Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

• When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
• You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
• If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
• Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

• This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
• Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
• All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
• If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Applicants must submit their portfolio and program applications through the online portal SlideRoom.

Upload to SlideRoom

Please submit between 15 and 20 images of recent work, either personal projects or assignments from school or another program.

We suggest a minimum of 5 non-digital drawings rendered directly from life, without using photographic reference. Our aim is to assess how you observe and respond to the living world.

For one of the drawings, arrange a still life consisting of one household object (e.g. scissors, a vegetable peeler, a hammer), one piece of drapery (e.g. a t-shirt, a dishtowel, a scarf), and one object from the natural world (e.g. a flower, a small branch, a pine cone). Complete your drawing in black and white using pencil or charcoal, in under one hour.

The other non-digital drawings can be any subject observed from life, for example, a human face or figure, your dog sleeping, a still life arrangement, a tree in your yard, the interior of your kitchen – and so on – in black and white or colour.

The remaining submissions can be any combination of illustration, painting, design, video, 3D, collage, animation or interactive design (website, app), and can be completed traditionally or digitally.

Photograph your work straight-on, in clear daylight. Avoid direct sunlight; north-facing light is best. Save photographs or digital images as JPEGs to a size of at least 1024 pixels wide.

The purpose of your portfolio is to demonstrate your creative potential. Portfolios are reviewed on the basis of drawing ability (observation, technique), design ability (clarity of thinking, communication, and structure), and creativity.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Early Admission (recommended):

• Apply to the University before you submit your portfolio online.
• Complete your SlideRoom submission between October 3, 2023 and January 24, 2024. Note: submissions received after this date will be considered in the Late Admission Period.
• Interviews and testing will take place Tuesday, February 20, 2024 via video conferencing. Exact date(s) TBC. Applicants will be notified by email if their submission meets the standards of the program.
• Waitlisted applicants will be notified after the Late Admission period if space becomes available.

Late Admission:

• Apply to the University before you submit your portfolio online (applications to the University close April 2, 2024).
• Complete your SlideRoom submission between February 1, 2024 and April 2, 2024.
• Interviews and testing will take place Tuesday, April 30, 2024 via video conferencing. Exact date(s) TBC. Applicants will be notified by email if their submission meets the standards of the program.
• Waitlisted applicants will be notified if space becomes available.

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Birch Building, Room BR230
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

• You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
• View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
• If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

   

  Registrar's Office
  Birch Building, Room BR230
  2055 Purcell Way
  North Vancouver, BC
  V7J 3H5

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

• Have completed or are in the process of completing secondary school. View our International Secondary School Equivalencies (pdf) for more information.
• Meet our English language proficiency requirement.
• See Admission Requirements.

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

• When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
• You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
• If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

• This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
• Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
• All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
• If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Applicants must submit their portfolio and program applications through the online portal SlideRoom.

Upload to SlideRoom

Please submit between 15 and 20 images of recent work, either personal projects or assignments from school or another program.

We suggest a minimum of 5 non-digital drawings rendered directly from life, without using photographic reference. Our aim is to assess how you observe and respond to the living world.

For one of the drawings, arrange a still life consisting of one household object (e.g. scissors, a vegetable peeler, a hammer), one piece of drapery (e.g. a t-shirt, a dishtowel, a scarf), and one object from the natural world (e.g. a flower, a small branch, a pine cone). Complete your drawing in black and white using pencil or charcoal, in under one hour.

The other non-digital drawings can be any subject observed from life, for example, a human face or figure, your dog sleeping, a still life arrangement, a tree in your yard, the interior of your kitchen – and so on – in black and white or colour.

The remaining submissions can be any combination of illustration, painting, design, video, 3D, collage, animation or interactive design (website, app), and can be completed traditionally or digitally.

Photograph your work straight-on, in clear daylight. Avoid direct sunlight; north-facing light is best. Save photographs or digital images as JPEGs to a size of at least 1024 pixels wide.

The purpose of your portfolio is to demonstrate your creative potential. Portfolios are reviewed on the basis of drawing ability (observation, technique), design ability (clarity of thinking, communication, and structure), and creativity.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Early Admission (recommended):

• Apply to the University before you submit your portfolio online.
• Complete your SlideRoom submission between October 3, 2023 and January 24, 2024. Note: submissions received after this date will be considered in the Late Admission Period.
• Interviews and testing will take place Tuesday, February 20, 2024 via video conferencing. Exact date(s) TBC. Applicants will be notified by email if their submission meets the standards of the program.
• Waitlisted applicants will be notified after the Late Admission period if space becomes available.

Late Admission:

• Apply to the University before you submit your portfolio online (applications to the University close April 2, 2024).
• Complete your SlideRoom submission between February 1, 2024 and April 2, 2024.
• Interviews and testing will take place Tuesday, April 30, 2024 via video conferencing. Exact date(s) TBC. Applicants will be notified by email if their submission meets the standards of the program.
• Waitlisted applicants will be notified if space becomes available.

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

• You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
• This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

• Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

• You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
• View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.