What is GBDA?

Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) is where your design and business ideas turn into something truly powerful.

A combination of diverse skills and experiences is the key ingredient to disruptive creativity and innovation. With this in mind, the GBDA program encourages you to embrace your varied interests and study what you are passionate about, all while positioning yourself for a rewarding and successful career.

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Program features

  • Earn a one-of-a-kind Honours Bachelor of Global Business and Digital Arts degree

  • A unique combination of courses in creative design, technology and business
  • Complete team-based, project-driven learning in collaboration with classmates, professors, and industry mentors that enables you to gain experience and build your skills

  • Connections with industry partners and mentors who will share their expertise with you

  • Exclusive access to the Stratford School campus, a unique digital ecosystem that offers all the resources, services and equipment you need to complete your studies

  • Spend the first year primarily at the Waterloo campus and your final three years at the Stratford School campus

*Please note, information that is reflected on this web page is valid through the 2022-2023 academic calendar year. It is subject to change.

Graduate with Four Terms of Work Experience

The Global Business and Digital Arts program will equip you with the skills to effectively engage with and manage multidisciplinary teams – a skill that employers say is vital in today’s ever-changing digital economy. Students work with companies like Amazon, Google, TELUS Digital, Manulife, LCBO Innovation Lab, and many others.

In addition to our project-based learning environment, we connect students to challenges that exist in the real world. This means you'll be well-prepared for a multitude of career opportunities. Over the course of four co-op terms, you’ll connect your classroom learning with full-time paid work.

Read more about Co-Op within GBDA

Enhance your Education with a Term Abroad

We encourage Global Business and Digital Arts students to expand their global outlook. You have the opportunity to study in another country through our Go Abroad program - our students are heading to universities in Spain, England, Sweden, and China, just to name a few.

Students have a world of options through partner universities across the globe, and the process is supported through the Student Success Office. You can also pursue the Global Experience Certificate - by completing language courses, a cross-cultural volunteer placement, and an international experience you can obtain a certificate that recognizes your efforts to become a global citizen.

Read more about Going Abroad in GBDA

Access to Equipment and Facilities

As a Global Business and Digital Arts student, you have exclusive access to the resources and services available at the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business. These state-of-the-art equipment and facilities provided for your classes and projects are included with your tuition, and provide you with everything needed for your classes and projects.

Read more about Resources and Services at the Stratford School

Life in Stratford

The City of Stratford is excited to welcome you! From the world-renowned Stratford Festival to one-of-a kind shops and restaurants, Stratford is a thriving city that continues to evolve. A growing hub for digital media, technology and commerce.

Looking for a place to live in Stratford? Visit Off Campus Housing for tips and Places4Students for listings.

Live On-Campus in a Living Learning Community.

First-year students are guaranteed housing and have the option to join the GBDA Living Learning Community (LLC). LLC’s are communities that bring together students in the same program to help enhance their social and academic experience while in residence as well as being assigned a Peer Leader who will set up one-on-one goal targets with their LLC students. Students are required to indicate their interest in living in an LLC on the First-Year Guarantee Residence Application. Application closes June 3, 2023, 11:59pm ET.