Guelph Environmental Sciences admission requirements: ENG4U, MHF4U, two sciences and a 75% to 80% estimated cut-off

Environmental Sciences is a major in Guelph's Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences. It is run by the School of Environmental Sciences in the Ontario Agricultural College. You learn the chemical, physical and biological processes behind soil, air and water, and how to propose solutions that also fit the social and economic context.

Guelph says graduates are ready for problems such as pollinator conservation, soil and water conservation, greenhouse gas mitigation and plant disease management. Careers it lists include environmental policy analyst, resource management specialist and business sustainability manager.

Students in the BSc in Environmental Sciences start as undeclared and pick a major later. The program page says you choose at the end of first year. The requirements page says first year is common and you select a major in second year. Both describe the same step.

The other majors in the degree are Ecology, Environment and Resource Management, Environmental Economics and Policy, and Earth Observation and Geographic Information Science. All five majors have a co-op option.

You need an OSSD and at least six 4U or 4M courses. The required ones are ENG4U, MHF4U and two of SBI4U, SCH4U or SPH4U. Add two more 4U or 4M courses of your choice.

Guelph recommends taking both 4U Biology and 4U Chemistry. First year includes biology and chemistry courses, so having both helps even though physics is allowed as one of your two sciences. Plan your Grade 12 year with our course planner.

Guelph lists an estimated cut-off range of 75% to 80%. It says these ranges come from previous years' admission averages and are only a point of reference. Exact cut-offs depend on how many people apply, how strong they are and how much space there is. Being in the range does not guarantee an offer.

Co-op averages will often be higher than the range. If you apply to co-op and aren't admissible, Guelph automatically considers you for the regular program. Guelph does not publish an acceptance rate for this program. Work out your number with our Top 6 average calculator.

There is no required essay or portfolio for this program. Guelph does offer an optional Student Profile Form. You use it to describe leadership and citizenship activities and any circumstances that hurt your marks.

Guelph says that if your May average misses the cut-off, the form may be considered if you're within a discretionary range of up to 5%. The deadline is April 1, 2027. Submission is optional but strongly encouraged.

In semester 1 the calendar lists BIOL*1070 Discovering Biodiversity, CHEM*1040 General Chemistry I, ENVS*1030 Introduction to Environmental Sciences and MATH*1080 Elements of Calculus I.

In semester 2 you take BIOL*1090 Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology, CHEM*1050 General Chemistry II, FARE*1040 Introduction to Environmental Economics, Law and Policy and GEOG*1300 Introduction to the Biophysical Environment.

Second year adds courses such as ENVS*2030 Meteorology and Climatology, ENVS*2060 Soil Science, BIOL*2060 Ecology and STAT*2040 Statistics I. The regular degree is 20.00 credits, including 6.50 credits of restricted electives and 3.00 of free electives.

The co-op version is a five year program with four work terms. The calendar says you must complete a fall, a winter and a summer work term, and follow a set schedule. The co-op degree is 22.00 credits.

Past co-op jobs include student environmental technician, assistant evaluator and soil physical quality assistant. Sample employers include conservation authorities, municipalities and Environment and Climate Change Canada. Pay depends on the job and the work term level.

Ontario high school students apply through OUAC. Guelph's deadline is January 15, 2027. It will still accept applications after that, but encourages you to apply early. Your school sends grades to OUAC, and all grades must arrive by April 22, 2027.

Guelph releases offers in rounds from November to mid-May. If you want to change your program choice, do it in your OUAC account by April 15. See our Ontario deadlines page for other schools.

Guelph posts tuition per semester. For Fall 2026, Winter 2027 and Summer 2027, Arts and Science programs, which include this BSc, cost $3,106.37 per semester for Ontario students and $3,886.87 for other Canadian students. That is tuition only. Compulsory fees are extra.

Co-op students pay a $405.00 Co-op Academic Fee in any semester with academic courses, and a $405.00 Co-op Work Term Fee for each work term course. Our estimate, not Guelph's: two semesters of Ontario tuition come to $6,212.74 before fees, books and residence.

For Fall 2027, Guelph gives automatic entrance scholarships to Canadian citizens and permanent residents entering post-secondary for the first time. An admission average of 90.0% to 94.9% earns $1,000. An average of 95.0% or higher earns $2,000. Students are reconsidered in May and August.

For need-based awards, complete the Entrance Financial Need Assessment Form by April 15, even before you have an offer.

The bar to get in is moderate. Your child needs ENG4U, MHF4U and two Grade 12 sciences, with an average around 75% to 80% based on past years. Co-op adds a year but gives four paid work terms.

Inside the same degree, Ecology suits students who want more biology, and Environmental Economics and Policy suits those who lean toward policy. Since first year is common, your child can switch majors before second year. For a science program with a higher bar, see our Guelph Biomedical Science guide, or read our Guelph admissions overview.