OCAD University Student Life & Support
Toronto, Ontario
Community, clubs, support services, and international fit. This focused guide keeps the detailed tables, official sources, and practical next steps in one manageable reading path.
The short answer
- OCAD U has no residence, so student life happens in the buildings, galleries and groups on McCaul Street.
- Every undergraduate pays a Student Union fee of $133.36 and an Xpace fee of $70.38 in Fall 2026/2027.
- The Health Plan is $103.00 in Fall and $205.00 in Winter; the Dental Plan is $64.00 and $128.00.
- First-year students pay a $33.57 orientation fee; Winter new admits pay two-thirds of the Fall Student Union and Xpace rates.
- The Student Union is separate, with its own site at ocadsu.org, and the clubs directory lists groups like the Indigenous Student Association.
Reviewed August 14, 2026 · Official university sources · How we review guides
OCAD University student life on McCaul Street
OCAD U has no residence, so community forms around the buildings, galleries, student groups and centres on McCaul Street rather than around a first-year dorm floor. These are the published facts to plan against.
What the compulsory student fees actually buy
2026/2027 Fall Winter · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
Every undergraduate pays a flat Student Union fee of $133.36 and an Xpace Cultural Centre fee of $70.38 in the Fall term, plus a Canadian Federation of Students membership fee of $10.54 at 1.5 credits or more. The single Health Plan is $103.00 in Fall and $205.00 in Winter and the single Dental Plan is $64.00 and $128.00, and first-year students pay a $33.57 orientation fee. Winter new admits are charged two-thirds of the Fall Student Union and Xpace rates.
Applies to: All applicants
OCAD University: 2026/2027 Fall Winter domestic BA and BFA fee schedule (PDF) · Verified August 14, 2026
Student clubs and the Student Union
Current campus life · Published for this period
OCAD U publishes a student groups directory spanning cultural associations, studio clubs, professional-development groups, publications, gaming, advocacy, and wellness — including the Indigenous Student Association, the Student Association of Industrial Designers, the UX Student Association, the Clay Studio Club, the Plastic Student Club, and the OCAD Climbing Club. The Student Union is listed as a separate organization with its own site at ocadsu.org.
OCAD U does not publish a total club count on this page, and student groups form and fold every year. Check the live directory for whether a specific group is still active.
Applies to: All applicants
OCAD University: Student clubs and groups directory · Verified August 14, 2026
Six public galleries and exhibition spaces
Current campus life · Published for this period
OCAD U operates Onsite Gallery — described as 'OCAD U's flagship, fully curated public professional gallery for art and design' — plus the Ada Slaight Gallery for curriculum-based student work, Ignite Gallery for students and recent graduates, the Graduate Gallery, the Great Hall as the central events and exhibitions hub, Open Space Gallery, a Continuing Studies virtual gallery, and the 113 Research research-creation space. Showing work publicly is part of the degree, not an extracurricular.
Applies to: All applicants
OCAD University: OCAD U galleries and exhibition spaces · Verified August 14, 2026
GradEx, the annual Graduate Exhibition
GradEx 111, latest available · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
GradEx is OCAD U's annual graduating exhibition and the public endpoint of a fourth-year major project. The most recent published edition was GradEx 111 — 'OCAD University's 111th Annual Graduate Exhibition' — celebrating the class of 2026 from May 6 to 10, with the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers running employer connections from 115 McCaul St. during the show.
Applies to: All applicants
OCAD University: GradEx: the annual Graduate Exhibition · Verified August 14, 2026
Indigenous Student Centre
Current services · Published for this period
The Indigenous Student Centre supports the academic, cultural, social, and emotional wellbeing of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students. It is a culturally activated space for meeting, studying, or resting between classes, hosts weekly events, guest lectures, workshops, visiting artists, and field trips, and provides computer workstations, a resource library and archive, a student office, and a food pantry. It is the designated smudging space on campus, visiting Elders are available through the academic year, and wellness supports include counselling, peer wellness, traditional medicines, and wellness kits.
Applies to: All applicants
OCAD University: Indigenous Student Centre services and supports · Verified August 14, 2026
Official Sources and Next Steps
Stellar keeps this guide structured for comparison, but official university pages remain the source of truth for program requirements, tuition, residence, scholarships, deadlines, and policy changes.
Prepared by Stellar Advisers Editorial Team · Reviewed August 14, 2026 · Editorial, corrections, and source methodology