How to Apply to Psychology at the University of Ottawa: Direct Entry to the BA or BSc, and Requirements and Timeline for Canadian and Chinese High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa), in Canada’s capital, is a bilingual English–French university. Psychology is offered by the School of Psychology in the Faculty of Social Sciences as an Honours BA or an Honours BSc, each taught in English and in French. Unlike the University of Toronto, Waterloo, Western and Queen’s, uOttawa lets you apply directly to psychology, so you do not have to compete for the program after first year. Here is what you need to know for English-language programs starting in September 2027, based on uOttawa’s official information, for students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students and international students in Canada), students at high schools in China, and transfer students.

1. Which program to apply to

• Honours BA in Psychology (OUAC code OXM): focuses on how we learn, communicate and interact, preparing students for graduate studies in experimental or clinical psychology, health sciences, education or administration. It is 120 units, including 60 units of psychology and 48 elective units that can be replaced by a minor.
• Honours BSc in Psychology (OXN): focuses on the biological, chemical, physiological and cognitive factors behind behaviour, preparing students for graduate studies in experimental psychology, neuroscience or health sciences. Beyond psychology, it requires biology, chemistry (including two organic chemistry courses), biochemistry and a first-year math course.
• Admission average: uOttawa publishes a minimum admission average of 75% for both programs. This is a minimum and does not guarantee admission; uOttawa notes that some programs are more competitive.
• French Immersion Stream: both programs offer the French Immersion Stream, with about one third of courses in French. Note that students in French immersion are not eligible for the International English Admission Scholarship described below.
• Honours thesis: uOttawa notes that the honours thesis (PSY 4276) is required for admission to most doctoral programs in psychology. In 2026, eligibility required a CGPA of at least 8.0 (on uOttawa’s 10-point scale) and PSY 3307 (Psychometric Methods); BSc students must also complete all first- and second-year science courses.
• Fall entry only: psychology does not admit new students in the winter or spring-summer terms.

2. Academic requirements: Canadian high schools

• BC high school students: a BC Secondary School Diploma with five Grade 12 courses.
  • BA (OXM): English 12 or Français 12.
  • BSc (OXN): English 12 or Français 12; Mathematics 12 or Pre-Calculus 12; and two of Biology 12, Chemistry 12, Physics 12 and Calculus 12. Calculus 12 is strongly recommended, and you need a combined average of at least 70% in all science and math prerequisites.
  • How your average is calculated: your five best interim or final Grade 12 courses, including prerequisites; the highest level of math you attempted is always included. The same average is used for admission scholarships. Grade 12 co-op, career and work experience courses do not count.
• Ontario high school students: the BA requires ENG4U or FRA4U; the BSc also requires Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Calculus and Vectors (Calculus and Vectors strongly recommended). The average uses your top six 4U/4M courses, with three rounds of offers.
• International students at Canadian high schools: follow the requirements for your province. International students at Ontario high schools follow the Canadian deadlines.

3. Academic requirements: high schools in China

• Credential: uOttawa lists the Senior High School Graduation Diploma for China. In general you need the general high school diploma that gives access to university in your country; vocational or technical diplomas are not accepted.
• BA (OXM): the only prerequisite is English.
• BSc (OXN): English, mathematics, and two of biology, chemistry, physics and calculus, with a combined average of at least 70% in science and math prerequisites.
• How your average is calculated: your five highest results from your final year of secondary school, including prerequisites; only academic courses count. Prerequisites should normally be completed in your final year.
• After admission: accept your offer by the date in your offer letter and pay the admission deposit, normally CAD $2,000 for undergraduate programs (your offer gives the exact amount), credited toward tuition. uOttawa emails your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) about three business days after receiving the deposit, and you need it to apply for a study permit. The deposit is non-refundable unless your study permit is refused and you provide proof.

4. English requirements

• Direct entry:
  • IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing. An overall 6.0 lets you start your program directly with extra ESL courses.
  • TOEFL: for tests taken after January 21, 2026, 4.5 overall and 4.5 in writing; for earlier tests, 86 overall and 22 in writing. Institution code 0993.
  • Duolingo 120 overall and 120 in literacy; PTE 60 with 60 in writing; Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 176; CAEL 60, with 60 in reading, speaking and listening.
• Validity: tests must be taken less than two years before your start term; only the latest scores count, and they must come directly from the testing body.
• Exemptions: three years of full-time study at an English-only institution in a country or region where English is an official language (including Canada and Hong Kong). You may also request an exemption after one full-time year at a Canadian university (at least 10 courses, excluding ESL), two years in an English program at a Canadian college, a 4 on AP English Language or Literature, or a 4 in IB English A, among others.
• If you are close: you may receive an offer with language conditions, taking one or two ESL courses in first year or completing the English Intensive Program (EIP) first, which lasts 8 to 42 weeks. For example, IELTS 4.5 overall with 5 in writing may be considered; a 4.0 in any band is not.
• Compared with other schools: uOttawa’s IELTS writing requirement of 6.5 is higher than Western’s and Queen’s (6.0 in each band), and its Duolingo requirement of 120 matches Queen’s.

5. Transfer students

• From a university (Canadian or international): a minimum admission average of 67% for both psychology programs, calculated on uOttawa’s alphanumeric scale using every university course you have taken, whether or not the program was completed or related. With more than 15 credits you are assessed on your university studies; with fewer, on your previous studies (usually high school). Prerequisites can come from high school or equivalent university courses.
• From a college (including BC colleges): a college average of at least 75% after one or two years in the same program; with one year and no diploma, you also need a high school diploma. With less than a year of college, you may be admitted on your high school results.
• Transfer credit: assessed only after you are admitted and pay any required deposit, with no pre-admission evaluation. You must complete at least half of your courses at uOttawa. Fewer than 24 transfer units places you in first year, 24 to 53 in second year and 54 to 80 in third year.
• Scholarships: university transfer students are not eligible for the University of Ottawa Admission Scholarship.

6. Timeline for September 2027 entry

• September 17, 2026: applications open. Applicants in Canada and abroad apply through the OUAC; within a week you receive a student number and access to uoZone to upload documents.
• Before January 15, 2027: uOttawa recommends applying by this date. Many programs fill quickly, early applications are reviewed sooner, and programs can close at any time once full.
• February 15, 2027: recommended date to submit all documents and test results, or within 30 days of applying.
• May 1, 2027: psychology application deadline for international applicants, with documents by May 15 (programs may close earlier when full, leaving time for study permits).
• June 1, 2027: psychology application deadline for Canadian applicants, with documents by June 15; also the residence application deadline.
• From May: course enrolment opens once you accept your offer (and, for international students, pay the deposit).

7. Scholarships and costs

• University of Ottawa Admission Scholarship (automatic): CAD $3,000 for an admission average of 95%–100%, $2,000 for 90%–94.9% and $1,000 for 85%–89.9%. Mature applicants and university transfers are not eligible.
• Faculty of Social Sciences: a variable number of automatic CAD $4,000 scholarships for top students with an admission average of 92% or more. The School of Psychology also lists program-specific awards, such as the Kafui Sawyer Admission Scholarship in Psychology, available through the online scholarships portal.
• International English Admission Scholarship: awarded automatically to full-time international students in an eligible English-language undergraduate program (the Faculty of Social Sciences is included) with an admission average of 80% or more and not in French immersion: CAD $7,500 per term, reducing tuition by $15,000 a year, for up to 12 instalments ($60,000 over four years).
• International English Academic Excellence Scholarship: 100 awards of CAD $10,000, not renewable, combinable with the scholarship above. The scholarship’s own page lists a 95% admission average, while the scholarships overview says 90%; rely on uOttawa’s notification.
• Tuition: depends on your status (Ontario, out-of-province or international) and progress; see uOttawa’s tuition pages. International undergraduate tuition for 2026–27 is unchanged from 2025–26, and for international students admitted from fall 2022 onward, increases are capped at 7% a year.

Checklist

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Apply on the OUAC to the BA (OXM) and/or BSc (OXN), ideally by January 15, 2027
• BC: English 12 for the BA; for the BSc, also Pre-Calculus 12 (or Mathematics 12) and two sciences or Calculus 12, with a 70% combined average in science and math prerequisites (Calculus 12 strongly recommended)
• All documents by February 15

Students at high schools in China:

• Graduation diploma and transcripts; math and two sciences for the BSc
• IELTS 6.5 (6.5 in writing), TOEFL, Duolingo 120 or another accepted test
• Apply by January 15 if possible; the international deadline for psychology is May 1, and programs may close earlier
• An admission average of 80% or more brings an automatic $15,000-a-year tuition reduction
• After accepting, pay the deposit, receive your PAL and apply for a study permit

Transfer students:

• A university average of 67%+ or a college average of 75%+, plus prerequisites
• Transfer credit is assessed after admission; at least half of your courses must be taken at uOttawa

Sources: University of Ottawa, Program prerequisites; Application deadlines; Language requirements; International applicants; How to apply; Transfer credits; Scholarships overview; International English scholarships; Admission deposit; University fees; School of Psychology: BA in Psychology; School of Psychology: Honours thesis; Catalogue: Honours BA Psychology; Catalogue: Honours BSc Psychology. Information is for English-language programs starting in September 2027. Check uOttawa for the latest details.