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OCAD University

6.8(1)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1876
Founded
1876
Type
Public
University Guide

About OCAD University

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

OCAD University is dedicated to art, music and media and was founded by the Ontario Society of Artists. Around 4,423 students pursue undergraduate programs offered by the university, whereas, only 319 students are enrolled to the graduate programs in OCAD university. International students from 50 different countries represents the multicultural nature and popularity of the university.

Ranked among the top 16% Universities in the World by Edurank, 2021, it is one of the best institutes for higher education in Canada best known for digital art, creative writing and indigenous digital culture. The university provides 17 undergraduate and seven graduate programs flexibly to the enrolled students. Admission to these programs require academic excellence along with SOP, multiple LOR and scores of exams to study in Canada as the primary requirement.

Ocad University Rankings

  • #101-150 in Art and Design by QS World University Ranking by Subject, 2022.
  • #75 in Country Rank by Webometrics, 2021.
  • #56 in Canada by Edurank in 2021.
  • Ranked among top 16% Universities in the World by Edurank, 2021. 

Ocad University Highlights

Established 1876
Type Public
Campus setting Urban
Endowment 15.5 million CAD
Administrative staff 250
Cost of attendance 20,631 CAD approximately
Financial aids Scholarships, loans and grants
Housing facility Not Offered
Cumulative number of students 4,376 undergraduates and 255 graduates
Official Website ocadu.ca

Ocad University Campus and Accommodations

The OCAD university’s campus is located in Richmond St West in Toronto, Canada and is considered to be a commuter campus. The campus is nearer to various landmarks like The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, City of Toronto Recreation Centre and the Toronto Governor Grosvenor YMCA Centre.

Bike tracks, Toronto Parks, Woodlands, Glacial Lake Iroquois and eleven beaches can be found near the OCAD campus. The students wellness centre, different clubs and organisations like the Muslim association, GAMA club and Art in Public Spaces club are the most talked about centres in the entire campus.

Ocad University Accommodations

OCAD University does not provide on-campus housing facilities but does include a plan called Toronto Home Share. Through this plan, the students will be provided housing with affordable rents ranging from 400 to 600 USD. This scheme is specially designed to help international students find accommodation in Canada. OCAD also provides co-op houses, independent residences and online housing services in the Greater Toronto Area.

In other ways, the students can use the FindStorageFast service to store valuables and search other housing facilities. The facilities provided along with the residence - style housing at Campus One Student Residence are fully furnished suites, fireplace, lounges, fitness center, Penthouse level Sky Lounge, laundry room, 3-meal food Program, high-speed Wi-Fi and full-time security. For international students, Homestay Network plan is another residential option offered by OCAD which lets the students stay with families in Toronto.

Ocad University Programs

Programs at OCAD University are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. OCAD University offers courses like Contemporary Art and Design, Creative Writing, Criticism and Curatorial Practice specially for international students along with the programs that include more than 20 art minors and 16 majors programs.

The university offers more than six graduate programs in Digital Futures, Strategic Foresight and Innovation. Other popular courses at the university are spoken word, indigenous visual culture, design in advertising, digital futures, graphic designing, illustrations, integrated media, curatorial practice and creative writing. The Bachelors in Fine Arts is the most opted course in OCAD.

Ocad University Application Process

For international students, getting admissions at OCAD University requires the following steps:

Application Portal: Online portal.

Application Fees: No application fees for the undergraduate students, 110 CAD for graduate programs.

Application Deadline: UG: February 4 , PG: May 8.

Application Requirements: Following are the general admission requirements for admission to the university:

  • Academic transcripts
  • Completed application form
  • Application fees
  • Three LOR
  • Portfolios
  • SOP
  • Work experience with samples
  • English translated official transcripts
  • English language proficiency scores
  • 500 word research proposal
  • CV / resume

Ocad University Cost Of Attendance

Tuition fee may vary with programs. Cost of attendance includes rent, meal, tuition and other basic expenses. The table below mentions the cost of living in Canada while studying at the university.

Expenses UG (CAD) PG (CAD)
Tuition 13, 941 13, 177
Student fee 87 87
Health facilities 434 434
Accommodation 600-800 600-800
Food Not available Not available
Books 800 Not available
Personal expenses 9920 9920
Health insurance 636 636

Ocad University Scholarships

OCAD University’s scholarships are available as Merit-Based Scholarships Awards, OCAD U Bursary and International Students Emergency Funds for financial aid. The In-Study Scholarships award is offered to the students of art, design, and liberal arts with 60% or above marks. The AwardSpring application system is used for selection. The following is a list of some international scholarships:

  • Sir Edmund Walker Award: This award is for the fourth-year students pursuing Masters' level and offers 10, 000 CAD per year.
  • OCAD University Entrance Scholarships: This scholarship is for the undergraduate students and offers 500-5,000 CAD a year.
  • Trudeau foundation Scholarships: This scholarship is for the students enrolled in PhD in the field of Humanities or Social Sciences and offers 60,000 CAD per year.
  • Inclusive Design International Student Scholarship: This Scholarship is offered to the International Applicant enrolled for the fall and winter Term with a grade average of 80% and offers 3,500 CAD every year for two consecutive years.

Ocad University Alumni

OCAD University helps the students avail various alumni facilities including career services, low rate insurance, The alumni hosts and actively takes part in various events around the year. The alumni members also enjoy several discounts on merchandises. Some of the notable alumni of the OCAD University:

  • JEH MacDonald, an artist who initiated the first major National Canadian Art Movement
  • Franklin Carmichael, a landscape artist
  • Doris McCarthy, an artist who paints Abstract Canadian Landscapes

Ocad University Placements

The Campus Employment Program for International Students (CEPIS) offers part-time employment on-campus. Students with full-time enrollment in a degree program and study permit are eligible for the placement. The students can also become a part of the alumni association to be a part of the career fairs and workshops.

OCAD is one of the illustrious art and design institution in Canada. The university is a coveted educational centre as it provides degrees at a minimal cost. International students are attracted to apply for admission to the university due to its living-learning facility and a variety of financial assistance offered.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

17

Fee from

₹33,76,269.36

Exams

IELTS · TOEFL

Showing 5 of 14 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 30.3 L/Yr
Native FeeCAD 44,313 /Yr
Estimated Total₹347919
Fee trendTuition progression
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

Ontario College Of Art and Design (OCAD) offers 17 courses for undergraduate applicants and seven courses for graduate applicants. OCAD University has an acceptance rate between 40% to 50%, thus it is averagely selective. The applications for courses at OCAD are accepted during the Fall, Summer, and Winter semesters.

  • Applications for UG and PG courses are accepted through OUAC and OCAD App, respectively.
  • Application deadlines for OCAD graduate programs are accepted till March 15, 2022.
  • For Undergraduate programs, the final application deadline is August 15, 2022.

Highlights

Application Portal OUAC (for undergraduate courses) Application portal (for graduate courses)
Academic Calendar Semester-based
Application fee 110 CAD(for graduate program)
Intake Seasons Fall and Summer and winter
International students 21%
Current International Students HelpDesk [email protected]
Admission HelpDesk Undergraduate: [email protected] Graduate: [email protected]

OCAD University Admission Deadlines

International students are advised to apply for admission by the given deadlines. The final deadline for undergraduate admission is August 15, 2022, and the final for admission in the graduate program is March 15, 2022

Below is the deadlines for Undergraduate and Graduate program:

Deadline Type Deadline
Deadline for All Applicants February 1, 2022
Portfolio Submission February 10, 2022
Deadline for transcripts of mid-term March 1, 2022
Deadline for acceptance of an offer from the University June 1, 2022
Deposit Deadline June 9, 2022
Deadline to submit all the required Documents June 14, 2022
Final Undergraduate Deadline August 15, 2022
Graduate Deadlines March 15, 2022

OCAD University International Admissions

International students are required to fulfil extra requirements in order to gain admission to OCAD. International applicants must also fulfil the requirements as listed:

How To Apply: Apply via Ontario Universities’ Application Portal
Application Fee: 110 CAD for Graduate admission
General Admission Requirements:

  • English language proficiency
  • Reference documentation
  • statement of intent
  • official copies of translated transcripts/mark sheets.
  • Financial statement
  • Statement of Intent
  • Portfolio of Work Samples
  • CV or Resume
  • Post-secondary grades, mark sheets, and certificates.
  • Visa certification.

English Language Requirements

International students must demonstrate English language proficiency by providing scores of any one of the following tests given below, to be eligible for admission at the OCAD:

Test Name Scores Required for UG Scores Required for PG
TOEFL (IBT) Overall Score of 84 Reading: 20 Writing: 20 Listening: 19 Speaking: 22 Overall Score of 90 Reading: 22 Writing: 22 Listening: 20 Speaking: 22
TOP 6 -
COPE 86 overall; Writing: 32 Listening: 22 Reading: 22 86 overall; Writing: 32 Listening: 22 Reading: 22
IELTS 6.5; minimum scores of 6.0 7.0
PTE 58 overall; minimum of 56 in each section -
Duolingo Overall Score of 110 with a minimum score of 105 in Production Overall Score of 120
CAEL 70 with no subscores below 60 -

OCAD University Undergraduate Admissions

OCAD University offers three kinds of undergraduate degrees- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Design (Bides), and Bachelor of Arts (BA). Most courses at OCAD require four years of full-time study to complete. The basic admission process for all the courses is the same.

Where to Apply: Ontario Universities’ Application Portal
Application Fee: Not Required
Admission Requirements:

  • For BA in Visual and Critical Studies -a combination of a review of a written assignment, a statement of intent, and the applicant’s academic records.
  • For BFA in Creative Writing program - a writing portfolio will be reviewed in addition to academic transcripts and other required supporting documents.
  • All other studio programs (Bachelor Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts) -on basis of the assessment of the applicant's portfolio of work in addition to academic transcripts and other supporting documents.

Applicants must also provide the following documents at the time of admission:

  • High school diploma/transcript
  • Statement of Intent
  • Proof of residency
  • English proficiency test score for International applicants.
  • Financial Aid: Student loans and Scholarships.
  • Portfolio
  • Statement of Intent
  • Writing Samples

OCAD University Graduate Admissions

OCAD offers graduate courses in a vast variety of subject areas to all the applicants. While the specific requirements may vary for each program, the general admission requirements remain the same. Here are listed some of the most popular programs at OCAD. Each program offered here has different admission requirements and eligibility criteria.

How to apply: OCAD Graduate Application Portal
Application Fees: 110 CAD
Academic Requirements:

  • Undergraduate Transcripts
  • English Proficiency score
  • Reference letters.
  • Academic requirements vary from course to course.
  • CV or Resume
  • Portfolio
  • Research proposal (for research-based programs)

OCAD University Graduate Programs

Program Design for Health (MDes) Digital Futures (MA, MDes and MFA) Strategic Foresight and Innovation (MDes) Contemporary Art, Design and New Media Art Histories (MA) Interdisciplinary Masters in Art, Media and Design (MA, MDes & MFA)
GPA Required 75% or Grade B+ 75% or Grade B+ 75% or Grade B+ 75% or Grade B+ 70% or Grade A-
Portfolio/ Work Sample Portfolio Required Work Samples Required 5 to 10 Work Samples Writing Sample in 20 pages Minimum 5 or maxim 10 media samples(Must be done within last 12 months)
Statment of Interest In 750 words A Research Proposal in 800 to 1,000 words Statement of Intent in 1,000 to 1,200 words Statement in 500 words Research Proposal in 500 words and Designer Statement in 250 words
CV Required Required Required Required Required
Essay Questions Required Required Required Not Required Not Required

OCAD is among one of the best art and design colleges. The university has a good student-teacher faculty ratio. The curriculum is vast but the admission process majorly depends upon the portfolio. Applicants are suggested to submit their best samples of work for admission as it is a huge deciding factor.

Placements & Recruiters

OCAD University Placement Details

OCAD University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2018

Highlights
2018
  • Design: #3 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Design
  • 1 ranking record in 2018

2019

Highlights
2019
  • Design: #2 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Design
  • 1 ranking record in 2019

2020

Highlights
2020
  • Design: #3 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Design
  • 1 ranking record in 2020

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Design: #2 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 2 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Arts, Design
  • 1 ranking record in 2024

Contact Information

100 McCaul St, Toronto, ON M5T 1W1

+1-416-977-6000

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

6.8/10
Top Rated

Based on 1 rating

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
9.0/10
Faculty
9.0/10
Infrastructure
8.0/10
Accommodation
7.0/10
Placement
8.0/10