Application Procedure for Undergraduate Courses

This section explains the process of applying to Canadian universities for Under Graduate (Bachelor Degree or equivalent) courses.

• Application Process
• Application Forms
• Eligibility and Entry Routes

1. Secondary School Reports and Transcripts
2. Standardized Tests
3. Letters of Recommendation
4. Statement of Purpose (SOP)

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In most Canadian universities and colleges, the academic year is divided into two semesters, the fall semester (Sept-Dec), and the winter semester (Jan-May), with a short vacation at Christmas. Many colleges also offer a summer semester beginning in May.

University deadlines for the September session vary from institution to institution, though are generally from mid December to the end of March.

Colleges may have a rolling admission policy and will accept applications while processing time still permits.

If applying to a universities and some colleges in the province of Ontario, you must submit your applications through central application centres. The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) deadline is March 1, those applications received after the deadline will be processed on a first come, first served basis. The Ontario College Application Services (OCAS) deadline is March 1 for admission the following September, applications received after that date will be handled on a first come, first served basis. Some Ontario colleges have applications that can be submitted directly to the institute itself.

Some institutes have January admission, deadlines will be the preceding September to November.

Dates can vary from institution to institution, and should be confirmed by checking the relevant calendars.

There are some differences in the application process if you are applying to colleges and universities in the province of Ontario and in the province of Quebec compared to colleges and universities in the rest of Canada. Check out the table below.

Ontario Colleges and Universities

Universities : Complete the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) application form for upto 3 university/programme choices. Send the form along with the fee (C$95), by the 1st March deadline to OUAC

Colleges: Complete the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) application form for upto 5 college/programme choices. Send the form with the fee (C$65), by the 1st March deadline to OCAS.

The OUAC/OCAS will acknowledge receipt of the application and forward to the appropriate institutions.

Meanwhile, you have to send your academic Documents/supplementary fees to the chosen institute(s) by their respective deadlines
If there is any additional information that the institute requires from you, it will be communicated to you. After this the institute will make you an admission offer.

After you accept, the institute will send you an official letter of acceptance.

You apply to the Canadian High Commission for a student authorisation (Visa).

Quebec Colleges and Universities

Complete and send the application form, official transcripts/ academic records, plus application fee to the Registrar's Office of the institute(s) you wish to attend.

If there is any additional information that the institute requires from you, it will be communicated to you. After this the institute will make you an admission offer.

After you accept, the institute will send you an official letter of acceptance.

You apply to the Canadian High Commission for a student authorisation (Visa). In addition to the student authorisation, you must apply for a Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ) from the Quebec Government.

The forms will be sent to you by the institute or they can be collected from the CEC.

Colleges and universities in the rest of Canada

Complete and send the application form, official transcripts/ academic records, plus application fee to the Registrar's Office of the institute(s) you wish to attend.

If there is any additional information that the institute requires from you, it will be communicated to you. After this the institute will make you an admission offer.
After you accept, the institute will send you an official letter of acceptance.


You apply to the Canadian High Commission for a student authorisation (Visa).

1. Requesting Application Forms via email : You can request application forms from the universities website. Most universities have a form on their website which can be completed online to request application material.

2. Downloading from the university website : Many universities have a downloadable and ready to print versions of their application forms  on the net. These can be used for applying just as regular forms.

3. Requesting Applications from CEC in Delhi : You can get application forms for all the universities from Canadian Education Centre in New Delhi. You can either visit them personally or email them for the forms.

There are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces of Canada. Secondary schooling in Canada could go up to Grade 11, 12 or 13, depending on the province. Consequently, the eligibility criteria for colleges are also different in different provinces of Canada.

Most universities in states other than Ontario and Quebec require a minimum of 12 years of formal education for admission to Bachelor degree courses.

Universities of Ontario and Quebec require a minimum of 13 years of secondary school education. This implies 12 years of schooling and one year of college education in India, or 12 years of schooling in India and one year of high school in Canada. If your academic credentials are very impressive, some universities may admit you in their Bachelor degree programs with 12 years of education.

Important: We had written and spoken to the admission officers of most Canadian Universities regarding eligibility criteria for Indian students applying for undergraduate courses. Most, if not all mentioned that a lot would depend on the individual case. There was no broad standardized policy. If you feel you have a good academic record and also something significant to show to the admission committee, we would encourage you to apply even if you do not match the eligibility criteria.

There are no centralized Canada wide entrance tests, each institute sets its own admission standards and assesses the qualifications of each applicant individually. The general criteria is mentioned below:

Students who are applying for a Bachelor program or another undergraduate course would be required to submit a secondary school report and transcripts (report cards) of the final exams. The report form should be filled out by a school official like the principal, counsellor or headmaster. This form should introduce you in the context of your whole school experience in relation to the other students in your class. Admission committees will be interested in learning how you have performed in your own educational system. The school report should talk about your accomplishments and provide a prediction of your chances for success in university-level studies.

Since there is a variation between the styles of scoring used abroad and the ones used in India, ask your school to include a guide to the grading standards used in your educational system and your school. If your school ranks students by their level of academic achievement, make certain that the ranking is included with the other details. Also send the school / junior college leaving certificate as and when it is available.

If the transcripts are in a language other than English, then it must be translated into English only by the issuing authority or university otherwise it may not be acceptable.

Note : Even if not mentioned, it is advisable to include at least two letters of recommendation in your applications as they increase your chances of getting admissions.