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

The University of Guelph (U of G) is in Guelph, Ontario. Psychology is offered by the Department of Psychology in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences as a major within the BA Honours degree, in regular and co-op versions. High school students can apply directly to psychology. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Guelph’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. The program

• BA only: the calendar lists psychology as a BA Honours major and minor and a BA General area of concentration; there is no BSc in psychology. Guelph suggests students interested in psychology also look at programs such as neuroscience.
• First year: the department advises PSYC*1000 Introduction to Psychology in the first semester and PSYC*1010 Making Sense of Data in Psychological Research in the second.
• Two streams:
  • the Honours Regular Stream;
  • the Honours Thesis Stream, with two thesis courses in fourth year requiring department approval, normally granted to students whose grades meet graduate admission minimums. Guelph notes that most research-focused psychology graduate programs require at least an A- average and expect an undergraduate thesis.
• Co-op: a four-year program with three paid work terms. Guelph says co-op normally requires an admission average of 80%, with actual cut-offs usually above the estimated ranges; applicants not admitted to co-op are automatically considered for the regular program. Co-op students pay an extra CAD $405 per semester.
• If not admitted: the BC requirements page says students not admitted to psychology are automatically considered for the BA in Sociology.

2. Academic requirements: Canadian high schools

• BC high school students:
  • a high school diploma with five Grade 12 academic courses;
  • English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 plus four additional acceptable Grade 12 courses;
  • a Grade 12 academic math course is recommended for social science majors.
• Estimated cut-off: 80–86%, based on previous years’ admission averages; actual cut-offs depend on the number and quality of applications and available space, and an average in the range does not guarantee admission.
• English: required if your first language is not English and you have fewer than four years of full-time study in an English-language school system.
• AP and IB: AP exams with a 4 or higher and IB HL courses with a 5 or higher earn transfer credit, up to 2.0 credits each; AP or IB Psychology can count as PSYC*1000.

3. Academic requirements: high schools in China

• Credential: a secondary school graduation certificate that would admit you to an internationally recognized university in your home country is normally acceptable.
• Psychology course requirements: English plus five additional courses.
• Documents:
  • transcripts for Grades 10, 11 and at least the first semester of Grade 12, plus Academic Proficiency Test (Huikao) results with “qualified” results in required subjects;
  • graduates should submit Gaokao results, including required subjects, with a minimum of approximately 500;
  • Gaokao and Huikao results must be verified by CHESICC, and final transcripts and the graduation certificate must be sent directly by the school.
• Conditional offers: students with predicted, interim or mid-term results may receive a conditional offer if all prerequisites are completed or in progress and meet minimum grades.
• If you are short: the English Language Certificate Program combined with Open Learning courses offers a Guaranteed Admission Pathway to the BA and BComm.

4. English requirements

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with no band below 6.
• TOEFL iBT: 89 with no score below 21, or from January 21, 2026, 4.5 with no score below 4.0; the Home Edition is accepted. Institution code 0892.
• Other tests: Duolingo 110 (subscores may be considered); PTE 60 (60 in each component); CAEL 70; Cambridge C1/C2 176 (no band below 169).
• Deadline: applicants studying outside Canada should provide proof of English proficiency by March 1, 2027 (a soft deadline).

5. Transfer students

• From a university: at least 2.0 credits completed (with fewer, typically fall entry only), a minimum cumulative average of 65%, plus the high school prerequisites (English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 for BC).
• From a college: at least one year of a suitable two- or three-year diploma with a minimum cumulative average of 70%, plus the same prerequisites.
• Notes: meeting the minimums does not guarantee admission; transfers can start in fall or winter but cannot be admitted directly to co-op, though they may apply once enrolled.
• International transfers: international fee-paying transfer students admitted for winter or fall 2027 automatically receive a one-time CAD $10,000 scholarship.

6. Timeline for fall 2027 entry

• Students at Canadian high schools:
  • January 15: application deadline for current high school students;
  • January 22: deadline for the President’s Scholarships and Lincoln Alexander Chancellor’s Scholarships;
  • April 1: Student Profile Form deadline;
  • April 15: official transcripts for high school students outside Ontario, and application-based scholarships and bursaries;
  • June 1: accept your offer through the OUAC, and apply for residence with a CAD $750 deposit;
  • June 15: meet offer conditions.
• Students at high schools outside Canada:
  • February 1: submit documents for early admission consideration;
  • March 1: proof of English proficiency;
  • March 8: Dr. Franco J. Vaccarino President’s Scholarship deadline;
  • May 15: application deadline; May 22: document deadline;
  • June 1: accept your offer and apply for residence; June 15: pay the non-refundable CAD $2,000 tuition deposit.

7. Tuition and scholarships

• International tuition (2025–26 estimates): about CAD $46,780 a year for the BA; with fees, books, health insurance, residence and meals, about CAD $64,589 to $88,498 a year. Guelph guarantees future tuition increases will not exceed 5% a year.
• Canadian tuition: about CAD $6,091 to $11,286 for Ontario residents and CAD $7,404 to $13,718 for students from other provinces.
• President’s International Entrance Scholarship: guaranteed by admission average, with no application and notification in your offer; four-year totals:
  • 95%+: CAD $42,500 ($20,000 in year 1);
  • 90–94.9%: CAD $38,500;
  • 85–89.9%: CAD $35,500;
  • 70–84.9%: CAD $32,500.
  Years 2 to 4 pay CAD $7,500 a year, subject to full-time study and an 80% average in the previous year.
• Other international awards: two Dr. Franco J. Vaccarino President’s Scholarships of CAD $42,500 each, with guaranteed residence; the CSAHS Dean’s International Scholarship of CAD $10,000 over four years.
• Canadian students: automatic entrance scholarships of CAD $2,000 for a 95%+ average and CAD $1,000 for 90–94.9%; the President’s and Lincoln Alexander Chancellor’s Scholarships of CAD $42,500 require an application.

Checklist

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

• Apply to psychology by January 15, 2027 (and to co-op if interested, normally 80%+)
• BC: English Studies 12 plus four Grade 12 courses, with an estimated cut-off of 80–86%; Grade 12 academic math recommended
• Submit official transcripts by April 15 and accept by June 1

Students at high schools in China:

• Transcripts through the first semester of Grade 12 and Huikao results (graduates submit the Gaokao, about 500+), verified by CHESICC
• IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6), TOEFL 89 or 4.5, or Duolingo 110, by March 1
• Apply by May 15 (documents by February 1 for early admission); entrance scholarships are automatic by admission average
• Pay the CAD $2,000 tuition deposit after accepting

Transfer students:

• A 65% minimum cumulative average from university (at least 2.0 credits) or 70% from college, plus high school prerequisites
• No direct entry to co-op; international transfers receive an automatic CAD $10,000 scholarship

Sources: University of Guelph, Psychology program; BC high school requirements; China high school requirements; University transfer requirements; College transfer requirements; Canadian high school applicants; Dates and deadlines; English proficiency; Finances and scholarships; International tuition and scholarships; Calendar: Psychology. Information is for fall 2027 entry; cut-off ranges are from previous years. Check Guelph for the latest details.