- Level
- 1-Year Post Secondary Certificate
- CIP code
- 50.0401
- Duration
- 1 Year
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreSep 2027
- Field
- Architecture and Design
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2026-09-01
Program overview
The College Certificate - Design Foundations (DFN1) is a 1 year program at Fanshawe College’s London campus.
Design admissions run on portfolios, and DFN1 exists to build one: a year of drawing, colour, composition and digital tools spent sampling graphic, fashion and spatial design before committing to a diploma. Students leave with direction and a portfolio instead of a guess.
Around it sits one of Ontario’s largest public colleges — 40,000-plus students in London, where living costs undercut Toronto by thousands a year and Fanshawe’s published 100+ PGWP-aligned list keeps planning transparent.
Registered in the field of CIP 50.0401 (Design foundations), the program falls under the post-2024 field-of-study test; re-verify eligibility on Fanshawe’s list and IRCC’s current CIP list at application time.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: Completed Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board with approximately 50% or better.
- IELTS: R-5.5, W-5.5, L-5.5, S-5.5, Overall 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: Total 79.0
- PTE: Overall 53
- Duolingo: 105
- GRE/GMAT: Not required.
Application fee $100 CAD. Apply well before the February 1 equal-consideration date for September entry — capped international seats mean popular programs fill early. An Ontario Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is arranged through admission. Ask an Apply Study Visa counsellor to verify current PGWP alignment and seats before applying.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
The foundation year opens every design direction:
- Graphic Design Progression — the visual-communication route
- Fashion Progression — apparel-design careers
- Interior Programs Progression — spatial-design directions
- Media & Animation Directions — screen-based specialisation
- Portfolio Development — the admission currency of design
- Informed Specialisation — choosing with evidence
Design admissions run on portfolios — this year builds one.
About Fanshawe College
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.9
- World rank
- #5433
- Reference No.
- O19361039982
