Course overview
Illustration is a undergraduate (bachelor's) course in arts, design & media at OCAD University in Toronto, Canada. It takes Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required, with intakes in September; January.
OCAD University is a public institution. Read the full course description, modules and entry rules on the official course page.
Key highlights
| University | OCAD University (Public) |
|---|---|
| Location | Toronto, Canada |
| Course | Illustration |
| Level | Bachelor's (undergraduate) |
| Subject area | Arts, Design & Media |
| Duration | Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required |
| Tuition per year | C$30,248 (≈ ₹20.3 lakh) |
| Intakes | September; January |
| English requirement | 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 |
Interested in Illustration?A counsellor checks your eligibility and helps you apply, free of charge.
Fees and costs
Tuition for international students is C$30,248 a year, about ₹20.3 lakh.
2026/27 international course tuition of CA$6,049.64 per credit × 5.0 credits (full-time year); OCAD U estimates about CA$34,000 a year with fees. Laptop and course/material fees extra
Living costs near the university
| Cost | 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 |
Living costs for Canada as a whole: C$20,000–30,000 a year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Plan my monthly living costsCareer outcomes
Average (median) salary
C$35,900
≈ ₹24.1 lakh a year
Median employment income two years after graduation, Undergraduate degree
Job roles
- Graphic designer
- Illustrator
- UX designer
- Advertising art director
- Animator
- Web designer
Employers hiring for these roles worldwide
Adobe
Google
Meta
Apple
Microsoft
Canva
Spotify
Booking.com
WPP
Heineken
Eligibility
General entry requirements at OCAD University for bachelor's courses. Some courses ask for more, so check the course page.
- 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.
English requirements
For this course: 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.
| Test | What the university asks for |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Intakes
This course starts in: September; January.
Upcoming intakes and deadlines in CanadaHow to apply
- Check the entry requirements and the deadline on the official course page.
- Take IELTS, PTE or the test the university accepts, if you need one.
- Prepare your documents: transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters and CV.
- Apply on the university's application portal and pay any application fee.
- Accept your offer, meet any conditions and pay the deposit.
- Apply for your student visa for Canada, then arrange accommodation.
Documents you'll need
- 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
About OCAD 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.
Similar courses
Arts, Design & Media courses at other universities in Canada
- Bachelor of Design: Visual Communication Design (Graphic Design & Advertising stream)Alberta University of the Arts4 years full-time (120 credits), in person and studio-based · C$23,041 / year
- Bachelor of Design: Visual Communication Design (Illustration stream)Alberta University of the Arts4 years full-time (120 credits), in person and studio-based · C$23,041 / year
- Bachelor of Fine Arts: Studio ArtAlberta University of the ArtsFull-time, studio-based; one or two concentrations such as animation, ceramics, media arts, painting or photography · C$23,041 / year
- Bachelor of Creative Industries: Applied Creative IndustriesAlberta University of the Arts4 years; in person, non-studio and hybrid (launched in 2026) · C$28,023 / year
- New Media Design and Web Development (Diploma)British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)18 months (78 weeks) full-time, blended, with a 9-week internship · C$29,709 / year
- Bachelor of MusicBrandon UniversityFull-time bachelor's degree · C$17,904 / year
More courses at OCAD University
- Graphic Design (BDes)4 years (honours BDes); portfolio required · C$30,248 / year
- Industrial DesignFull-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required · C$30,248 / year
- Digital FuturesFull-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required · C$30,248 / year
- AdvertisingFull-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required · C$30,248 / year
- Experimental AnimationFull-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required · C$30,248 / year
- Environmental Design: Interior Design SpecializationFull-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required · C$30,248 / year
FAQs
What is the fee for Illustration at OCAD University?
The tuition for international students is C$30,248 a year (about ₹20.3 lakh). 2026/27 international course tuition of CA$6,049.64 per credit × 5.0 credits (full-time year); OCAD U estimates about CA$34,000 a year with fees. Laptop and course/material fees extra. Fees usually rise each year, so check the course page before you apply.
How long is Illustration?
The course takes Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required.
What English score do I need?
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. Some universities also accept Class 12 English marks or other tests; confirm on the course page.
When can I start?
Intakes: September; January. Apply early: popular courses can fill up before the deadline.
Can Admission Mantra help me apply?
Yes. A counsellor checks your eligibility, helps you prepare your documents and statement of purpose, and guides you through the application and visa. The first conversation is free.
We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026 from the university's own pages. Fees, entry rules and intakes change every year; confirm them on the official course page before you apply. Listing a course doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents the university.
