Tabaret Hall exterior at sunset

Program prerequisites

Your eligibility for a program depends on whether you meet its admission requirements. Check the program prerequisite courses and minimum averages you need based on where you’re applying from.

Unless otherwise indicated, you must complete all prerequisites in your final year or at the postsecondary level. Please note that the requirements listed are minimum requirements only and are subject to change. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Prerequisites when applying in Canada

You must have an Ontario high school diploma with at least six 4U-4M or DU-level courses to be eligible for admission to the first year of university. Please note:

  • All the courses that are prerequisites for your chosen program must be 4U-level courses, unless otherwise indicated.
  • We use your top six interim or final grades in 4U, 4M, or DU courses, including the prerequisites for your chosen program, to calculate your admission average.
  • Please note that we always consider the highest level of mathematics you’ve attempted when calculating your admission average.
  • When you’re finished viewing the prerequisite courses and required averages, go back to the Ontario secondary schools page to follow the next steps and apply.

Prerequisites when applying from outside Canada

Prerequisites when applying from French Lycées in Canada and abroad

Please note that the requirements listed are minimum requirements only and are subject to change. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. All prerequisite courses for a program may have been completed during your première or terminale, unless otherwise indicated.

When you’re finished viewing the prerequisite courses and required averages, go back to the French Lycées page to follow the next steps and apply.

Other courses we accept to meet prerequisite requirements

If you haven’t completed the prerequisite courses at the secondary level, we’ll also consider the following courses to meet your prerequisite requirements.

If you’re interested in a program at the University of Ottawa but haven’t taken the prerequisite courses in high school or college, you may also want to consider summer adult education courses

The table shows which courses you can take at Algonquin College if you don't have the Ontario high school prerequiste course. If you do not have the Ontario high school prerequisite and have not taken it at Algonquin College, there are make-up courses you could take at uOttawa.
 

Ontario high school course Algonquin College course uOttawa course
Calculus and Vectors 4U MAT8100 or MAT8201 MAT 1339
Advanced Functions 4U MAT8051 or MAT0024, MAT5403 MAT 1318
Biology 4U SCI5952 or SCI5955 + BIO5613 BIO 1109
Chemistry 4U BTC1105 or SCI5953 or SCI5956 CHM 1301
Physics 4U PHY0002 PHY 1331
English 4U ENL1813 N/A