Bachelor of Architecture in Canada: Top Universities, Requirements and Career

Highlights: 

• Top Universities: As per QS, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University are among the top architecture colleges in Canada for bachelors
• Tuition Fees: At the top universities, the tuition fees for bachelor architecture courses in Canada can range from 34,419 to 73,000 CAD or 21 to 44.62 lakhs for Indian students. 
• Admission Requirements: Indian class 12 or equivalent with minimum 80% marks. To satisfy the English language requirements, you need a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent. 
• How to Become: To become a registered architect in Canada, Indian students need to clear the ARE or ExAC exam and apply to the CACB (Canadian Architectural Certification Board) for the same. 

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Bachelor of architecture in Canada is 3-4 years of undergraduate program and often offered as Bachelor Architecture, BS or BA in architecture degree. In QS 2024 rankings by subject, 8 Canadian universities are regarded as the top architecture colleges in Canada for bachelor. 

If you are an Indian student, willing to work as an architect here after graduating from Canada, you might face difficulties. You need to sit for an exam conducted by the COA or Council of Architecture, India for the same. Unfortunately, COA has tie-ups with a few universities and allows students from those universities to sit for the exam. Hence check if your desired university is approved by the COA before applying for a bachelor of architecture in Canada from India. However as an Indian student, you can practice architecture in Canada after completing your bachelor degree. You need to be registered by the CACB- Canadian Architectural Certification Board for the same. 

B Arch in Canada fees can range from 15,000 to 30,000 CAD per year, depending on your chosen university. All the Canadian universities teach this program in English, hence you are required to have the minimum language proficiency. If you have any of the following, you are good to go.

• IELTS score: 6.0 or more
• TOEFL score: 79 or more
• PTE score: 58 or more
• DET score: More than 100

Read more: Exams to study in Canada

With a bachelor of architecture in Canada, you can expect to earn 65,000 CAD or around 40 lakhs per year. But to be an architect or architectural designer, you need to have a work experience of 3720 hours or 2 years as an intern architect and also sit for the examinations like ARE (Architect Registration Examination) or ExAC exam in Canada.

Top Universities for Bachelor of Architecture in Canada

The top universities offering Bachelor of Architecture in Canada, along with the application deadlines and tuition fees are tabulated below:

What is Bachelor of Architecture?

Bachelor of Architecture is a 3-4 year undergraduate degree program which emphasises imparting knowledge of various construction and building methods. This course is a blend of theoretical and practical training, and aims to teach students the techniques of effective planning, designing and construction.

Why study Bachelor of Architecture in Canada?

• According to the QS World Rankings 2025, some of the top universities for Bachelor of Architecture in Canada, including McGill University, University of Toronto, and University of British Columbia are among the top 50 universities in the world.
• Architects are in high demand across all 11 of Canada's provinces and highly skilled professionals can earn an average salary of 60,000 CAD (36.37 lakhs INR) annually.
• Between 2019 and 2028, there are expected to be 6,800 new job openings for architects, according to projections made by the government of Canada.
• The unemployment rate of Canada as of 2023 is 5.29%, which represents abundant job opportunities for graduates.

Bachelor of Architecture in Canada: Specializations and Subjects

Bachelor of Architecture in Canada offers various specialisations such as Design, Urbanism, Conservation and Sustainability etc. Some of the most common subjects covered in the curriculum of Bachelor of Architecture in the top architecture universities in Canada are given below. 

• Communication, Behaviour and Architecture
• Architectural Graphics and Elements of Design
• Architectural Drawing
• Organization of Materials in Buildings
• Architectural History
• Design and Construction
• Energy, Environment, and Buildings
• Sustainable Residential Development
• Origins of Modern Architecture
• Design for Climate Change
• Architecture and Ecology

Bachelor of Architecture in Canada Admission Requirements

Majority of the top universities for Bachelor of Architecture in Canada demand the completion of prerequisite courses such as English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. The additional admission requirements to study architecture in Canada are given below:

Also check:

Eligibility Criteria for Architecture Bachelor Degree Canada

Checklist for the basic admission requirements and eligibility criteria for Bachelor of Architecture in Canada:

• Prerequisite courses of English, Mathematics, Physics/Chemistry
• Minimum overall aggregate of 80%
• English Proficiency Test Scores: IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL: 90
• Recent Portfolio
• Updated Resume/CV
• Statement of Interest
• 2-3 References
• Official Transcripts
• Valid Passport
• Student Visa

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Cost of Studying Bachelor of Architecture in Canada

For applicants willing to study abroad in Canada, the total cost can be divided into tuition fees, and living expenses. Given below is the detailed breakdown of the total costs to be incurred by an international student to pursue Bachelor of Architecture in Canada:

Bachelor of Architecture in Canada Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for Bachelor of Architecture in Canada in some of the top universities can range from 34,419 to 73,000 CAD or 21 to 44.62 lakhs. For the annual cost of living in Canada, you need an additional 24,000 CAD per year, which is equivalent to 14.67 lakhs. For the estimated bifurcations, see below. 

Note: 1 CAD= 61.12 INR as of June 25, 2024

Bachelor of Architecture in Canada Scholarships

Being an Indian student, you can study architecture in Canada with scholarship. Here is a list of some of the popular scholarships in Canada for international students for bachelor of architecture programs in Canada are tabulated below.

Note: 1 CAD= 61.12 INR as of June 25, 2024

Bachelor of Architecture in Canada: Placements

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