Our application process is straightforward and our requirements are set out below. We also have a handy FAQ to help you along the way.
The application deadline for Fall 2013/2014 entry into all programs is January 14, 2013. All application materials must be received by the Office of Graduate Studies by this date.
Applicants must complete the Graduate Studies Application Form. A printed, signed copy must be included with your application package.
All application forms may be found here.
Applicants must provide one copy of their official academic transcript from every post-secondary institution attended. Transcripts must be enclosed in an envelope provided by the institution(s) concerned and sealed or signed across the back of the envelope. Do not open. Note that faxed or photocopied records are not considered official and that documents submitted will not be returned to the student.
Applicants who attended universities outside North America must provide notarized English translations to accompany all documentation not written in English.
Applicants must indicate on their application form the names of those individuals who will be providing a letter of reference on their behalf.
Referees must complete the Graduate Studies Reference Form and provide it to the applicant in a sealed envelope, signed across the back of the envelope. It is recommended that referees attach a written letter of reference to the completed form. Applicants must include these forms and letters in the sealed envelope as part of their complete application package.
Although some supporting documents (application form, transcripts, reference forms, etc.) are required by all programs, each program has additional requirements for a complete application (e.g., portfolio). Please visit the individual “Apply to this Program” pages for more detailed information.
Your application must include a $100 CDN application fee in the form of a cheque, cash or money order made payable to OCAD University. Credit card payments are not accepted.
The official language of instruction at OCAD U is English. (Subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Committee of the program concerned, a student may write his/her thesis and be examined in French.) An applicant whose primary language is not English or whose previous education has been conducted in another language must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue their chosen program before being accepted into that program. Applicants are required to achieve a satisfactory score on one of the following standardized English tests that include a writing component:
TOEFL IBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test) with an overall score of 90 and no scores below the following:
If IBT is not available:
Visit the Scholarships and Funding page for more information. Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS): Applicants must indicate they will be applying for OGS on their completed Graduate Studies Application Form, and complete the full scholarship application process at the time of submission.
All application forms may be found here.
Please use the checklist on the Graduate Studies Application Form to ensure that you have included all of the required materials. Please note that only complete application packages will be accepted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Incomplete files will not be processed.
Your OCAD U file is created once we receive your complete application package. Once your file is created, you will receive an official email acknowledgement from the office. Our application processing time is normally one to two weeks.
Once the Admissions Committee has had an opportunity to review the applications, you will be contacted by the Office of Graduate Studies if your application has been shortlisted to invite you for an interview (where applicable). The application review process, including interviews, normally takes from four to six weeks.
This year you have the option of submitting as many application materials as possible though our online portal ocadu.slideroom.com. However, we will also need to receive a hard copy of your admissions form, as well as all transcripts, reference letters and fees by the application deadline.
All programs available for SlideRoom online applications are listed on our SlideRoom portal; it is very important that you upload your application materials into the program to which you are applying.
SlideRoom allows you to log in and edit your submission as often as required. However, once your application materials have been submitted, no further changes will be allowed. Once you select submit, you will be charged a small SlideRoom user fee (fees may vary by program).
Contact support@slideroom.com for technical assistance. You can also access the SlideRoom help desk at slideroom.zendesk.com.
For applicants mailing in their full applications, complete application packages must be received at the Office of Graduate Studies by the application deadline.
For applicants submitting additional application material through SlideRoom, please note: all additional materials and fees must be received at the Office of Graduate Studies by the application deadline.
Mailing Address:
Graduate Admissions
Office of Graduate Studies
OCAD University
100 McCaul St.
Toronto, ON M5T 1W1 Canada
Once a decision is made on your application, you will receive an official letter in the mail from our office. It is very important to inform the Office of Graduate Studies of any address change during the application process. You will have limited time (normally at least three weeks) to accept the offer of admission. If you decide to accept the offer, you will have to sign and return the attached acceptance form along with a non-refundable tuition deposit.
Please note that applicants meeting the minimum requirements for admission are not assured admission into a graduate program. Furthermore, program admission may be limited to students whose interests are compatible with available resources and faculty expertise.
If you receive a letter from the Graduate Office informing you that you have not been selected for admission, you may fall into one of three general categories:
Graduate students at other universities who wish to take courses at OCAD U not leading to a degree may be admitted, with the appropriate permissions, through the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Plan (OVGS) or the Canadian University Graduate Transfer Agreement (CUGTA). Information on these programs and application forms should be available through the graduate department at your home university. Please visit the Graduate Course Calendar for OCAD U course descriptions.
International students wishing to take one or more graduate courses at OCAD U must complete the Visiting/Exchange Student Application form.
The application deadline for Fall 2013/2014 entry into all programs is January 14, 2013. All application materials must be received by the Office of Graduate Studies by that date.
This year you have the option of submitting as many application materials as possible though our online portal ocadu.slideroom.com. However, we will also need to receive a hard copy of your admissions form, as well as all transcripts, reference letters and fees by the application deadline.
Yes. Each program lists their admission requirements under “Apply to this program.” Most indicate they will accept a “comparable honours degree/certification” when an applicant does not have the degree type indicated. However, it is important to remember that the application process can be highly competitive and you may be competing with other applicants who more closely meet the admission requirements for that program.
In most cases, we are looking for academic references, such as a current or former professor or academic advisor who is familiar with your work and can speak to your academic potential. However, we will also accept reference letters from employers and other individuals who can speak to your work ethic and practice, particularly for more professionally oriented programs and for applicants who have been out of school for a long period of time. Each referee must complete the Reference Form.
We recommended that referees also attach a written letter of reference to the completed form.
No. Letters of reference and transcripts should be sent to you, the applicant, in signed, sealed envelopes for you to include in the complete application package. We recommend that you request these materials as early as possible so that you have everything ready by the application deadline.
Yes. We require that you provide official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended (whether you have completed a full degree or just one class).
Original work should not be submitted. OCAD U will not accept any responsibility for the portfolio or samples of work and portfolios will not be returned to the applicant.
A limited number of scholarships may be available to full-time students. All applicants are automatically considered for any available scholarships (you do not need to apply). Scholarships are subject to available funds and the allocation decisions of the Admissions Committee. For more information about scholarships and funding visit the section on Scholarships.
No. Your application must include a $100 CDN application fee in the form of a cheque or money order made payable to OCAD University. Credit card payments are not accepted.
If you have questions about your application please email gradstudies@ocad.ca and allow two to three business days for a reply. Your patience is greatly appreciated. You may also call the Graduate Studies office at 416-977-6000 ext. 423.
Office of Graduate Studies
Rm. 7520, 5th Floor
205 Richmond Street West (at Duncan)
Toronto, ON
Office hours are: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Office of Graduate Studies
OCAD University
100 McCaul St.
Toronto, ON M5T 1W1
Canada
Your OCAD U file is created once we receive your complete application package. Once your file is created, you will receive an official acknowledgement email from the Office of Graduate Studies. Our application processing time is normally two to three weeks.
Once the Admissions Committee has had an opportunity to review the applications, you will be contacted by the Office of Graduate Studies if your application has been shortlisted to invite you for an interview (where applicable). The application review process, including interviews, normally takes from four to six weeks. Once a decision is made on your application, you will receive an official letter from our office.