Each school (college or university) can decide on admission requirements and select which students to accept.
When applying for a university you apply as a domestic or international student. The process of applying is almost identical, the major difference is cost. Applying as an international student can be double or triple the price of a domestic student and this is not including cost of living, just tuition fees.
Some colleges and universities have different tuition rates for children and dependents of diplomats, and children or dependents of people with some kinds of work permit.
To apply to an Ontario university, you must submit your application to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). The OUAC processes application for all Ontario universities.
The deadline to apply depends on whether you are currently in high school, and which kind of program you are applying to. If you are in high school you would be applying via the 101 application process on the OUAC website. If you are above the age of 21, are an international student, or, for simplicity sake, did not immediately apply to a university during your final year of high school, it is likely you will need to go through the 105 application in the OUAC website.
When applying to a specific university via the 101 application you can apply for any number of universities, for a fee of course. However, you can only apply for three programs at any given university. For example, if you apply to ABC University and XYZ University, you can only apply to three programs at ABC University and three programs at XYZ University.
To apply to an Ontario college, you must submit your application to the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS). OCAS processes the applications for public colleges in Ontario. If you are accepted to a college, you also send your response to the OCAS. The OCAS will respond to the college for you.
Unlike universities, colleges do not have the same kind of final application deadline. Applicants are considered on a first come first serve basis. When applying to a popular college program be warned slots fill up quickly. The OCAS recommends applying as soon as possible during October and paying your tuition if you are accepted no later than June of the following year. There are three waves of acceptance letters/emails that go out and you will find out your status by November for early acceptance, February for most students, and at the very latest May.
Ontario Universities – A list of Ontario’s universities, including website links and contact information.
Ontario Colleges – A list of Ontario’s colleges, including website links and contact information.
Studying in Canada – Information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for people planning to come to Canada as international students.
Information for Students Educated Abroad Applying for Admission to Canadian Universities and Colleges – Answers to some basic questions, includes links to relevant organizations and resources.
International Students – This webpage has information about coming to Ontario as an international student, and working while you study and after you graduate. It is from the Ontario Immigration website.
Help! I went to a foreign high school – Information about applying to college or university in Ontario, if you went to a high school outside of Canada. From NewYouth.ca, a website for young newcomers to Ontario.
