How to Get Into University of Ottawa: A Complete Admissions Guide

Your admission pathway is determined by your current education system, prior postsecondary studies, age and study history, and immigration status. Although most undergraduate applicants use OUAC, the credential, document, grade, and prerequisite rules differ substantially between Ontario, international, mature, transfer, and out-of-province applicants. 

How Do Ontario High School Students Apply?

Ontario students generally apply with an OSSD and six eligible 4U/M or DU courses, including all prerequisites. Current Ontario secondary students who meet OUAC’s criteria are normally Group A applicants, and their schools can transmit academic information through OUAC. 

uOttawa uses the top six qualifying grades, including required subjects. Grade 12 co-op courses do not count toward the six. If a course is repeated, the university uses the better result, which makes a properly completed upgrade potentially relevant to the admission average. 

How Do International Students Apply?

International students apply through OUAC and must present the recognized secondary credential for their education system, complete program prerequisites, and prove English or French proficiency unless exempt. uOttawa publishes country-specific requirements and separate guidance for IB, GCE, American-patterned, French, and other curricula. 

For example, the full IB Diploma normally requires at least 29 points, excluding bonus points, with prerequisites completed at Standard or Higher Level. GCE applicants generally need an overall B-level profile and the required subjects. Applicants from American-patterned schools generally need Grade 12 completion, the program prerequisites, and at least the university’s stated general average, recognizing that competitive programs require more. 

After admission, most international undergraduates need a Canadian study permit and usually a Provincial Attestation Letter. uOttawa states that it releases the PAL after receiving the required admission deposit. IRCC describes the PAL as a province-issued confirmation, normally provided through the designated learning institution, that is usually required for a study-permit application. Applicants should confirm current exemptions and document rules directly through IRCC’s PAL guidance. 

How Do Mature Students Apply?

Mature admission is a case-by-case pathway for eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents whose experience indicates university readiness but who do not meet the ordinary academic basis. Applicants must still complete Grade 12-equivalent prerequisites and submit an up-to-date résumé and a letter explaining their preparation, goals, and relevant experience. 

Mature status does not eliminate program prerequisites. It is also not the correct category for applicants who previously attended college or university full time; uOttawa generally assesses those candidates through its transfer pathway. 

How Do Transfer Students Apply?

Transfer students must disclose all attempted and completed postsecondary studies, apply before receiving a transfer-credit assessment, and continue to satisfy prerequisites for the destination program. uOttawa does not provide advance transfer-credit evaluations; assessment occurs after admission and may require detailed course syllabi. 

Normally, at least half of the degree must be completed at uOttawa. Some programs grant few or no transfer units, particularly where professional sequencing, accreditation, or limited electives make advanced standing difficult. Nursing, engineering, and certain combined programs can have additional restrictions. 

How Do Out-of-Province Canadian Students Apply?

Canadian applicants studying outside Ontario normally apply through OUAC as Group B applicants and must complete the secondary-school diploma and course pattern required in their province or territory. uOttawa assesses provincial courses against the Ontario prerequisites for the chosen program. 

Applicants should use uOttawa’s province-specific equivalency information rather than translating course names themselves. A course called “Pre-Calculus,” for example, may satisfy a requirement in one province but must still be evaluated against the precise mathematics prerequisite of the selected program.