Master of Design

The Master of Design (MDes) is an interdisciplinary, two-year, 60-credit program. The MDes program prepares students to lead the development of new ideas in design, providing them with a competitive edge in securing forward-looking careers by giving them the opportunity to work with a variety of materials and fabrication processes, under the mentorship of design faculty.

The MDes curriculum develops and expands design domains to include the full breadth of modern problems and how they might be solved. The advantage of the NSCAD University Master of Design is that it offers both studio and classroom courses throughout the duration of the program, allowing students to apply in our studios and workshop facilities the concepts and theories they learn and develop in seminars and classrooms.

Applicants to the Master of Design Program should possess a Bachelor of Design Degree, a Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline, or the equivalent qualifications from a four year university or college program; ability as an artist, crafts person or designer; an interest in the role of design in society; the economy; design history and theory; teaching and research at a postsecondary level; and academic competency.

Applicants to the MDES Program will generally be expected to have completed the equivalent of NSCAD’s undergraduate art history and critical studies and liberal arts and science requirements and to have maintained an overall “B” average in relevant academic course work.

Applicants from other disciplines are welcome; however, they may be admitted on the condition that they successfully complete specific qualifying courses at the undergraduate level. A minimum grade of “B” must be earned in all courses.

English Language proficiency:

TOEFL: At least 94 with no test less than 22

IELTS: At least 7.0 with no test less than 6.0

CAEL: At least 69 with no test less than 60

CANTEST: At least 4.5 with no test less than 4.0

CAE: At least B

MELAB: At least 82 with no test less than 80