About YSDN
Bachelor of Design Honours Degree
This is the first and largest program in Ontario that
offers the Bachelor of Design Honours degree. It is a four-year
University degree delivered jointly by the two leading educational
institutions of design in Canada and recognized throughout North America
for maintaining the highest academic and professional standards. Our
alumni demonstrate the excellence of the program through their
placements into top design firms, national and international graduate
study programs and their high rate of self-employment.
This program is presented in the context of a rich
multi-disciplined experience within the university environment. Courses
in design are taken equally on both the Sheridan and York campuses (a GO
express bus is available between the two campuses). All liberal arts
courses, whether humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences are
taken at York University.
Officially, we are entering the tenth year of the York
University/Sheridan College Joint Program in Design. The student’s
talent and dedication reflects itself at every opportunity. Students
have received much recognition in regional, national and international
competitions, and with private and government agencies in Canada, the
USA and Europe.
Our applicant pool remains strong (1800 applications
from around the world for 120 positions in first year) with incoming GPA
averages in the mid 80s. Retention is the highest in the university, in
the mid 90s. Many students have received multiple offers to the leading
graduate programs throughout the world in the fields of Design,
Architecture, Business, Law, Environmental Studies and Education.
Faculty
All full-time faculty members have the most advanced university degrees relevant to design education. All are active members of relevant professional organizations and scholarly societies. Many of our faculty members maintain international reputations through active research initiatives and participation in academic and professional conferences and publications.
Classes
This program is presented in the context of a rich multi-disciplined experience within the university environment. Courses in design are taken equally on both the Sheridan and York campuses (a GO express bus is available 12 times a day between the two campuses). All liberal arts courses, whether humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences are taken at York University. Class size in all Joint Program practicum courses is much lower than at other institutions, promoting a personalized learning culture.
Facilities
York and Sheridan each have new buildings that provide arguably the most technology-enriched design education facilities in Canada. Our computer studios are state-of-the-art for design education and supported by full-time technician/demonstrators.
Fellow Students
York/Sheridan Joint Program in Design students are the most talented and brightest students from Canada and around the world. Our students have been very successful in annual national and international competitions held by industry and professional organizations. The Design Students Association (DSA) actively supports students and provides an important social network.
Financial Aid
Every student has full access to all York University Scholarships, Awards and Busaries. Additional awards may be available to YSDN students through Sheridan College.
Students may also qualify for financial support through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Choose "Sheridan College" when prompted for the name of your institution, as OSAP applications for the York University/Sheridan College Joint Program in Design are processed only through Sheridan's Financial Aid Office, even though courses are at York. The same applies for the 30% Ontario Tuition Grant.
Mission Statement
The York University/Sheridan College Joint Program in Design (BDes Honours) emphasizes creative, critical and strategic thinking, by synthesizing practice, theory and history to educate the design leaders of tomorrow. We serve a national constituency by offering a comprehensive university experience that addresses the social, cognitive, and technological implications of design practice while preparing our students for work in the profession and/or graduate study.
This program combines the faculty and resources of
two leading institutions who are committed to excellence in teaching and
to the development of the design discipline by engaging in pure and
applied research. Our curriculum focuses upon the practicum areas of
visual communication, information design, and interactive multimedia,
supported by design studies. Students learn to address contemporary
issues through effective design solutions by using relevant
methodologies and visual principles of form, imagery, and typography.
Located in Toronto, the third largest centre for
design in North America, this four-year specialized honours degree
program strives to assume a leadership role in design
education and maintains strong links with the design
profession, international research organizations, the corporate sector,
and the professional associations.