Design (MDes)

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Degree

Master of Design (MDes)

Department

Design and Computation Arts

Faculty

Faculty of Fine Arts

Program type

Thesis

Primary campus

Sir George Williams (SGW)

Duration

2 years

Credits

45 credits

Start term

Fall

Experiential learning

Internship

Program overview

The two-year Master of Design program allows students to broaden their knowledge of design in the fields of visual communication, the built environment, interaction design and design studies. The MDes program provides a creative environment in which students are encouraged to explore conceptual and theoretical issues through project-based academic research. The program focuses on sustainability (ecological, social, and economic) as a philosophy fundamental to the future of design theory and practice. We also recognize the importance of sensorial and cognitive investigation in design. In parallel with the theory and methods seminars, the students develop their research through a creative project.

Program structure

Degree Requirements

Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.

Please see the Design Courses page for course descriptions.

Design MDes (45 credits)

credits of Core Courses

• DART 600 Design Theory/Practice I (3.00)

• DART 601 Research Methods in Design (3.00)

• DART 610 Design Theory/Practice II (3.00)

• DART 611 Interdisciplinary Practices in Design (3.00)

• DART 620 Graduate Colloquium (3.00)

credits of Elective Courses taken from the special topics courses offered by the Department

credits:

• DART 690 Master’s Research and Thesis (24.00)

Consult the Graduate Calendar for the complete list of courses

Admission requirements

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate degree or graduate diploma in design or equivalent in a relevant undergraduate degree program.
High academic standing, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a scale of 4.30.
Portfolio of creative work, writing samples, a letter of intent and a five-page preliminary research proposal.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.

Application process

Review the steps before applying and program specific requirements

Application deadlines

FALL

January 15

WINTER

n/a

SUMMER

n/a

Priority will be given to complete applications submitted by the deadline. In some cases, programs may continue to accept applications as long as there is space available.

International students: Considering the waiting period involved in meeting the entry requirements to Canada and Quebec, we strongly encourage international applicants to apply early and submit supporting documents prior to the deadline.

Tuition & funding

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees of the program may depend on your student status, among other key factors. Estimate these costs based on the most common situations.

Use the tuition & fee estimator

Awards and funding

Funding packages are generally available for students in thesis-based programs. They come in the form of awards, teaching and research assistantships are offered at the time of admission to most students to allow them to focus on their research and studies. Research and thesis-based students are automatically considered for all entrance graduate awards when they apply to Concordia, provided they meet eligibility criteria. No separate application is required.

Learn more about entrance awards

The Quebec and Canadian governments offer a number of competitive graduate scholarships. We encourage you to apply for these awards at the same time you are preparing your application.

Consult the list of awards available

Out-of-province students

Get $9,251 in special funding for thesis master's programs. Learn more

Design (MDes)

Program overview