UofC

Admission to graduate degree programs in the Faculty follows Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations and requirements and Degree Program admission requirements identified below. Current Graduate Studies and Faculty admission requirements are available on the University website.

Applicants to the master’s degree programs will require a four-year baccalaureate degree from a recognized university with a grade point average (GPA) in the final two years of study of at least 3.00 (based on a four-point grading system). The Faculty of Graduate Studies may approve special admission requests.

Consistent with Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, prior to admission to the Faculty of Environmental Design, all applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency for purposes of admission. Please refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies website (grad.ucalgary.ca) for current special admission request and English language proficiency requirements. 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.

Admission to the Minor in Architectural Studies follows Program admission requirements identified below.

Because of limitations on enrolment, all applicants meeting admission requirements are not necessarily admitted.

Admission to the professional Architecture Program is a competitive process. Applicants must meet minimum Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements (including a 3.00 GPA and English proficiency) and the Architecture Program admission requirements (see the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar and additional information is also available on the Faculty of Environmental Design website). For admission to the two-year MArch degree program, applicants must demonstrate successful completion of prerequisite courses equivalent to those in the MArch Foundation Year. Without these prerequisites, students apply for the MArch Foundation Year, which must be successfully completed before advancing to the two-year MArch. Therefore, admission to the MArch may be achieved in one of the following three ways:

• Admission into the MArch Degree based on the completion of a recognized four year undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.00 GPA calculated on the final two years but needing to complete one or more of the eight course prerequisites required for admission. A student with these qualifications would enter the MArch Foundation Year and complete its studies prior to taking the regular two year curriculum in the MArch; or
• Admission into the MArch Degree based on the completion of a four year undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary with a Minor in Architectural Studies (ARST) and a minimum 3.00 GPA calculated on the final two years; or
• Admission into the MArch Degree based on the completion of a recognized four year undergraduate pre-professional or professional architecture degree (or equivalent) program with a minimum 3.00 GPA calculated on the final two years.

Candidates for the MArch Program (including those entering into the Foundation Year of the Program) must submit a digital portfolio (along with the other application requirements). The portfolio 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 can be found on the Environmental Design website: evds.ucalgary.ca/content/master-architecture-march-admissions. Candidates are also required to submit a clearly-written statement of intent and three reference letters.

Students seeking advanced credit for courses should refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar.

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
• any communication the applicant has had with potential Supervisors

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, 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, of which at least two should be academic.

e) An updated copy of curriculum vitae (CV).

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: evds.ucalgary.ca/admissions/landscape-architecture.

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) A statement of interest.

d) An updated copy of curriculum vitae (CV) (optional).

Requirements for admission to graduate programs at the University of Calgary are available via the Faculty of Graduate Studies calendar at the following website: ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/grad/current/gs-a.

Specific information on admission to a Graduate Program in the Faculty of Environmental Design is available on the EVDS website: evds.ucalgary.ca/content/admissions-faculty-environmental-design.

Effective 2016, there are two potential entry points into the program: entry for students with non-design undergraduate degrees into the foundation year and then the two professional Master’s years; and for students with pre-professional design degrees from other institutions in Canada or abroad, entry directly into the M1 year and completion of the two professional Master’s years.

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) and the Planning Program admission requirements (see the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar and additional information is also available on the Faculty of Environmental Design website). 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.

c) A portfolio that includes examples of the applicant’s design work or design thinking, 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: evds.ucalgary.ca/content/master-planning-mplan-admissions.

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.

d) Three reference letters, of which at least two should be academic.

e) An updated copy of curriculum vitae (CV).

Applications are encouraged from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, or a combination of education and work experience.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Environmental Design requires:

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, and broader impacts of the proposed research. The research statement should indicate potential Supervisors and/or committee members, and whether they have been contacted by the applicant.

c) A funding plan that demonstrates that financial resources are available for the entire program of study.

d) Three reference letters, of which at least two should be academic.

e) 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, 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.

f) An updated copy of curriculum vitae (CV).

In order to be eligible for the Minor, students must have successfully completed a minimum of 24 units (4.0 full-course equivalents) in post-secondary study by the end of the Fall Term in the year in which they apply. Admission to the Minor will be granted for the Fall Term only. Students must apply via their online Student Centre by February 1.

The Minor has a fixed number of places for students. Students will be admitted on a competitive basis. The application to the Minor will include consideration of the applicant’s grade point average and a portfolio of their creative work.

A minimum grade point average of 3.20 is required for consideration for admission, but does not guarantee admission. The grade point average for admission purposes will be calculated over the most-recent course work to a maximum of 30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents) inclusive of the University of Calgary courses and/or transferable courses taken at other institutions.

Applicants to the Minor must submit a digital portfolio that provides evidence of original or creative work in any field or medium, and includes a brief statement of their interest in the Minor. The requirements for digital portfolio submissions can be found on the Environmental Design website: evds.ucalgary.ca/content/minor-architectural-studies-arst.

The deadline date for applications to the Master of Architecture, the Master of Landscape Architecture, the Master of Planning and Master of Environmental Design programs is January 15, for admission to the following Fall Term. The deadline date for applications to the Minor Field of Specialization in Architectural Studies is February 1, for admission to the following Fall Term. Degree Program Admission Committees for the Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Planning and Master of Environmental Design and the Minor of Architectural Studies evaluate the respective pool of eligible candidates and offers admission to the most-qualified applicants. New admissions to all programs may be limited in number as required on an annual basis.

The deadline date for applications to the Master of Environmental Design and PhD programs is February 1, for admission to the following Fall Term.