overview
Explore, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing world
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is a dynamic institution in the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada. With a rich history, KPU has evolved into a leading polytechnic university renowned for its commitment to applied learning, innovation, and industry-focused education.
KPU offers extensive undergraduate and graduate programs, providing students with diverse opportunities to pursue academic and career goals. Students can explore the disciplines of arts, science, business, health, design, trades, and technology. Whether your passion lies in fine arts, entrepreneurship, fashion design, automotive technology, or computer science, KPU offers programs that cater to a broad range of interests and aspirations.
The university believes in the power of practical, real-world knowledge to enhance students’ understanding and prepare them for the challenges of their future careers. Through experiential learning opportunities, KPU students can apply their knowledge in professional settings, work on industry projects, and collaborate with field experts.
At KPU, students are encouraged to pursue their passions, actively learn, and develop the skills needed for success. Discover the KPU difference and take your career to the next level.
STUDENT GALLERY
Latest artwork and projects from students

Learn from faculty with real-world experience in their field

Study abroad and field school opportunities prepare you for a global marketplace

Learn and build professional networks

Flexible learning options
video from the college
University Pathways
Your Pathway to Success
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courses
Study areas for this college
In the programming courses, students will learn the latest industry techniques in the fields of game programing, networking, AI, rendering and more. Students will learn to work with Visual Scripting, but also dive into programming languages such s C# and Python.
Advanced 2D Digital Animation Production is a full-time, two-year, cohort program focused on the fundamentals of 2D animation creation and production. Students will study various departmental specializations, such as 2D character animation, 2D FX animation, character design, background design, storyboarding, digital painting, digital cut out style rigging and animation, and 2D lighting and compositing.
Bring your imagination and creative ideas to life with our Advanced 3D Animation and 3D Modelling program. You’ll learn the basics of modelling, texturing, lighting, and animating, while gaining hands-on experience with the tools and techniques that form the foundation of 3D animation.
Looking for a career that connects your passion for digital art with film and video games? Through our Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) program you’ll learn the skills you need to create the digital special effects in movies, TV shows and games. At KPU, you’ll receive hands-on training with the tools of the trade to take on visual effects and motion graphics roles in the entertainment arts industry.
The diverse needs of visual arts students are met in a vibrant environment with outstanding facilities, studios, exhibition spaces, visiting artists, student exchange programs, and opportunities for working with the community. Personal and professional development is encouraged as the degree prepares students to be practicing artists and contributing global citizens.
The Certificate of Arts degree is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students for work, citizenship, and an enriched life able to engage critically with their communities. By giving students a solid grounding in the Arts the certificate program enhances student abilities while laying a solid foundation for further study.
The Fine Arts Certificate is a foundation year program of related courses concerned with the fundamentals of visual art and visual communication. Like all Fine Arts programs, it can be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis. It provides a period of study, exploration and intense development of ideas and techniques.
Fine Arts offers a two-year Diploma Program and a one-year Certificate Program, both of which are designed to enable students to acquire a solid foundation in the basic skills of visual arts. Selected courses and groups of courses within the Diploma program may be applied to a 3rd year entry into the KPU Fine Arts BFA, Visual Arts or university transfer credit in Fine Arts and Education.
The Bachelor of Journalism program is unique in B.C., featuring multimedia storytelling experience utilizing the most current technologies. Students use industry-standard software to produce journalism that draws on the full range of multimedia storytelling possibilities, including animation, interactivity, audio, and video.
Communication Studies courses are also an important part of the program, including exploration of such issues as media law and ethics, media and diversity, and media and social change.
To many, it’s a piece of fabric. To you, it’s a blank canvas just waiting to be brought to life. Make your mark in the world of fashion with the only four-year degree program of its kind in Western Canada.
KPU’s Bachelor of Design, Fashion and Technology program has an international reputation for building tomorrow’s fashion leaders. Our unique, industry-focused curriculum gives students the design skills, business acumen and marketing savvy they need to compete in the global fashion marketplace.
Through this full-time, one-year program, you’ll explore concepts and develop skills in figure drawing, color and design, improvisation and visual decision-making, and sculpturing. You’ll also be introduced to industry software and learn the basics of modelling, texturing, lighting, animation and editing.
In the Creative Writing Department, learner engagement extends beyond the classroom to encompass learning from community and industry partners and peers. Creative Writing provides an excellent foundation in communication skills as well as the development of divergent and creative thinking abilities.
Credit for courses completed at other institutions may be transferred subject to the approval of the Music Chair. As well, first time registration for some courses may be allowed in January subject to the approval of the Music Chair and fulfillment of any course prerequisites.
The Associate of Arts Degree in Music is designed to provide a broad educational experience that prepares students for further study in the field of music and the arts.
The program fosters students’ creativity and versatility, equipping them to adapt to changing market demands and to apply learned theory and practice in a variety of cultural and service sectors.
The KPU Creative Writing Department offers students an opportunity to explore the craft of Creative Writing while earning a Minor. We offer award-winning faculty, small class sizes, and a rigorous approach to the discipline of writing.
Students who wish to major in Creative Writing are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in Creative Writing.
KPU’s Product Design degree provides a rigorous, hands-on education that combines a solid foundation in practical design principles such as construction and economics with design, with manufacturing and marketing. Whether engaging in robust academic studies, intensive design studio sessions or collaborating with industry partners, graduates of this program complete their studies poised for success as professionals.
When you embark on a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Technical Apparel Design, you’ll join an industry that pushes the limits of human potential. From giving elite athletes a competitive edge to saving the lives of outdoor enthusiasts, this booming industry blends creativity with cutting-edge technology to allow humans to move faster, survive longer and explore further.
The Interior Design program simulates a professional design environment. This “virtual design studio” offers integrated courses and curriculum, and emphasizes learning outcomes and essential skills throughout. These skills include: leadership, problem solving and creative thinking, teamwork, personal management, writing/oral/visual and interpersonal skills, research, visual literacy, mathematical and technological skills, citizenship, and an ability to view issues through a global perspective.
The Bachelor Interior Design (Honours) program affords students an opportunity to advance their design knowledge by investigating a topic of personal interest and working interdependently on an individually focused interior design project in Year 4 of the program.
Asset creation On-campus
Think Tank’s mentorship is designed to help artists that have previous training and/or experience brush up on their skills and produce a viable demo reel. Each student is assigned a personal, state-of-the-art workstation. During your time on campus, you will have access to 4-months of guidance from an industry professional to create and polish your demo reel.
Vancouver, Canada
12 Months
February | June | October
International Students: $50,800 CAD
Canadian Students: $38,400 CAD
asset creation Online
Asset Creation is a term used in the CG industry for the creation of all bits and pieces, both big and small, used in Film and Games. This Asset Creation program is designed to train working artists in the CG Industry for the roles of Props & Environments for Film, Characters & Creatures for Film, Environments for Games as well as Characters & Creatures for Games.
Online
16 Months
February | June | October
$15,840 CAD
If you pay for all 4 terms upfront, you will receive 5% off.
Mentorship
Think Tank’s mentorship is designed to help artists that have previous training and/or experience brush up on their skills and produce a viable demo reel. Each student is assigned a personal, state-of-the-art workstation. During your time on campus, you will have access to 4-months of guidance from an industry professional to create and polish your demo reel.
Vancouver, Canada
4 Months
February | June | October
International Students: $16,500 CAD
Canadian Students: $12,500 CAD
Certificate of Foundation in Entertainment Arts
Diploma in Advanced Game Development
Diploma in Advanced 2D Digital Animation Production
Diploma in Advanced 3D Animation & 3D Modeling
Diploma in Advanced Visual Effects – Virtual Production
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Creative Writing
Diploma in Music
Associate of Arts Degree in Music
Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts
Bachelor of Journalism
Bachelor of Journalism (Honours)
Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Technology
Bachelor of Design – Product Design
Postgraduate Diploma in Technical Apparel Design
Certificate of Arts
Certificate in Fine Arts
Diploma in Fine Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Visual Arts
Bachelor of Interior Design
Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours)
MENTORS
Learn from industry experts

Sholto Scruton
Furniture Design – Sholto Scruton established Sholto Design Studio in 2011. Since then, the studio has created bespoke furniture and exhibits for universities, museums, galleries, embassies, and other cultural institutions.

Paola Gavilanez
Interior Design – A registered interior designer with Interior Designers Institute of BC and Interior Designers of Canada. Her projects includes residential, commercial, hospitality and educational spaces.

Gordon Cobb
Music Educator – Graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School for the Contemporary Arts in Simon Fraser University and his Master of Music in Composition for New Media from the London College of Music in the UK and completed a PhD in Arts Education at SFU.

Nicola Harwood
Creative Writer – Chair of the Creative Writing Department and Coordinator of IDEA. She is a writer, theatre and interdisciplinary artist and teaches both Creative Writing and Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts courses. Her most recent work is in interactive media installation. She is also a playwright and memoirist.

Job Placement
Companies that have hired graduates


application process
How to apply to this college?
- Read course pages and select the course you’d like to study
- Fill out our application form
- Provide documents needed (check course page for individual course requirements)
- Confirm details
- Start learning!






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