You’re smart. Also funny and creative. You’ve been called “talented.” You do stuff like write, draw, paint, design posters, dance, play music, DJ, take cool photos, do stand-up comedy, shoot your own TikToks, create animated GIFs. You like new technology and have played with AI, and you're at home on Discord and Twitch. You like to make things and get stuff done. You’re the one who organizes the stage crew and the Talent Night. Maybe you’ve already done some other study – anthropology, English, history, psychology, graphic design, photography. Now you’re wondering: “Can I make a career out of any of this?”

The answer is yes: as an art director, copywriter, creative strategist, or account executive in the world of advertising – probably the most fun business you can be in while actually being paid (well) to be creative. And there is no better way to set yourself up for success in these careers than Humber’s Bachelor of Creative Advertising (BoCA) degree.

In this program, you’ll work hard. You’ll get a lot of depth and theory, but you’ll do even more hands-on work that puts that theory to real-world use. You'll build skills you never knew you had. You’ll have fun. You’ll grow, personally and professionally. You’ll meet lifelong friends and creative collaborators who will become the core of your future professional network. You’ll mix and work with industry professionals, build a killer portfolio and launch your career with a 14-week field experience – probably at one of the better agencies in the country.

The BoCA program provides a unique, 360-degree education in the key aspects of modern advertising: art direction, copywriting, account management and creative strategy. Over the four years of the degree, you not only go deep, you also discover your own particular creative strengths and identify your ideal career path while working in industry-standard teams and learning how to develop powerful, effective advertising campaigns.

So why do a degree? Because the BoCA program trains future industry leaders. Seventy-seven per cent of BoCA graduates currently work in advertising or related fields (design, PR, marketing). Our award-winning alumni work on major brands in top Canadian and international ad agencies. And 24 per cent of BoCA graduates more than five years out from graduation have moved into senior industry positions such as senior strategist, creative director, vice-president, partner and even agency founder.

Sound like you? Check out our grad profiles, awards lists and full program details on our website.

Courses

Admission Requirements

Admission selection is based on the following 4 requirements:

• .

  Academic

  To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses:
    • Grade 12 English (ENG4U or equivalent) minimum 65 per cent
    • Five Grade 12 U or M courses in addition to those listed above
    • Overall minimum grade point average (GPA) 65 per cent

  or

  • Mature student status

  or

  • College or university transfer status

  Mature Applicants

  Diplomas and Certificates

  An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

  Degrees

  An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

  College Transfer Applicants

  Diplomas and Certificates

  An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

  Degrees

  An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

  University Transfer Applicants

  Diplomas and Certificates

  An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

  Degrees

  An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

• .

  English Language Proficiency

  All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

• .

  International Credit Evaluation

  Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.

• .

  Portfolio

  In this program, we are looking for creative people who can write, who can design, and (especially) who can think.

  The portfolio requirement is meant to give us an idea of your basic creativity and thinking, either as a designer or as a writer. You may choose to submit either a visually-focused portfolio, or a writing-focused portfolio. But if you're not sure (or you are adept at both), feel free to include work from both categories. In short, show us what you can do!

  Note: the example(s) you submit do not have to be school assignments (but they could be). If you are thinking about submitting something that was a school assignment, consider re-working it and making it better. Make it not a school assignment anymore, but something that is entirely your own. Alternatively, feel free to do something completely new for this portfolio if you want. 

  Option 1: Copywriting Focus

  Submit minimum one, maximum three examples of your best original creative written work. This can be (but is not limited to): stories, poetry, skits (scripts or video), musical performances (especially your own compositions), case studies, or maybe just the smartest essay you ever wrote. What matters is that you believe it is an example of your best creative written work, and that it represents what you are capable of.

  Option 2: Art Direction Focus

  Submit minimum one, maximum three examples of your best original work representing your visual skills. Submissions can include traditional two-dimensional design projects (manually or electronically created) that show your skills with typography, page layout, or image manipulation (e.g., logos, posters, ads). In addition, works such as drawings (traditional or digital media), painting, collage, sculpture, furniture design, apps & web pages, graffiti, photography, video, short films, memes, animation, cosplay costumes, or set designs are all acceptable. 

  What we don't want to see: Yearbooks, self-portraits (any medium).

  Submission Instructions

  http://humber.ca/admissions/office-of-the-registrar/registration/submission-instructions.html

How to Apply

Applications are made through ontariocolleges.ca. See program page for details.

International Academic Equivalency

Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please see admission requirements on the program page to enter your location.

Fees

Equipment & Device Requirements

All Semesters

Additional Costs

For information regarding fees for work terms, refer to Fees.

Pathways

Humber offers a number of transfer options and pathway opportunities. Visit humber.ca/transferoptions or refer to the program page.

Contact Information

Richard Bingham, program co-ordinator
Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design
416.675.6622 ext.

3010

Admissions Questions

Domestic Students

416-675-5000
enquiry@humber.ca

International Students

Contact the International Centre

international.humber.ca/contact

1-416-675-5067

Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.

Select information only is included in this printable PDF. For complete program details, refer to humber.ca/programs.