About
The Certificate in Urban Design provides students with an understanding of the relationships between design thinking, the visual arts, the built environment, and the social and spatial conditions that drive the production of urban space. Over half of the courses are taught in a studio format, which supports applied experiential, conceptual, and skills-based training through making.
- Two-year certificate
- Full- or part-time program
- You can enter this program directly from high school
- You can begin this program off-campus
What you will learn
You will learn how to apply a user-centred design thinking approach to the creation of urban spaces. You will acquire skills in visual arts, urbanism and place-making, and you will work collaboratively with other students to apply what you have learned to real-world urban design challenges in order to better understand the production and societal impact of urban spaces.
INTS 111: Design and Society
This interdisciplinary team taught class will start by dismantling the notion that the practice of design is simply about making something look good and then move on to an examination of how professionals from a wide range of disciplines use design thinking principles to achieve goals ranging from making a better widget to building a better world.
PLAN 446: Advanced Urban Design Studio
The evolution of urban design will take shape through analysis of urban form, streetscapes, open spaces and architecture. Students will engage in graphic analysis, design exercises, discussions with local experts and community members, and the use of computer-aided design software tools and techniques. Working as teams, students will develop a design concept for a real-world public space in Saskatchewan using a community-engaged collaborative design process.
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
The Certificate in Urban Design at the University of Saskatchewan is the only program of its type in Canada that applies the methodology of design-thinking through visual arts and the built environment to work on the social and spatial conditions of urban life.
Over half of the courses are taught in a studio format, which supports applied experiential, conceptual, and skills-based training through making, and you will work as part of a collaborative team on your capstone project.
Careers
Design thinking is an influential methodology for creating products, services, and processes that meet user needs. It is used in a diverse range of fields, including architecture, business, computer science, engineering, healthcare, industrial design, visual arts, planning, and more.
The skills learned in the Certificate in Urban Design will advance a career in:
- Architecture
- Urban planning
- Curatorial and museum studies
- Public artistic practice
- Engineering
- Civil service
- Civic politics
- Public space programming
Tuition estimates
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $775.50 per 3 credit unit class | $3,753.30 per 3 credit unit class |
| Student fees | $1,308.24 per year | $1,308.24 per year |
Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay per class (2025-2026 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access. This estimate reflects the price you would pay if you are a full-time student.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 for this program.
Program options
The Certificate in Urban Design is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science. You may earn the certificate on its own, concurrently with a degree, or after having already received a degree from USask or another institution.
If you are already enrolled at USask, consult your academic advisor regarding enrolling in this program.
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
International students:
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The College of Arts and Science strongly recommends that international students do not enrol in a certificate program alone, as course offerings per term and program length may not be sufficient to maintain eligibility for a study permit, on/off-campus work permit, or post-graduation work permit when taken as a stand-alone program.
If you are interested in pursuing a certificate program, plan to enrol in your certificate of interest only alongside a degree. Learn more by visiting the International Student Guide and connect with an academic advisor if you are interested in adding a certificate to your degree program after you become a student!
- International Student Guide
- Academic advising
Admission requirements and deadlines
Deadlines
Ready to apply?
If you are a current USask student, consult your academic advisor about enrolling in this program.
To apply to this program as a new student, create an admissions account and apply for admission to any undergraduate program in the College of Arts and Science. When you are ready to submit your application, you will be assessed a non-refundable application fee of $120 CAD. After you are admitted, declare your plans to the college.
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