Student Exchange Program

Overview

Emily Carr University of Art + Design participates in partnerships with art and design schools globally to offer student exchange and mobility programs between our institutions. Each year, ECU students may study abroad for one semester of their third year (Fall or Spring). Exchange students continue to pay tuition to ECU, maintain full-time status, and are responsible for travel, living, and accommodation costs abroad.

Students are expected to document their experience and creative practice abroad, submit an official transcript from the host school upon completion, and will share their work in the Student Exchange Exhibit in the Fall semester following their return along with other exchange participants.

Eligibility

To apply, students must:

  • Be in the second year of their ECU program; students should be planning to travel on exchange in third year.
  • To be eligible to apply for the exchange program, you must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. 
  • You must also have a 3.0 GPA on the first term of second year of your program.
  • You must also maintain the eligibility GPA prior to your departure to a host school.
  • Be full-time in their third year while on exchange.
  • Be enrolled at ECU prior to their third year (transfer students at the third-year level are not eligible).
  • Both domestic and international students may apply. Part-time students are eligible if they meet GPA and credit requirements.

Preparing to apply

  1. Research host schools: Review the list of active partner schools and choose up to three that best match your program and artistic goals. Only one nomination will be granted per student.
  2. Submit student exchange application at ECU: Deadline is January 15, 2026 for Fall 2026 + Spring 2027. Applications are assessed by GPA, and ECU nominates students to host schools (maximum two students per school per year).
  3. Host school application: Once nominated, students complete the host school’s application directly, which could include submitting portfolio, transcript, and reference letters. Application process and acceptance is determined by the host school.
  4. Post-exchange requirements: Submit an official transcript to ECU, retain course descriptions, and participate in sharing your experience through the Fall semester Student Exchange Exhibit.

Application process

Our Student Exchange team will contact you after the January 15, 2026 application deadline with details about your host nomination and the next steps in the process.

  • Nominations will be shared by the end of February 2026. 
  • For questions before then, please contact exchange@ecuad.ca.  
  • You will automatically receive all payment instructions and next-step reminders by email after you submit this form. 

All applications are due by January 15, 2026. There will be no extensions to this deadline.