Cutoffs

Studying Chemistry in Ontario

You can’t always apply to chemistry directly. Some universities admit you straight into it; others admit you into a broad first-year category and you choose chemistry later. That difference is why searching for a major by name can make it look like a university doesn’t offer it.

Apply broad, choose chemistry later

  • Western University

    Apply to Science (ES)

    You choose chemistry at the end of first year, during Intent to Register in March.

    Science (ES) requires ENG4U and MCV4U plus two of a science/math list. SCH4U is not strictly required for admission, but Western states it is required to take first-year Chemistry, and every Chemistry module (Honours Specialization in Chemistry, Honours Specialization in Biochemistry and Chemistry, Specialization, Major) is built on it.

    https://welcome.uwo.ca/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/science.html

  • Queen's University

    Apply to Science – Physical and Chemical Sciences (QSP)

    You choose chemistry during Plan Selection in May at the end of first year.

    CORRECTED PREREQUISITES: an earlier version of this mapping said Science entry needs "Calculus and Vectors plus two of Bio/Chem/Physics" — that is the OLD general-Science rule. QSP requires English 4U, Calculus and Vectors 4U, and Physics 4U OR Chemistry 4U (one of, not two of three), plus three other 4U/M courses. Queen's admission FAQ confirms Advanced Functions 4U is no longer separately required for Science. CODE CAVEAT: Queen's own requirements table still shows only Science (QS); confirm QSP on OUAC.

    https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/undergraduate/first-year-students/plan-selection

  • McMaster University

    Apply to Chemical & Physical Sciences Gateway

    You choose chemistry at the end of first year.

    Honours Chemistry, Honours Chemical Biology and Honours Sustainable Chemistry are all Level 2 programs, listed off this Gateway. The Gateway gets you the Level 1 courses, not a reserved seat — limited-enrolment Level 2 programs are competitive on first-year GPA.

    https://future.mcmaster.ca/programs/chemical-and-physical-sciences-gateway/

  • University of Toronto — St. George

    Apply to Mathematical & Physical Sciences

    You choose chemistry at the end of first year.

    Chemistry sits under Mathematical & Physical Sciences, not Life Sciences — a common misapplication. Unlike Biology, the Chemistry Major AND Specialist are both limited enrolment in the calendar. SCH4U and MCV4U required; SBI4U is confirmed not required, SPH4U only recommended.

    https://future.utoronto.ca/program/chemistry/

  • University of Toronto — Mississauga

    Apply to Chemical & Physical Sciences

    You choose chemistry after first year (4.0 credits).

    Chemistry is in Chemical & Physical Sciences, not Life Sciences — students who apply to TML because 'chemistry is a science' land in the wrong category. This category name also has nothing to do with chemical engineering, which UTM does not offer.

    https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/programs/chemistry

  • University of Toronto — Scarborough

    Apply to Physical & Environmental Sciences (OUAC TSP)

    You choose chemistry end of first year, on ACORN.

    Chemistry is NOT under Life Sciences at UTSC — it applies under Physical & Environmental Sciences, OUAC TSP (TXH for the Health Sciences stream), which is missing from this dataset's slug list. Prerequisite trap: Advanced Functions, Calculus & Vectors and Physics are required, while Grade 12 Chemistry itself is only recommended. Mid 70s, high 70s for co-op.

    https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/admissions/programs/chemistry

  • University of Waterloo

    Apply to Physical Sciences

    You choose chemistry you name Chemistry as your major when you apply to Physical Sciences.

    "Apply to Physical Sciences and choose Chemistry as your major." Physical Sciences is the umbrella for eight majors: Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Physics, Physics and Astronomy, Biological and Medical Physics, Mathematical Physics, Materials and Nanosciences, and Earth Sciences. Every major is available co-op or regular except Medicinal Chemistry, which is co-op only. Requirements are the full Science set: English, Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors (all 70%) plus two sciences, low 80s.

    https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/programs/chemistry

Read off each university’s own admissions pages, and covering the seven campuses Ontario students apply to most. Entry structures change — confirm with the university before you build a timetable around one. Search all programs.