OCAD University, Toronto

100 McCaul St, Toronto, ON M5T 1W1, Canada
Estd 1876

Updated on - May 25th, 2022 | 07:55 AM By Venushree Agarwal

Overview Content

OCAD U is Canada’s largest and oldest educational institution for art and design. It is home to a wide variety of facilities including fully equipped studios for painting, screen printing, wood, metal, and photography, and more. The university is a world-famous hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation, and creativity. The campus provides safe, walkable neighborhoods, small class sizes, technical support in shops and studios.

OCAD University is Canada’s leader in preparing the next generation of contemporary artists and pleased to be opening the doors of its Florence studio to the public. More than 9 out of 10 OCAD U alumni are employed, and almost the same number have been their own boss. According to a survey, 82% of students were employed 6 months after graduation.

When was the OCAD University Established?

OCAD University was established in Toronto in 1876 by the Ontario Society of Artists. Back then it was called the Ontario School of Art. In 1912, it was incorporated as the Ontario College of Art, becoming the first school in Canada dedicated exclusively to the education of professional artists in fine and commercial art.

Where is OCAD University?

OCAD University is Canada’s biggest arts and design university located in downtown Toronto next to the art gallery of Toronto and the historic Grange Park.

OCAD University Accreditation

OCAD University is officially recognized by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities of Ontario. It is also accredited by the AUCC and Council of Ontario Universities.

Education at OCAD University 

OCAD University has more than 45,00 students and 17 undergraduate programs and 6 graduate programs. The OCAD University courses/programs that are offered are highly flexible and properly designed for the convenience of the students. Also, field placement and internship opportunities are available in almost every program.

Why Choose OCAD University?

OCAD University is a unique and specialized art and design university located in Toronto, Canada. The diverse, cosmopolitan student community has students belonging to different cultures from Canada and around the world. The vast variety of programs offered and the highly experienced faculty are some of the reasons for international students to choose OCAD University for their higher education. Listed below are some other reasons to choose OCAD University:

  • OCAD offers academic programs in a hands-on, small class studio environment so as to ensure maximum student-faculty interaction
  • Students are exposed to a diverse range of ideas, practices, and people at OCAD University
  • OCAD University students are provided with a wide range of support and services for their overall personal and professional development
  • It has 4,423 undergraduate and 319 graduate students including 21% international students from all over the world

Student Enrolment at OCAD University

  • In an average year, there are students from more than 50 countries 
  • 255 graduate students
  • 23% of graduate students are international
  • 4,346 undergraduate students
  • 9% of undergraduate students are international 
  • 28% speak a first language other than English
  • 20% of citizens of countries other than Canada

Facts & Figures of OCAD University 

  • Founded independently in 1876
  • Granted university status in 2002
  • Full-time equivalent faculty : 250+
  • Average undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio : 15:1
  • Undergraduate Programs: 17
  • Graduate Program: 7
  • Research Labs: 18
  • Research Funding (2013/2014) : $3.9 Million
  • Per Full-Time Faculty Research Funding (2013/2014) : $39,438

Faculties and Departments at OCAD University

OCAD University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs to students from all over the world in more than 20 art minors and 16 majors programs. These courses are offered through the many faculties at OCAD University. Some of the faculties at OCAD University are listed below:

  1. Faculty of Art
  2. Faculty of Design
  3. The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and School of Interdisciplinary Studies

Some of the academic departments at OCAD University are given below:

Advertising

Industrial Design

Creative Writing

Digital Futures

Drawing and Painting

Sculpture

Illustration

Printmaking and Publication

Graphic Design

Photography

Financial Aid and Scholarships at OCAD University

International students at OCAD University are eligible for merit-based awards and scholarships. OCAD U Bursary and International Students Emergency Funds are also available for international students. The details of some of the financial aid options for OCAD University international students are given below:

  • International Students Emergency Funds: These funds are provided to international students who have faced unexpected financial difficulties due to an emergency situation beyond their control. These funds offer short-term relief to cover everyday necessities, such as food and shelter. 

Some of the other OCAD University scholarships for international students are:

  • In-Study Scholarships
  • OCAD University Entrance Scholarships
  • Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
  • Inclusive Design International Student Scholarship

Student Services/ Campus Life at OCAD University

OCAD University provides many services and supports through various ways including academic advising, career development, recreational facilities and prepares them to achieve their goals. Some of the student services provided at OCAD University are:

Center for Emerging Artists & Designers  Academic Advising 
Facilities & Studio Services  Student Accessibility
Student Union Career Development
Writing & Learning Center Financial Aid
Fitness & Well-Being Library
OCAD Cinema Club Health & Wellness
OCAD U Store Disability Services
Recreational Facilities Mentoring
Shops & Studios Research Services
Safety & Security Services IT Services

OCAD U’s Shops & Studios

OCAD University is home to a wide variety of facilities including fully equipped studios for painting, screen printing, wood, metal, and photography, and more.

  • Worked 18,853 grams of silver
  • Purchased 4,756 feet of lumber
  • Spent 1525 hours 3D printing 
  • Poured 900 pounds of bronze
  • Laser-cut 2,485 jobs
  • Used 160 square feet of copper
  • Wore 720 nitrile gloves
  • Made 472 stretchers for canvas 
  • Screen printed - 583 liters of ink
  • Affixed 200 liters of glue

Dorothy H. Hoover Library at OCAD University

AT OCAD U, Dorothy H. Hoover Library offers a wide range of services to the students, faculty, and staff. Below are a few services and resources available at OCAD university: 

Student Services Research Help 
Course Reserve Subject Guides
Equipment Loans Academic Research
Exhibitions E-Book Database and other GTA Libraries
Learning Zone Image Database and Streamed Videos
Interlibrary Loans Citations & Style Guides
Reference & Research Open Research Repository 
Reuse Depot Research Data Management 

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University Stats

Student Population at OCAD University

OCAD U is Canada’s largest and oldest educational institution for art and design. OCAD University is home to a wide variety of facilities including fully equipped studios for painting, screen printing, wood, etc. Below are some numbers and stats about OCAD University:

  • 23% of the graduate students are international students
  • In an average OCAD has students from 50+ countries
  • OCAD has 250+ full-time equivalent faculty

OCAD University Rankings

OCAD University is one of the best design universities in the world located in Toronto, Canada. It has been ranked at the top by several national and international ranking agencies. OCAD University rankings are awarded based on several ranking factors such as employment rate, research excellence, funding and endowment, reputation, etc. Some of the OCAD University rankings awarded by different ranking agencies are given below.

  • Ranked #101- #150 in the best art and design universities in the world by QS World Rankings
  • Ranked #58 in Canada by UniRank
  • Ranked #50 in Canada by EduRank
  • Ranked #4 in Toronto by EduRank
  • Ranked #2160 in the world by UniRank Rankings 2020

Student-Faculty Ratio

17:1

Male-Female Ratio

35:64

International Students

450

Total Enrolment

3,450


Admission Details

How can I get into OCAD University?

The OCAD University admission requirements for international students may include a statement of intent, portfolio, writing sample, official transcripts, and English language proficiency test score. Below are test scores required for OCAD University admissions.

  • CAEL - 70 with no subtest below 60
  • PTE - 58 with no subtest below 56

Acceptance Rate

Minimum Score
TOEFL Requirements

Min. 80


Minimum Score
IELTS Requirements

Min. 6.5


Application Website


Accepts Direct Application

yes


Accepts Common Application

Yes


Total Applications

-


Average Tuition Fees

OCAD University offers programs in various fields. Also, OCAD University is home to a wide variety of facilities including fully equipped studios for painting, screen printing, wood, metal, and photography, and more. The average International fee for International Students: $9030 approx. Below are the average OCAD University tuition fee details.

  • The average tuition fees for UG programs: $19,227
  • The average tuition fees for PG programs: $15,353

 

Degree Type Tuition Fees
Diploma -
Undergraduate $19227
Post Graduate $15353

Application Details

For OCAD University admissions, the applicants can apply through the official website of OCAD University. The application fee is $125 [CAD]. The OCAD University application deadline for international students is 1 Feb, 2022 (Closed).

Events Dates
Application Deadline
2022-02-01

Other Fees

What is the Annual Average Cost to attend OCAD University?

Apart from the mandatory OCAD University tuition fees, international students have to pay additional fees for various services. Other OCAD University fees include accommodation costs, meal plans, travel expenses. Staying near college will cost the students around $25,000 excluding the meal plan. Following are some of the expenses:

  • Metro pass: $99
  • Locker: $30
  • Mobility Exchange Fee: $100
  • Student fee: $87
  • Accommodation: $600- $800
  • Personal Expenses: $9,920
  • Health Facilities: $434
Average Annual Tuition Fees
$ 19,227
Average Accommodation
-
Application Fees
$ 156

Courses Fees

OCAD University offers nearly 17 undergraduate programs in the field of design, art, photography, and more. The advertising program of OCAD University is Canada’s top advertising program through a combo of classes in graphic design, branding, and more. Below are the course fee details of some of the undergraduate and other OCAD University courses: 

  • Masters in Digital Future: $9,267
  • Interdisciplinary master's in Art, Media, and design: $4,630
  • Master of  Design in Inclusive design: $6,691

Bachelor Courses:

Master Courses:

Bachelor of Design [B.Des]

Course Fees: $24430


Master of Design [M.Des]

Course Fees: $28432


Bachelor of Fine Arts [B.F.A]

Course Fees: $24430


View All Courses


OCAD University, Toronto, Toronto FAQs

OCAD University, Toronto, Toronto FAQs

1.

What does OCAD University stand for?

OCAD University stands for Ontario College of Art & Design University. It is a public university in Ontario that specializes in arts and design.

2.

When did OCAD become a university?

Founded as the Ontario College of Art in 1912, OCAD U was the first school in Canada exclusively dedicated to educating professional artists in commercial and fine arts. As the number of design programs grew, the name was changed to the Ontario College of Art and Design in 1996. After being granted university status in 2002, the institution became officially known as OCAD University in 2010.

3.

Is OCAD University good?

According to Edurank, 2021, OCAD University is one of the top 16% of universities globally, specialising in digital art, creative writing, and indigenous digital culture. The university was also listed in the top 150 colleges of the world in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 in the subject of Art and Design.

4.

What is OCAD University known for?

OCAD University is renowned for offering studio-based experiential education and research and offers three bachelor's streams in 18 majors, more than 20 art-related minors, including subjects like wearable technology, as well as seven master's degrees.Today, it is the third-largest public university in North America among professional art and design schools.

5.

Is it hard to get into OCAD University?

OCAD University accepts approximately 40-50% of its applicants, making it an averagely selective institution. The admissions policy of this 144-year-old Canadian university is based on academic records and grades and entrance examinations. Applicants to OCAD University's undergraduate degree programs are evaluated primarily based on their portfolio and supplemental application materials, which indicate a candidate's suitability for the program.

Contact Information

OCAD University is located in downtown Toronto next to the art gallery of Toronto. The official OCAD University address is 100 McCaul St, Toronto, ON 1W1, Canada. Find the OCAD University contact details and location below.

Toronto, Ontario

Location

+1-416-977-6000

Contact No

-

Toll-Free No

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