Transfer Architecture Students

The School of Architecture welcomes applications from transfer students who have already completed university-level architecture courses at another architecture school in Canada or abroad. Admission and level of entry in the BEDS/MArch program are based on:

  • academic standing (3.30 GPA is expected for admission at an advanced level)
  • courses completed elsewhere that are equivalent to architecture courses at Dalhousie (which may include integration of the subject into the process of architectural design)
  • level of achievement in your architectural design portfolio
  • total years of university completed, including non-architectural subjects (general studies)
  • English language proficiency for students whose first language is not English (IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 92 iBT, etc.)

To maintain professional accreditation standards, the School cannot offer a level of entry that would permit a student to obtain the MArch degree with less than six full years of university. Please note that admission is competitive and places in the program are limited.

Application Deadlines

Transfer applications from students who have already completed university-level architecture courses are reviewed three times each year. For an application to be considered, all items must be received by February 1, June 1, or October 1.

Five Admission Categories

Eligibility and level of entry depend on your previous education. If you are not sure where you fit, please send the following information (preferably as a link to your university website) to the Architecture office, arch.office@dal.ca

  • the name of the degree program (e.g., BArch, BA-Arch)
  • the length of the program, in years or semesters
  • a list of courses in the program
  • whether it is: (a) a pre-professional program that is normally followed by a professional architectural program; or (b) a professional program that satisfies the education requirement for architectural practice in your home country

1. For Non-architecture Students

If you have not studied architecture before, please disregard this Transfer Students page and refer instead to the Undergraduate Admission page for BEDS applicants. 

2. For Undergraduate Architecture Students

If you have completed some university-level architecture courses but have not completed a university pre-professional architecture degree (BAS, BED, BEnvD, BES, BSc[Arch], BArchSci, etc.), you may submit an application by any of the three annual deadlines. To avoid delay, February 1 is the recommended deadline. Please follow the steps on the Undergraduate Application page. To enable the admissions committee to assess your previous architecture courses, please submit course outlines or calendar descriptions. In your portfolio include both architectural design work and other design work.

3. For Graduates of a Non-professional Architecture Program

If you have completed a non-professional architectural or environmental studies program (e.g., BA in Architectural Studies at University of Toronto, Bachelor of Environmental Design [ENDS] at University of British Columbia, or BDes in Environmental Design at OCAD University) and wish to proceed into a professional architecture program, you would be considered for admission to the B1, B2, or B3 term of Dalhousie's BEDS program, depending on your previous courses. Please disregard this Transfer Students page and refer instead to the Undergraduate Application page for BEDS applicants.

4. For Graduates of a Pre-professional Architecture Program

If you have completed a university pre-professional architecture degree (BAS, BED, BEnvD, BES, BSc[Arch], BArchSci, etc.), you may need to complete one or more senior undergraduate courses at Dalhousie during the winter term to be eligible for graduate admission to the Master of Architecture program in the summer term. For pre-professional graduates, the normal entry date is in early January, preceded by an October 1 application deadline. (International students should apply by June 1, as a Canadian student visa can take several months.) To avoid delay, please submit an undergraduate application rather than a graduate application. Indicate "winter" as the start date. For student status, indicate "Special Student." For Program Selection - Special Students, indicate "ARCH" as the field of study. For full submission requirements, see the Undergraduate Application page. To enable the admissions committee to assess your previous architecture courses, please submit course outlines or calendar descriptions, together with a comprehensive portfolio of your architectural design work and any other complementary design work. For each architectural design project, please indicate the year, the course title, the project title, the instructor, and (for group work) the names of the other group members. For any professional work, indicate the year, the company name, the project name, and your contribution to the project. For additional information, see the Transfer Students video.

5. For Graduates of a Professional Architecture Program

If you have already completed a professional architecture degree (a degree that requires no additional university education to practice architecture in your home country), you are not eligible for admission to the professional architecture program (BEDS/MArch) at Dalhousie to complete another professional architecture degree. To see if you are eligible to apply, please fill in an Architectural Qualifications questionnaire and send it to arch.office@dal.ca. For other professional options, please see the FAQ - Architecture Graduates page.