Master of Design - Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media, and Design

Academic Requirements

For the Master of Design - Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media, and Design program at OCAD University, applicants must meet the following Academic Requirements:

• Minimum GPA: Applicants must have an average of 80 per cent (A-) or better during the last two years of study.
• Degree Requirement: Applicants must hold a BA, BFA, BDes, or comparable honours degree/certification.
• Creative and Conceptual Competence: All applicants must demonstrate high-level creative and conceptual competence, as well as the potential for acquiring expertise in a secondary discipline to create an integrated interdisciplinary thesis project.
• Statement of Intent: A statement of intent (maximum 500 words) is required, detailing the applicant's interest in interdisciplinary research, themes of interest, and how their background supports their future exploration. A bibliography must also be included.
• Portfolio: A portfolio representing the applicant's work holistically is required, with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 items representing no more than five bodies of work. Time-based files should not exceed three minutes in length.
• Artist/Designer Statement: The portfolio must be accompanied by a statement of no more than 250 words explaining the relevance of the work to the statement of intent.
• Curriculum Vitae: An updated copy of the CV (PDF format only) must be submitted.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

For international students, it is advisable to contact LOA Portal's advisors for any clarification and support regarding the application process.

Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure they meet all requirements and deadlines.

Language Requirements

The official language of instruction at OCAD U is English. To demonstrate English language proficiency at a graduate level, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Completion of a Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree (or equivalent) where the language of instruction was English.
• Applicants should provide official documentation from the institution stating that the degree was taught in English, in one of the following ways:
• A transcript that includes information on language of instruction;
• A document issued by the institution stating that the language of instruction for the degree was English.
• Your first language is English;
• Completion of an English language test within the 24 months prior to the application deadline, meeting the below minimum test scores:

• TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• Overall: 90
• Reading: 22
• Listening: 20
• Writing: 22
• Speaking: 22
• IELTS (Academic)
• Overall: 7
• Reading: 7
• Listening: 7
• Writing: 7
• Speaking: 7
• Duolingo English Test
• Overall: 120
• (OCAD U will continue to accept Duolingo English Test scores for Fall 2025 applicants to our graduate programs.)

Applicants who are required to provide TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores are encouraged to schedule their test date as soon as possible to ensure that test scores are available prior to the application deadline. You will not be able to submit your application until you provide English language test scores.

In need of accessibility accommodations? All listed proficiency tests offer alternative testing formats:

• IELTS Test Format Accommodations
• TOEFL Test Format Accommodations
• Duolingo Test Format Accommodations

If you are offered admission, we will verify your English language test results with the testing body. You may be asked to provide additional information (e.g. IELTS test report form number, or TOEFL registration number) at this point. When registering for your English language test, please make sure you select OCAD University as a score recipient.

OCAD University reserves the right to require an applicant to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test, or to provide documentation proving that the language of instruction at an institution attended was English, at any point during the application or admissions process.

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.