New Students

Email is the best way to get in touch with us at this time. Email us at admissions [at] ocadu.ca or book a 1:1 appointment here.

If there are documents outstanding from your file that haven’t yet been sent to us, we recommend that these items are submitted to us electronically. If your school, testing centre or examining body is able; they can send official documents to us by email to admissions [at] ocadu.ca (admissions[at]ocadu[dot]ca) or through e-transcript services like Parchment, Bridge-U or e-SCRIP-SAFE.

Documents may also be sent by mail to:

OCAD University
Admissions & Recruitment
100 McCaul Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5T 1W1

Yes, we will accept courses completed through accredited online schools to meet academic entrance requirements. Questions? Reach out to ugadmissions [at] ocadu.ca.

If you have received an offer of admission and are required to submit English language proficiency test results, you have until August 1st, 2025 to submit results that meet our minimum requirements. Full details on the tests we accept, the minimum score requirements as well as details on our language pathway partner schools are available on our English language proficiency page. Questions? Get in touch with us at admissions [at] ocadu.ca (admissions[at]ocadu[dot]ca).

OCAD U offers an English language pathway program in the summer. The English for Art and Design (EAD) Bridge to First Year is for applicants who have received an offer and who do not meet our minimum English language test scores requirements but fall within our discretionary language test score range.

Study permits are required for you to begin your studies in Canada. For details on how to obtain the appropriate documentation visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Additional details on can be found on the Government of Canada’s website.

If your study permit is not ready in time for September, please contact ugadmissions [at] ocadu.ca (ugadmissions[at]ocadu[dot]ca) for assistance. 

OCAD University will consider deferrals of the offer of admission in extenuating circumstances. To be eligible for a deferral you must first accept the offer of admission, pay the non-refundable confirmation deposit and satisfy all conditions of the offer of admission.

Deferral requests will be considered after the deadlines to respond to the offer of admission and pay the deposit. Additional details, including the deferral request form, will be made available here in June.

Apply for the EAD Program (Optional)

The English for Art and Design (EAD) program is an optional summer program for ESL students entering first year at OCAD University. As a student at OCAD University this fall, you will be speaking English constantly, in class and outside of class. You will work on group projects, discuss and debate with students and faculty, and make presentations about your work in English. English for Art and Design will help you prepare.

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Whether it be tuition & fees, applying for OSAP, bursaries or scholarships, on-campus work-study programs, Financial Aid & Awards has information and resources available to help.

Download this helpful resource to get oriented about scholarships, bursaries and loans available to you.

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Learn more about Housing at OCAD U!

There are a variety of housing options in Toronto for new, incoming students who will be attending OCAD U. We continuously work with these partners to ensure we provide reliable information and advice for our students.

We have complied some questions you should be sure to ask our housing partners about before applying or signing any lease. 

Visit our housing page for more information and for links to our housing partner websites.

The Laptop Program is unique to OCAD U. It tailors software support to the program you applied to for all students. All students entering undergraduate studies at OCAD University are required to bring a recommended laptop computer with them to University. 

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SHE:KON, AANIIN, BOOZHOO, TANSI, TUNNGASUGIT, WACHAY, WELCOME! TO THE INDIGENOUS STUDENT CENTRE

The Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) offers a variety of services available for our diverse community of Indigenous students (Status, Non-status, Métis and Inuit). Our welcoming and friendly staff are here to provide a safe space and to support the academic, cultural, social and emotional well-being of Indigenous students at OCAD University.

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Apply for a Study Permit/Student Visa

Study permits are required for you to begin your studies in Canada and we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible after you have decided to accept the offer of admission to avoid processing details. For details on how to obtain the appropriate documentation visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Additional details on can be found on the Government of Canada’s website.

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Engage with International Student Services

International Student Services ensures international students, exchange students and all students wishing to make meaningful global connections have access to innovative services, programs and activities that are responsive to their needs and assist them in becoming successful practitioners in the fields of art and design.

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Apply for Transfer Credit

Students who applied to first year may apply for transfer credits if they have attended an accredited post-secondary institution or have completed Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. OCAD U does not assess transfer credits automatically.

Receiving transfer credits can help you avoid repeating course material, save on tuition costs, lighten your course load, and potentially graduate earlier. Transfer credits are the awarding of credits, usually on a course-to-course basis. You only need to submit your request once within your first two years at OCAD U.

The final deadline to request transfer credit is by August 31 within 2 years of being admitted to OCAD U.

We recommend new students to submit their request early and by August 1 before their first classes start in September. If you submit it after this date, you might not receive your results in time to replace courses you drop based on receiving transfer credits, which could include losing tuition refund money.
 

Final Request Deadline:

For September 2025 entry students, the final deadline is August 31, 2027.

If you would like your previously completed courses considered, please review the Transfer Credit Guidelines, FAQs, and submit a Transfer Credit Request Form, and all required documents.

Contact Student Accessibility Services

Student Accessibility Services has subject matter expertise in the area of disability, accessibility and academic accommodations and oversees and coordinates the student academic accommodation process.

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A study permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) which allows you to study and stay in Canada temporarily.

If you are planning to study in Canada for more than six months, you will need a study permit.  It is important to keep it valid and renew it before it expires, if you need more time for your studies. Keeping your study permit valid is your responsibility throughout your studies.

A study permit is not a travel document and does not, by itself, authorize entry or re-entry into Canada. Depending on your country of citizenship, you will also need either a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa - TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

If you apply for a study permit from outside Canada and it is approved, you will automatically receive a Visitor Visa or eTA.  Citizens and permanent residents of the United States do not need a Visitor Visa or eTA to enter Canada.

OCAD University’s DLI number is: O19332928222 

Apply for a study permit as soon as you receive the acceptance letter, Study Permit Support Form (LOA), and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), if needed, from OCAD U.   

You must apply for your initial study permit from outside of Canada and it must be approved before you come to Canada. 

Step 1: Accept your offer of admission. 

Step 2: Pay the admission deposit. 

Step 3: After you accept your offer of admission, OCAD U will provide you with Study Permit Support Form (LOA). 

Step 4: After you pay your admission deposit, OCAD U will request a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) on your behalf and will provide it to you when if is available.  

Please note that a PAL will only be issued to newly admitted students after they have accepted their OCAD U Offer of Admission and paid their admission deposit. You will be notified by email once your PAL is available. You must wait for this letter if you are submitting your study permit application outside of Canada; otherwise, your application will be rejected. 

If you are a returning student currently outside of Canada and you need to apply for a new study permit, please complete the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Request Form.   

For further information about obtaining a study permit, please select the appropriate category below.  

Step 1: Gather Required Documents 

• Valid passport
• Letter of acceptance, Visa Support Form, and a Provincial Attestation Letter – PAL (Applications that do not include a PAL will not be accepted for processing by IRCC)
• Proof of financial support:  You must have a least $20,635 CAD for living expenses (this amount will change each year), the first year of tuition fees, and travel costs.
• You must show that you can support yourself and your family who come to Canada with you.
• The estimated amount for your first-year tuition is on your visa support form.
• Two Passport photos
• Documents specific to your visa office
• Go to the IRCC website and select your country/territory from the drop-down menu under ‘How to apply on paper for a study permit’, click ‘Get documents’, and then choose ‘Visa office instructions – Study [IMM 5572]’
• Study Plan (SOP): Write a 1-2 page letter explaining why you want to study in Canada and showing that you understand of your responsibilities as a student.
• See ‘Study Plan Tips’
• You can use our template to write a study plan
• Upload this letter under ‘Client Information’ in the Optional Documents section of your online checklist.
• Biometrics (digital fingerprints and photographs)
• Medical exam (if applicable) 
• Upload File:  If you have more than one page to upload (such as SOP or visa office-specific documents), you must merge them into one PDF file and upload it in the ‘Optional Documents’ section of the IRCC checklist under ‘Client Information’. 

Step 2:  Apply online through the IRCC Secure Account 

• If you have not used the IRCC online application system before, you will first need to create an account.
• Once you have logged in, click on the 'Apply to come to Canada' option in the 'Start an Application' section. The system will ask you a series of questions about your situation. After answering the questions, you will be taken to a screen that says ‘Your document checklist’ and you will see the application form (Application for a Study Permit Made Outside Canada – IMM 1294) and a list of the documents you are required to upload.  

Step 3: Complete the Application for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1294) 

• Once completed, it must be validated to generate a barcode page. 

Step 4: Upload Documents 

Step 5: Submit your biometrics and medical exams (if applicable) 

If you are already in Canada on a study permit and want to continue studying, you must apply to extend your study permit before it expires. Study permit extension applications must be done from inside Canada. We recommend applying to extend your study permit 3 to 4 months before it expires. 

Once you submit your application, you will have 'maintained status'.  This means that you can stay in Canada and study under the same conditions while your extension application is being processed.  It's okay if your current permit expires while your application is being processed.   

Step 1: Gather Required Documents 

• Study Permit Support Form (LOA) and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
• Proof of financial support: You must have a least $20,635 CAD for living expenses (this amount will change each year), plus funds for tuition fees for the upcoming school year
• Passport Info: You will need to scan the photo and information page of your passport and any other pages that have stamps or visas from Canada or other countries.
• Digital Photo: Make sure your photo meets the specifications.
• Biometrics (if required): You only need to give biometrics (digital fingerprints and photo) once every 10 years. If you gave biometrics in the past 10 years as part of an application for a visitor visa, study permit or work permit application, you won't need to give them again.
• Medical Report (if required): A medical report may be required if you have done a medical exam within the last 12 months or have lived in a designated country that requires a medical exam for more than 6 months in the past 12 months.   

When you complete your online application, you may be asked to provide additional documents specific to your situation.  

Step 2: Apply online through the IRCC Secure Account 

• If you have not used the IRCC online application system before, you will first need to create an account.
• Once you have logged in, click on the 'Apply to come to Canada' option in the 'Start an Application' section. This is the correct option even though you are already in Canada. The system will ask you a series of questions about your situation. After answering the questions, you will be taken to a screen that says ‘Your document checklist’ and you will see the application form (IMM5709 - Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student) and a list of the documents you are required to upload. 

Step 3: Complete the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student (IMM5709)  

• Once completed, it must be validated to generate a barcode page. 

Step 4: Upload Documents 

If you are coming to OCAD U from a Canadian high school you will need to apply for and receive a new study permit valid before you begin your classes, even if your current study permit is still valid. 

Please review the details available under Applying for a study permit (Inside of Canada). 

If you are coming to OCAD U from another Canadian postsecondary institution, you will need to apply for and receive a new study permit valid before you begin your classes, even if your current study permit is still valid. 

Please review the details available under Applying for a study permit (Inside of Canada). 

An attestation is a declaration that verifies information. As of January 22, 2024, the Government of Canada announced that, other than a few exemptions, most international applicants to undergraduate degree and English language pathway programs will be required to provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province or territory in which they will study. For studies at OCAD U, the PAL must be provided by the Provincial Government of Ontario, the province in which OCAD University is located. 

OCAD U will request a PAL on your behalf after you respond to your offer of admission through the OUAC and submit payment of the non-refundable admission deposit.

For additional details, please review Frequently Asked Questions below.  

Q. What is a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)? 

An attestation is a declaration that verifies information. As of January 22, 2024, the Government of Canada announced that, other than a few exemptions, most international applicants to undergraduate degree and English language pathway programs will be required to provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province or territory in which they will study. For studies at OCAD U, the PAL must be provided by the Provincial Government of Ontario, the province in which OCAD University is located.  

Q. Who needs a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)? 

Most postsecondary study permit applicants with few exceptions. 

Q. Who doesn’t need a provincial attestation letter? 

Please consult Study permit: Get the right documents for further details on PAL exemption criteria. 

Q. How do I get a PAL? 

After you have received your Offer of Admission, you will be required to accept your offer and pay your admission deposit. Once your payment has been processed, OCAD U will request a PAL on your behalf if it is determined that you need one. 

Q. Do I have to accept my offer of admission before I can receive my PAL? 

Yes, you must accept your Offer of Admission and pay your admission deposit before OCAD U can request a PAL on your behalf. 

Q. How will I know if OCAD U requested a PAL for me?  

After you have accepted your Offer of Admission through the OUAC and submitted your admission deposit we will request a PAL for you automatically.  

Please remember that it can take several days for responses to be sent to us from the OUAC and for payments to be processed.   

Q. How can I access my PAL?  

As soon as we receive your PAL, we will notify you by email. 

Q. How quickly will I receive my PAL? 

We currently do not have an estimated response time for receiving PALs from the issuing government office. We will notify the issuing office immediately after you have accepted your Offer of Admission and paid your admission deposit. 

Q. How will I know if my PAL is available? 

As soon as we receive your PAL, we will notify you by email. 

Q. Can I obtain my PAL any faster?  

Unfortunately, not. OCAD U does not manage the speed of getting the PAL from the issuing government office. Once we request a PAL for you, we must wait for its distribution to us. As soon as we receive your PAL, we will notify by email.  

If you have further questions about your study permit application, please contact the International Student Support Office at international [at] ocadu.ca (international[at]ocadu[dot]ca).   

The International Student Support Office offers the following services to support you during your studies:  

• Advice on study permits, work permits and visas
• Information about on- and off-campus employment 
• Guidance on using the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) and navigating the health system in Ontario
• Advice on adjusting to life in Canada
• Workshops and social activities 

Note: Students are solely responsible for ensuring that they comply with all Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regulations during their studies and while in Canada. The information on this page does not constitute legal advice and information may change without notice. Always refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website (external link)  for the most up-to-date information.