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Illustration

OCAD University · Toronto, Canada · Bachelor's (undergraduate)

Researched 28 Oct 2026

Level

Bachelor's

Duration

Full-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required

Tuition / year

C$30,248 (≈ ₹20.3 lakh)

Intakes

September; January

Photo: Dillan Payne, CC BY-SA 4.0

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

Key highlights
UniversityOCAD University (Public)
LocationToronto, Canada
CourseIllustration
LevelBachelor's (undergraduate)
Subject areaArts, Design & Media
DurationFull-time honours degree (5.0 credits a year); portfolio required
Tuition per yearC$30,248 (≈ ₹20.3 lakh)
IntakesSeptember; January
English requirementIELTS 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

Living costs
CostIn CADApprox. in rupees
UHIP health insurance (fall term)2026/27 fee schedule; CA$632 for the winter termC$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 costs

Career 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.

English tests accepted
TestWhat the university asks for
IELTS Academic6.5 overall with no part below 6.0.
TOEFL iBT84 (reading 20, listening 19, speaking 22, writing 20) for tests before 21 January 2026; 4.5 on the new scale.
PTE Academic58 overall with at least 56 in all sections.
Duolingo110 overall with at least 105 in Production.
English-medium school exemptionNo 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.

Need a score? IELTS and PTE coaching is available with us.

Intakes

This course starts in: September; January.

Upcoming intakes and deadlines in Canada

How to apply

  1. Check the entry requirements and the deadline on the official course page.
  2. Take IELTS, PTE or the test the university accepts, if you need one.
  3. Prepare your documents: transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters and CV.
  4. Apply on the university's application portal and pay any application fee.
  5. Accept your offer, meet any conditions and pay the deposit.
  6. 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

More courses at OCAD University

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.

  1. OCAD University: Illustration (opens in a new tab)
  2. OCAD University: applying to OCAD U (opens in a new tab)
  3. OCAD University: undergraduate programmes (opens in a new tab)
  4. OCAD University: international applicants (opens in a new tab)
  5. OCAD University: academic requirements (opens in a new tab)

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