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Admission Information for Canadian High School Students

What classifies as a Canadian High School Student?

  • I am an Ontario high school student; or
  • I am a high school student outside of Ontario, but in Canada; or
  • I am a recent graduate from a Canadian high school, and have no other post-secondary education; or
  • I am taking the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma within Canada

Admission & Course Requirements

Select Your Province:

The minimum admission average required to be considered for co-operative education programs is normally 80%. Exact cut-offs are determined by the quantity and quality of the applicant pool as well as space available in each program. Cut-offs normally exceed the estimated ranges. If you are not admitted to co-op, you will be automatically considered for the regular program (non-co-op).

Check all the latest information on the Co-operative Education and Career Services website.

You will be required to present evidence of English language proficiency if:

  • Your primary or first language is not English, and
  • You have completed less than four years of full-time secondary or post-secondary school study demonstrating satisfactory academic progress in an English language school system.

The University reserves the right to deny admission to you if you do not demonstrate satisfactory facility in English, regardless of academic qualifications.

Review acceptable English Proficiency tests and required results.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum

If you are applying with an IB Diploma, you should:

  • Present a minimum academic score of 28 (many programs may require a higher score);
  • Complete the diploma with six subjects; 3 higher level and 3 standard level;
  • Include specific subject requirements among your higher and standard levels for the program to which you’re applying;
  • Ensure your predicted scores are submitted using the 7-point scale.

Ontario high school students registered in an IB program will typically have their IB courses converted into Ontario U- and M-level courses. IB scores will be converted into grades on a percentage scale out of 100 by the applicant's high school. Admission and scholarships will be determined using the conversions as submitted.  

IB Math curriculum will fulfill prerequisite requirements for Ontario 3U and 4U courses as follows:

IB Curriculum CourseIB Curriculum LevelOntario Curriculum Course Equivalents
Analysis and ApproachesHigher Level (HL)

MHF4U (Advanced Functions)

MCV4U (Calculus and Vectors)

MDM4U (Data Management)

Analysis and ApproachesStandard Level (SL)

MHF4U (Advanced Functions)

MCV4U (Calculus and Vectors)

Applications and InterpretationsHigher Level (HL)

MHF4U (Advanced Functions)

MCV4U (Calculus and Vectors)

MDM4U (Data Management)

Applications and InterpretationsStandard Level (SL)

MCR3U (3U Calculus)

MDM4U (4U Data Management)

IB and AP Transfer Credit

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Transfer credit is awarded for Higher Level (HL) courses completed with a final grade of 5 or higher, to a maximum of 2.0 credits. Transfer credit will be assigned upon receipt of an official transcript from the IBO.

View IB courses and U of G equivalencies
IB CourseGuelph Equivalent
BiologyBIOL 1070
Business ManagementMGMT 9110
ChemistryCHEM 1040
Classical LanguagesHUMN 9110
Computer ScienceCIS 9110
DanceFREE 9110
Design TechnologyFREE 9110
EconomicsECON 1050
English IENGL 1080
Environmental Systems and SocietiesGEOG 1220
FilmHUMN 9110
Further MathematicsMATH 1080
GeographyGEOG 9110
Global PoliticsPOLS 1500
HistoryHIST 1010
Islamic HistoryHIST 9110
Information Technology in a Global SocietyCTS 9110
Language A: LiteratureHUMN 9110
Language A: Language and LiteratureHUMN 9110
MathematicsMATH 9110
MusicMUSC 9110
PhilosophyPHIL 1000
PhysicsPHYS 9110
PsychologyPSYC 1000
Sports, Exercise, and Health ScienceHK 9110
Social and Cultural AnthropologyANTH 1150
TheatreTHST 1040
Visual ArtsHUMN 9110

Advanced Placement (AP)

Transfer credit is awarded for Advanced Placement Exams completed with a final grade of 4 or higher, to a maximum of 2.0 credits. Transfer credit will be assigned upon receipt of an official College Board AP exam score report.

View AP courses and U of G equivalencies
AP CourseGuelph Equivalent
2-D Art and DesignSART 9110
3-D Art and DesignSART 9110
Art HistoryARTH 9110
BiologyBIOL 1070
Calculus AB

MATH 1080*

MATH 9110*

Calculus BC

MATH 1080*

MATH 9110*

ChemistryCHEM 1040
Chinese Language and CultureCHIN 1200
Comparative Government and PoliticsPOLS 1150
Computer Science ACIS 9110
English Language and CompositionENGL 1030
English Literature and CompositionENGL 1080
Environmental ScienceGEOG 1220
European HistoryHIST 1010
French Language and CultureFREN 1150
German Language and CultureGERM 1100
Human GeographyGEOG 1200
Italian Language and CultureITAL 9110
Japanese Language and CultureHUMN 9110
LatinLAT 1100
MacroeconomicsECON 1100
MicroeconomicsECON 1050
Music TheoryMUSC 1180
Physics BPHYS 1080
Physics C: MechanicsPHYS 9110
Physics C: Electricity and MagnetismPHYS 1010
PsychologyPSYC 1000
Spanish Language and CultureSPAN 1100
Spanish Literature and CultureSPAN 2000
StatisticsSTAT 9110
Studio ArtHUMN 9110
US Government and PoliticsPOLS 9110
US HistoryHIST 9110
World History: ModernHIST 9110

*MATH 1080 is assigned to students entering degrees that require it for graduation. Otherwise, students are assigned a generic MATH 9110 credit.

 

Note: If you receive specified transfer credit, you may request to change to unspecified credit on an individual basis within the first 30 days of your first semester.

How to Apply as a Canadian High School Student

STEP 1: Begin your Application

Apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre

  • Deadline: March 1

*To be considered for early admission, apply by January 15th.

STEP 2: Submit your Documents

Review the mandatory and optional supplementary documents below.

Note: All students are encouraged to submit the Student Profile Form.

Required documents will be listed in the 'My Documents' section of your WebAdvisor account. Your application will be reviewed once all required documents have been received.

Mandatory Supplementary Forms

Applicants must submit high school transcripts form their respective province to complete their application:
Province:Application details and deadlines:
Transcripts (Ontario)

Your school will submit grades to the OUAC on your behalf. We receive grade data on an ongoing basis throughout the admission cycle and all grades must be received by April 25, 2025.

If you have taken a year off or have returned to high school, you may have to request that your official transcripts be sent directly to the University of Guelph on your behalf. It is your responsibility to ensure that all official transcripts are received in Admission Services by the document deadline.

Transcripts (all other provinces)

We will use unofficial transcripts for initial admission consideration. Upload your unofficial high school transcript through ‘My Documents’ in WebAdvisor. Please also make arrangements to have your school submit an official transcript directly to Admission Services (applicant@uoguelph.ca), showing completed Grade 11 and 12 courses and all in-progress Grade 12 courses. All transcripts must be received in Admission Services by April 15, 2025.

Transcript Requests through OUAC: The OUAC provides an electronic transcript service for applicants who have attended High School, College, or University in Ontario. When completing your application, you can pay the OUAC to contact your former school(s) and request electronic transcripts from the issuing institution to be sent directly to Admission Services at the University of Guelph. This is recommended.

 

Notes:

  • British Columbia schools submit grade data electronically to the OUAC. We will automatically receive grade data from the OUAC on an ongoing basis.
  • CEGEP applicants (Quebec): Your results will be sent automatically via the OUAC if your Quebec CÉGEP code is present on your application. If not, your final transcript must be submitted by your CÉGEP directly to Admission Services. 
  • In order for us to consider a transcript as ‘official’, we must receive it directly from the issuing institution.
Applicants applying to the following programs must submit additional information to complete their application:
Program:Application deadline:Access document:
Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management

Recommended Deadline: March 1, 2025

Applications and documents received after this date will be considered as space allows.

Turfgrass Background Information Form (BIF)
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Deadline: March 1, 2025

 

BLA Background Information Form (BIF)

Optional Supplementary Forms

Form:Application details and deadlines:
Student Profile Form (SPF)

The Student Profile Form (SPF) is your opportunity to tell Admission Services about activities in which you have been involved that have helped you develop leadership and citizenship qualities. Factors beyond your control that have negatively affected your academic performance, such as illness or extenuating circumstances, will also be considered.

If your admission average in May does not meet the cut-off for the program(s) to which you applied, your SPF may be considered if your average falls within a discretionary range of the final cutoff (up to 5%). Submission is optional but strongly encouraged.

Deadline: March 1, 2025

See the Student Profile Form page for frequently asked questions.

Supplemental Information Form for Students with Disabilities (SIF-D)

The University of Guelph strives to provide equal opportunity for academically qualified students with disabilities. If you believe that your admission average does not reflect your true academic ability as a result of a disability, you are encouraged to complete the Supplemental Information Form for Students with Disabilities.

This form is considered along with your admission average in determining admission. You are encouraged to contact Student Accessibility Services as early as possible to discuss your needs and academic background.

Deadline: March 1, 2025

Other Supplementary Forms

Form:Application details and deadlines:
Education Declaration

If you see “Education Declaration Form” listed in the Documents section of your WebAdvisor account, we need to confirm whether or not you have completed additional studies beyond what you declared on your application. Please complete the PDF form and submit it through your WebAdvisor account.

 

Acknowledgement of your Application

Once you have applied to the University of Guelph, you will receive an acknowledgement email from Admission Services. The acknowledgement email provides you with additional information about U of G, important dates, and answers to frequently asked questions.

This email will include your OUAC ID number and your seven-digit U of G Student ID. Please reference your Student ID when you communicate with us.

Admission Plan

Timing of Offers

Offers will be released on an ongoing basis from late-January to mid-May.

Exception: offers to the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program will be released in May.

Applicants presenting an admission average of 75% and higher will be considered for admission to all programs to which they’ve applied. Cut-offs are determined by the quantity and quality of applications received and the space available in the program. 

Note: Presenting an admission average within the estimated range does not guarantee an offer of admission. Co-op averages often exceed the estimated cut-off ranges. Students not admissible to co-op will be automatically considered for the regular program.

Calculating Your Admission Average

We use your top six completed 4U/M (or equivalent) courses, including required courses, to calculate your admission average. Where not available, we use a combination of the top six completed or in-progress 4U/M and completed 3U/M courses, including required subjects. If no 4U/M courses are in-progress or completed, we will use your top six 3U/M courses to calculate your admission average.

Frequently Asked Questions

To apply to an undergraduate program at an Ontario university, you must use the Undergraduate Application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).

You can apply to a maximum of three programs at the U of G.  You will receive an admission decision for each program you apply to.

If you’re interested in co-op, you need to select the co-op option on your OUAC application.  If you apply to co-op and are not admitted, you will be considered for the regular program.

If you are a high-school-type applicant and wish to be considered for early admission, you should apply by January 15, 2025.   We continue to accept applications after this date.

Information about application fees can be found on the OUAC.on.ca website

After we receive your application from the OUAC, you’ll receive an acknowledgment e-mail within 5 business days.  This e-mail will include your seven-digit U of G student ID. If you don’t receive the e-mail, be sure to check all of your e-mail folders including junk, spam and promotions folders. 

If you still can’t find the e-mail, you can contact Admission Services at admission@uoguelph.ca to request that it be resent.  Please include your OUAC reference number.

Estimated cut-off ranges vary by program.  The "estimated range" is based on the admission averages from previous years and is meant to be used as a guide. Exact cut-offs for the current cycle will be determined by the quantity and quality of applications received, and the number of spaces available in the program.  Co-op averages normally exceed the estimated cut-off ranges.  Having an admission average within the estimated range does not guarantee an offer of admission.  

Admission requirements vary by program.  We use your top six completed 4U/M (or equivalent) courses, including required subjects to calculate your admission average. Where not available, we use a combination of the top six completed or in-progress 4U/M and completed 3U/M courses, including required subjects.

Please have your school forward official transcripts showing completed Grade 11 and 12 courses, and all in-progress Grade 12 courses. All course and grade information must be sent to Admission Services at applicant@uoguelph.ca by April 15, 2025. Earlier submission is recommended. 

Notes:  

  • British Columbia schools submit grade data electronically to the OUAC.  We will automatically receive grade data from the OUAC on an ongoing basis. 
  • In order for us to consider a transcript ‘official’, we must receive it directly from the issuing institution. 

You can make changes to your OUAC application after submitting.  All changes must be made prior to April 15, 2025 to be considered equally for admission to all programs. 

We use the highest grade reported for all courses completed at Ministry inspected schools. 

OPTIONAL: 

  • The Student Profile Form (SPF) is your opportunity to tell Admission Services about activities in which you have been involved that have helped you develop leadership and citizenship qualities.  Factors beyond your control that have negatively affected your academic performance, such as illness or extenuating circumstances, will also be considered. 
    • If your admission average in May does not meet the cut-off for the program(s) to which you applied, your SPF may be considered if your average falls within a discretionary range of the final cutoff (up to 5%).  
  • If you believe that your admission average does not reflect your true academic ability as a result of a disability, you are also encouraged to complete the Supplementary Information Form for Students with Disabilities (SIF-D).  This form is considered along with your admission average in determining admission. You are encouraged to contact Student Accessibility Services as early as possible to discuss your needs and academic background.

MANDATORY: 

The following programs have mandatory supplementary documentation

  • Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management 
  • Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program 
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 

If you are currently enrolled in an Ontario high school, you will be considered for admission on an ongoing basis beginning January.  Review our detailed admission plan for more information about timing of offers.

If you are not currently enrolled in an Ontario high school, you will be considered for admission on an ongoing basis as soon as all required documentation is received.  

All high school applicants who submit their application by January 15th can expect to receive an admission decision by May 29, 2025.

If you are applying directly from high school, any offer of admission that you receive from the University of Guelph is conditional upon the following: 

  • Completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent; and 
  • Completion of six Grade 12 and/or 4U/M courses, including required subjects, or equivalent; and 
  • A minimum final average as outlined in your offer.  

All offer conditions will be clearly outlined in your offer. 

There are a few programs where we will automatically consider you for an alternate program.  These include: 

  • Not admitted to a co-op program?  You’ll automatically be considered for admission to the regular program. 
  • If you don’t possess the admission average for Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice and Public Policy, we’ll automatically consider you for BA, Justice and Legal Studies. 
  • If you don’t possess the admission average for Bachelor of Arts, Honours Psychology, we’ll automatically consider you for BA, Honours Sociology. 
  • If you don’t possess the admission average for Bachelor of Science, Animal Biology or Bio-Medical Science, we’ll automatically consider you for B.Sc. Biological Science. 

You can find more information about alternate offers on our website.

You will be required to present evidence of English language proficiency if: 

  • your primary or first language is not English, and 
  • you have completed less than four years of full-time secondary or post-secondary school study demonstrating satisfactory academic progress in an English language school system. 

The University reserves the right to deny admission to you if you do not demonstrate satisfactory facility in English, regardless of academic qualifications. 

Review acceptable English Proficiency tests and required results. 

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