University Admissions

How to Get Into OCAD University: A Complete Admissions Guide

To get into OCAD University, Ontario applicants generally need an OSSD, six Grade 12 U/M courses, at least 70% overall, and at least 70% in an approved Grade 12 U English course. OCAD U does not publish program-specific competitive-average ranges; admission depends heavily on the required portfolio or written submission, and applications are made through OUAC.

This guide explains the OCAD University admission requirements for Ontario, international, mature, transfer and out-of-province applicants. It also covers portfolio expectations, English-language scores, application steps and annual timeline structure.

About OCAD University

OCAD University is a specialized art, design and media university in downtown Toronto. Its main campus is located at 100 McCaul Street beside Grange Park and the Art Gallery of Ontario. The university operates across 12 downtown buildings and maintains additional waterfront facilities supporting design, research and industry collaboration.

Undergraduate options span fine art, design, digital media and critical studies. Programs include Graphic Design, Illustration, Advertising, Industrial Design, Environmental Design, Digital Futures, Drawing & Painting, Photography, Creative Writing, Experimental Animation, Integrated Media and Visual and Critical Studies.

Unlike many universities, OCAD U does not select studio applicants primarily through grades. Academic eligibility remains essential, but the portfolio is the main admission factor for BDes and BFA programs. Visual and Critical Studies uses a written submission and academic record instead of a studio portfolio.

OCAD University Admission Requirements at a Glance

OCAD University’s baseline academic requirement is a 70% overall average and a 70% senior English mark. Studio applicants must also submit a portfolio, while Visual and Critical Studies applicants complete a written assignment. International applicants may need an approved English-language test in addition to their academic English course.

Requirement	Detail
Application portal	OUAC Undergraduate application
Ontario diploma	Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Required Ontario courses	Six Grade 12 U or M courses
Minimum overall average	70%
Required English mark	Minimum 70% in ENG4U, EWC4U, ETS4U, EAE4U, EAC4U, or EAL4U
Additional subject prerequisites	No additional mathematics, science, or art course prerequisite is published for the representative programs reviewed
Studio-program supplement	Digital portfolio, statement of intent, and official transcripts
Visual and Critical Studies supplement	Statement of intent, original writing sample responding to an assigned topic, and official transcripts
Typical first-year portfolio	8–10 finished works, process work or sketchbook, work descriptions, and a statement of intent
International academic basis	Grade 12-equivalent secondary credential, normally with a B or 70% final-year average
IELTS Academic	6.5 overall, with no part below 6.0
TOEFL iBT	4.5 total; Reading 4.0, Listening 4.0, Speaking 4.5, and Writing 4.0
PTE Academic	58 overall, with at least 56 in each section
Duolingo English Test	110 overall, with at least 105 in Production
CAEL	70 overall, with no band below 60

The English-language test scores above are OCAD U’s published undergraduate minimums. Test formats and scoring systems can change, so applicants should verify the current figures on the university’s official English-language proficiency page.

How to Apply to OCAD University

Applicants first apply through OUAC and then complete OCAD U’s supplementary process. The strongest application combines a complete academic record with a portfolio or writing submission specifically prepared for the chosen program. Missing the supplementary submission can prevent an otherwise academically eligible application from being reviewed.

Choose an undergraduate program. Review each program’s curriculum, degree type, and portfolio guidelines before applying. A Graphic Design portfolio may require a different emphasis than one prepared for Industrial Design or Digital Futures.
Confirm your academic pathway. Determine whether you are applying with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), another Canadian provincial diploma, an international credential, mature-student status, or previous post-secondary education.
Apply through the OUAC Undergraduate application. The smart application assigns applicants to Group A or Group B based on their current schooling, age, and educational background.
Watch for OCAD U’s acknowledgement email. After the university processes your OUAC application, it will send instructions about your applicant identification, supplementary materials, SlideRoom access, and any outstanding documents.
Prepare and submit the required supplementary materials. Studio applicants must submit a digital portfolio and statement through SlideRoom. Visual and Critical Studies applicants must submit the assigned writing materials.
Arrange for the submission of official academic and language documents. Group A applicants normally have their Ontario grades transmitted through OUAC. Group B applicants may need schools, testing organizations, or secure transcript services to send documents directly.
Monitor your application and meet all admission conditions. An offer based on a strong portfolio or written submission remains conditional until all required diplomas, courses, grades, English-language proficiency requirements, and official documents are complete.

What Admission Pathways Are Available?

OCAD University accepts applicants through several educational pathways rather than limiting admission to current Ontario high school students. The application category and required documents depend on where the applicant studied, whether they are currently enrolled in high school and whether they have previous post-secondary experience.

Ontario Domestic Students

Ontario students normally need the OSSD, six Grade 12 U/M courses, at least 70% overall and at least 70% in an approved Grade 12 U English course. Students currently taking Ontario high school courses and meeting OUAC’s other criteria normally apply as Group A applicants, formerly associated with the OUAC 101 route.

Grades establish academic eligibility, but the portfolio or written assignment carries substantial weight. Applicants should therefore balance course completion with enough time to document finished work, experimentation, creative process and program fit.

International Students

International applicants normally apply through OUAC as Group B applicants, formerly associated with the OUAC 105 route. They need secondary-school graduation equivalent to Ontario Grade 12, normally a B or 70% final-year average, appropriate English preparation, official documents and the required portfolio or written submission.

OCAD U recognizes credential structures including the IB Diploma, British-patterned GCSE/IGCSE and A/AS Levels, AP study, U.S. secondary credentials and other national Grade 12 equivalents. IB Diploma applicants need at least 24 points, including IB English at 4 or higher. British-patterned applicants generally need five O-Level subjects and either two A-Levels or four AS-Levels at the published minimum grades.

Students coming to Canada also need to follow IRCC requirements. A letter of acceptance is required for a study-permit application, and a provincial attestation letter is needed in most undergraduate cases unless an exemption applies.

Mature Students

Mature applicants are generally at least 20 by the beginning of their intended academic year and have been away from formal education for at least two years. They must demonstrate English proficiency and submit the same program-specific portfolio or written materials used to assess other applicants.

OCAD U also recognizes the University of Toronto Woodsworth College Academic Bridging Program as an academic pathway for qualifying mature applicants. Completing the bridging requirement addresses academic eligibility, but applicants must still satisfy OCAD U’s portfolio, writing and English requirements.

Transfer Students

Transfer applicants may seek first-year entry with transfer credits or apply directly for upper-year placement. Upper-year consideration normally requires at least one completed year in an accredited post-secondary program equivalent to the OCAD U program being requested.

Portfolio quality, academic standing and course equivalencies determine whether Year 2 or Year 3 placement is appropriate. Applicants who are not eligible for upper-year entry may apply to first year and request a transfer-credit assessment after receiving an offer. Transfer credit is not automatically awarded.

Out-of-Province Canadian Students

Canadian applicants educated outside Ontario need their provincial or territorial secondary-school diploma, a university-preparatory academic average equivalent to at least 70%, and at least 70% in the approved senior English equivalent. They normally apply through OUAC as Group B applicants.

OCAD U publishes province-specific course equivalents for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. Applicants should use the university’s academic-requirements tool rather than assuming that every local Grade 12 course qualifies.

OCAD University Program-Specific Requirements and Prerequisites

OCAD University applies the same central academic minimum to the programs below: six Grade 12 U/M courses, at least 70% overall and at least 70% in approved Grade 12 U English. It does not publish separate competitive-average ranges for these programs; the major difference is the required supplementary submission.

Program	Prerequisite Courses	Approximate Competitive Average	Supplementary Requirement
Graphic Design	Approved Grade 12 U English at 70% plus five other Grade 12 U/M courses	Official minimum: 70%; no program-specific competitive range published	Portfolio, statement of intent, and transcripts
Illustration	Approved Grade 12 U English at 70% plus five other Grade 12 U/M courses	Official minimum: 70%; no program-specific competitive range published	Portfolio, statement of intent, and transcripts
Advertising	Approved Grade 12 U English at 70% plus five other Grade 12 U/M courses	Official minimum: 70%; no program-specific competitive range published	Portfolio, statement of intent, and transcripts
Environmental Design	Approved Grade 12 U English at 70% plus five other Grade 12 U/M courses	Official minimum: 70%; no program-specific competitive range published	Portfolio, statement of intent, and transcripts
Industrial Design	Approved Grade 12 U English at 70% plus five other Grade 12 U/M courses	Official minimum: 70%; no program-specific competitive range published	Portfolio, statement of intent, and transcripts
Digital Futures	Approved Grade 12 U English at 70% plus five other Grade 12 U/M courses	Official minimum: 70%; no program-specific competitive range published	Up to 10 visual or non-visual works, including process work, plus a statement of intent
Drawing & Painting	Approved Grade 12 U English at 70% plus five other Grade 12 U/M courses	Official minimum: 70%; no program-specific competitive range published	Portfolio, statement of intent, and transcripts
Visual and Critical Studies	Approved Grade 12 U English at 70% plus five other Grade 12 U/M courses	Official minimum: 70%; no program-specific competitive range published	Statement of intent, assigned original writing sample, and transcripts

OCAD U’s Graphic Design, Industrial Design and Digital Futures program pages confirm the 70% Ontario minimum and their portfolio requirements. The central admissions page extends the portfolio requirement across studio-based BDes and BFA programs.

What Should an OCAD University Portfolio Include?

Most first-year portfolios should contain 8–10 finished works, process documentation or a sketchbook, short descriptions and a statement of intent. Applicants submit the portfolio digitally through SlideRoom after OCAD U has received and processed the OUAC application.

A strong submission should demonstrate:

Original ideas and personal creative interests
Experimentation across appropriate media
Development from early concept to finished outcome
Technical and visual communication skills
Work connected to the selected program
Curiosity, problem-solving and willingness to explore

Digital Futures uses broader guidelines because applicants may have strengths in art, computing, writing, science, business, game development or other non-visual areas. Its portfolio can contain up to 10 visual or non-visual projects, including one sketchbook or process document.

What Admission Average Do You Need for OCAD University?

The published OCAD University admission average is a minimum of 70% across six Grade 12 U/M courses, including at least 70% in an approved Grade 12 U English course. OCAD U does not publish higher program-by-program competitive ranges, and reaching 70% does not guarantee admission.

This makes OCAD U different from programs where admission is determined mainly by a top-six average. For studio programs, the portfolio is the primary assessment. A student with marks above the minimum can still be unsuccessful if the portfolio does not demonstrate sufficient fit, originality, process or creative readiness.

Applicants should therefore treat the 70% figure as an eligibility threshold rather than a predicted cut-off. Academic preparation still matters because offers remain conditional on completing the required diploma, courses and final grades.

What Is the OCAD University Application Timeline?

The standard OCAD University cycle begins when OUAC applications open in the autumn. Applicants should select their programs and complete the OUAC application before OCAD U’s recommended early-winter deadline. Portfolio and written-submission deadlines follow shortly afterward, while admission decisions and conditional offers are generally communicated during the spring.

A typical cycle follows this structure:

CVS is one option among several, and completing courses through CVS does not guarantee admission to U of T — admission always depends on meeting the University’s competitive requirements. Students can explore the full CVS online course catalogue, course-upgrade options, and registration on the school’s website, review options for online high school in Ontario, or contact a CVS guidance counsellor about course planning. Students comparing schools may also find the companion guide to the Top Public and Private Schools in Toronto helpful.

Early autumn: OUAC opens, and program research begins.
Autumn to early winter: Applicants submit the OUAC application.
After acknowledgement: OCAD U sends supplementary instructions and SlideRoom access.
Early winter: Portfolios, statements and writing samples are completed.
Spring: Admission decisions and conditional offers are released.
Before enrolment: Final grades, diploma confirmation, language results and official documents are completed.
After accepting an offer: International students complete study-permit and PAL requirements where applicable.

Most undergraduate applicants begin in the fall. OCAD U may offer a separate limited winter intake to eligible international students, but availability and program options should be confirmed on the university’s current international-admissions page.

How Canadian Virtual School Can Help You Qualify

Canadian Virtual School can help applicants complete a missing Ontario prerequisite, improve a Grade 12 mark or earn recognized OSSD credits before an admission-document deadline. It is an Ontario Ministry-inspected online private school operating under BSID #882250, but completing a course does not guarantee admission to OCAD University.

For OCAD U applicants, the most directly relevant course is usually ENG4U because the university requires at least 70% in an approved Grade 12 U English course. Students may also need additional 4U/M courses to complete the required group of six or improve the overall academic average.

Applicants can:

Review available Ontario high school courses.
Upgrade a high school course to improve an existing result.
Study through the verified online high school in Toronto.
Complete CVS registration when ready to enrol.
Contact the admissions team to discuss prerequisites and transcript reporting.

Students should plan academic upgrading early enough for the final mark to reach OUAC and OCAD U before the applicable document deadline. They should also protect sufficient time for portfolio development, since higher academic marks do not replace the supplementary assessment.

Student Experiences

Success Stories

Stories like these are common among applicants who use online courses strategically.

Eliana was applying to Illustration with a strong collection of character studies and mixed-media work, but her ENG4U mark was below OCAD U’s 70% requirement. She upgraded the course through CVS, improved the official result and continued documenting her sketchbook process while completing English. Her final application met the academic threshold and included eight finished pieces, development pages and a program-specific statement. She later received a conditional offer after the university reviewed her complete application.

Niko completed secondary school outside Canada and wanted to apply to Digital Futures. He earned an Ontario ENG4U credit online, submitted an approved English-language test and prepared a portfolio combining a small game prototype, creative coding, photography and written project research. His submission followed the program’s broader visual and non-visual guidelines. After applying through OUAC as a Group B applicant and submitting official documents, he received an offer conditional on completing the remaining academic and immigration requirements.

Marisol had completed a year in a college design program before applying to OCAD U. She requested upper-year consideration and submitted transcripts, course descriptions, process work and a portfolio showing how her earlier studies related to Environmental Design. OCAD U reviewed her academic history and creative preparation on a case-by-case basis. She was offered first-year entry and later received transfer credit for eligible coursework, allowing previous study to count without assuming automatic advanced placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

OCAD University applicants most often ask about the minimum average, portfolio expectations, international requirements and whether upgraded or online credits are accepted. The answers below summarize the university’s published undergraduate requirements, but applicants should confirm current deadlines, test formats and program instructions before submitting their application.

What average do you need to get into OCAD University?

OCAD University requires a minimum overall academic average of 70%, including at least 70% in an approved senior English course. It does not publish separate competitive-average ranges for individual undergraduate programs. Because studio admission is based primarily on the portfolio, meeting the minimum average makes you eligible for consideration but does not guarantee an offer.

What are OCAD University’s English requirements?

Applicants must meet the senior English prerequisite and may also need an English-language test. Minimums include IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 4.5 total with component minimums of 4.0 reading, 4.0 listening, 4.5 speaking and 4.0 writing; PTE Academic 58 with 56 per section; Duolingo 110 with 105 in Production; and CAEL 70 with no band below 60.

How do international students apply to OCAD University?

International students apply through the OUAC Undergraduate application, normally as Group B applicants. They must submit a Grade 12-equivalent credential, meet the academic and English requirements, provide official documents, and complete the required portfolio or written submission. Students who will study in Canada must also follow current IRCC rules for a study permit and, in most cases, a PAL.

Can I upgrade a course to get into OCAD University?

Yes. You may retake or upgrade a Grade 12 course and submit the updated official result, provided it reaches OCAD U before the relevant document deadline. This can be useful for reaching the 70% English or overall minimum. Canadian Virtual School offers Ministry-inspected online Ontario credits, but applicants should confirm mark timing and document handling with OCAD U.

Does OCAD University accept online high school credits?

Yes, an online high school credit can satisfy OCAD University’s academic requirements when it is an official Ontario 4U/M credit issued by a Ministry-inspected school and reported on the student’s official record. Canadian Virtual School, BSID #882250, is one such option. Admission still depends on the complete academic file and required portfolio or written submission.

Is a portfolio required for OCAD University?

Yes, for every studio-based BDes and BFA program. Visual and Critical Studies is different: applicants submit a statement of intent, an original writing sample responding to an assigned topic, and official transcripts. OCAD U evaluates studio applicants primarily through the portfolio and non-studio applicants through the required written materials and academic record.

How many pieces should be in an OCAD University portfolio?

Most first-year studio applicants submit 8 to 10 finished works, along with process work or a sketchbook and a statement of intent through SlideRoom. OCAD U also provides program-specific directions. Digital Futures, for example, permits up to 10 visual or non-visual pieces, including one process document.

Can mature students apply to OCAD University?

Yes. OCAD U generally considers applicants mature when they are at least 20 by the start of the intended academic year and have been away from formal education for at least two years. Mature applicants must demonstrate English proficiency and complete the same portfolio or written-submission requirements for their chosen program.

Can transfer students enter the second or third year at OCAD University?

Yes, but upper-year entry is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants generally need at least one year of study in an equivalent accredited post-secondary program. OCAD U reviews the portfolio, academic record and course equivalencies to determine whether entry into Year 2 or Year 3 is appropriate; fourth-year entry is not available.

Conclusion

Getting into OCAD University requires more than reaching a numerical admission average. Applicants must satisfy the academic and English requirements while presenting a portfolio or written submission that demonstrates originality, process, curiosity and a clear connection to the selected program.

Start by confirming the correct applicant pathway, completing the OUAC application and reviewing the precise supplementary guidelines for the intended program. Students missing ENG4U, another 4U/M credit or the required minimum mark can consider course upgrading as one possible way to become academically eligible.

Families researching secondary-school pathways in the city can also explore Top Public and Private Schools in Toronto — [INSERT WHEN PUBLISHED].

Plan Your University Prerequisites

Complete the Grade 12 Courses You Need

Complete a missing prerequisite, upgrade an existing mark, or speak with a guidance counsellor about your University of Toronto admission pathway.

About the Author

Canadian Virtual School Guidance Team

Guidance Counselling and University Admissions

Written by the Academic Advisory and Guidance Department at Canadian Virtual School. The advisory team consists of experienced Ontario admissions specialists dedicated to guiding domestic and international students through the OSSD curriculum and university matriculation pathways since 2008.

OSSD Guidance University Admissions Academic Planning

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