Make sure to meet the application deadlines. Application deadlines vary by program and can be as early as 10 months before classes begin. The fall, winter and spring-summer terms begin in September, January and May, respectively.

Submit your application and all required documentation by the deadline specified in the program requirements.

To find deadlines, select the program you are interested in on the program admission requirements webpage and view the application deadline in the table.

Minimum requirements

Master’s and graduate diploma programs:

• Hold an honours bachelor’s degree (four years) or the equivalent, with an average of 70% (B), based on your last 20 courses.

PhD programs:

• Hold a master’s degree or the equivalent, with an average of 75% (B+), based on your last 10 courses.

Additional requirements

Some graduate programs have additional admission requirements, such as a higher average, other documentation to be provided or specific tests.

Admission to our programs is highly competitive and meeting the minimum requirements doesn't guarantee admission.

You must understand and fluently speak the language of the program you are applying for (English or French) and must provide, on request, your results in one of the language proficiency tests approved by the University of Ottawa. Language requirements are not based on citizenship, they are based on your country of study.

Below are examples of minimum requirements for the tests most often used to assess admission applications to graduate programs. Some programs require a higher test score. To find out the score you require for your particular program, please consult the admission program requirements page.

Language test exemptions

You may be eligible for an exemption from an English or French language test if you have completed your studies in one of the locations listed below, as long you have completed at least two years of full-time studies in an institution where English or French, respectively, is the only language of instruction.

If you are not sure whether you must pass a language test, contact your academic unit. The University of Ottawa reserves the right to request the results of a language test at any time and to refuse a language test exemption request.

For more information on language proficiency requirements, contact your academic unit.

If you are applying to a master’s program (research paper or thesis option) or to a PhD program, you must choose a thesis supervisor who will guide you throughout your studies.

For more information, see our thesis supervision webpage, and review the list of academic units for the program that interests you to find the names of professors who can oversee graduate research.

The documents you need to submit will depend on the program. For the list of documents you must provide, check the program requirements. Upload a copy of each required document in uoDoc (in uoZone) for each program you’re applying to.

We’ll evaluate your application once we have received all your documents. You’re responsible for submitting the documents in a timely manner.

If your program requires it, your admission file must include letters of recommendation from professors or professionals.

Make sure that the letters of recommendation are submitted before the application deadline for admission to the program. Your admission file won’t be considered complete and won’t be evaluated until we’ve received all your letters of recommendation.

Check your email regularly; we will be sending you notice of our decision as soon as possible. Log into your uoZone account to view it.