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OCAD University Acceptance Rate: What Official Data Shows
As of October 2026, OCAD University asks Ontario applicants for a 70% average across six Grade 12 U or M courses and at least 70% in Grade 12 U English. For its studio programs, the portfolio decides the offer once you meet that bar. OCAD U doesn't publish application or offer counts, so there's no acceptance rate. Here's how admission works.
The short answer
- As of October 2026, OCAD University asks for a 70% average across six Grade 12 university (U) or university/college (M) preparation courses.
- You also need at least 70% in a Grade 12 U English course, such as ENG4U.
- For the BDes and BFA studio programs, the portfolio decides the offer once you meet that bar.
- OCAD U says final admission decisions aren't open to appeal.
- OCAD U doesn't publish application or offer counts, so there's no official acceptance rate.
Reviewed October 1, 2026 · Every figure below comes from OCAD University's admissions pages, linked at the end
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- OUAC Group A deadline (Ontario high-school students)January 15, 2027
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OCAD U's academic minimum
Ontario applicants need an OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) with at least six Grade 12 U or M courses, a 70% overall final average, and 70% or higher in a Grade 12 U English course such as ENG4U or EAE4U. Applicants from other provinces need the same 70% in their own Grade 12 courses and English.
OCAD U says admission is competitive and that meeting the minimum academic requirements doesn't guarantee admission.
Source: OCAD University academic requirements. For programs and dates, see the OCAD U admission requirements guide.
The portfolio decides studio offers
For the Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), OCAD U bases every offer on the strength of your portfolio. The offer is then conditional on meeting the academic minimum and sending all required documents. After you apply, OCAD U emails you how to submit the portfolio.
The Undergraduate Admissions Office makes final decisions, and OCAD U says they aren't open to appeal. So the best use of your time, once your average is safely above 70%, is the portfolio.
Source: OCAD University academic requirements, statement on offers of admission.
Why there's no OCAD U acceptance rate
An acceptance rate is offers divided by applicants, for the same group and year. OCAD U's Common University Data Ontario (CUDO) page points to the provincial CUDO system rather than posting its own figures, and its admissions pages don't count applications or offers. So there's no official rate, and we don't estimate one.
Official sources
Each figure on this page links back to the page or report it came from.
- OCAD University: academic requirements
The OSSD, six Grade 12 U or M courses, 70% overall average and 70% English requirement; competitive admission; portfolio-based offers for BDes and BFA; final decisions not subject to appeal.
- OCAD University: preparing your portfolio
OCAD U's guidance on what to include in the portfolio that decides studio-program offers.
- OCAD University: CUDO
OCAD U's Common University Data Ontario page, which links to the provincial CUDO system.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers about OCAD U's academic minimum, the portfolio and why there's no official rate.
Planning an OCAD U application?
An adviser can help you plan your Grade 12 courses and portfolio timeline. OCAD U makes every admission decision.