If you’re aiming to study architecture in Canada, one of the most important components of your application is your portfolio. Canadian architecture schools place a strong emphasis on portfolios because they demonstrate your design thinking, creativity, and technical skills. This article provides an overview of the top 7 architecture programs in Canada and their portfolio requirements to help you prepare an effective application.
01. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto, commonly referred to as U of T by students, was founded in 1827 and is located in Toronto, Canada's largest city. With nearly two centuries of development, it has become Canada's top public research university. Globally, it consistently ranks between 17th and 30th, firmly holding the top spot among Canadian universities, and is widely recognized as the strongest comprehensive university in Canada.
U of T has three campuses: the main campus is downtown Toronto, with the other two in Mississauga and Scarborough. The Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, named after the renowned Toronto developer Daniels Corporation, is situated at the main campus. This faculty attracts numerous Chinese applicants each year due to its prestigious ranking and abundant resources.
The faculty offers two major study tracks:
- Architectural Studies (OUAC code: TLA)
- Visual Studies (OUAC code: TLB)
Architecture Program Admission Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts (BA):
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Six Grade 12 U/M courses
- Grade 12 English required
Master of Architecture (MA):
- Bachelor’s degree with at least a B- average in the final year
Portfolio Requirements:
Submit 4 to 6 images of your original work. If a work is a series of pieces, it counts as one project. For each project, include title, medium, original size, completion date, and whether it was a school assignment. Do not add extra text or explanations on the visual files. Upload one image per file, and videos up to 1 minute and 100MB. Audio works must be included in video files.
Language Requirements for Non-Native English Speakers:
BA:
✅ IELTS overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0
✅ TOEFL total 100 with writing no less than 22
MA:
✅ IELTS 7.0 with no band below 6.5
The Master of Architecture (MArch) at Daniels Faculty offers a comprehensive architectural education covering history, theory, technology, ecology, society, and professional practice.
March Admission Requirements:
1. Academic background: Relevant bachelor's degree with a minimum B average.
2. Language proficiency: Proof of English for non-native speakers.
3. Portfolio: Minimum five projects, under 100MB.
4. Personal statement: Up to 750 words detailing motivation, academic background, and career goals.
5. Letters of recommendation: Three letters, at least two academic.
6. Resume: Detailed education, work experience, skills.
Application Deadlines:
- Opens: October 9 annually
- Closes: January 8 next year
Student Experience & showcase:
The architecture program is a Bachelor of Arts degree focusing on architectural history and basic software skills. It suits students passionate about art and design. The professors are responsible, and students need to work hard, especially in the first year to avoid failing courses.
02. Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) is a well-known public university in downtown Toronto, Ontario. It’s a typical urban university, located across from the Eaton Centre, Toronto's second-largest mall. The business school even backs onto the Eaton Centre.
As the university with the highest number of undergraduate graduates in Canada, its teaching philosophy is "learning knowledge through practice." Many students appreciate the change of name as it better reflects the strong emphasis on practical learning and broad career prospects.
Architecture Program:
Architectural Science (Co-op available)
This is Canada's only undergraduate program integrating architecture, architectural science, and project management. Together with the graduate program, it forms a curriculum accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). Top students may apply for a paid, competitive co-op after the third year.
Admission Requirements:
BA:
- Ontario secondary school diploma or equivalent
- Minimum six Grade 12 U/X courses including English (ENG4U/EAE4U), Physics (SPH4U), Mathematics (MCV4U/MHF4U)
MA:
- Bachelor's degree with at least a B average in two years
Language Requirements:
✅BA: IELTS 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in each band)
✅MA: IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each band)
Portfolio Requirements:
1. Submit a portfolio of 12 to 14 original creative works carefully selected and arranged to best showcase your skills.
2. For 3D work, include photos from different angles.
3. Do not include Revit or AutoCAD drawings.
4. Each piece should have title, medium, date, and size.
5. Complete a home exercise as required each year.
Student Experience & Showcase:
Besides architectural design theory and practice, students also study urban planning, political science, economics, and geography. The workload is heavy, but the location is convenient for living and shopping. Dorm life helped me meet many friends outside my major, broadening my horizons.
03. OCAD University
OCAD University is a well-established and dynamic art and design institution with a strong faculty and creative students. It is one of four independent, publicly funded art and design universities in Canada, and the largest and oldest of its kind. OCAD is renowned for nurturing top Canadian artists and designers like Jonathan Crinion, Ken Danby, Doris McCarthy, Floria Sigismondi, Michael Snow, and Don Watt.
The Environmental Design program focuses on creating environments including architecture, urban planning, retail spaces, landscapes, and interiors. Students learn to research, analyze, design, and present ideas, turning concepts into real plans and designs. Many graduates pursue graduate studies in architecture or environmental science.
Admission Requirements:
BA:
- Ontario secondary school diploma or equivalent with at least 70%
- Statement of intent
Language Requirements:
BA (Environmental Design):
✅IELTS overall 6.5, no less than 6.0 per band
✅TOEFL total 84, with minimum subscores in reading, listening, speaking, and writing
✅PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, CAEL, COPE, TOP scores accepted as detailed above
MA:
✅ IELTS 7.0 with minimum 7.0 in each band
Portfolio Requirements:
- 8 to 10 completed works, sketchbook, and statement of intent.
Student Experience & Showcase:
OCAD regularly holds student art exhibitions, especially collaborative grad shows with well-known companies and art centers, making summer in Toronto vibrant. These exhibitions are great opportunities for learning and job hunting, with many employers recruiting directly from shows. Nearly every program offers internships, with many students securing jobs right after graduation.
04. University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo, founded in 1957 and located in southwestern Ontario, is a well-known research-intensive public university famous for its co-operative education (co-op) program that balances study and practical work experience. It is among the top universities in North America.
Architecture is a key strength at Waterloo, with rigorous admission standards including interviews and portfolio reviews.
Architecture Programs:
1. Architectural Engineering (Co-op only)
2. Architecture (Co-op only) – includes a semester in Rome during the final year.
Admission Requirements:
BA:
- Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses, including English (minimum 75%), Advanced Functions (minimum 70%), Calculus and Vectors (minimum 70%), Physics (minimum 70%)
- Recommended: Arts courses such as Visual Arts, Independent Studies, Cultural Studies, or History
MA:
- Related bachelor’s degree with at least 75%
Language Requirements:
✅ MA: IELTS 7.5 (with speaking and writing at least 7.0) or TOEFL 100
Selection Process:
Candidates meeting academic criteria (average ~80%) move to a second stage involving portfolio presentation and English summary assessment. Portfolio is a crucial part of admission, showcasing creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills without strict format restrictions.
Student Experience & Showcase:
Waterloo’s architecture curriculum is very practical and straightforward, focusing heavily on internships, ensuring most graduates can find jobs immediately.
05. Carleton University
Carleton University, established in 1942 in downtown Ottawa, is a vibrant research university known for providing excellent academic experiences. It ranks 5th among comprehensive Canadian universities in Maclean’s 2018 ranking. The campus is adjacent to the Rideau Canal, near Parliament Hill, Byward Market, and Gatineau Park, earning the nickname “Canada’s Capital University.” Its campus is notable for extensive underground tunnels connecting buildings.
Carleton’s architecture students benefit from proximity to national institutions like the National Research Council, Canadian Real Estate Association, National Capital Commission, National Arts Centre, National Gallery of Canada, and museums.
Admission Requirements:
BA:
- Ontario students: Six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses with at least 60%
- International students: High school average above 80%
MA:
- Bachelor’s degree (no minimum GPA stated)
Language Requirements:
✅IELTS 6.5 (min 6.0 per band)
✅TOEFL 86 (writing and speaking min 22; reading and listening min 20)
Portfolio Requirements:
- Maximum 16 pages (excluding cover and table of contents), A4-A2 size
- 2-page personal statement
- Choose one of three essay prompts and write a 400-word essay
- Create work for four given prompts (up to 4 pieces)
Student Experience：
“In the School of Architecture, students have the opportunity to work and can participate in paid work in the field of architecture for up to 20 months, which allows me to earn a lot of pocket money. In addition, Ottawa has many urban designers, many world-class museums, art galleries and performing arts venues, which is an excellent place to study design and urban architecture.”
06. McGill University
McGill University, founded in 1821, is the oldest English-language university in Quebec, Canada. Located in Montreal, the country’s second-largest city, McGill is a world-renowned institution known for its high academic standards and research excellence. Often referred to as the “Harvard of the North” or “Canada’s Harvard,” McGill’s School of Architecture is one of its flagship faculties, recognized both nationally and internationally for its exceptional faculty, facilities, and awards.
The architecture programs at McGill are accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) and also recognized by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in the United States. Besides the professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree, McGill offers post-professional M.Arch and doctoral programs designed for graduates with professional experience who wish to deepen their architectural knowledge.
The post-professional M.Arch program reflects McGill’s strong academic research tradition, providing opportunities for collaboration among selected students and staff. It is structured to meet the needs of practitioners and researchers aiming to expand conventional architectural education and address contemporary issues. The program has two main research streams:
- Architectural History and Theory
- Urban Design and Housing
Admission Requirements:
BA:
- Notarized copies of high school diploma and transcripts in Chinese and English;
- 4U English or French (Ontario high school course)
- 4U Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) (Ontario high school course)
- 4U Physics (Ontario high school course)
- Completed application form;
- Portfolio
Language requirements for non-English speaking countries:
✅ IELTS: minimum 6.5 (no less than 6 in each subject)
✅ TOEFL: 90 points, 21 points or more in each subject; 100 points (only for business school)
Portfolio Requirements:
Portfolios may include freehand drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, computer graphics, technical drawings, and model-making. Works using a variety of media are encouraged.
Student Experience:
“I really appreciate the school’s design philosophy — using art, science, and technology to shape how we live in buildings and cities. Being located in Montreal, a city rich in art and culture, I am constantly inspired both in and out of the classroom by the architectural arts.”
07. University of British Columbia (UBC)
The University of British Columbia (UBC), located in British Columbia, Canada, is a prestigious public research university and a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, and Universitas 21. UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture offers a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).
The M.Arch program is a three-year professional degree that provides comprehensive training in design studios and design media courses, laying a solid foundation for students’ future careers as architects. Students have the opportunity to engage with diverse research-focused design studios and participate in co-op programs to gain practical experience.
Admission requirements for architecture:
MA (Master of Architecture):
- Graduated from a four-year university with a bachelor's degree;
- Average score of 85 or above, average score of 80 or above for key universities
Language requirements for non-English speaking countries:
✅ GPA: B+ Language scores: IELTS 7.0 (6.5 or above) or TOEFL 100
Undergraduate Portfolio Requirements:
UBC’s undergraduate architecture-related programs do not require a traditional portfolio. Instead, applicants must complete the following:
1. Creative Test: An online test consisting of three short design projects selected from a question pool. Submissions can be hand-drawn, computer-generated, model-based, or rendered.
2. Video Interview: A short recorded video discussing a place that has influenced the applicant’s design perspective and how that space impacted their understanding of design.
3. Resume: A concise resume (no more than two pages) listing education, work, travel, volunteer, and other relevant experiences.
Graduate Portfolio Requirements:
- Portfolio submitted in PDF format, maximum 20 pages, A4 size, and file size up to 30MB
- Portfolio should demonstrate creative thinking in both 2D and 3D formats, including but not limited to hand drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, installation design, ceramics, and fashion design
- Each piece should be accompanied by a brief description, clearly indicating individual contributions if the work was collaborative
Student Experience & Showcase:
“UBC’s School of Architecture offers a fantastic opportunity to advance our careers. The curriculum is thorough and systematic, enhancing our understanding of architectural design. Graduates have many job opportunities, especially those aiming for international careers.”
Final Tips for Your Architecture Portfolio
- Showcase your design process: Include initial sketches, iterations, and final presentations.
- Diversity of media: Hand drawings, models, digital renderings, and photography can all strengthen your portfolio.
- Clear explanations: Write concise captions or statements that describe your ideas, techniques, and goals for each piece.
- Originality and passion: Schools look for your unique voice and enthusiasm for architecture.
Applying to architecture programs in Canada requires careful preparation of your portfolio to meet each university’s expectations. Use this guide as a roadmap, and tailor your portfolio to reflect both your personal style and the program’s values. Good luck!
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