Indigenous Applicants & Students

As an Ontario High School student

Submit an application through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (ouac.on.ca). You'll also need:

• a portfolio
• an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with a minimum of 6 Grade 12 U or M courses including with a minimum 70% overall final average including ENG4U (or EAE4U) with a final grade of 70% or above.

As a Canadian or U.S. High School student*

Submit an application through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (ouac.on.ca). You'll also need:

• a portfolio and statement of intent (See Preparing a Portfolio for details)
• a Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario with an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent in the final year
  • AND a minimum grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent in English 12 or equivalent course.

*Refer to Finances & Funding to learn more about the Jay Treaty.

As a Transfer student

Submit an application through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (ouac.on.ca). Depending on your past education, you'll join us as an Upper Year student or transfer credits to support your degree.

• a portfolio and statement of intent (See Preparing a Portfolio for details)
• a Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario with an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent in the final year
  • AND a minimum grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent in English 12 or equivalent course.
• Visit our Transfer Pathways page to learn more about what you'll need to submit.

As a Mature student

Submit an application through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (ouac.on.ca). You'll also need to submit:

• a portfolio and statement of intent (See Preparing a Portfolio for details)
• a Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario with an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent in the final year
  • AND a minimum grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent in English 12 or equivalent course.

Visit the Guide to Admissions for a breakdown of the steps you'll take to apply. 

There are various scholarships and bursaries available for Indigenous students. Find the full list here.

If you have questions regarding application fees and funding opportunities, connect with Sierra, our Coordinator of Indigenous Admissions and Recruitment at sdasilvacanadien [at] ocadu.ca (sdasilvacanadien[at]ocadu[dot]ca). She'll be able to talk through the options and pathways available to you at OCAD University

For U.S. based students:

OCAD University recognizes the Jay Treaty of 1794, which provided First Nations and Native American citizens to pass freely between the Canada-United States border.

Native Americans from the United States of America must present documentation of tribal enrolment or membership to have the international tuition differential waived from their student accounts and will be assessed domestic tuition fees.

The Indigenous Visual Culture (INVC) program honours the creative traditions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit art and design practices. In this 4 year Bachelor of Fine Art program you will deepen your understanding of the visual, cultural, social, and political histories of Indigenous peoples.

Admissions & Recruitment, alongside the Indigenous Student Centre at OCAD U, is here to support our education and community partners.

We are always developing new ways to help you prepare your students for post-secondary opportunities in art and design. Sign up to our educator and community mailing list to learn more about: 

• Application updates and admission requirements
• Support for ways to develop a portfolio
• Professional development opportunities and information sessions for guidance counsellors and teachers