Back to List

OCAD University

This institution has signed on to Ontario’s Principles for Credit Transfer.

Transfer Advisor

General Information

Provides students with the main website(s) containing general credit transfer information.

Check out the following resource to learn more about credit transfer at OCAD University: 

Required Grades and/or GPA, Level(s) of Completed Previous Education, and Program Prerequisites (Admission)

Provides students with the minimum grades and/or GPA, level(s) of completed previous postsecondary, and program prerequisites required for admission.

Review the admission requirements for all programs at OCAD University:

Required Grade and/or GPA (Transfer Credit Eligibility)

Provides students with the minimum grade and/or GPA required for transfer credit eligibility.

The minimum grade required to transfer a course to OCAD University varies by source institution, but typically ranges from 60-70%.

Course Equivalencies, Pathways and Articulation Agreements

Provides students with available course equivalency, pathway, and articulation agreement materials for planning purposes.

View OCAD University’s articulation agreement opportunities:

Types of Credit Awarded

Provides students with the types of credit awarded and a brief definition of each (advanced standing, block, exemptions, equivalencies, specified, unspecified, generic, etc.).

OCAD University awards block transfer credit for Upper-Year Entry, as well as specified and unspecified transfer credit in recognition of previous learning.

Upper Year Entry
 
Applicants who have completed one or more years of study in an accredited post-secondary art or design program may be eligible to apply for admission with direct entry to an upper year in a studio-based program. Eligibility is dependent on the level attained and the particular program of study. For studio-based programs, students who are admitted to second year, typically receive a block transfer of 3.5 studio credits (7 courses). Students who are admitted to third year, typically receive a block transfer of 7.0 studio credits (14 courses).
 
Transfer Credits
 
Students who have attended an accredited post-secondary institution or who have completed International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses may be awarded transfer credit. Specified transfer credits are direct equivalencies to OCAD U courses and these credits will be given the same course code. Unspecified transfer credits are unassigned equivalencies where OCAD U does not offer the same course. These credits will be given a generic course code.
 

Residency Requirements

Provides students with the amount of study they must complete in order to be awarded the credential in which they are enrolled.

The amount of transfer credit you can receive is limited by OCAD University’s residency policy. The policy states that at least 50% of graduation requirements must be completed at the University. In addition, 2 of the 3 final semesters prior to graduation, including the final, must be completed at the University.

Currency/Timing of Previous Postsecondary Education

Provides students with an indicator of the currency required to utilize their previously completed postsecondary education for transfer credit.

OCAD University will consider all courses for transfer credit, regardless of currency, with the exception of highly technical or practice based courses.

PLAR Procedures/Steps

Provides students with the procedures/steps they must follow in order to receive a PLAR assessment.

Follow these steps in order to receive your PLAR assessment at OCAD University:

Course Challenge

  • A request for permission to challenge a course must be submitted before the end of the first week of the course. Students may normally challenge no more than 2.0 credits. Not all courses may be challenged.  
  • Students must present evidence of prior learning and receive permission to challenge a course for credit from the Dean or designate of the Faculty offering the course. Credits gained through Course Challenge cannot be used to fulfill OCAD University's residency requirements.
  • Students who are successful in challenging a course for credit will receive a grade of Pass (P) on their transcript. The grade of P has no numerical equivalent and is not included in the calculation of grade point average. The grade of P may not be applied in any way toward application for scholarships, bursaries or loans. Credit will only be awarded for work meeting the standard expected of students who successfully complete the course with a grade of 60% or better. 

PLAR Costs

Provides students with the cost of completing a PLAR assessment (challenge exam, course challenge, portfolio, etc.).

A course challenge assessment at OCAD University costs $100.00 + 50% of the applicable tuition fee (current rates). All fees are non-refundable.

Appearance of Awarded Transfer Credit(s) on Transcript

Provides students with the code(s) used to record transfer credits on their transcript and an indication of whether these credits will be included in GPA calculation.

Transfer credits will be recorded on your OCAD University transcript as “TR” and will not be included in calculating your overall average. The actual grades from the courses used for transfer credit are used in determining “Graduation with Distinction.” The policy on Graduation with Distinction can be found at 

Key Point(s) of Contact (Transfer Advisor and/or Service Area)

Provides students with a contact to discuss common credit transfer inquiries (Transfer Advisor, service area, etc.).

Contact an OCAD University Transfer Advisor to discuss your credit transfer inquiries:

Official Credit Transfer Policies (Academic Regulations/Directives Documents, Calendars and Handbooks)

Provides students with a reference to official credit transfer policies outlined in academic regulations/directives documents, calendars, and handbooks.

Familiarize yourself with OCAD University’s official credit transfer policies:

Transfer Credit Procedures/Steps

Provides students with the procedures/steps they must follow in order to receive a transfer credit assessment.

Follow these steps in order to receive your transfer credit assessment at OCAD University:

  • After receiving an offer of admission to OCAD U, students may request transfer credits by submitting a Transfer Credit Request form with the required documentation to the Admissions & Recruitment Office. Official transcripts must be submitted by the deadline indicated in your offer of admission as part of the admissions application process. Applications for transfer credit may be considered up to 12 months after admission or, for courses not previously considered for transfer, up to 6 months after admission to a new program. Decisions are made in consultation with the appropriate Dean or designate.

Transfer Credit Costs

Provides students with the cost of completing a transfer credit assessment (advanced standing, exemption, etc.).

There is currently no fee required for a transfer credit assessment at OCAD University. 

Transfer Credit Required Documentation

Provides students with a listing of the documentation they must submit to have their previously completed postsecondary education assessed for transfer credit.

The documentation required to have your previously completed postsecondary education assessed for transfer credit at OCAD University includes: 

  • Official transcript(s)
  • Course outline(s) – should include the following information: course description, learning outcomes, weekly topics, grade breakdown, and assignment details
  • Completed Transfer Credit Request Form

Transfer Credit Application Form(s)

Provides students with a copy of the transfer credit application form or link to the online submission tool (where applicable).

Complete the applicable application form(s) at OCAD University: 

Deadline(s) for Application

Provides students with the deadline by which they must apply for transfer credit.
Overall Deadline to Request Transfer Credits
 
Students have 1 year from the time they are admitted to OCAD U to request transfer credit (by August 31 each year).
 
Students who change programs during their time at OCAD U may request another review of their transcript for additional and/or modified transfer credits. Students have up to 6 months after the start of their new program to request this (March 31).
 
Per Term Deadline to Request Transfer Credits
 
The deadlines below are made to ensure that transfer credit results for required courses can be approved before the start of each term. The earlier a student applies for transfer credit and submits all documentation, the better chance a student has to fill their schedule with other courses. Students who request transfer credits for required courses after these deadlines may lose tuition refund money and may not be able to replace courses in their schedule after they receive their transfer credit results for required courses.
  • Transfer credit requests for required fall term courses: August 1
  • Transfer credit requests for required winter term courses: November 15
  • Transfer credit requests for required spring/summer term courses: March 31

Timing of Transfer Credit Decisions

Provides students with an expectation regarding the time it takes to process a transfer credit decision.
A transfer credit decision at OCAD University could take up to 8 weeks to process during peak times from May to October.  During off-peak times, it could take up to 4 weeks to process.  Assessment begins after all required supporting documentations has been submitted.
 

Review/Appeal Procedures

Provides students with the process for appealing a transfer credit decision.

A transfer credit decision can be appealed at OCAD University by providing additional information with a formal request for reconsideration to the Admissions and Recruitment Office. This request must be submitted no later than 20 business days after the date on your notice of transfer credit assessment.

 

ONTransfer.ca endeavours to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding credit transfer; however, changes and updates to transfer opportunities happen on an ongoing basis. Students MUST check with the institution directly before applying to any program.