Studying Philosophy in Ontario
You can’t always apply to philosophy directly. Some universities admit you straight into it; others admit you into a broad first-year category and you choose philosophy 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 philosophy later
Western University
Apply to Arts & Humanities (EA)
You choose philosophy at the end of first year, during Intent to Register in March.
Philosophy is in Arts & Humanities (EA), which needs only ENG4U. If you actually want Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE), that is run by the Department of Political Science in Social Science (EO) — a different code, so list EO if PPE is the goal.
https://welcome.uwo.ca/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/arts-humanities.htmlQueen's University
Apply to Arts (QA)
You choose philosophy during Plan Selection in May at the end of first year.
Chosen after first year through Arts (QA), where English 4U is the only hard prerequisite. Philosophy also feeds the Cognitive Science plan, which is confirmed in the Arts and Science plan list and is requested at the same Plan Selection point.
https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/programs-and-degreesMcMaster University
Apply to Humanities I
You choose philosophy at the end of first year, ranking your choices in Mosaic in April.
Everyone in Humanities enters through one general first year. Philosophy itself is open, but the Philosophy department's Justice, Political Philosophy and Law program is limited enrolment and requires a separate supplementary application in first year — rank it first if you want it.
https://future.mcmaster.ca/programs/humanities/University of Toronto — St. George
Apply to Humanities
You choose philosophy at the end of first year.
Calendar confirms both the Philosophy Major and the Philosophy Specialist are open enrolment — 4.0 credits and you're in. ENG4U is the only Grade 12 requirement.
https://future.utoronto.ca/program/philosophy/University of Toronto — Mississauga
Apply to Humanities
You choose philosophy after first year (4.0 credits).
Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Logic and Ethics, Law & Society all live behind the Humanities code.
https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/programs/philosophyUniversity of Toronto — Scarborough
Apply to Social Sciences & Humanities (OUAC TUD)
You choose philosophy end of first year, on ACORN.
Entry point is TUD, not in this dataset. Grade 12 English only, mid 70s (high 70s for co-op).
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/admissions/programs/philosophyUniversity of Waterloo
Apply to Honours Arts
You choose philosophy at the end of first year.
One of the 28 Honours Arts majors, declared at the end of first year through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business. There is no separate admission stream and no philosophy-specific prerequisite — any 4U English at 70% is the only named course requirement.
https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/programs/philosophy
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.