Admissions & Academic Requirements

All offers of admission to OCAD U's studio-based degree programs, the Bachelor of Design (BDes) and the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) are based on the strength of the applicant’s portfolio and are conditional upon meeting the minimum academic requirements and supplying all required documentation as outlined below. After you apply, you will be notified by email of the details for submitting your portfolio for assessment.

Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies is based on a combination of a review of the written assignment and your academic records. Applicants to the BA in Visual and Critical Studies are required to submit the following to be considered for admission:

• Statement of Intent
• Original writing sample responding to an assigned topic provided by OCAD U
• Official transcripts

After you apply you will be notified by email of the exact dates and deadlines for you to submit your supplemental application materials, the topic for the writing sample and when you will need to meet the academic entrance requirements.

Ontario Secondary School Applicants:

• Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
• Grade 12 U English (ENG4U or EAE4U) with a minimum final grade of 70%
• A total of at least six Grade 12 U or M level courses (including ENG4U or EAE4U) with a minimum overall academic average of 70%

Please note: if your first language is not English and you have not completed at least four consecutive years of high school in an English-medium school system you are also required to submit successful English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) results in addition to ENG4U.

• Graduated high school
• Equivalent of 70% minimum average in university preparatory courses
• Senior level academic English course minimum final grade of 70% and/or equivalent test

Academic Requirements by Province

Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut: Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of 5 academic Grade 12 courses numbered 30 or 31 with a 70% overall final average including English Language Arts 30-1 with a final grade of 70% or above.

British Columbia and Yukon: Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with a minimum of 5 Grade 12 courses with a 70% overall final average. One of these courses must be English Studies 12, English 12 or English 12 First Peoples with a final grade of 70% or above in that course. OCAD U will consider the in-class mark in EN12 as well as the final mark including the provincial exam, if applicable.

We do not provide a list of specifically approved Grade 12 courses; we will accept Ministry approved grade 12 courses with the exception of challenge exam, career and work experience courses.

Manitoba: Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of 5 academic Senior 4 courses at the 40S-level with a minimum 70% overall final average including English 40S with a final grade of 70% or above.

New Brunswick: High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum 5 academic credits at the 120, 121 or 122 level with a minimum 70% overall final average including English 121 or 122 with a final grade of 70% or above.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Senior High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum of 10 credits at the 3000 level or higher with a minimum 70% overall average including English 3201 with a final grade of 70% or above.

Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Graduation Certificate with a minimum of 5 academic or advanced Grade 12 courses with a minimum 70% overall final average including English 12 (academic or advanced) with a final grade of 70% or above.

Ontario: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with a minimum of 6 Grade 12 U or M courses including with a minimum 70% overall final average including ENG4U (or EAE4U) with a final grade of 70% or above.

Prince Edward Island: High School Diploma with a minimum of 5 Grade 12 academic courses at the 611 or 621 level with a 70% overall final average including English 621 with a final grade of 70% or above.

Quebec – CEGEP: Candidates completing a minimum of 12 academic semester courses with a minimum 70% overall final average will be considered for admission. Candidates completing a minimum of 24 academic semester courses may be considered with advanced standing or transfer credit. Also required: 2 semester courses in English (603 or 604 series) with a final averaged grade of 70% or above.

Quebec Private: Grade 12 Certificate of Graduation with a minimum of 6 Grade 12 academic courses (university preparation level) with a minimum 70% overall final average including Grade 12 English (university preparation level) with a final grade of 70% or above.

Saskatchewan: Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of 5 academic Grade 12 courses at the 30-level with a minimum 70% overall final average including English A30 or B30 with a final grade of 70% or above.

Please note: If your first language is not English and you have not completed at least four consecutive years of high school in an English-medium school system you are required to submit successful English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) results in addition to Grade 12 English (or equivalent).
 

International High School applicants:

Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario with an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent in the final year and:

• If you are applying from a country or school system with English as the official language of instruction, a minimum grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent in English 12 or equivalent course is required. 
• If you are applying from a country or school system with a language other than English as the official language of instruction, OR if your first language is not English and you have not completed at least four consecutive years of high school in an English-medium school system, you are required to present the successful results of an English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT).

International Baccalaureate (IB):

The admission average for an IB Diploma applicant is generally calculated on 3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level subjects. A minimum final score of 24 points is required. IB English must be included as one of these courses with a final grade of 4 or higher. Transfer credit may be awarded to students who achieve a grade of at least 5 in Higher Level IB courses that are approved as equivalent to OCAD U courses.

Please Note: Applicants not completing the full IB Diploma must provide official transcripts and proof of Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario with an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent in the final year and satisfy English entrance requirements.

British Pattern Curriculum: 

Applicants must provide proof of completion of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE/IGCSE) with five O-Level subjects with a minimum C grade or better as well as General Certificate of Education Advanced or Advanced Supplementary Levels (GCE-A or GCE-AS) with at least two A-Levels or four AS-Levels. Minimum grade of C in each A/AS-Level is required. English at the A-Level or AS-Level is recommended but must at least be completed at the O-Level.  

Applicants with Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

OCAD U recognizes the value of AP courses and will take successful completion of these courses into consideration when assessing academic requirements. Transfer credit may be awarded to students who achieve a grade of 4 or higher in courses that are approved as equivalent to OCAD U courses.

Study Permit/Student Visa:

All international students must have a valid Study Permit/Student Visa before registering at OCAD U. We strongly recommend that you apply for your study permit as soon as the offer of admission is received.

For first year applicants coming from another university or college, we will review grade 12 and/or post-secondary school grades to ensure applicants have the equivalent of our academic entrance average requirements for those applying directly from high school. Applicants must also meet our English prerequisite which can be fulfilled by an appropriate grade 12 English course or post-secondary English course (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of 70% or equivalent.

Please note: if your first language is not English and you have not completed at least four consecutive years of education in an English-medium school system, you must submit successful English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) results to fulfill the English prerequisite. Some exemptions will be considered.

More information for applicants with previous post-secondary education can be found at Transfer Pathways.

Mature Applicants:

To be considered as a Mature Applicant, you must be at least 20 years of age by September 1 of the year of intended enrolment and not engaged in formal education for at least two years. Satisfactory proof of proficiency in English (a course or a test) is required of all applicants.

U of T Woodsworth College Academic Bridging Program:

OCAD University has established a partnership with the Academic Bridging Program at the University of Toronto's Woodsworth College. OCAD U will now accept successful completion of the Academic Bridging Program as equivalent to meeting the requirements for entry and will grant Liberal Arts & Science transfer credits to students entering via that pathway. Learn more about this option.