OCAD admission requirements
100% of OCAD's 17 programs require ENG4U. 17 programs want more than marks.
Counted across every OCAD program listed on OUInfo for September 2027 entry. Each program’s own page has its exact wording; this page is the shape of the whole university.
The courses OCAD asks for
How many of OCAD’s 17 programs name each course as required. A required course is forced into your admission average — it counts even if it is not one of your best six.
What you need, by set of courses
OCAD’s programs grouped by the exact courses they require, most common set first, with the span of their published ranges. If your timetable matches a set, every program in it is open to you on courses.
- ENG4U17 programs
Advertising, Creative Writing, Criticism & Curatorial Practice, Digital Futures, Drawing & Painting, Environmental Design and 11 more
Beyond marks
- 17 programs need a supplementary application
- A portfolio, audition, questionnaire, video or form, due on OCAD’s own date, usually before OUAC closes. Which ones, and what each asks for.
How OCAD reads your transcript
In OCAD’s own words to guidance counsellors, from the OUAC resource guide (September 2026 entry). Each links to the page comparing every university’s answer. A line carrying a specific 2025 or 2026 date is from last cycle’s edition and marked.
- If you repeat a course
We will use the highest grade to calculate the final entrance average.
- Summer school, night school, e-learning and private school
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
In general, we do not consider Grade 11 grades in admission decisions.
- 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
- 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).last cycle
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.
- 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.