Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Faculties and Departments

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is a publicly funded post-secondary institution in British Columbia, Canada, recognized for its strong emphasis on experiential learning, applied research, and community engagement. KPU offers a range of undergraduate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and postgraduate credentials across multiple faculties, including Design, Arts, Business, Health, Science and Horticulture, Trades and Technology, and Continuing and Professional Studies. The university’s academic model integrates theory and practice, preparing graduates to respond to real-world challenges and evolving industry needs.

The Wilson School of Design (WSD) is one of KPU’s signature academic units and serves as the university’s hub for design education, creative practice, and applied research. WSD offers four Bachelor of Design degree programs, three diploma programs, and one certificate program, spanning disciplines such as fashion and textile design, product design, interior design, graphic design, and design foundations. The School also delivers continuing and professional education and postgraduate-level learning opportunities that respond to industry, community, and emerging research priorities.

WSD’s pedagogical approach is interdisciplinary, practice-based, and socially engaged, emphasizing sustainability, technology, innovation, and equity-driven design. Faculty are accomplished educators, researchers, and industry practitioners who actively contribute to creative practice, scholarship, and applied research initiatives at regional, national, and international levels. The School maintains strong partnerships with industry, community organizations, Indigenous partners, and public institutions, ensuring that curriculum, research, and student learning remain relevant and impactful.

Through its academic programs, research activity, and external partnerships, the Wilson School of Design plays a central role in advancing KPU’s mission to deliver accessible, high-quality education that supports cultural, social, and economic development locally and globally.

Bachelor Level Programs

The Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University offers eight distinct post-secondary programs: four Bachelor of Design degrees (Fashion & Technology, Graphic Design for Marketing, Interior Design, and Product Design), three diploma programs (Fashion Marketing, Front-End Development for Interactive Applications, and a post-baccalaureate diploma in Technical Apparel Design), and one certificate in Foundations in Design.

Master Level Programs

Graduate Certificate-Sustainable Food Systems and SecurityProfessional applied knowledge

Graduate Diplomas-Global Business Management; Green Business & SustainabilityAdvanced professional practice

Post-Baccalaureate Diplomas-Several (e.g., Accounting, HR, Operations & Supply Chain)Specialized post-undergraduate training

Developing Master’s-Master of Operations and Supply Chain Management (proposed)Research-informed and applied graduate degree

Research Activity and Main Areas

Research at the Wilson School of Design is interdisciplinary, practice-based, and applied, coordinated through the School’s Research and Applied Design (RAD) framework. Key areas include human-centered design, materials innovation, sustainable and circular design, inclusive and socially engaged design, ergonomics, and performance-based design. The School actively engages students in research through coursework, collaborative projects, and research assistantships. Faculty research is nationally recognized, with support from NSERC grants and participation in Strategic Research Investment Grant (SRIG) applications, and is strengthened through partnerships with industry, government, and community, reflecting the School’s commitment to innovation, applied knowledge, and global engagement in design.

Doctorate Level Programs

NA

Subject Areas for Exchange Students

The Wilson School of Design offers exchange opportunities across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate design programs, providing students with hands-on, project-based learning in professional contexts. Subject areas include:

• Fashion & Technology – Apparel design, technical garment construction, sustainable textiles, fashion marketing

• Graphic Design – Visual communication, branding, digital media, interactive design

• Interior Design – Spatial planning, environmental design, sustainable interiors

• Product & Industrial Design – Materials exploration, prototyping, human-centered and sustainable product design

• Postgraduate Design Studies – Advanced research, applied projects, and interdisciplinary design innovation

Application Deadlines

Application Deadlines for Exchange Students:

• Fall Semester (September – December): Application deadline March 1

• Winter Semester (January – April): Application deadline September 1

• Summer Semester (May – August): Application deadline January 15

Teaching Languages

English

Semester Dates

Approximate Semester Dates for Exchange Students:

• Fall Semester: Early September – Mid-December

• Winter Semester: Early January – Late April

• Summer Semester: Early May – Mid-August

Cost of Living Per Month (Studying and Living)

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for Exchange Students at KPU (Richmond/Surrey/Langley campuses):

• Accommodation: CAD $800 – $1,200 (on-campus or off-campus shared housing)

• Food and groceries: CAD $300 – $500

• Transportation: CAD $100 – $150 (public transit, including U-Pass for students)

• Books and supplies: CAD $50 – $100

• Personal expenses and miscellaneous: CAD $150 – $250

Total Estimated Monthly Cost: CAD $1,400 – $2,200