Prerequisites

• English (ENG4U)
• Advanced Functions (MHF4U)*
• Calculus (MCV4U)+

* High-achieving students without the math prerequisites may refer to the Alternative Admissions Pathway to a Business Degree web page.

+ Students without Calculus (MCV4U) may be admitted conditionally and must complete MATH 0009 in their first term of study.

IB and AP Requirements

• IB Admission Information
• AP Admission Information

Language Requirements

The language of instruction at Carleton University is English. If English is not your first language, you must demonstrate that you can cope with the language demands of an English-language university.

You can demonstrate your English language proficiency by:

• Presenting official transcripts that indicate that you have studied for the last 3 years (full time) in a high school, college or university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which English is the primary language and where English was the exclusive language of instruction in the relevant educational institution.

If you choose this option, please note:

• Time spent in ESL courses will not be counted towards meeting these requirements.
• Language requirements will not be waived based on letters written by students or as a result of completing senior-level high school English courses.
• If, in addition to evidence of 3 years of study, you also provide a failing English language test score, the university reserves the right to review the admission decision.
• The university reserves the right to request an English Language Proficiency test from any applicant regardless of their academic background.

If you cannot demonstrate 3 full-time years in an English-language school, as outlined above, you must submit a language test result.

Find more information for international applicants.

Offers of Admission for Ontario High School Students

Basic Requirements for Admission

For Ontario high schools, the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is required, with six 4U/M courses. Prerequisite courses must be at the 4U level. 4U English is recommended. Credits for co-op courses will not be considered. Admission averages and prerequisites vary by degree and program.

Failed and Repeated Courses

We take the highest mark for repeated courses.

Timing and Process for Admission Decisions

We will begin offers of admission in January and February.

Offers will continue on a rolling basis as we receive updated grade information. For specialized programs (Architectural Studies, Humanities, Industrial Design, Information Technology [Interactive Multimedia and Design], Music and Social Work) that require additional information (e.g., portfolios, interviews, auditions), admission decisions will begin to be made between 2 and 4 weeks after the portfolio/supplementary application deadline.

If you apply to any of the specialty programs and plan to submit an English-language test score, please note that scores are due on or before the portfolio or supplementary application deadlines.

Note: Most offers of admission are conditional. Once we receive your final grades, we will reassess your application to ensure that it still meets the requirements for the program and that you have received the OSSD. If you have not met the conditions, we will withdraw the offer of admission. However, where possible, we will attempt to provide an alternate offer of admission.

If you have been admitted to Carleton with an admission average of 80% or better, you will automatically be considered for one of our Entrance Scholarships. The admission average is calculated based on the high school grades submitted in support of the application, including any required prerequisite courses. For you to be eligible for an Entrance Scholarship, Admissions Services must receive your complete application for admission and all grades by June 15.

Notes:

• If you were given a scholarship offer based on early grades, and your admission average is higher when we receive your midterm grades in May, you will have your scholarship adjusted upward, if applicable.
• If your midterm average is lower than the average calculated from early grades, you will keep the original scholarship offer.
• Scholarships are not reassessed based on the grades received in June or July.
• The Entrance Scholarship offer is valid as long as you remain admissible to the chosen program.

Alternative Offers