About the university
OCAD University is a specialist public university of art and design in downtown Toronto, marking 150 years and calling itself Canada's largest and oldest art and design institution. It offers 17 undergraduate programmes across design, art and visual culture, leading to a Bachelor of Design (BDes), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA), and seven graduate programmes such as Digital Futures, Inclusive Design and Strategic Foresight and Innovation.
Indian students mostly look at Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Illustration, Advertising, Digital Futures and Experimental Animation. Admission to BDes and BFA programmes depends mainly on your portfolio and statement of intent, with at least 70% in your final school year. International undergraduate tuition is about CA$30,250 a year, or around CA$34,000 with fees.
- Type
- Public university of art and design; describes itself as Canada's largest and oldest art and design institution
- Programmes
- 17 undergraduate programmes (BDes, BFA and BA) and 7 graduate programmes
- Intakes
- Fall (September) and Winter (January) for international undergraduates
- International undergraduate tuition
- About CA$34,000 a year (2026/27 estimate)
- Campus
- Downtown Toronto
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$30,248
- Duration
- 4 years (honours BDes); portfolio required
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no part below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 84 (tests before 21 January 2026); PTE Academic 58 (56 in all sections); Duolingo 110; CAEL 70
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$30,248
- Duration
- Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no part below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 84 (tests before 21 January 2026); PTE Academic 58 (56 in all sections); Duolingo 110; CAEL 70
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$30,248
- Duration
- Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no part below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 84 (tests before 21 January 2026); PTE Academic 58 (56 in all sections); Duolingo 110; CAEL 70
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$30,248
- Duration
- Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no part below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 84 (tests before 21 January 2026); PTE Academic 58 (56 in all sections); Duolingo 110; CAEL 70
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$30,248
- Duration
- Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no part below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 84 (tests before 21 January 2026); PTE Academic 58 (56 in all sections); Duolingo 110; CAEL 70
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$30,248
- Duration
- Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no part below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 84 (tests before 21 January 2026); PTE Academic 58 (56 in all sections); Duolingo 110; CAEL 70
- Undergraduate
Environmental Design: Interior Design Specialization
- Fee / year
- C$30,248
- Duration
- Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no part below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 84 (tests before 21 January 2026); PTE Academic 58 (56 in all sections); Duolingo 110; CAEL 70
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$30,248
- Duration
- Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no part below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 84 (tests before 21 January 2026); PTE Academic 58 (56 in all sections); Duolingo 110; CAEL 70
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Design (BDes) | 4 years (honours BDes); portfolio required | C$30,248 | ≈ ₹20.3 lakh |
| Industrial Design | Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required | C$30,248 | ≈ ₹20.3 lakh |
| Digital Futures | Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required | C$30,248 | ≈ ₹20.3 lakh |
| Illustration | Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required | C$30,248 | ≈ ₹20.3 lakh |
| Advertising | Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required | C$30,248 | ≈ ₹20.3 lakh |
| Experimental Animation | Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required | C$30,248 | ≈ ₹20.3 lakh |
| Environmental Design: Interior Design Specialization | Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required | C$30,248 | ≈ ₹20.3 lakh |
| Integrated Media | Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required | C$30,248 | ≈ ₹20.3 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at OCAD University with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Secondary school equivalent to Ontario Grade 12 with an overall average of at least 70% (B) in the final year, so Indian Class 12 with 70% or more.
- If your school taught in English, at least 70% in Class 12 English; otherwise an English test is needed unless you studied four consecutive years in an English-medium school.
- BDes and BFA offers are based mainly on your portfolio and statement of intent; the BA in Visual and Critical Studies needs a writing sample and creative profile.
- Apply through OUAC as a '105' applicant.
Postgraduate
- Graduate programmes have their own application requirements; see OCAD U's graduate admissions site. The pages we opened do not state the degree requirement or deadlines.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Portfolio and statement of intent (BDes and BFA)
- English test result or proof of four years of English-medium schooling
- Non-refundable admission confirmation deposit after an offer
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall with no part below 6.0. |
| TOEFL iBT | 84 (reading 20, listening 19, speaking 22, writing 20) for tests before 21 January 2026; 4.5 on the new scale. |
| PTE Academic | 58 overall with at least 56 in all sections. |
| Duolingo | 110 overall with at least 105 in Production. |
| English-medium school exemption | No test needed if you completed at least four years of full-time study at an accredited school where English is the main medium of instruction; OCAD U may ask for a school letter. |
Accommodation and living costs
OCAD U works with housing partners near campus, including Parkside (residence-style with a dining programme), Avant, HOEM and The Darcy, plus the Neill-Wycik and Campus Co-op housing co-operatives and homestay providers. Rates are not listed on OCAD U's housing page, so check with each provider.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| UHIP health insurance (fall term)2026/27 fee schedule; CA$632 for the winter term | C$316per term | ≈ ₹21,172 |
Campus and location
OCAD U's campus is in downtown Toronto.
- Graphic Design sits in the Faculty of Design.
- Studio-based BDes and BFA degrees with portfolio entry.
- Partner student housing within walking distance on Carlton, Gerrard and Jarvis Streets.
Careers and graduate outcomes
OCAD U's pages we opened do not publish graduate employment figures. For work rights, see our Canada guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in Canada
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does OCAD University cost for Indian students?
International course tuition is CA$6,049.64 per credit in 2026/27, about CA$30,250 for a full-time year of 5.0 credits. OCAD U estimates about CA$34,000 a year with fees. Laptop and material fees are extra.
Do I need a portfolio?
Yes for all BDes and BFA programmes; offers are based mainly on the portfolio and statement of intent. The BA in Visual and Critical Studies uses a writing sample instead.
Can I skip IELTS with Class 12 English?
Possibly. If you studied at least four years in an English-medium school, you may be exempt; otherwise you need IELTS 6.5 with no part below 6.0 or an equivalent test.
When can I start?
International undergraduates can start in September or January.
Sources
- OCAD University: applying to OCAD U (opens in a new tab)
- OCAD University: undergraduate programmes (opens in a new tab)
- OCAD University: international applicants (opens in a new tab)
- OCAD University: academic requirements (opens in a new tab)
- OCAD University: English language proficiency (opens in a new tab)
- OCAD University: undergraduate tuition and fees (opens in a new tab)
- OCAD University: 2026/27 undergraduate international fee schedule (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- OCAD University: 2026/27 Digital Futures graduate fee schedule (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- OCAD University: Graphic Design programme (opens in a new tab)
- OCAD University: housing partners (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ocadu.ca (opens in a new tab)
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