Master of Environmental Design (MEDes) Admissions

A professional design degree from an accredited school.

A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 105.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.5.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)  score of 59, or higher (Academic version).
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 with no section less than 70.
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in each course.
• On a temporary basis, the University of Calgary will accept both the Duolingo English Test and the TOEFL IBT Home Edition specifically for admission to graduate programs with start dates through Summer 2024. 
  • The minimum Duolingo test score required is 135.
  • The minimum TOEFL IBT Home Edition score required is 105.  

Create an eID to log in. If you already have an eID, you can begin your online application. 

Once in the system, select "School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape", then select the degree. 

Remember to click 'Save & Continue' often to ensure your application is saved.

Once your application has been submitted, you will be required to upload unofficial transcripts from each of the post-secondary institutions you have attended. International students will also be required to include provisional and degree certificates along with your transcripts (where applicable/available). If your application is successful, final official transcripts will be requested with your offer of admission.

If admitted, you must provide one official transcript (and degree certificates from those institutions that do not indicate the awarding of degrees on the transcript) from all post-secondary institutions attended, regardless of the number of courses taken or the amount of time spent there. Transcripts and degree certificates issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by certified, word-for-word English translations.

To be considered official, all academic records must be sent directly to the University of Calgary from the institution and received in envelopes that have been sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution. If you have transcripts from multiple institutions, you may bundle the sealed and signed envelopes (unopened) in one package. Students and graduates from the University of Calgary do not have to submit official transcripts. If you attended university in another country, review international admissions requirements.

Physical or electronic copies of your official transcripts can be submitted: 

A) Send physical official transcripts to the following address:
Faculty of Graduate Studies, ES 1010
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, Canada, T2N 1N4

B) If your post-secondary institution has the capacity to email official transcripts, they should be sent directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies at gradtranscripts@ucalgary.ca. These must be emailed by the school, transcripts emailed by the applicant will not be accepted.

The non-refundable application fee is CDN $125 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and CDN $145 for international students attending on a Study Permit.

If you have an art/design background, submit a PDF portfolio, with the following specifications:

• 8.5" x 11" page size, maximum 25 pages
• First and last name on cover page
• Indicate your specific role on group projects 
• Filename: Lastname_Firstname_MEDes_2023.pdf
• Maximum file size 30 MB

The admissions committee wants to see your writing skills! At least one example of academic or professional productivity such as a written essay, published paper, thesis, design project, consulting report. The examples of writing should be submitted in digital form (one portable document .PDF file). If there is more than one sample in the pdf document, please include a table of contents at the beginning.

Provide three referees, with names and contact information, both phone and email, in your online application. At least two should be academic. Once your online form has been submitted, referees will be provided a link via email to complete a reference. The deadline for references is one week after the application deadline - February 8.

A clear, concise and substantive statement of interest (1,000 to 1,500 words), which informs the Admissions Committee of the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the MEDes degree. Include educational, professional and personal background alignment with environmental design; your research within an interdisciplinary context; personal/professional goals and how MEDes furthers this "vision". Maximum two (2) pages.

Please provide a two-year funding plan that demonstrates that financial resources are available for the entire program of study. Funding sources can include scholarship and student award funding to supplement

A summary of your experiences in education, work, volunteering, and other relevant areas.