OCAD University

OCAD University : School Overview

OCAD University is a public school in Canada dedicated to Art, Music, and Media. It was founded in 1876 by the Ontario Society of Artists and has gained its reputation since those times. Recognized among the top universities in the world, it is one of the best institutions in Canada for Creative Writing, Digital Art, and Indigenous Digital Culture programs. Each year OCAD University welcomes around 4,423 undergraduate and 319 graduate students. The multicultural nature and popularity of the university are represented by international students from 50 countries.

The campus of OCAD University is located in Toronto near landmarks, such as the City of Toronto Recreation Centre and the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre. Moreover, students can visit the on-campus wellness centre, take part in different clubs and organizations like the Muslim association, GAMA club and Art in Public Spaces club.

Despite that OCAD University does not provide on-campus accommodation for students, it offers them a Toronto Home Share plan. The school helps international students find co-op houses and independent residences in the Greater Toronto Area. Hence, international students can find housing with affordable rents ranging from 400 CAD to 600 CAD per month.

The OCAD University offers 17 undergraduate and seven graduate programs for international students. The undergraduate degrees include a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Design (BDes), and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). Nevertheless, the Bachelors in Fine Arts is the most popular course among international students.

Undergraduate programs offered at the OCAD University include Advertising, Creative Writing, Criticism and Curatorial Practice, Digital Features, Drawing and Painting, Environmental Design, Environmental Design: Interior Design Specialization, Experimental Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, Indigenous Visual Culture, Industrial Design, Integrated Media, Material Art and Design, Photography, Printmaking and Publications, Sculpture and Installation, Visual and Critical Studies.

The graduate degrees include a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Design (MDes), and Master of Fine Arts (MFA). The OCAD University offers graduate programs in Criticism and Curatorial Practice, Contemporary Art, Design for Health, Design and New Media Art Histories, Media and Design, Inclusive Design, Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Digital Futures, Strategic Foresight and Innovation.

The OCAD University also offers students to add minors to their study programs. Thus, international students can construct a program of study that responds to their interests, curiosities, and passions. The minors at the school include Art History, Art and Public Spaces, Art and Social Change, Creative Writing, Communication Design, Digital Media, Digital and Media Studies, Drawing and Painting, Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation, English, Expanded Animation, Furniture Design, Games and Play, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Illustration, Indigenous Visual Culture, Industrial Ceramics, Integrated Media, Material Art and Design, On-Screen Media, Photography, Printmaking and Publications, Sculpture and Installation, Social Sciences, Sustainability, and Wearable Technology.

Admission Requirements in OCAD University

If you want to apply to the undergraduate program at OCAD University, you must do it by February 1. The deadline for graduate applications is May 1. If you apply after the deadline, it will be considered based on the number of seats available in the chosen program.

To apply to the undergraduate study program, international students need to complete six steps.

1. You ought to choose your program. You may visit the official website of OCAD University to find the most suitable program for you.
2. You have to learn about the admission and academic entrance requirements of the institution. To meet the prerequisites of the study program, you should submit your official transcripts, English Language Proficiency test scores, portfolio (required for all BDes and BFA programs) or writing sample (required for the BA in Visual and Critical Studies), and other supporting documents. International students ought to have strong academic skills, but admission to OCAD University depends on your portfolio or writing sample.
3. You should submit your application online. All undergraduate applicants ought to apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). After applying, international students have two weeks to submit a portfolio or writing sample. Key elements of the portfolio include a statement of intent, process works, finished works (from eight to ten examples), descriptions of each finished work. You may visit the preparing a portfolio page to learn more about the requirements and review the students’ examples.
4. You ought to submit your portfolio or additional works. If you are applying to the Visual and Critical Studies program, you should submit a statement of intent and a writing sample. You will receive the email with the topic for the writing sample and other details. If you are applying to the Creative Writing program at OCAD University, you need to upload a statement of intent and a writing portfolio through SlideRoom.
5. You need to wait for your conditional offer of admission. The school sends letters of acceptance from the end of March. Then, you must meet all academic entrance requirements and submit the required documents. The email from the admission officer will include all important dates, deadlines, and information on how to complete the admission process.
6. You should respond to your offer of admission. If you want to study at OCAD University, you must accept the offer through OUAC. Then, you will be required to pay a 500 CAD non-refundable deposit and apply for the study permit. You will get an email with the additional details.

International applicants who have not completed four consecutive years in an English language school have to submit the successful results of an English Language Proficiency Test. OCAD University accepts results from CAEL, IELTS, PTE and TOEFL iBT.

If you pass CAEL, you need to get a minimum overall score of 70. If you decide to take IELTS (Academic), you should get at least a score of 6.5. If you pass PTE (Academic), you ought to have a minimum score of 58. If you take TOEFL iBT, you need to get a minimum total score of 84.

Additionally, OCAD University recognizes English language programs from several pathway schools and offers an English for Art and Design (EAD) program. 

International students need to complete five steps to apply to the graduate study program at OCAD University.

1. You must review the application and program-specific requirements for international students.
2. You need to apply online using the Graduate Application Portal and pay a non-refundable application fee of 110 CAD.
3. You should complete and submit your application. Once you do it, you will receive an official email from OCAD University that acknowledges receipt of your application and includes information about further steps.
4. You ought to wait for the application review at OCAD University. As a rule, the admissions committee reviews complete applications from twelve to fourteen weeks after the application deadline.
5. You should get the notification of admissions decisions. When the decision is made, you will get an email asking you to log in to the Graduate Application Portal and check the status of your application.

Fees for International Students in OCAD University

The tuition fees at OCAD University depend on the number of credits you choose to complete per term. For instance, the undergraduate program with three credits per term can cost you from 15,836 CAD to 16,579 CAD. The graduate program for international students can cost from 8,857 CAD to 18,840 CAD per term. However, the tuition fees are subject to change. Thus, you should visit the official website of OCAD University to find current fees for the study programs.

As an international student at OCAD University, you have access to numerous valuable services, such as Academic Advising, Career Development, Financial Aid and Awards, Indigenous Student Services, International Student Services, Laptop Program, Library, Student Accessibility Services, Student Wellness Centre, Writing and Learning Centre. Moreover, the Campus Employment Program for International Students (CEPIS) offers part-time on-campus employment for full-time students. In its turn, the Career Development office at OCAD University supports the professional development of international students. They offer direction, resources and opportunities for students who want to realize their personal and early-career goals.

 

 

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