Lakehead nursing admission requirements: ENG4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, a math, and a January 15 recommended deadline

The School of Nursing took its first students in 1965. It offers a four-year BScN, a three-year compressed BScN, a four-year BScN with the Seven Generations Education Institute, and an Indigenous Nursing Entry Program. The BScN programs are approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario.

The program page lists OUAC code AAH for nursing. Lakehead stresses Indigenous health and wellness, which helps if you plan to work in northern, rural or remote communities.

Ontario students need the OSSD and six Grade 12 U or M courses. For both nursing programs these must include ENG4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and one of Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors or Data Management. Every prerequisite needs at least 60%.

Lakehead lists the matching courses for every province. Manitoba students need English Language Arts 40S, Biology 40S, Chemistry 40S and a 40S math. Check your plan with our course planner.

Lakehead's general rule is a 70% overall average of your top six Grade 12 U or M courses. It says higher averages may be needed when more qualified students apply than there are spaces. It does not post a cut-off or typical admitted average for the four-year BScN.

The three-year compressed program is different. High school and mature applicants need an admission average of at least 80%. Work out your average with our Top 6 average calculator.

Lakehead's nursing page lists no supplementary application, essay, interview or Casper test. You apply through OUAC for full-time study.

Once admitted, every student must meet clinical documentation requirements before placements. The School of Nursing posts these on its current students pages.

Lakehead lists January 15, 2027 as the recommended deadline for the three-year and four-year BScN programs. Nursing is excluded from Lakehead's later general deadline. Offers for limited enrolment programs like nursing begin in early February and continue through spring.

Lakehead notes that once a program closes on OUAC, it is closed for the cycle. Apply on time. See all Ontario dates on our deadlines page.

First year includes Relational Nursing Theory I and II, Relational Nursing Practice I and II, Applied Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Inquiry, two Foundations of Psychology courses, and Quantitative Mathematics for the Health Scientist. Students in the three-year program also take spring and summer courses.

You can do a clinical placement in the winter term of first year. Lakehead says many programs wait until second or third year. In fourth year, some students do placements abroad. Past students went to Thailand, England, Finland, Sweden and New Zealand. Class sizes are small.

College students can be considered after at least one year of full-time study at an accredited college since high school, with a 70% average and the nursing prerequisites. University students need university work completed since high school with at least a C or 60% average, plus the prerequisites.

Graduates of an accredited Practical Nursing diploma who are in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario may get advanced standing credit. Mature and transfer students can meet the prerequisites with ENG4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and a 4U math, or other courses Lakehead accepts as equal. If you are missing a prerequisite, Lakehead suggests booking a meeting with an admissions officer.

Graduates can apply to register as a Registered Nurse in Ontario. The program page lists careers in medical and surgical acute care, maternal and infant care, mental health, pediatrics, community health, critical care, occupational health, nursing administration and infection control.

Lakehead's nursing page describes clinical practice from first year and senior placements, not a co-op stream. Hands-on learning is part of the degree itself.

Lakehead shows fees in a table on the nursing page. For 2026-2027, compulsory ancillary fees for first-year full-time nursing students in Thunder Bay are $1,653.38. Upper years pay $1,567.49. The fees include a bus pass, health and dental plan, and nursing association fees.

Tuition rows in the table start at about $6,100 a year for Ontario residents. The page groups fees by program, and we could not match each table to the four-year BScN with certainty. Use the selector on the page and confirm with Lakehead.

Lakehead says the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant can cover tuition, books and other direct costs for nursing at Lakehead Thunder Bay. In return, you commit to work in the region for a set time.

Academic entrance scholarships are automatic for students entering from a Canadian high school with 80% or more. For Fall 2027 entry they range from $3,000 to $16,000 over four years, or free tuition at 95% if you meet the conditions. One award worth $40,000 needs a 90% average and an application by April 25.

Lakehead guarantees residence to all high school students. You must apply before June 1. That covers both the Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses.

The 60% course minimums and 70% general minimum are low, but nursing is a limited enrolment program. Help your child apply by January 15, 2027 and to a few other nursing schools as well.

If your child wants to work in the north, the Learn and Stay Grant can make Lakehead much cheaper. Read the Lakehead admissions overview too.