In the Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urbanism program, you will explore the connectedness of design across multiple scales. You will learn how design impacts society and the environment, and how the shape and form of space can effect cultural changes. You will build a strong foundation in critical thinking and the practical skills necessary to create environments that are socially and ecologically sustainable.
The program revolves around a core design studio sequence that begins with foundational skills and culminates in the design of complex spaces. In each studio, you will explore design at one of many scales: from the body to the city. Courses in history, theory, media, technology, and professional practice round out the curriculum. Students have ample opportunities to combine classroom- and studio-based learning with fabrication experiences, community-based fieldwork, and the opportunity to study or gain work experience abroad through the Coordinated International Experience (CIE) program or the Co-operative Education Program.
The Bachelor of Design is not a professional degree. However, it does prepare you for a number of possible futures including graduate studies in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and other allied fields of design.
Our BDes program is shaped by our engagement with Vancouver, and the strength of our faculty. The degree is a unique combination of courses in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design throughout all four years, with an emphasis on cross-disciplinary collaboration. Community engagement, leadership, and entrepreneurship are also core elements of our program, and are applied throughout students’ time at SALA. Our low student-faculty ratio means we know our students by name, and we’re proud of our small studios, intimate seminars, and personalized learning opportunities.
We take full advantage of Vancouver’s position as a locus for innovative sustainable design. In addition to our internationally-renowned faculty, we routinely bring in local practitioners to lead studios and courses, as well as offer insight into the contemporary profession. Study topics often require our students to deeply engage with the diverse communities in our city, as well as those further afield.
Our programs are closely connected, and share many core courses and electives, including design build and study abroad opportunities.This cross-pollination of ideas fosters a holistic design culture within the school; one increasingly reflected in the profession.
Outside the classroom, students have a number of opportunities to develop their leadership skills. We offer well over 100 course support positions every year, from teaching assistantships to researching in faculty-led labs. Frequent professional development workshops cover networking, interviews, and portfolio development. An active student group provides a connection between students, faculty, and industry through hosting social, wellness, and academic events.
The four-year Bachelor of Design degree requires the completion of 133 credits.
Typical course of study
One of:
- DES 110 Architectural Drawing
or VISA 180 | Foundation studio: Approaches to media
Two of:
- DES 130 Design, Culture and Ecology
- DES 200 Design Thinking
- DES 220 Architecture and Urbanism in Context: Vancouver and Its Region
- DES 230 Sustainability by Design
Reading requirement:
One of ARTH 101, ARTH 102, ENGL 110, ENGL 111, ENGL 120, or equivalent
Writing requirement:
One of ENGL 100, WRDS 150B, CAP 100, CAP 101, or equivalent
Geography requirement:
One of GEOS 102, GEOS 103, GEOG 121, GEOG 122, or equivalent
12 credits of electives
Applications for the Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urbanism program will open in October, and must be submitted by January 15. Admissions decisions are sent out in mid to late April.
SALA takes into consideration the breadth of each application including the applicant’s academic achievement and intellectual readiness and evidence of creativity and design aptitude to select the most competitive students for the Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urbanism.
The application consists of a standard UBC application, plus a supplemental application (resume, creative test and video interview). Both parts of the application must be completed in order for an application to be considered.
Admission is competitive. Applicants who meet the minimum criteria are not guaranteed admission.
Admission requirements
In addition to satisfying general university admission requirements (as appropriate to the secondary school curriculum being presented), applicants are encouraged to have completed either History or Geography at the BC Grade 12-level or the equivalent. Applicants are directed to UBC’s policies on admission from secondary school for detailed information.
Applicants seeking admission from UBC require an overall average of 65% or better calculated on the most recent credits with a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 30 credits used in the calculation, including any failed courses. The overall average is calculated in accordance with the general admission requirements for applicants from a college or university.
In addition, applicants require a minimum core design average of 65% on all attempts of DES 110, 130, 200, 220, 230 and VISA 180.
To be eligible for consideration for admission to second year standing in the Bachelor of Design program, applicants must have completed the following UBC requirements:
- Reading (3 credits) from one of ARTH 101, 102, ENGL 110, 111, 120
- Writing (3 credits) from one of ENGL 100, ENGL 112, WRDS 150, ASTU 100
- Geography (3 credits) from one of GEOS 102, 103, GEOG 121, 122. GEOS 102, 103 or Physical Geography equivalent highly recommended
- 6-12 credits of electives
- 6 credits of DES 130, 200, 220, or 230
- 3 credits of DES 110 or VISA 180
Students with 24 or more transferable credits who are deficient in two of the above requirements are eligible to be considered for second year standing. Students with 24 or more transferable credits who are deficient in more than two of the above requirements will be considered for first year only.
To apply, complete the Change of degree program/campus form on the Student Service Centre (under Registration). Please see change of degree program for further information.
Applicants seeking admission from post-secondary study require an overall average of 65% or better calculated on the most recent transferable credits with a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 30 transferable post-secondary credits used in the calculation, including any failed courses. The overall average is calculated in accordance with the general admission requirements for applicants from a college or university.
In addition, applicants require a minimum core design average of 65% on all attempts of DES 110, 130, 200, 220, 230 and VISA 180.
Applicants are directed to UBC’s policies on admission from post-secondary study for detailed information.
To be eligible for consideration for admission to second year standing in the Bachelor of Design program, applicants must have completed the following UBC requirements or their equivalent:
- Reading (3 credits) from one of ARTH 101, 102, ENGL 110, 111, 120, or the equivalent
- Writing (3 credits) from one of ENGL 100, ENGL 112, WRDS 150, ASTU 100, or the equivalent
- Geography (3 credits) from one of GEOS 102, 103, GEOG 121, 122, or the equivalent. GEOS 102, 103 or Physical Geography equivalent highly recommended
- 6-12 credits of electives
- 6 credits of DES 130, 200, 220, or 230
- 3 credits of DES 110 or VISA 180, or the equivalent
Students with 24 or more transferable credits who are deficient in two of the above requirements are eligible to be considered for second year standing. Students with 24 or more transferable credits who are deficient in more than two of the above requirements will be considered for first year only.
Applicants from a post-secondary institution other than UBC are invited to consult the BC transfer guide for course equivalencies. If courses do not appear on either transfer database, unfortunately it is not possible for any applicant to know in advance of an application to UBC how much credit they will receive, or what credits will be equivalent to.
Applicants who have greater than 6 but fewer than 24 transferable credits may be eligible for first year entry and are required to meet the requirements for both Post-Secondary Study and Secondary School as noted above. Further information is available at applicants from a college or university.
Admission materials
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all supporting documents, including official transcripts, are submitted by the application deadline.
Applications must be received by the application deadline of January 15.
New UBC students must submit an online application and pay a non-refundable application fee. You will receive an email confirming your submission with additional details regarding your UBC student number, list of required documents, and accessing the Applicant Service Centre.
If you are a former UBC student you must apply for readmission online at the UBC Applicant Service Centre and pay a non-refundable application fee. Please see readmission for further information.
All applicants are directed to the undergraduate admission procedures for detailed information on UBC undergraduate admission requirements.
You will be given a link to access the video interview system online after you have submitted your online application and will have until January 31 to complete the video interview.
You will be required to complete three short design projects that will be assigned through our online system. These projects will be assigned randomly from a bank of questions. You will be given a link to access the creative test online once you have submitted your online application, and will have until January 31 to upload your responses. Each file should not exceed 5MB in size.
A 1 or 2-page summary of your experiences in education, work, travel, volunteering, and other relevant areas. You will be sent a link to the online system to submit your resume after you have submitted your online application, and you will have until January 31 to upload your resume.
Frequently asked questions
The first step for applying to the BDes program is completing an online application. The application is open until January 15.
We do not require applicants to complete the Personal Profile for the BDes, however, if you selected a second choice which does require the profile you will still be asked to complete it. If you choose to not complete it you will only be considered for BDes and not your second choice.
Due to the competitive nature of the BDes, it is available as a first choice only.
UBC and our donors provide a range of financial support to reward your academic and extracurricular achievements and meet your financial needs. For a full list of these opportunities please visit our fees + financial assistance page.
The overall number of students admitted will depend on acceptance rates in any given year, but we have 50 spaces available in the first year and 10 in the second.
To find out more about the transfer credit process at UBC, including IB, AP and post-secondary transfers, please visit our student services website.
The supplemental application is completed online. Applicants can expect an email 2-3 business days after applying with a link to the application along with further details about the process. The submission deadline for the supplemental application is January 31.
We do not require you to have any prior software knowledge when applying for the BDes. We recommend you use the tools that you are comfortable with (analog or digital) to complete your creative test.
The creative test is meant to help us evaluate your design potential and as such there are no right or wrong answers. Just be yourself in your work and let it speak to your strengths.
Your resume is a 1-2 page summary of your experiences and is meant to help us get a better understanding of who you are. You should include relevant experiences in education, work, travel, volunteering, as well as academic or other achievements. It is up to you as to how you format, but it should be legible and include timelines where appropriate.
We are not accepting portfolios or other works in addition to the required supplemental application at this time.
As this will differ depending on your basis of admissions, please see the academic calendar for further information on how we calculate GPAs.
Offers of admissions are sent out in mid to late April.
Currently BDes students can choose to add a Minor in Arts or Minor in Science. BDes students may choose to complete 18 credits to Minor in Arts/Science or a 30 credit subject-specific Minor in Arts/Science.
The BDes does have an optional Co-operative Education Program. Students apply for this option in September of their third year.
Our Bachelor of Design prepares you to take a number of routes into the design world. Your degree can be the first step towards earning your accreditation as an architect or landscape architect. In large numbers, our graduates go on to earn a professional degree at the graduate level. Your courses in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design are great preparation to continue your education in those fields. Your UBC degree is recognized across the world, and carries a reputation for strong design skills.
Continuing in a professional graduate program is far from your only option. Your experience in studio-based work and placemaking practice are integral to spatial design fields. Over the course of your studies here, you’ll gain invaluable skills in:
- critical thinking
- design and visualization
- a variety of digital media tools
- communication and presentations
- project management and organization
There are a number of careers that benefit from an education in design:
- architecture
- landscape architecture
- urban design
- urban planning
- historical building restoration
- industrial design
- set design
- graphic design
- furniture design and fabrication
- game design
- UI/UX design
Marie Markovic
Undergraduate Student Support, Bachelor of Design
des@sala.ubc.ca
604.822.6916
Joseph Dahmen
Chair, Bachelor of Design program
jdahmen@sala.ubc.ca