Admissions
Take the first step toward building a creative career you will love. McKenzie College of Design is known for providing young minds with the inspiration and technical skills to become great artists, designers and thinkers. They welcome students who are committed to excellence and share high standards.
Application Timeline
Applications are accepted year-round with no fixed deadlines.
Complete applications must be submitted at least 30 days before your program start date.
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We recommend applying at least 3 months in advance to avoid waitlists and arrange financial aid.
Application Fees
Domestic Application Fee: $0
For Canadian & permanent residents
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International Application Fee: $300 CAD
(non-refundable)
For International residents
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Seat Confirmation Fee: $250 CAD (non-refundable)
Required upon acceptance into a program to confirm and hold your seat.
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Application Requirements
To be considered for admission to a McKenzie College of Design program, you must submit a complete application.
NOTE: All application items are not required in one sitting - you can start the form and submit remaining items later as they become available.
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Portfolio of Work
Proof of high school completion (or GED/Adult High School diploma) is required. Recent transcripts may be submitted for conditional acceptance if high school studies are still in progress. CLICK HERE for portfolio criteria.
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Campus Tour & Interview
To be booked at your convenience. If a campus tour is not possible, the interview be completed virtually.
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Profile Letter
A 1-page, typed letter outlining your background, goals, and reasons for choosing McKenzie College of Design.
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Academic Transcripts
Minimum requirement: Completion of High School, GED, Adult High School diploma or equivalent experience. Transcripts must indicate successful completion of high school, a post-secondary program diploma or degree, or have supporting documents that indicate completion.
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Recent transcripts may be submitted for conditional acceptance if High School studies are still in progress.​​
Additional requirements for international applicants
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Application Fee: $300
Only required for international applicants. This fee is in CAD and is non-refundable. Payment methods will be provided during the application form.
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Valid Passport
A photo or scan is accepted for the application process. It must cleary show your photograph, name, country of origin and expiry date. You will be required to show the original passport upon arriving in Canada.
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Proof of English Proficiency
English proficiency test results or English language training transcripts are required. If English proficiency is not met, you can first apply for English language training via the McKenzie Language School.
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Tuition Deposit
$2500 (CAD) tuition deposit is required before a letter of acceptance or provincial attestation letter is issued. Refundable if a visa/study permit is refused.
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Valid Canadian Study Permit*
A copy of a valid Canada study permit for proof of accepted entry to Canada.
*Only required upon acceptance.
Note: Application documents can be submitted in person or online.
Portfolio of Work
A portfolio is a collection of an artist or designer’s work that showcases past projects or pieces that protray their current skills, creativity, and range of artistic abilities. It is typically used to present a body of work for evaluation, such as when applying for art school, jobs in the creative industry, or for the purposes of exhibition.
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All submissions must be works completed by the applicant. Any works submitted that were influenced by another artist, such as master copies or pop-culture references, must be accompanied by proper citation. Applicants are required to indicate their role if the submission is a result of a group project.
Portfolio Criteria
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An art and/or design portfolio with 10–15 original works created within the past three years.
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At least six pieces should demonstrate observational work, such as self-portraits, still life, landscapes, or architecture.
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Include a variety of media (pencil, charcoal, pastel, digital, etc.) and select pieces that reflect your interests and strengths.
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Color work is strongly recommended.
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For oversized or 3D projects (such as murals, sculptures, or installations), submit clear photographs.
Acceptance Process
Once your application is complete, it is reviewed by our admissions panel, which makes a collective decision based on your academic performance, portfolio, and interview results.
Additional Assessments
Some applicants may be asked to complete additional entry assessments, such as reading comprehension, writing skills, basic computer literacy, or artwork exercises.
Notification of Acceptance Decision
All applicants are notified of the acceptance decision by email within 2 weeks of the submission of the completed application. If you have complete your application and have not received an email within 2 weeks, please contact us.
Upon Acceptance
If accepted, the applicant MUST confirm their seat in the program as soon as possible by submitting the Confirmation Seat Fee of $300 CAD. Seats are reserved at a first-accepted, first-served basis.
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Additionally, for International applicants, a copy of a Valid Canada Study Permit for proof of accepted entry to Canada is required for seat confirmation.