OCAD University is dedicated to art, music and media and was founded by the Ontario Society of Artists. Around 4,423 students pursue undergraduate programs offered by the university, whereas, only 319 students are enrolled to the graduate programs in OCAD university. International students from 50 different countries represents the multicultural nature and popularity of the university.
Ranked among the top 16% Universities in the World by Edurank, 2021, it is one of the best institutes for higher education in Canada best known for digital art, creative writing and indigenous digital culture. The university provides 17 undergraduate and seven graduate programs flexibly to the enrolled students. Admission to these programs require academic excellence along with SOP, multiple LOR and scores of exams to study in Canada as the primary requirement.
| Established | 1876 |
| Type | Public |
| Campus setting | Urban |
| Endowment | 15.5 million CAD |
| Administrative staff | 250 |
| Cost of attendance | 20,631 CAD approximately |
| Financial aids | Scholarships, loans and grants |
| Housing facility | Not Offered |
| Cumulative number of students | 4,376 undergraduates and 255 graduates |
| Official Website | ocadu.ca |
The OCAD university’s campus is located in Richmond St West in Toronto, Canada and is considered to be a commuter campus. The campus is nearer to various landmarks like The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, City of Toronto Recreation Centre and the Toronto Governor Grosvenor YMCA Centre.
Bike tracks, Toronto Parks, Woodlands, Glacial Lake Iroquois and eleven beaches can be found near the OCAD campus. The students wellness centre, different clubs and organisations like the Muslim association, GAMA club and Art in Public Spaces club are the most talked about centres in the entire campus.
OCAD University does not provide on-campus housing facilities but does include a plan called Toronto Home Share. Through this plan, the students will be provided housing with affordable rents ranging from 400 to 600 USD. This scheme is specially designed to help international students find accommodation in Canada. OCAD also provides co-op houses, independent residences and online housing services in the Greater Toronto Area.
In other ways, the students can use the FindStorageFast service to store valuables and search other housing facilities. The facilities provided along with the residence – style housing at Campus One Student Residence are fully furnished suites, fireplace, lounges, fitness center, Penthouse level Sky Lounge, laundry room, 3-meal food Program, high-speed Wi-Fi and full-time security. For international students, Homestay Network plan is another residential option offered by OCAD which lets the students stay with families in Toronto.
Programs at OCAD University are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. OCAD University offers courses like Contemporary Art and Design, Creative Writing, Criticism and Curatorial Practice specially for international students along with the programs that include more than 20 art minors and 16 majors programs.
The university offers more than six graduate programs in Digital Futures, Strategic Foresight and Innovation. Other popular courses at the university are spoken word, indigenous visual culture, design in advertising, digital futures, graphic designing, illustrations, integrated media, curatorial practice and creative writing. The Bachelors in Fine Arts is the most opted course in OCAD.
For international students, getting admissions at OCAD University requires the following steps:
Application Portal: Online portal.
Application Fees: No application fees for the undergraduate students, 110 CAD for graduate programs.
Application Deadline: UG: February 4 , PG: May 8.
Application Requirements: Following are the general admission requirements for admission to the university:
Tuition fee may vary with programs. Cost of attendance includes rent, meal, tuition and other basic expenses. The table below mentions the cost of living in Canada while studying at the university.
| Expenses | UG (CAD) | PG (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 13, 941 | 13, 177 |
| Student fee | 87 | 87 |
| Health facilities | 434 | 434 |
| Accommodation | 600-800 | 600-800 |
| Food | Not available | Not available |
| Books | 800 | Not available |
| Personal expenses | 9920 | 9920 |
| Health insurance | 636 | 636 |
OCAD University’s scholarships are available as Merit-Based Scholarships Awards, OCAD U Bursary and International Students Emergency Funds for financial aid. The In-Study Scholarships award is offered to the students of art, design, and liberal arts with 60% or above marks. The AwardSpring application system is used for selection. The following is a list of some international scholarships:
OCAD University helps the students avail various alumni facilities including career services, low rate insurance, The alumni hosts and actively takes part in various events around the year. The alumni members also enjoy several discounts on merchandises. Some of the notable alumni of the OCAD University:
The Campus Employment Program for International Students (CEPIS) offers part-time employment on-campus. Students with full-time enrollment in a degree program and study permit are eligible for the placement. The students can also become a part of the alumni association to be a part of the career fairs and workshops.
OCAD is one of the illustrious art and design institution in Canada. The university is a coveted educational centre as it provides degrees at a minimal cost. International students are attracted to apply for admission to the university due to its living-learning facility and a variety of financial assistance offered.
