Illustration

Ontario High School Applicants; first-year BFA/BDes/BA admission, with its separately required supplemental material

• Ontario Secondary School Applicants: Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Grade 12 U English (ENG4U, EWC4U, ETS4U, EAE4U, EAC4U, or EAL4U) with a minimum final grade of 70% A total of at least six Grade 12 U or M level courses (including ENG4U, EWC4U, ETS4U, EAE4U, EAC4U, or EAL4U) 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 Grade 12 University Level English.

Canadian High School Applicants from Outside Ontario; first-year BFA/BDes/BA admission, with its separately required supplemental material

• 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 Applicants; first-year BFA/BDes/BA admission, with its separately required supplemental material

• 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.

Transfer Applicants; first-year BFA/BDes/BA admission, with its separately required supplemental material

• 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 .

Non-traditional Applicants; first-year BFA/BDes/BA admission, with its separately required supplemental material

• 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 .

First-year Illustration applicants; this current linked faculty guide supplements the general statement/process rules

• 8–10 pieces emphasizing 2D work and including observational drawing. Sketchbook/process documentation counts toward the piece total; provide a 50-word explanation per finished piece.
• Submit the general first-year statement of intent of at most 300 words.

Applicants with at least one completed postsecondary year in an equivalent programme, subject to individual assessment

• Apply using the OUAC upper-year programme code. Portfolio and transcript determine Year 2/3 placement; applicants unsuccessful for upper-year entry are considered for first year.
• At least50% of the degree must be completed at OCAD U; fourth-year admission is not offered. Upper-year portfolio requires an approximately 350-word statement of intent.

Only Year 2/3 applicants to the exact degree named in the current upper-year guide; not first-year applicants

• Year 2 requires equivalent one-year study; Year 3 requires equivalent two-year study.
• Maximum 350-word statement, 10–20 original finished works uploaded individually, approximately 50-word descriptions including title/media/size, and supplementary process documentation.
• The exact discipline considerations in the linked guide apply to the programme selected.

Only applicants subject to English-language evidence; exemptions are evaluated from supporting records rather than assumed

• Test results will be considered valid if completed within 24 months of the intended start date at OCAD U. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Score Requirements: Minimum 6.5 overall with no part below 6.0 (Academic Module). *OCAD U uses the IELTS online verification system. Provide your Test Report Form (TRF) number to the Admissions & Recruitment office. *OCAD U will accept the IELTS One-Skill retake *OCAD U does not accept the IELTS Indicator for admission purposes. Cambridge Assessment English - Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency Score Requirements: A minimum overall score of 180, with at least 170 in each component. For information, visit the Cambridge English website . Results from the B2 First exam are not accepted (regardless of the result achieved). Use the "Send Your Result" function of the Candidate Results portal to send your results electronically to the OCAD University TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT (Including Home Edition and Paper Edition): Score Requirements for tests completed before January 21, 2026: Minimum total score of 84 with at least: 20 in Reading 19 in Listening 22 in Speaking 20 in Writing Score Requirements for tests completed on or after January 21, 2026: Minimum total score of 4.5 with at least: 4.0 in Reading 4.0 in Listening 4.5 in Speaking 4.0 in Writing *OCAD U's institution code for TOEFL is 0537, use this code to send your results electronically from ETS-TOEFL. *OCAD U will accept TOEFL MyBest (super-scored) results. *OCAD U does not accept TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL ITP or TOEFL ITP Plus for China for admission purposes. PTE Academic (Pearson Test) Score Requirements: Minimum 58 overall with at least 56 in all sections (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing) *OCAD U will only accept scores submitted electronically through myPTE account. For more information, visit the PTE Help Center: Scoring page Duolingo English Test (DET) Score Requirements: Minimum overall score of 110 with at least 105 in Production Please note: Duolingo test takers who achieve an overall score of 110 but who score below 105 in the Production sub-score are required to enroll in OCAD U’s EAD: Expanded Program which includes a reduced course load in the Fall term. EAD: Expanded students are also required to enroll in the ELL section of ENGL 1004: The Essay and The Argument in the Winter term to ensure continued language support. *To send your results, log in to your Duolingo English Test account and use the “Send Results” function to forward your results to “OCAD University - Undergraduate”. You will be prompted to add your OUAC Reference number to your request. Oxford ELLT (Oxford English Language Level Test) Score Requirements: Overall Score 7 with no individual sub-score band below 6 (sub-score bands are Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing) *Results must be sent to us electronically by the testing service. CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) Score Requirements: Minimum 70 overall with no band below 60 (sub-score bands are Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing) *To submit your results, sign in to your CAEL Account and select OCAD University as a recipient institution. Results are transmitted to us electronically. ELDA/ COPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) and ELDA/TOP (Test of Oral Proficiency) Score Requirements: Minimum 86 overall with at least: 32 in Writing 22 in Reading 22 in Listening. Minimum score of 6 in TOP. *Results must be sent to us electronically by the testing service. English Proficiency Test Exemptions OCAD University will consider exemptions from the English language proficiency test requirement if you meet one of the following categories. Exemptions are not automatic and are based on official transcripts and/or supporting documents. You may be required to provide an official letter from your school indicating the language of instruction is English if it is not clearly indicated on your transcript or school profile. You are currently attending an accredited high school/secondary school where the primary medium of instruction is English and will successfully complete at least 4 years of full-time academic studies immediately prior to your anticipated start date at OCAD University You have attended and successfully completed at least 4 years of full-time academic studies at an accredited high school/secondary school where the primary medium of instruction is English within two years (24 months) prior to your anticipated start date at OCAD University You have attended and successfully completed at least 2 years of full-time academic studies (non-ESL/ELL/EAP programs) at an accredited Community College (post-secondary) where the primary medium of instruction is English within two years (24 months) prior to your anticipated start date at OCAD University. You have attended and successfully completed at least 1 year of full-time academic studies (non-ESL/ELL/EAP programs) at an accredited University where the primary medium of instruction is English within two years (24 months) prior to your anticipated start date at OCAD University. You have completed or will successfully complete an English language program with an acceptable Language Pathway program partner. Official documentation must be submitted directly from the English language pathway institution. You may also qualify for an exemption if you have resided and studied in English (for at least four years) in any of the following countries/territories: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, St. Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, eSwatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Wales), United States of America, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In addition, Francophone Canadian citizens educated in Canada will not be required to provide English Language Proficiency Test results. Please note: This list is for information only. Your eligibility for an exemption will be determined after you have submitted your application for admission and relevant supporting documentation (i.e.: transcripts). Please Also Note: For immigration purposes, you may be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada during the study permit application process even if you qualify for an English language proficiency test exemption at OCAD U. Also note that not all language tests are acceptable for immigration purposes.