month (housing $1,460, food $465, transport $135). Canada's most expensive city — but also its best graduate job market by a wide margin.
- Above-average costs for a Canadian city — expect around $2,340/month (housing $1,460, food $465, transport $135).
- Canada's most expensive city — but also its best graduate job market by a wide margin.