The University of Ottawa welcomes students from historically excluded communities who have experienced systemic inequality or identifiable social or economic barriers to education.
The factors that would support your candidacy in this category are based on the Ontario Human Rights Code, which states:
“Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability” (R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, s.1; 1999, c.6, s.28 [1]; 2001, c.32, s.27 [1]); 2005, c. 5, s. 32 (1); 2012, c. 7, s. 1.
In addition to the protected grounds listed in the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Admissions Committee considers severe economic hardship to be a barrier to education, which would confer eligibility to apply in this category.
If you wish to be considered in the Access category, you are required to explain the reasons for applying in this category. Provide this explanation in the OLSAS text box identified for this purpose. You may also discuss it in your Personal Statement, if you wish to do so.
Applications in the Access category must include all components listed in the Application Components section, plus any documentation in support of the access claim.