College Certificate – Design Foundations (1186)

The Design Foundations intensive one-year certificate program provides a studio-based foundation to help students build an individual and competitive creative portfolio. Through hands-on projects, students gain skill development in 2D and 3D design, traditional and digital drawing, life drawing, colour theory, ideation, visual communication, and digital production tools. Completion of the program prepares students for entry or direct transfer into specialized higher education diploma and degree programs leading to careers across the design and creative communications sectors.

Academic Qualification: High School / Grade 12 completion.

Minimum GPA: 50.0%

Minimum Language Test Scores:

• IELTS: 6.0

• TOEFL: 80.0

• PTE: 53.0

• Duolingo: 110

Conditional Admission: Available for applicants who do not meet language test requirements by completing designated English pathway courses prior to academic study.

Value: $1,500 – $2,500 CAD (automatically applied after Day 10 of the term).

Award Breakdown:

70% – 79% average: $1,500 CAD

80% – 89% average: $2,000 CAD

90% – 100% average: $2,500 CAD

Eligibility Criteria:

Open to all nationalities.

Must be enrolled in Year 1 of an eligible degree program across any Conestoga campus (Fall, Winter, or Spring terms).

Minimum 70% admission average required.

Exclusion: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) students are ineligible.

Maintenance Requirement: Continuing students must maintain a minimum 70% Program Weighted Average to retain funding.