High School applicants

Visit Preparing a Portfolio for more details.

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

All Canadian applicants must meet the following academic requirements:

• Graduated high school
• Equivalent of 70% minimum average in university preparatory courses
• Senior level academic English course minimum final grade of 70% and/or equivalent test

Official transcripts (unless collected and submitted through the OUAC), English language proficiency test results (if required) and supporting documents should be mailed directly from the institution attended or the testing centre to the Admissions & Recruitment office at OCAD U's main address. The following academic requirements must be met to complete the admission process. 

For Ontario Secondary School applicants:

• Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
• Grade 12 U English (ENG4U or EAE4U) with a minimum final grade of 70%
• A total of at least six Grade 12 U or M level courses (including ENG4U or EAE4U) with a minimum overall academic average of 70%

Please note: if your first language is not English and you have not completed at least four consecutive years of high school in an English-medium school system you are also required to submit successful English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) results in addition to ENG4U.

Academic Requirements by Province:

Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut: Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of 5 academic Grade 12 courses numbered 30 or 31 with a 70% overall final average including English Language Arts 30-1 with a final grade of 70% or above.

British Columbia and Yukon: Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with a minimum of 5 Grade 12 courses with a 70% overall final average. One of these courses must be English Studies 12, English 12 or English 12 First Peoples with a final grade of 70% or above in that course. OCAD U will consider the in-class mark in EN12 as well as the final mark including the provincial exam, if applicable.

We do not provide a list of specifically approved Grade 12 courses; we will accept Ministry approved grade 12 courses with the exception of challenge exam, career and work experience courses.

Manitoba: Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of 5 academic Senior 4 courses at the 40S-level with a minimum 70% overall final average including English 40S with a final grade of 70% or above.

New Brunswick: High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum 5 academic credits at the 120, 121 or 122 level with a minimum 70% overall final average including English 121 or 122 with a final grade of 70% or above.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Senior High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum of 10 credits at the 3000 level or higher with a minimum 70% overall average including English 3201 with a final grade of 70% or above.

Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Graduation Certificate with a minimum of 5 academic or advanced Grade 12 courses with a minimum 70% overall final average including English 12 (academic or advanced) with a final grade of 70% or above.

Ontario: 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.

Prince Edward Island: High School Diploma with a minimum of 5 Grade 12 academic courses at the 611 or 621 level with a 70% overall final average including English 621 with a final grade of 70% or above.

Quebec – CEGEP: Candidates completing a minimum of 12 academic semester courses with a minimum 70% overall final average will be considered for admission. Candidates completing a minimum of 24 academic semester courses may be considered with advanced standing or transfer credit. Also required: 2 semester courses in English (603 or 604 series) with a final averaged grade of 70% or above.

Quebec Private: Grade 12 Certificate of Graduation with a minimum of 6 Grade 12 academic courses (university preparation level) with a minimum 70% overall final average including Grade 12 English (university preparation level) with a final grade of 70% or above.

Saskatchewan: Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of 5 academic Grade 12 courses at the 30-level with a minimum 70% overall final average including English A30 or B30 with a final grade of 70% or above.

Please note: If your first language is not English and you have not completed at least four consecutive years of high school in an English-medium school system you are required to submit successful English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) results in addition to Grade 12 English (or equivalent).

International High School applicants:

Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario with an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent in the final year and:

• If you are applying from a country or school system with English as the official language of instruction, a minimum grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent in English 12 or equivalent course is required. 
• If you are applying from a country or school system with a language other than English as the official language of instruction, OR if your first language is not English and you have not completed at least four consecutive years of high school in an English-medium school system, you are required to present the successful results of an English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT).

International Baccalaureate (IB):

The admission average for an IB Diploma applicant is generally calculated on 3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level subjects. A minimum final score of 24 points is required. IB English must be included as one of these courses with a final grade of 4 or higher. Transfer credit may be awarded to students who achieve a grade of at least 5 in Higher Level IB courses that are approved as equivalent to OCAD U courses.

Please Note: Applicants not completing the full IB Diploma must provide official transcripts and proof of Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario with an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent in the final year and satisfy English entrance requirements.

British Pattern Curriculum: 

Applicants must provide proof of completion of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE/IGCSE) with five O-Level subjects with a minimum C grade or better as well as General Certificate of Education Advanced or Advanced Supplementary Levels (GCE-A or GCE-AS) with at least two A-Levels or four AS-Levels. Minimum grade of C in each A/AS-Level is required. English at the A-Level or AS-Level is recommended but must at least be completed at the O-Level.  

Applicants with Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

OCAD U recognizes the value of AP courses and will take successful completion of these courses into consideration when assessing academic requirements. Transfer credit may be awarded to students who achieve a grade of 4 or higher in courses that are approved as equivalent to OCAD U courses.

Study Permit/Student Visa:

All international students must have a valid Study Permit/Student Visa before registering at OCAD U. We strongly recommend that you apply for your study permit as soon as the offer of admission is received.

Learn more at International Applicants 

English Proficiency Tests: If your first language is not English and you have not completed at least four consecutive years of high school in an English-medium school system you are required to submit successful English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) results in addition to Grade 12 English (or equivalent).