Application Process

This information can be found on the Application Requirements page. 

All applicants to Graduate Studies at OCAD University must complete a graduate application through the Graduate Application Portal. If you are applying to more than one graduate program, you must submit a separate application for each program for which you wish to be considered.  

Application Fee: The application fee is $110 CAD, payable through the Graduate Application Portal via credit card. Application fees are non-refundable and charged for each program for which you apply. The application fee is charged when you submit your application.

The Graduate Application Portal will allow you to log in and start a graduate application which you can edit as often as required. However, once your application has been submitted, no further changes will be allowed. 

Once your application has been successfully submitted through the Graduate Application Portal and your application fee paid, you will receive official emails acknowledging receipt of your application. Any further required steps or actions will be outlined at this time. 

Our online application portal is the only method to submit your application. We do not accept paper applications or physical application materials. If you encounter issues while applying, please contact us at gradadmissions [at] ocadu.ca (gradadmissions[at]ocadu[dot]ca). 

Only complete applications will be reviewed by our Admissions Committees. The application review process normally takes twelve to fourteen weeks after the application deadline. 

Once a decision is made regarding your application, you will receive a notification via email asking you to log in to the Graduate Application Portal and check the status of your application.  

Offer of Admission: If you are offered admission to a graduate program, you will have a limited time (normally two weeks) to accept the offer of admission through the Graduate Application Portal. Your offer of admission may be subject to conditions, which must be cleared before you can be permitted to register. 

Waiting Lists: If you are placed on a waiting list for admission into a graduate program, you will receive a notification via email when your application status changes. If you are on a waiting list and decide not to attend OCAD University, please contact us to let us know of your decision. 

Not Admitted: If you are not selected for admission, you may fall into one of three general categories: 

• Although you meet the minimum program requirements, due to a combination of a highly competitive process and a limited number of spaces, we were unable to admit you. 

• You have not met the minimum program requirements (e.g., GPA, English language requirements, etc.). 

• You were deemed ineligible (e.g., non-relevant degree, lack of academic qualifications). 

Please note that applicants meeting the minimum requirements for admission are not guaranteed admission into a graduate program. Furthermore, program admission may be limited to students whose interests are compatible with the specific program mandate, available resources and faculty expertise.