Industrial Design at Carleton: Admission Average
Carleton University · Ottawa, ON
What average do you need for Industrial Design at Carleton?
Industrial Design at Carleton University typically admits students with averages in the high 80s, roughly 85–89%, plus portfolio. It ranks #2 of 15 Carleton programs by admission average.
Portfolio required, strong program in the capital.
How competitive is it?
Carleton is the only university we track that offers Industrial Design under this name.
As a rough guide, 89% or higher is above the typical range, 85% up to 89% is inside it, and 81% up to 85% is a reach. Cut-offs move every year, so apply to a mix of schools.
Ontario applicants are assessed on their top six Grade 12 U/M courses, including the program's prerequisites. Work out yours with the Best 6 calculator.
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- Advanced Functions
- Physics (at some programs)
- Portfolio of creative work
First-year courses
- Design Foundations
- 3D Modelling
- Materials
- Sketching
- Human Factors
These are typical for Industrial Design programs across Canada. About the Industrial Design degree
After a Industrial Design degree
Industrial Design usually takes 4 years.
- UX / Product Designer – $65,000 to $140,000
- Mechanical Engineer – $70,000 to $140,000
- Carleton's industrial design program is one of Canada's most respected.
- A strong physical/digital portfolio combining sketches, models, and 3D renders is essential for admission.
- Product design roles at tech companies (Apple, Google, Shopify, Samsung) actively recruit Canadian industrial designers.
Applying to Carleton
Carleton University is Ottawa's second major university and is known for exceptional engineering, journalism, public policy, and cybersecurity programs. Its proximity to the federal government and National Capital Region tech sector makes it a genuine advantage for co-op placements. Carleton has an outstanding tunnel system connecting virtually every building on campus - a much-appreciated practical detail in Canadian winters.
Carleton University is in Ottawa, ON, was founded in 1942 and has about 31,000 students. Domestic tuition is about $6,100 a year, co-op is available and first-year residence is guaranteed.
Deadlines: OUAC (Ontario) January 15.
- Carleton's cybersecurity programs have direct connections to the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and RCMP.
- The co-op program places heavily in federal government, tech firms, and aerospace - an Ottawa advantage that's hard to replicate.
- Carleton's tunnel system connecting all buildings is genuinely useful in harsh Ottawa winters.
Other Carleton programs
- Aerospace Engineering – high 80s-low 90s
- Computer Science – high 80s
- Software Engineering – high 80s
- Electrical Engineering – high 80s
- Mechanical Engineering – high 80s
- Civil Engineering – high 80s
- Computer Systems Engineering – high 80s
- Journalism – mid-to-high 80s
- Public Affairs & Policy Mgmt (BPAPM) – mid-to-high 80s
- Architecture – high 80s + portfolio
- Psychology – mid-to-high 80s
- Political Science – mid 80s
- Law & Legal Studies (BA) – mid-to-high 80s
- Criminology & Criminal Justice – mid 80s