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Interaction Design Diploma

Credential
Diploma

Duration
2 year(s)

Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility requirements for international students.
PGWP Eligible
Yes (CIP: 11.0103)

Admission Dates for Fall 2026 Intake

September 1, 2025: SlideRoom opens

November 30, 2025: Advanced Admission closes

February 1, 2026: General Admission closes

February - April 2026: If space is available, admission will be granted on a first-come basis, or applicants will be placed on a waitlist.

The two-year Interaction Design diploma at CapU connects design and technology to prepare you for an exciting career in tech.

As an interaction designer, your combination of creativity, problem-solving, and human-centred design skills helps you thrive in the AI-augmented world of digital product design.

Your training will focus on areas such as user experience (UX) design and user interface (UI) design, user research, visual design, motion design, coding, branding, web/app design, and how to manage digital environments and workflows.

You will explore emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and learn how AI can be an amplifier rather than a substitute. We also cover the importance of maintaining critical thinking skills while integrating AI tools.

You'll learn in a project-based, hands-on experiential environment. Courses are taught by faculty from the local design community and apply the same programs and tools working professionals use.

Tuition fees include a dedicated laptop for the duration of your studies. This laptop comes with all the necessary software. We also fund student memberships to professional associations in Canada, as well as local events and guest speakers.

Before graduation, you'll complete an Interaction Design Capstone project, an opportunity to combine research, theory and technical skills that will make industry employers take notice.

CapU Interaction Design student using a VR headset

Start a career in tech as a user experience (UX) designer

In the final semester of your interaction design diploma, you'll complete a practicum where you’ll apply the theory and skills you've learned in a professional working environment.

Career paths

  • Content strategist
  • Digital Media
  • Information architect
  • Product designer
  • User experience (UX) designer
  • User interface (UI) designer
  • User researcher
  • Web/app designer

Become a conscious designer

Research and exploration are at the heart of our program and courses. You'll develop communication, leadership and collaboration skills while learning more about global consciousness, human responsibility and sustainability for our communities.

Turn your diploma into a degree

After completing your Interaction Design diploma, you can apply for the third year of the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication degree program.

Explore other pathway options within the IDEA School of Design. Applicants who choose to apply need to complete all Bachelor of Design application requirements.

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Contact us

For more information about the Interaction Design diploma program or the IDEA School of Design, contact us.

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Information sessions

Plan ahead with this calendar of important program information sessions and open houses.

Upcoming info sessions

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Intakes

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 7, 2025 – Jun 2, 2026

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 6, 2026

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 24, 2026

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

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.
Apply on EPBC

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 can submit the following through the online portal SlideRoom:

  • One letter of reference
  • Introductory video

The purpose of your SlideRoom submission is to demonstrate your passion for the subject area. Submissions are assessed based on:

  • Professionalism and clear communication
  • Experimentation, observation and storytelling.
  • Visual aesthetic.

Upload to SlideRoom

Important Dates and Deadlines

Waitlisted applicants will be notified after the Late Admission period 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
Library Building, Room LB152
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

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
    Library Building, Room LB152
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

New Students

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 allows you to apply for 2 programs for the same term. 
  • 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, certified translations must be submitted along with the documents in the original language.
Apply on EPBC

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.
Funding for International Students

Applicants can submit the following through the online portal SlideRoom:

  • One letter of reference
  • Introductory video

The purpose of your SlideRoom submission is to demonstrate your passion for the subject area. Submissions are assessed based on:

  • Professionalism and clear communication
  • Experimentation, observation and storytelling.
  • Visual aesthetic.

Upload to SlideRoom

Important Dates and Deadlines

Waitlisted applicants will be notified after the Late Admission period if space becomes available.

Only completed applications will be assessed for admission. Some programs have Program-specific requirements and may require additional documents or steps. In such cases, you will need to work directly with the program to complete your application.

If you are successfully accepted into a program, you will receive a Letter of Offer (LOF) in your myCapU email inbox

  • To confirm your acceptance, you must pay a tuition deposit as 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 (LOA) and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), if applicable, in your myCapU email inbox. 

These documents may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit in Canada.

  • If your program is less than 6 months long and does not require a study permit, you will receive detailed information about your acceptance in your myCapU email inbox.

All international students are responsible for complying with the conditions and regulations from Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Permits & Visas

To attend classes in your program, you must register for courses. You can refer to your acceptance email in your myCapU email inbox for details.

View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day at CapU!

  • Students who want to request transfer credits from their previous institutions must submit official transcripts. If the courses are listed in the BC Transfer Guide, submit your official documents to the following address:

Centre for International Experience
Library Building, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

For courses from non-articulated institutions, please visit the Transfer Credit page for more information.

Official documents may include:

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.
Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Admission notes

Please note that ENGL 100 is a required course in the first term of the Interaction Design Diploma. In order to enrol in this course, students must submit the results of the English Diagnostic Test (EDT) unless they meet the EDT exemptions.

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $10,477 $1,829 $12,306
Year 2 $10,477 $1,829 $12,306
Total $20,954 $3,658 $24,612
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $26,681 $1,829 $28,510
Year 2 $26,681 $1,829 $28,510
Total $53,362 $3,658 $57,020

Tuition & Fees Estimator

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Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

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Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

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The courses below reflect the current program profile. Login to myCapMap to see the program requirements for the term you started.

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Required Courses

First Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
ENGL 100University Writing Strategies3.00 credits
IXD 101Digital Environment and Workflow3.00 credits
IXD 102User Experience I3.00 credits
IXD 103Visual Design I3.00 credits
IXD 104Digital Typography3.00 credits

 

Second Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
IXD 105Ideation and Design Thinking3.00 credits
IXD 106User Experience II3.00 credits
IXD 107Visual Design II3.00 credits
IXD 108Coding for Designers3.00 credits
Numeracy Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits

 

Third Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
IXD 201Brand and Design Systems3.00 credits
IXD 202Design for New Technologies3.00 credits
IXD 203Motion and Interaction Design3.00 credits
IXD 204Business of Design3.00 credits
ENGL or CMNS 100-level or higher3.00 credits

 

Fourth Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
IXD 205Interaction Design Capstone3.00 credits
IXD 206Professional Development9.00 credits
Elective 100-level or higher (excluding IXD courses)3.00 credits

Total program credits: 60.00

Learning outcomes

  • Apply knowledge of current interaction design methodologies, best practices and workflows as well as an awareness of emerging technology.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with industry tools and technologies used to design, prototype and build digital products.
  • Use human-centred design thinking through a combination of research, empathy, problem-solving and iteration that results in intuitive solutions.
  • Design engaging, inclusive and accessible visual interfaces.
  • Develop interpersonal skills focused on communication, collaboration, active listening and leadership.
  • Construct sustainable solutions that embody global consciousness, human responsibility, and our commitment to the rights of Indigenous peoples and furthering reconciliation.

How to Declare

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar.

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

IDEA School of Design
604 990 7820
idea@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Library Building, room LB152

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca