How to apply to OCAD University for art and design: apply through OUAC directly to one of 17 programs, admission based mainly on the portfolio of 8–10 finished works plus a sketchbook (due 10 February 2027), with portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canadian high schools and transfer students

OCAD University (OCAD U) is a specialist art and design university in downtown Toronto, next to the Art Gallery of Ontario. This guide summarises undergraduate admission for fall 2027 from the university’s website, focusing on the portfolio, deadlines and the requirements for students from China, Canadian high schools (including BC) and transfer students.

1. Programs

• 17 undergraduate programs, all four years. You choose your program when you apply (up to three programs). The admissions site lists Advertising, Drawing & Painting, Graphic Design, Illustration, Digital Futures, Environmental Design (including an Interior Design specialization), Experimental Animation, Photography, Industrial Design, Creative Writing, Criticism & Curatorial Practice, Indigenous Visual Culture, Integrated Media (including Life Studies), Material Art & Design, Printmaking & Publications, Sculpture/Installation and Visual and Critical Studies.
• Degrees: studio programs lead to a Bachelor of Design (BDes) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA); for example, Graphic Design is a BDes and Drawing & Painting a BFA. Visual and Critical Studies is a BA in art history that asks for a writing sample instead of a portfolio. Check each program page for its degree.
• First year: you start in your program. Graphic Design, for example, begins with design process, drawing, photography for communication and visual culture history; Drawing & Painting begins with intro painting, a foundation studio, drawing across disciplines and art history.
• Minors: after you start, more than 90 electives can build towards one of 25 minors; you don’t choose one on the application.
• Changing program: the FAQ says you may request a change during the application process depending on availability, and students may be able to change during first year; a portfolio assessment may be needed if many students transfer.

2. How to apply and deadlines

• Platform: all applications go through OUAC online; international students apply as 105 applicants. OCAD U then emails you and you submit your portfolio through SlideRoom.
• Groups: Group A is current Ontario high school students; Group B is everyone else, including international, out-of-province and transfer applicants.
• Fall 2027 timeline (Guide to Admissions):
  • September 2026: OUAC applications open (the FAQ says applications “typically” open in October).
  • November 2026: SlideRoom opens for portfolios (the portfolio page says access opens in December; the pages differ).
  • 15 January 2027: recommended deadline for Group A; 1 February 2027: application deadline for Group B (later applications may still be accepted with specific deadlines).
  • 10 February 2027: portfolio deadline.
  • 1 March 2027: interim and any final transcripts and language tests due; decisions start in March.
  • Group B responds by 3 May 2027 and pays the deposit by 10 May; Group A by 1 June and 8 June.
  • 1 August 2027: final deadline for all official documents and offer conditions.
• Winter entry (the pages differ): the Guide to Admissions and the international applicants page say Group B can apply for winter 2028 (application deadline 1 May 2027, portfolio 10 May 2027), but the FAQ says there is currently no winter or spring intake. Confirm with admissions before planning on winter entry.
• Basis of admission: BFA and BDes offers are based mainly on the portfolio and are conditional on the minimum academic requirements and documents; meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
• Fees: the OUAC application fee is not stated on the pages read (check OUAC). SlideRoom charges USD 12 when you submit your portfolio.

3. Portfolio

• 8–10 finished works showing a range of skills and approaches, including work directly related to your program, in traditional, digital, experimental media or a mix.
• Process work: a sketchbook, creative journal, concept book or digital document that links to several finished pieces, uploaded as a multi-page PDF or short video. Each sketchbook counts as one piece.
• A 50-word description for each finished piece covering process, media, concept and purpose.
• Statement of intent: up to 300 words on why you chose the program, your influences and what you want to explore.
• Extra guidelines: Creative Writing and the Faculty of Design programs (including Digital Futures) have additional guidelines on SlideRoom and the admissions site.
• Formats: images (jpg, png, gif), video (mov, wmv, flv, mp4; clips of 2–3 minutes), audio (mp3) and PDF. Upload to the SlideRoom entry for the program you applied to and click submit; unsubmitted portfolios aren’t reviewed.
• Feedback: upload five pieces to the AICAD portfolio review portal and select OCAD U, attend a National Portfolio Day, or book a one-on-one with an admissions advisor.
• All work must be your own; false or third-party-written materials can invalidate an application.

4. Entry requirements

Students from China (non-international curricula)

• Secondary graduation equivalent to Ontario Grade 12 with an average of B or 70% in the final year.
• How the Gaokao or Huikao is used is not stated on the pages read; ask admissions.
• English: if English is not your first language and you haven’t completed four consecutive years at an English-medium high school, you need a test score (below).
• A-Levels: five O-Levels at C or above plus two A-Levels or four AS-Levels at C or above. IB: diploma with at least 24 points and English at 4 or higher.

Canadian high school students

• BC and Yukon: Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with at least five Grade 12 courses averaging 70%, including English Studies 12, English 12 or English 12 First Peoples at 70% or above (OCAD U considers the in-class mark and the final mark including any provincial exam). Any Ministry-approved Grade 12 course is accepted except challenge exams and career and work experience courses.
• Ontario: OSSD with six Grade 12 U/M courses averaging 70%, including ENG4U (or equivalent) at 70%.
• Alberta: five 30/31-level courses averaging 70%, including English Language Arts 30-1 at 70%. Other provinces are listed on the academic requirements page.
• If English is not your first language and you haven’t completed four consecutive years in English-medium high school, you need a test score as well as Grade 12 English.

English tests

• IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT for tests from 21 January 2026 4.5 overall (4.0 reading, listening and writing, 4.5 speaking), earlier tests 84 (20 reading, 19 listening, 22 speaking, 20 writing); PTE 58 with 56 in each section; Duolingo 110 with 105 in Production (below 105 in Production means the expanded EAD program); CAEL 70 with no band below 60; Cambridge C1/C2, Oxford ELLT and others are also listed.
• Results must be within 24 months of the start date. Scores in a set range can lead to a conditional offer with OCAD U’s English for Art & Design (EAD) pathway.
• Possible exemptions: four years at an English-medium high school; one year at an English-medium university or two years at a college; or four years living and studying in English in a listed country. Francophone Canadian citizens educated in Canada don’t need a test. Exemptions aren’t automatic and depend on your transcripts.
• The English page still lists 2026 submission deadlines (final deadline 31 July 2026); for 2027 entry follow the dates in your offer.

5. Tuition and scholarships

• Tuition (2026/2027 estimate, full-time 5.0 credits): about CAD 34,000 a year for international students; for domestic students about CAD 7,800 for the BFA and BA and CAD 9,500 for the BDes. These exclude laptop program fees and course or material fees; every undergraduate needs a laptop. OCAD U has no residence of its own; options include private student residences, co-ops, homestays and rentals.
• International entrance awards:
  • President’s Global Talent Award: all full-time international applicants are automatically considered; 25 awards a year of CAD 5,000 (CAD 2,500 each in fall and winter), announced by email in April.
  • A separate award for international applicants from Latin America.
• Other entrance scholarships: all new full-time first-year students are automatically considered for competitive awards of CAD 500–5,000 based on portfolio or supplemental material and academics.
• Guaranteed scholarships for Ontario high school students: for Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons graduating from an Ontario high school in 2026 with an average of 85% or more in six Grade 12 U/M courses; CAD 1,000–3,000 by average. BC and other out-of-province students are not included.
• International students can’t use Canadian federal or provincial student loans.

6. Transfer students

• Three routes: first-year entry with transfer credit, direct upper-year entry (advanced standing), and articulation agreements.
• Upper-year entry: you need at least one year in an equivalent post-secondary program; year placement depends on your portfolio and grades. A statement of intent of about 350 words is required, and no portfolio is reviewed without it.
• At least 50% of degree requirements must be completed at OCAD U. Specialized high school art programs don’t earn transfer credit.
• International students moving from another Canadian institution must extend their study permit to name OCAD U.

7. Checklist by applicant type

Students from China:

• Apply on OUAC as a 105 applicant by 1 February 2027 and submit your SlideRoom portfolio by 10 February
• Prepare 8–10 finished works, a sketchbook, a 50-word description per piece and a 300-word statement
• Aim for a final-year average of 70% or more and IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band) or equivalent; ask admissions whether the Gaokao is considered

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

• BC needs five Grade 12 courses averaging 70%, with English Studies 12 / English 12 / EFP 12 at 70%
• Follow the Group B timeline; the portfolio is due 10 February
• The guaranteed scholarships are for Ontario students only; out-of-province students are automatically considered for competitive awards

Transfer students:

• After a year in a related program you can apply for upper-year entry with a portfolio and a statement of about 350 words
• At least half of your degree must be completed at OCAD U; use the Upper Year Entry Inquiry form to check eligibility

Sources: OCAD University, Undergraduate admissions; Programs; Guide to admissions; Academic requirements; English language proficiency; Portfolio requirements; Transfer options; International applicants; Tuition and fees; Funding options; FAQ; Graphic Design; Drawing & Painting. Dates are for fall 2027 and winter 2028 entry and tuition is the 2026/2027 estimate; check OCAD U’s website for the latest.