OCAD University

How OCAD actually handles things

From the OUAC’s Guidance Dialogues Resource Guide (Spring 2026), which OUAC publishes for guidance counsellors rather than students. Read the original. Policies change — confirm anything you’re about to act on.

If you repeat a course

Which mark they use when you take a course twice.

We will use the highest grade to calculate the final entrance average.

Summer school, night school, e-learning and private school

Whether courses taken outside your regular day school are treated the same.

Provided that the course is completed at a Ministryinspected and -approved institution, we will accept Grade 12 U/M courses regardless of how or where students take them. Final official documents are due in July or August each year.

Your Grade 11 marks

Whether they look at Grade 11, and when.

In general, we do not consider Grade 11 grades in admission decisions. Supplemental Application

A writing sample based on an assigned topic and statement of intent are required for admission consideration for our Visual and Critical Studies program.

A writing portfolio is required for admission consideration for our Creative Writing program.

All other programs require a portfolio submission for admission consideration. Portfolio requirements may vary by program. Ranking on OUAC Application

We consider all applicants and applications equally, regardless of the ordered choice on the OUAC application. Tuition Deposit

A non-refundable admission confirmation deposit is required by June 8, 2026. Deposit amounts may vary. First-year Course Selection Process

Automatic entrance scholarships

Money you get for your average without applying for it.

We do not offer guaranteed entrance scholarships.

Bursaries

Bursaries are available based on financial need once a student is enrolled at the University. https://admissions.ocadu.ca/afford/funding-options

Special consideration

If something happened that affected your marks.

We make every effort to help facilitate the application process for applicants who require special consideration or assistance.

Email admissions@ocadu.ca for further details.

Deferring your offer

Taking a year before you start.

We generally grant deferrals only in cases of extenuating circumstances.

Email admissions@ocadu.ca for more details.

AP and IB

Applicants who have completed AP credits with a final score of 4 or higher may be eligible for transfer credit if applicable to program requirements. Official score reports and transfer credit request forms are required. Applicants must also meet minimum academic entrance requirements, based on high school transcripts.

We will consider applicants who have successfully completed the IB diploma with at least 6 subjects, including IB English and 3 courses at the Higher Level, with a minimum final grade total of 24, for admission.

We may consider individual IB Higher Level courses with a grade of 5 or better for transfer credit if applicable to program requirements. Official results from IB and transfer credit request forms are required.

https://admissions.ocadu.ca/apply/academic-requirements

Changing programs

Flow: Curricular Transformation is an initiative to renew our curriculum. It has created a more open, inclusive, interdisciplinary and learner-directed educational experience for our students. All undergraduate programs have been renewed.

Transfer credit

Details on our transfer pathways, transfer credit policies, upper-year entry consideration, articulation agreements and other requirements are available at: https://admissions.ocadu.ca/apply/transfer-options.

English proficiency

In general, applicants with a first language other than English are required to submit English-language proficiency test results in addition to satisfying minimum academic entrance requirements.

We accept results from the following tests: o CAEL o Duolingo o IELTS o PTE o TOEFL

We encourage applicants to complete English-language proficiency tests by March 2, 2026 (past).

Applicants who attended a high school where English is the primary language of instruction for 4 consecutive years of full-time studies immediately prior to their attendance at OCAD U may be eligible for an exemption from the English-language test requirement at the discretion of the admissions office.

Details about our English-language proficiency requirements, acceptable tests, minimum score requirements, acceptable pathway programs and test exemptions are available at: https://admissions.ocadu.ca/apply/english-language-proficiency.