What are my academic requirements for admission to OCAD U?

If you want to receive a copy of your responses, you must provide your email address and click submit at the bottom of the form.

Please note this is not an official assessment.

📧 Email Address (optional):

Tell us about yourself

🎓 Are you a current high school (secondary school) applicant who will be graduating by June 2026?

Yes

No

🇨🇦 Are you studying in Canada?

Yes

No

🍁 Are you studying in Ontario?

Yes

No

Which province or territory are you studying in?

Which of the following are you completing?:

🗓️ Will you be at least 20 years of age by September 1, 2026?

Yes

No

🏫 Do you have any past or current experience studying at a post-secondary institution?

Yes

No

📖 Were you enrolled in formal education in September 2024 or any time after?

Yes

No

📖 Were you enrolled in formal education to complete your high school diploma in September 2024 or any time after?

Yes

No

🇨🇦 Did you study in Canada?

Yes

No

Which province or territory did you study in?

6️⃣ Will you complete a total of six Grade 12 U or M courses by June 2026?

Yes

No

✍️ Are one of the courses an English course listed below?

ENG4U English
EWC4U Writer's Craft
ETS4U Studies in Literature
EAE4U English
EAC4U Writer's Craft
EAL4U English Literature

✍️ Are one of the courses an English course listed below?

ENG4U English
EWC4U Writer's Craft
ETS4U Studies in Literature
EAE4U English
EAC4U Writer's Craft
EAL4U English Literature

Yes

No

🗣️ Is English your first language?

Yes

No

🔷 Are you Francophone Canadian educated in Canada?

Yes

No

4️⃣ By September 2026, will you have completed 4 consecutive years of high school where English is the language of instruction?

Yes

No

4️⃣ By September 2026, will you have completed 4 consecutive years of school where English is the language of instruction?

Yes

No

Find International Secondary School requirements:

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Graduate with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

✅ Complete one of ENG4U, EWC4U, ETS4U, EAE4U, EAC4U, or EAL4U with a grade of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher in six Grade 12 U or M courses (included in these courses must be one of ENG4U, EWC4U, ETS4U, EAE4U, EAC4U, or EAL4U).

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Graduate with the Secondary School Diploma.

✅ Complete English Language Arts 30-1 with a grade of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher in five academic Grade 12 courses (30- or 31-level), including English Language Arts 30-1.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Graduate with the Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma.

✅ Complete one of English Studies 12, English 12, or English 12 First Peoples with a grade of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher in five Grade 12 courses* including one of the English courses listed above.

*we will accept Ministry approved Grade 12 courses with the exception of challenge exam, career and work experience courses.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Graduate with the Secondary School Diploma.

✅ Complete English 40S with a grade of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher in five 40S-level academic courses, including English 40S.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Graduate with the High School Graduation Diploma.

✅ Complete English 121 or 122 with a grade of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher in five academic credits at the 120-, 121-, or 122-level, including English 121 or 122.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Graduate with the Senior High School Graduation Diploma.

✅ Complete English 3201 with a grade of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher in ten credits at the 3000-level or higher, including English 3201.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Graduate with the Nova Scotia Graduation Certificate.

✅ Complete English 12 (academic or advanced) with a grade of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher in five academic or advanced Grade 12 courses, including English 12.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Graduate with the High School Diploma.

✅ Complete English 621 with a grade of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher in five Grade 12 academic courses (611- or 621-level), including English 621.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Complete a minimum of 12 academic semester courses.

✅ Complete two English courses (603 or 604 series) with an average of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Graduate with the Grade 12 Certificate of Graduation.

✅ Complete English 12 (university prep level) with a grade of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher in six Grade 12 academic courses (university prep level), including English 12 (univ. prep).

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Graduate with the Secondary School Diploma.

✅ Complete English A30 or B30 with a grade of 70% or higher.

✅ Achieve an overall average of 70% or higher in five Grade 12 academic courses (30-level), including English 3201.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below if you are completing the IB Diploma:

✅ Graduate with the IB Diploma.

✅ Complete IB English with a score of 4 or higher.

✅ Achieve a total of 24 points or more on 3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level subjects, including IB English.

You can apply for Transfer credit in Higher Level IB courses with scores of 5 or higher that are equivalent to courses offered at OCAD U.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below if you are completing the IB Certificate:

✅ Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario.

✅ Achieve an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher in the final year.

✅ Complete English 12 or equivalent course with a grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher.

You can apply for Transfer credit in Higher Level IB courses with scores of 5 or higher that are equivalent to courses offered at OCAD U.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below if you are completing the IB Certificate:

✅ Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario.

✅ Achieve an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher in the final year.

✅ If you are from a country or schools system with English as the official language of instruction, complete English 12 or equivalent course with a grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher

You can apply for Transfer credit in Higher Level IB courses with scores of 5 or higher that are equivalent to courses offered at OCAD U.

Let's review your requirements

Students pursuing the GCSE/IGCSE or the GCE O-Level qualification must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Completion of GCSE/IGCSE or GCE O-Level with five subjects with grades of C or better.

✅ Completion of GCE A-Level and/or AS-Level with either two A-Levels or four AS-Levels, all with grades of C or better.

✅ English at the A-Level, AS-Level, or O-Level with a grade of C or better.

Let's review your requirements

OCAD U will take successful completion of AP courses into consideration when assessing academic requirements.

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario.

✅ Achieve an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher in the final year.

✅ Complete English 12 or equivalent course with a grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher

You can apply for Transfer credit in AP courses with scores of 4 or higher that are equivalent to courses offered at OCAD U.

Let's review your requirements

OCAD U will take successful completion of AP courses into consideration when assessing academic requirements.

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario.

✅ Achieve an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher in the final year.

✅ If you are from a country or schools system with English as the official language of instruction, complete English 12 or equivalent course with a grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher

You can apply for Transfer credit in AP courses with scores of 4 or higher that are equivalent to courses offered at OCAD U.

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario.

✅ Achieve an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher in the final year.

✅ Complete English 12 or equivalent course with a grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher

Let's review your requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario.

✅ Achieve an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher in the final year.

✅ If you are from a country or schools system with English as the official language of instruction, complete English 12 or equivalent course with a grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent or higher

⚠️ Please email the Admissions & Recruitment office so we can help you figure out your options for meeting our academic requirements.

📧 admissions@ocadu.ca

Let's review your academic requirements

✅ Fulfill our English prerequisite for admission with one of the following:

📘 An approved secondary school Grade 12 English course with a grade of 70% or higher.

or

📙 An approved post-secondary school academic English or writing course with a grade of 70% or higher.

Let's review your academic requirements

✅ Fulfill our English prerequisite for admission with one of the following:

📘 An approved secondary school Grade 12 English course with a grade of 70% or higher.

or

📙 An approved post-secondary school academic English or writing course with a grade of 70% or higher.
or
📊 English Language Proficiency Test results that meet our minimum scores.

Let's review your academic requirements

✅ You must meet our English prerequisite for admission by submitting valid Language Proficiency Test results that meet our minimum scores.

Please visit English Language Proficiency.

Find minimum language proficiency test scores here:

Let's review your academic requirements

You must meet all of the criteria below:

✅ An overall average equivalent to 70% or higher, based on your Grade 12 and/or post-secondary courses (specific Grade 12 courses may be required if you studied in Canada).

✅ Fulfill our English prerequisite for admission with one of following:

📘 An approved secondary school Grade 12 English course with a grade of 70% or higher (a specific Grade 12 English courses may be required if you studied in Canada).

or

📙 An approved post-secondary school academic English or writing course with a grade of 70% or higher.

Let's review your academic requirements

You must meet all of the criteria below:

✅ An overall average equivalent to 70% or higher, based on your Grade 12 and/or post-secondary courses (specific Grade 12 courses may be required if you studied in Canada).

✅ Fulfill our English prerequisite for admission with one of following:

📘 An approved secondary school Grade 12 English course with a grade of 70% or higher (a specific Grade 12 English courses may be required if you studied in Canada).

or

📙 An approved post-secondary school academic English or writing course with a grade of 70% or higher.
or
📊 English Language Proficiency Test results that meet our minimum scores.

Let's review your academic requirements

You must meet the following criteria below:

✅ An overall average equivalent to 70% or higher, based on your Grade 12 and/or post-secondary courses (specific Grade 12 courses may be required if you studied in Canada).

✅ If you are from a country or schools system with English as the official language of instruction, fulfill our English prerequisite for admission with one of following:

📘 An approved secondary school Grade 12 English course with a grade of 70% or higher (a specific Grade 12 English courses may be required if you studied in Canada).

or

📙 An approved post-secondary school academic English or writing course with a grade of 70% or higher.

Let's review your academic requirements

You must meet all the criteria below:

✅ An overall average equivalent to 70% or higher, based on your Grade 12 and/or post-secondary courses (specific Grade 12 courses may be required if you studied in Canada).

✅ Fulfill our English prerequisite for admission by submitting valid Language Proficiency Test results that meet our minimum scores.

Please visit English Language Proficiency.

Find minimum language proficiency test scores here:

Plus, you must:

✅ Submit valid Language Proficiency Test results that meet our minimum scores.

Please visit English Language Proficiency.

Find minimum language proficiency test scores here:

IELTS Academic
Minimum Overall: 6.5
Listening: 6.0
Reading: 6.0
Writing: 6.0
Speaking: 6.0

TOEFL iBT or iBT Special Home Edition
Minimum Total: 84
Listening: 19
Reading: 20
Writing: 20
Speaking: 22

OCAD U's institution code for TOEFL is 0537
OCAD U does not accept TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL ITP or TOEFL ITP Plus for China for admission purposes.

Duolingo
Minimum Overall: 110
Production: 105

PTE Academic
Minimum Overall: 58
Listening: 56
Reading: 56
Writing: 56
Speaking: 56

CAEL
Minimum Overall: 70
Listening: 60
Reading: 60
Writing: 60
Speaking: 60

COPE
Minimum Overall: 86
Listening: 22
Reading: 22
Writing: 32
Minimum TOP score: 6

Find approved Canadian Secondary School Grade 12 English courses:

Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut

English Language Arts 30-1 with a grade of 70% or higher.

British Columbia and Yukon
One of following with with a grade of 70% or higher:

English Studies 12
English 12
English 12 First Peoples

Manitoba

English 40S with a grade of 70% or higher.

New Brunswick

English 121 or 122 with a grade of 70% or higher.

Newfoundland and Labrador

English 3201 with a grade of 70% or higher.

Nova Scotia

English 12 (academic or advanced) with a grade of 70% or higher.

Ontario
One of the following with a grade of 70% or higher:

ENG4U English
EWC4U Writer's Craft
ETS4U Studies in Literature
EAE4U English
EAC4U Writer's Craft
EAL4U English Literature

Prince Edward Island

English 621 with a grade of 70% or higher.

Quebec - Cegep

Two 603 or 604 English courses with an average of 70% or higher.

Quebec Private

English 12 (university prep level) with a grade of 70% or higher.

Saskatchewan

English A30 or B30 with a grade of 70% or higher.

Language Proficiency Test Exemptions
You may be exempt from having to submit language proficiency test scores if you have met one of the following:

📚 4 years of full-time studies in English immediately prior to starting at OCAD U

📚 2 years of full-time studies in English at a community college (non ELL/EAP)
📚 1 year of full-time studies in English at a university (non ELL/EAP)
📚 Successfully completing an approved English Language Pathway Program through one of our partner schools

‼️ If an exemption is granted, you still must fulfill the English admission prerequisite with an approved academic English/writing course with a grade of 70% or higher.

Please note: This list is for information only. Your eligibility for an exemption will be determined after you have submitted your application for admission, official transcripts, and relevant supporting documents.

Please make sure to answer all of the questions above.

Official Documents - Submission Requirements

Group A applicants: Your academic records will be reported to us electronically throughout the application process from the OUAC.

Group B applicants: 📄 School Transcripts are required.

You must order official transcripts from:

Any high school you've attended
Any post-secondary school you've attended

🚨 This also applies to individuals who are not applying directly from high school.

What counts as an official transcript?

Transcripts sent directly to OCADU Admissions from your schools by:

📧 Email or

📫 Postal Mail or

💻 Electronically through a secure platform like OUAC, MyCreds, Parchment etc.

Transcript sent by you if they are in a sealed envelope with the school's stamp

Group A & B applicants:

📊 Language Proficiency Test Scores – If you need to submit test scores, you must ask the testing organization to send us your scores. If you took IELTS, you may email us your Test Report Form (TRF) number and we can verify your scores.
Please visit English Language Proficiency for more information.

⚠️ Documents are considered "unofficial" if they are sent to us from you, the applicant (unless in a sealed envelope stamped by the school). Unofficial transcripts or test scores can be used temporarily until the official document arrives.

Please have your schools, e-transcript service, or language testing organization use this address:

OCAD University
Admissions & Recruitment
100 McCaul St.

Toronto, Ontario
M5T 1W1
admissions@ocadu.ca

A NOTE ON PRIVACY: OCAD University does not disclose, rent, loan, sell or otherwise transfer your personal information without your consent. Read more on OCAD U's commitment to privacy here: https://www.ocadu.ca/about-ocad-u/governance/information-and-privacy