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Non-traditional Applicants

Applying to OCAD U

Non-Traditional Applicants

Straight out of high-school is not the only way to arrive at OCAD University. Students come to OCAD U through many pathways. So what makes a non-traditional applicant?

Mature Applicants

To be considered as a Mature Applicant, you must be at least 20 years of age by September 1 of the year of intended enrolment and not engaged in formal education for at least two years. Satisfactory proof of proficiency in English (a course or a test) is required of all applicants.

U of T Woodsworth College Academic Bridging Program

Some applicants may be applying through our bridging progam: OCAD University has established a partnership with the Academic Bridging Program at the University of Toronto's Woodsworth College. OCAD U will accept successful completion of the Academic Bridging Program as equivalent to meeting the requirements for entry and will grant Liberal Arts & Science transfer credits to students entering via that pathway. Learn more about this option.

What's Required to Apply

Offers of admission to OCAD U’s programs are based primarily on the strength of the applicant’s portfolio or writing sample. All offers are conditional upon meeting the minimum academic requirements and supplying all required documentation.

Portfolio

Your portfolio is a collection of work that represents your individual creative and technical experiences and accomplishments and should be a visual representation of who you are. You need to demonstrate that you are a visual communicator and that you are well-equipped to succeed in the program you have applied to at OCAD U. This can include experimentation in both traditional and digital media or any combination. Keep in mind that when it comes to your portfolio, some of the most important features we look for are skill, passion, curiosity and your ability to think creatively, shown in a diverse range of mediums.

Your portfolio for admission should include:

Statement of Intent:

Your statement of intent should explain your specific interest in the program that you have applied to at OCAD U as well as what or who inspires and influences the work that you do. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself as an artist/designer/maker and provide context so we can better understand your work. It needs to be maximum 300 words, talking about yourself and your specific interest in the program you apply to, as well as what you're looking to explore, what influences you, where your art has come from and where it is going.

Further details are available through SlideRoom and you will submit your statement as part of the SlideRoom submission process.

Process Work: Include your sketchbook, process and concept development skills as part of your portfolio submission. You can document your process work as a sketchbook, creative journal, concept/idea book or a digital document. Your process work should demonstrate a routine of creative process, should link to several of the finished pieces included in the portfolio and include experimentation, photos of development, drawing, mark-making, writing, research and inspirations. You may submit more than one sketchbook but must remember that each counts as one piece in the portfolio submission. Upload your process work to SlideRoom as a multiple page PDF or a brief video.

Finished Work: Most programs* ask that you include 8 to 10 examples of your original finalized work that demonstrates a variety of your skills and approaches to art, design and media. Be sure to include examples of work that is directly related to the program that you are applying. Also include explorations in traditional, digital, and experimental mediums or any combination. Show us who you are through your work and that you are well equipped to succeed in the program that you have applied to at OCAD U. Be sure to appropriately label your work in SlideRoom using the fields provided.

Descriptions: Explain in 50 words per finished piece the process/making method/media/concept and purpose of each piece. Use the additional details field in SlideRoom as you upload your work.

*Program-Specific Guidelines: Please note, there are additional guidelines for some of our programs available through our SlideRoom portal and at the following links:

Creative Writing Portfolio Guidelines

Digital Futures First Year Undergraduate Program Portfolio Guidelines

Faculty of Design Undergraduate Program Portfolio Guidelines

Academic Requirements

Mature Applicants

Satisfactory proof of proficiency in English (a course or a test) is required of all applicants.

U of T Woodsworth College Academic Bridging Program

Admission to the Academic Bridging Program is determined by Woodsworth College. OCAD U-bound students are encouraged to select the part-time option for the Bridging Program.

Mature students* who achieve a minimum of 63% final grade in the Academic Bridging Program (one full course) will be deemed to have met the academic requirements for admission to OCAD University.

Applicants to OCAD University must meet all other requirements for admission as stated on the OCAD University website, including the portfolio assessment, which is the primary basis of admission to OCAD U’s studio programs. Learn more about the Bridging Program procedure and details.

*Students must be at least 20 years of age and away from formal education for at least two years (not including the Academic Bridging Program) before commencing studies at OCAD University in order to qualify for admission under this agreement.