Emily Carr University: Courses, Admission, Cost

Commonly known as the Emily Carr University, the Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECU) is a highly-ranked institution of art and design in the coastal seaport city of Vancouver, Canada. It was established in the year 1925 under the name Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts. ECU was the earliest and the only post-secondary institution in British Columbia that imparted professional education in arts, design and media. The name of the institution was changed to Emily Carr College of Art in 1978 as a tribute to the popular Canadian artist and writer Emily Carr. The institution was granted the university status in the year 2008 and following which, ECU began its operations under its current name. In 2017, the institution relocated its campus to the present-day site. It has academic affiliations from the Canadian Bureau for International Education and the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design.

ECU has a beautiful campus consisting of state-of-the-art buildings, pathways, green patches and parking areas. The university provides excellent academic facilities, such as smart classrooms, laboratories and studios equipped with modern technology and high-tech equipment. The library of ECU provides a huge collection of printed and digital resources that can be accessed by both students and faculty for learning, teaching and research. It is home to several studios and labs opened by the three Canada Research Chairs since 2014. The university does not offer on-campus accommodation but provides off-campus accommodation. There are several dining points on the campus where the students can enjoy tasty and healthy food and beverages. Facilities, such as the bookstore, galleries and publications are open to the public. Other facilities on the campus include a digital output centre, lecture theatre and medical centre.

The academic structure of ECU is categorized into four faculties that offer 11 undergraduate degrees and two postgraduate programmes. The students can pursue degree programmes in art, design, media, social science, sculpture, illustration, photography, communication design and visual arts. It also extends a range of professional certificates, teen programmes and speciality courses across various disciplines. ECU is a community of different nationalities and cultures, with about 1,869 students and over 300 employees on the roll. The student body comprises about 471 international students from 51 countries. The institution has skilled, experienced and responsible staff, which includes 120 academic affiliates and 190 administrative officers.

ECU has a vast alumni network with its graduates living in different countries across the world. The alumni list includes the names of several people recognized for their contribution in their respective fields. Some of the notable alumni of ECU are Kate Ali (visual artist), Frank Palmer (entrepreneur and advertising executive), Lynn Johnston (Cartoonist), Carole Itter (Filmmaker, Writer and Artist), Ann Kipling (Canadian Artist), Joy Zemel Long (Painter), Ann Marie Fleming (Filmmaker, Visual Artist and Writer) and Julian Lawrence (Award-Winning Cartoonist).