If you hold a university degree or will receive an undergraduate university degree prior to entering the program and are considering obtaining Ontario Certified Teacher designation (OCT), first check the requirements below. Your eligibility depends on the type of degree obtained, your academic average, prerequisite courses for the teaching subject, the French proficiency test, and other requirements. As the number of places is limited, admission is offered to the applicants with the best scores, in accordance with registration targets for each teaching subject and division. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
- The admission requirements for the Toronto and Windsor campuses are the same as those for the Ottawa campus.
University degree
Must be accredited by an official body such as a provincial ministry of education, the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche scientifique (MESRS), or the national ministry of education in your country. These are the only ministries that are authorized to issue a university degree. Your program must have been accredited when you received your degree.
- In Canada: University bachelor’s degree of at least 90 credits or specialized four-year bachelor’s degree from an Ontario college.
- Foreign institutions: University degree of 180 ECTS credits in a single program, issued by a university (e.g. licence, engineering degree).
We do not accept the following foreign degrees or diplomas:
- Diplôme d’État issued by an institution that is not authorized to grant a university degree
- So-called "university level" degrees not provided in a university
- BAC + 3 (or more) degree from a higher educational institution that is not accredited by the MESRS or the national ministry of education in your country
- University type court degree, even if it comprises 180 ECTS credits (e.g. Hautes Écoles)
- 30-, 60- or 120-ECTS degree (e.g. master 1, master 2, DESS, 120-ECTS master’s)
- BT, BTS, DEUG, DUEL, DUES, DUT, DST, Gradué, Troisième Graduat
- Combined degrees (e.g. 120-ECTS DEUG + 60-ECTS master)
If in doubt, please contact us.
Average
An applicant’s average counts for 50% of the admission decision. Make sure that you have the minimum average required for admission. If it is less than the minimum required, your file can be refused.
- In Canada: At least 66% in your best 10 full-year or 20 best one-term undergraduate university courses completed before September 1 of the year you enrol. Courses required to satisfy a teaching subject are not included in the calculation if they are not in the top 20. However, if you have completed fewer than 20 courses, all courses completed to date will be considered. Grades obtained at the college/CEGEP/graduate level are not included in the calculation.
- Foreign institutions: At least 66% based on the annual grade point average (e.g. 10/20, pass, satisfactory)
Divisions and teaching subjects
To teach a specific subject, such as French, Geography, or Biology, you need to have taken university courses in that subject. Make sure that you have taken the required number of courses in the subject for the teaching division. Note that one full-year course is equivalent to two one-term courses.
If you have not completed the courses required for your teaching subject when you apply, you must take these courses before August of the year you enter the program. Indicate the courses you will be taking in your application or in an email to [email protected] to avoid automatic refusal.
Certain teaching subjects require specific courses. Consult the table of teaching subjects.
- Primary/Junior (Kindergarten to Grade 6) – campuses: Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor
No prerequisites required. - Junior/Intermediate (Grades 4 to 10) – campus: Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor
You must choose a teaching subject – consult the table of teaching subjects.- Six one-semester university courses (or three full-year courses) in this subject are required (with a maximum of two in a related field).
- Available subjects (Ottawa Campus): English (first language); dramatic arts; visual arts; French; geography; history; mathematics; music (instrumental); health and physical education; and science (general).
- Available subjects (Toronto and Windsor campuses): French; mathematics; and science (general).
- Intermediate/Senior (Grades 7 to 12) – campus: Ottawa
You must choose two distinct subjects – consult the table of teaching subjects.- Ten one-semester university courses (or five full-year courses) in the first subject are required (with a maximum of four courses in a related field).
- Four one-semester university courses (or two full-year courses) in the second subject are required (no courses in a related field are permitted).
- Available subjects: English (first language)*; French; history; mathematics; health and physical education; science (biology); science (chemistry); science (physics)*. You cannot combine two subjects marked with an asterisk as first and second teaching subjects.
Experience
You must have acquired experience and skills relevant to the teaching profession. Experience is an integral part of program admission. However, it cannot replace the teaching subject requirements. You must submit an Experience profile, available through your uoZone account once you apply. This counts for 50% of the admission decision and you must obtain a minimum score of 66%. Note that the Experience profile cannot compensate for a low academic average, and vice versa. If either your Experience profile score or your academic average fails to meet the minimum requirement, your application may be denied.
The following will not be evaluated: letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae, business cards, or documents that were not expressly requested.
French proficiency test
Even if you are Francophone, have studied in French, or have completed a French immersion program, you are required to take the French proficiency test. It cannot be substituted by any other test. Make sure to prepare. For more information, you must contact [email protected].
Language requirements for the English (first language) teaching subject
To teach this subject, you must:
- have studied in English full time for at least three consecutive years or have passed the English 4U course in Ontario; AND
- have completed your studies in a country where English is an official language.
If you do not meet these two requirements but receive an offer of admission, you must pass the TOEFL before entering the program.
- TOEFL: Internet-based test with a minimum of 24 in each of the four skills.
Good to know
- Access program: Spaces are reserved for the following groups: Aboriginal peoples (2%), persons with disabilities (3%), and members of visible minorities (9%). Please specify the group with which you identify at the end of the online Experience profile.
- Second Language Teaching (SLT) at the University of Ottawa: Ten places in the Primary/Junior divisions and ten places in the Junior/Intermediate/Senior divisions are reserved for graduates and registered students in the SLT (FLS) program. No self-identification is required.
- Agreement between La Cité and University of Ottawa: Ten places in the Primary/Junior division are offered to students who have successfully completed or who are enrolled in the éducation en services à l’enfance (formerly garde éducative à l’enfance ) program at La Cité. To be eligible, you must hold a university degree or a four-year honours bachelor at an Ontario College. You must submit a transcript or proof of enrollment from La Cité.