Design in City Innovation

Do you want to design a better world – one that’s healthier, more vibrant, sustainable, and equitable? Our new Bachelor of Design in City Innovation (BDCI) degree gives you the tools and skills necessary to create positive change in the built environment and address complex issues affecting cities.  

The BDCI offers a design-based framework for thinking about the world, its challenges, and to create inclusive and sustainable city-focused solutions. Hands-on, studio-based courses that tackle real-world projects, cross-cultural learning opportunities, and classes in advanced digital design tools, data science, entrepreneurship and sustainability, provides  a broader perspective and spark innovation for the betterment of communities and society.

If you’re interested in becoming an architect, planner, landscape architect, or want to pursue another city-building related career in business, law, public policy, social work or entrepreneurship, the BDCI is for you!

Tawjihi (General Secondary Education Certificate)

Students presenting less than 12 units of academic post-secondary coursework will be considered high school applicants.

Equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP) courses or previously completed SAT2 subject tests are accepted.

Students pursue the following pathways through the degree, depending on their interests:

1. Licensed architect or landscape architect: apply to one of two concentrations as preparation for professional graduate degree programs in architecture or landscape architecture that lead to licensure;
2. Licensed planner: complete a customized program of study that focuses in area of professional interest as preparation for a graduate planning degree program that leads to licensure;
3. City Innovation careers: create a customized program of study as – 
   • Preparation for entry to a city-building related professional, or graduate program including law, social work, public policy, public health, business, and data science.
   • Direct entry into a city-building related career in the private, public, or non-profit sectors such as public art manager, market research analyst, social programs advisor, neighborhood resource coordinator, community development officer, engagement coordinator, policy analyst, sustainability specialist, and green building analyst, among many others.

1. Start your application

   On August 15, you can start your application. Begin by creating a UCalgary eID.

   Once you have created an eID, click apply now.

2. Complete your application

   Use our application guide to help you with your application.

3. Submit your application

   Submit your application and pay your $125 (Canadian education) $145 (International education) application fee.

4. Submit your required documents

   Based on your application, we'll let you know in your UCalgary Student Centre how and where to submit any required documents. Visit our documents page for more information.