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Ontario University Degree Options
Ontario Universities Contact Information
Check with program links with your career on My Pathway Planner.
Learn more about the different types of programs available in the tabs below.
Degree programs offered at both universities and colleges focus on theoretical learning. This means that:
Learning is abstract and conceptual; you will learn mostly from textbooks, articles, and journals.
You MUST be able to work independently to understand course material and complete work.
Your professor or instructor will expect you to come to class having completed readings and/or other assigned work so they can explain in more depth.
You will be learning in large class sizes ranging from 50-1000 people.
Each degree program will differ in their specifics for type of learning required, how long the program is, and what it costs. Here are the main facts:
Most degree programs are between 3-4 years long.
Some special programs are 5-6 years long, but typically grant you two degrees instead of just one. Concurrent Education is an example.
Some programs will include optional or mandatory work experience in the form of co-op or internship. These can be paid or unpaid.
Average tuition cost per year is approximately $8,000.
You will earn a “degree” when you finish your studies. Examples include:
BA - Bachelor of Arts
BBA - Bachelor of Business Administration
BCom - Bachelor of Commerce
BEd - Bachelor of Education
BEng - Bachelor of Engineering
BFA - Bachelor of Fine Arts
BSc - Bachelor of Science
Universities have subject departments called "Faculties". Your specific program will be listed under one of those Faculties. For example, at York University:
The program of African Studies is offered by the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.
The program of Psychology is offered by the Faculty of Arts.
The program of Athletic Therapy is offered by the Faculty of Health.
The program of Biotechnology is offered by the Faculty of Science.
The type of person that best enjoys a degree program is someone who:
Is interested in exploring academic, theoretical, and conceptual learning.
Is willing to independently review course materials and manage academic challenges.
Has a minimum 75% average in 6 grade 12 “4U” (University) or “4M” (Mixed) courses.
May benefit from a degree to apply to a professional school (e.g. Teaching, Medicine, Law, etc.) or a post-graduate Masters program (e.g. Social Work, Physiotherapy, etc.).
Collaborative programs combine the best of College and University opportunities! This means you will:
Earn 2 credentials: a Bachelors Degree and a Certificate or Diploma!
Allows for academic/theoretical learning AND practical experience and skill development.
Learn in both a college and university settings, with class sizes ranging from 30-500 people.
Complete many compulsory courses to meet the requirements of both the degree and the diploma/certificate.
Each Collaborative program will differ in their specifics for type of learning required, how long the program is, and what it costs. Here are the main facts:
Each program is between 4-5 years long.
You will spend part of your time at a College and part of your time at a University, usually 2 years at each.
Most programs have a “co-op” or work experience opportunity. This provides students the opportunity to engage in work experience connected to learning.
Average tuition cost per year is $5,500.
Completing a Collaborative Program saves students at least one year of time to earn 2 credentials! It is also cheaper because they are combined in your yearly tuition! Learn more about collaborative programs.
Requirements
Admission to a degree program at a college or university is based primarily on the calculated average grade in your top 6 grade 12 “4U” and “4M” level courses.
Prerequisites specific to a program are almost always included in the top 6;
Minimum averages in specific courses may be required (e.g. 70% in ENG4U or MHF4U);
Courses taken outside of day school (e.g. summer school, private school) MAY be treated differently;
You must complete your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD);
Some programs will require an audition, portfolio, or supplementary application to ensure you have the appropriate entry skills and/or applicant profile.
You can find information about the specific admission requirements for each Ontario degree program.
Applying to Ontario Universities
The Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) is responsible for collecting and distributing:
Previous and Current Marks
Applications
Admission Decisions
Acceptance Submission
Ontario high school students complete an OUAC Application at https://www.ouac.on.ca/.
Students can apply as soon as OUAC opens the Application process. Personalized PINs are no longer required. You will need your Ontario Education Number (OEN) which can be found on any of your past report cards.
University applications are due by mid-January during a student's Grade 12 year.
Initial application fee includes 3 program choices.
Additional programs can be added for a fee.
Some programs require supplemental application fees.
Sending Marks to Ontario Universities
Sit back and relax! Guidance takes care of all of this.
Student academic history in grade 11 and 12 courses are uploaded by Guidance in November, February, April, and July of a student's Grade 12 year.
Receiving Offers of Admission from Ontario Universities
You do not need to formally accept until June 1.
All offers of admission are posted on OUAC. Students who wish to accept an offer must choose one program to accept by June 1 of their Grade 12 year. No program can require you to make an acceptance decision before June 1.
All offers of admissions are conditional.
Admission offers will state a minimum average a student must meet in their top 6 grade 12 4U/4M courses by the end of June, and/or minimum marks to achieve in specific courses.
failure to maintain the stated conditions will result in the withdrawal of the offer.
failure to graduate (including completion of the 40 hours of Community Involvement and successfully completing the OSSLT requirement) will result in the withdrawal of the offer.
Acceptance decisions occur in 3 rounds during a student's grade 12 year:
Round 1 - Offers received before the end of February (aka "Early Offers")
All applicants are considered for these "earlier offers"; no special application is required. Not all schools and programs extend offers at this time. The more competitive programs tend to skip this round as they wait for more recent and relevant academic information to be shared.
For Round 1, universities consider grade 11 marks, with a focus on a student's performance in their top 6 grade 11 3U/3M courses. If students do not have strong grade 11 academics, programs simply wait for grade 12 marks to be submitted. There is no penalty for having poor grade 11 marks.
If you receive an offer of admission during round 1, it is on the condition that you are registered in the prerequisite grade 12 4U/4M courses and meet all other program and graduation requirements.
Round 2 - Offers received in March and April
For Round 2, universities consider grade 12 semester 1 final marks, and grade 11 marks as necessary.
Round 3 - Offers received in May
For Round 3, universities consider grade 12 semester 1 final marks, and grade 12 semester 2 midterm marks as necessary. Final decisions are shared in May - students are either rejected, waitlisted, or accepted. Interested students must accept an offer of admission by June 1.
Remember, all offers are conditional. You must meet program and graduation requirements.