Admission Requirements & Program Highlights
VABE – Visual Arts and the Built Environment (VABE) is a unique program offered by the University of Windsor’s School of Creative Arts (SOCA) in collaboration with the University of Detroit Mercy’s (UDM) School of Architecture. This crossborder program combines the study of art and architecture and offers you the breadth of knowledge and experience in both disciplines. You will have the opportunity to take courses in Windsor and Detroit. If you are interested in pursuing architecture, and qualify in the third year, you can apply to the Architectural Program at UDM. This option leads either to a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture after fourth year from UDM or, after a fifth year of study, a professional degree at the master’s level from UDM (MArch).
Admission Requirements
Course Requirements
Minimum Average
ENG4U, SPH4U and MHF4U required, MCV4U is recommended. The VABE program is open to Canadian citizens legally permitted to commute to the United States. Minimum average of 75%.
75%*
* Average over six Grade 12 U or M courses
Course Requirements
Minimum Average
Grade 12 English, Grade 12 Physics and Grade 12 Advanced Functions required, Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors is recommended. The VABE program is open to Canadian citizens legally permitted to commute to the United States. Minimum average of 75%.
75%*
* Average over six Grade 12 courses
Course Requirements
Minimum Average
Grade 12 English, Grade 12 Physics and Grade 12 Advanced Functions required, Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors is recommended. The VABE program is open to Canadian citizens legally permitted to commute to the United States. Minimum average of 75%.
75%*
* Average over six Grade 12 courses
Functional Knowledge
- Focused iterative learning on architecture, design, and visual graphic communication using traditional media and digital industry standard software
- Understand the mean and methods used to create structures through construction and sustainable technologies
- Expressing oneself confidently, assertively, and purposefully through visual imagery
- Creating works of visual art using a variety of techniques, practices, and media
- Developing visual literacy: the ability to understand the powerful role of images in contemporary media contexts and to convey one’s own ideas and arguments thoughtfully through the creation of new images, works of art, film, or architecture
- Designing, staging, managing, and overseeing effective visual campaigns and productions
- Analyzing and assessing works of visual art for formal/technical quality of expression; grouping and curating disparate works logically and meaningfully
- Understanding and evaluating the rhetorical function of visual advertising materials
Apply to UWindsor
With the programs you want and smaller student-to-faculty ratios, you can get the hands-on learning that's sure to set you on a journey to a future you'll be proud of.
Explore Opportunities
Explore a selection of recommended opportunities for students in this program. Below you'll find many options – you don’t have to do everything on it or limit yourself to it. Engage in opportunities from each of the three categories to set yourself up for success.
Let's Talk About Visual Arts & the Built Environment
We’re here to help you along the way. Contact us to learn more about our program options.
Career Planning
Intentional career planning will help you prepare for your next step after graduation. It is a fluid, dynamic, and continuous process, meaning you can move on or return to an earlier stage at any time. You can even work through simultaneous cycles, like one for your long-term dream job and another for a summer job.

Build your Skills and Experience
Your UWindsor experience is more than attending classes. It is a combination of academics, co-curricular activities, and extracurricular involvement. By making the most of all three elements of your university experience, you will maximize your opportunities to build your skills, broaden your personal network, and clarify your long term academic and career goals.

Curriculum
Courses of study specific to each program

Co-Curriculum
Activities and experiences that complement coursework (Outstanding Scholars, peer mentoring, VIP)

Extracurriculum
Activities falling outside of the scope of set curriculum (Part-time job, clubs, volunteering, athletics
Visit UWindsor
Windsor/Essex County is a beautiful region situated in the heart of the Great Lakes. We enjoy the warmest climate in Ontario, with a long Summer and short Winter. Come see us, you won't want to leave.
Visit UWindsor
Windsor/Essex County is a beautiful region situated in the heart of the Great Lakes. We enjoy the warmest climate in Ontario, with a long Summer and short Winter. Come see us, you won't want to leave.

Join us for
Spring Open House
March 2, 2019
10am - 4pm
Free Tuition Draw
Life After Graduation

"VABE has been the best university experience I could ask for. The VABE program offers opportunities to learn in so many different ways, from tactile and experience based learning to theory and calculus, and allows for students to work one-on-one with professors to develop their skills. Being able to use my passion for art as well as my love of math and problem solving to design for the future is something that could only happen in the VABE program."
Amanda Gatto –
BFA in Visual Arts and the Built Environment
92.5%
Employment rate of graduates 2 years following degree
completion
(OUGS Fine and Applied Arts, 2014)
Common Industries for Visual Arts & The Built Enviroment Graduates
- Academia and research
- Advertising and marketing
- Art/illustration
- Architecture and Design industry
- Education: Public and private stream, tutoring
- Government: Research and policy development
- Media and journalism: Criticism, visual production
- Urban Planning
Career Tracks*
- Architectural journalism
- Art/architectural history
- Building design
- Construction
- Development
- Interior spatial design
- Project and facility management
- Real estate
- Restoration
- Set production
- Urban planning and revitalization
- Visual Arts
* Additional education and/or training required for some of the above careers.
Let's Connect
You probably have a lot of questions. We're here to help. Connect with us and we'll discover your higher education needs together.