OCAD University
Toronto, Canada
- Cost of LivingCAD 24,264
- Tuition Fee FromCAD 17,444
- Country Rank#72
- Batch Strength6,072
- Global Diversity-
- Gender Ratio-
Overview
About
Ontario College of Art & Design University, commonly known as OCAD University, is a public university of art and design located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The university is Canada's largest and oldest educational institution, known for art and design. It was incorporated as the Ontario College of Art in 1912, becoming Canada's first school dedicated only to the education of professional artists in fine and commercial art. The name was changed to the Ontario College of Art and Design in 1996 to reflect the expansion of design programs. To reflect the institution's status as a university given in 2002, the school was renamed to its current title in 2010.
OCAD University’s acceptance rate is between 40% to 50% with around 3,920+ undergraduate students and 260+ graduate students. The university offers programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Students get to pick from a range of OCAD University's courses like Contemporary Art and Design, Creative Writing, Criticism, and Curatorial Practice, in addition to more than 20 art minors and 16 majors. More than 6 graduate degrees are available at the university, including Digital Futures, Strategic Foresight, and Innovation. Spoken word, indigenous visual culture, design in advertising, digital futures, graphic design, illustrations, integrated media, curatorial practice, and creative writing are among the popular courses at the university.
The university assists students in obtaining various alumni services such as career services and low-cost insurance. The alumni also host and actively participate in numerous events throughout the year. Alumni members also receive a variety of retail discounts. Some prominent alumni include JEH MacDonald (an artist who initiated the first major National Canadian Art Movement), Franklin Carmichael (a landscape artist), Doris McCarthy (an artist who paints Abstract Canadian Landscapes), and others.
Ranking
The university has received top rankings from several reputable websites, placing it among the best in the nation and the world. These top university lists are created while considering several criteria, including academic success, employment rates, etc. Take a look at some of OCAD University’s rankings in 2022 below -
- 101st - 105th in the QS WUR Ranking by Subject
- 5558th in the Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
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Facilities
Campus life provides students with social, learning, and development activities outside of the classroom. OCAD U programs promote personal development, connection, engagement, leadership, self-confidence, interpersonal, and team-building abilities. Let’s take a look at some of OCAD University’s facilities -
- The Dorothy H. Hoover Library: It is housed in the Annex Building and is the major library on campus. The OCAD Zine Library, Art & Design Annuals, and the Visionnaire periodical collection are all housed in the Annex Building's Learning Zone
- Onsite At OCAD U: It was founded in 2007 as the OCAD Professional Gallery before changing its name in 2010. It exhibits works by national and international professional artists and designers
- Gallery For Students: The Student Gallery curates and exhibits artwork submitted by current and recent OCAD students and alumni. The Student Gallery was previously located at 285 Dundas Street West and 76 McCaul Street
- The Graduate Gallery: It is a space for graduate students and research faculty to exhibit their work
- Xpace: The OCAD Student Union operates an off-campus gallery named the Xpace Cultural Centre. It strives to provide students and emerging artists with a location to exhibit their work in a professional gallery setting, as well as to better respond to "current challenges in theory and aesthetics" in the community by using shorter time frames in its programming
- Open Gallery: The Open Gallery is an exhibition venue located within the Inclusive Design Institute
- Online Galleries: The University also provides a number of online galleries, including OCAD Artist Alley and OCAD U Artist Showcase
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
OCAD University Entry Requirements
Future students can apply through the Online Portal. Undergraduate students do not need to pay an application fee whereas graduate students have to pay a fee of CAD 110. For international students, getting admission at the university requires the following OCAD University entry requirements -
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of GSCE/IGSCE certificate with 5 O-Level subjects
- A minimum grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent
- An International Baccalaureate (IB) with a minimum final score of 24
- A completed application form
- Study Permit/Student Visa
- 3 Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Portfolios
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Work experience with samples
- English translated official transcripts
- English Language Proficiency Scores -
- IELTS: A minimum score of 6.5 with each band score of atleast 6.0
- TOEFL/TOEFL iBT: Minimum overall score of 84, with atleast a score of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 20 in Writing
- PTE: A minimum overall score of 58 with atleast a score of 56 in each section of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing
- Duolingo: Minimum overall score of 110 with atleast a score of 105 in Production
- CAEL: A minimum score of 70 overall with no band score below 60
- COPE: Minimum overall score of 86 with atleast 32 in Writing, 22 in Reading and 22 in Listening.
- TOP: A minimum score of 6
- A 500-word research proposal
- CV/Resume
OCAD University Fees
OCAD U fees vary depending on the curriculum chosen by the student. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate studies. In addition to the cost of tuition, the university charges for other amenities and services provided on campus. OCAD University fees are dependent on the type of program a student chooses which can range from CAD $7,200 for one academic year; whereas full-time international students will have to pay around CAD 27,500 per academic year. The total fees owed are determined by the number of credits registered for each term by the student. Typically, students will take 4-5 classes for each term. Classes are typically worth 0.5 or 1.0 credits, therefore the average student takes around 2.5 credits each term.
OCAD University Placements
The Campus Jobs Program for International Students (CEPIS) provides on-campus part-time employment. Students who are enrolled full-time in a degree program and have study permission are eligible for OCAD University placements. Students can also join the alumni association to participate in career fairs and workshops. OCAD U is a prestigious art and design institution in Canada. The university is a sought-after educational institution since it offers degrees at a low rate. International students are drawn to the university because of its living-learning facilities and a choice of financial aid options.
Scholarship
Regardless of the program you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by OCAD University as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can significantly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the university through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
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Merit-based scholarships
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Need-based scholarships
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Country-specific scholarships
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College-specific scholarships
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Student-specific scholarships
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the OCAD University. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend OCAD University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
Toronto is a multicultural and cosmopolitan metropolis in the English-speaking province of Ontario that reflects diversity. If you budget carefully, the cost of living in Canada for international students is inexpensive and manageable. The average cost of living in Canada as a student ranges from CAD 2,445 - CAD 2,728, depending on lifestyle and preferences. Here is a rundown of the cost of living in Toronto, Canada -
|
Item |
Cost (Per Month) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
CAD 1,283 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
CAD 1,000 |
|
Transportation |
CAD 148 |
|
Food |
CAD 780 |
|
Utility |
CAD 125 |
|
Entertainment |
CAD 67 |
|
Groceries |
CAD 179 |
|
Clothes |
CAD 71 |
|
Health Insurance |
CAD 75 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation (Per Month) |
CAD 2,728 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation (Per Month) |
CAD 2,445 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
CAD 29,340 |