Arts and Sciences

Prerequisites

• ENG4U
• MHF4U
• One 4U/M Arts or Social Sciences
• Two from SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U
• One additional 4U/M course

Arts and Social Science courses include Languages and Literatures, Performing Arts, Social Studies, Geography and History.

IB and AP Requirements

• IB Admission Information
• AP Admission Information

Language Requirements

You will be required to present evidence of English proficiency if:

• your primary or first language is not English and
• you have had less than 4 years of full-time secondary school or postsecondary study, demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, in an English-language school system.

Notes:

• Francophone Canadian citizens educated in Canada will not be required to meet the English-language proficiency requirement.
• You will also be considered as having met the English-language proficiency requirement if you completed the International Baccalaureate diploma where English was the language of instruction. 

Integrated Admission Pathway (IAP)

Academically qualified international students who have not yet achieved English-language proficiency may be interested in the Integrated Admission Pathway (IAP). Through IAP you can complete degree-credit courses through the University's Open Learning and Educational Support department and at the same time study English language courses to achieve the Certificate of English proficiency.

The IAP includes a combination of classroom-based and fully online degree course offerings and provides a flexible option for guaranteed admission to select degree programs at the University of Guelph.

More about English-language requirements and IAP.

Apply to IAP.

Acceptable English Proficiency Tests and Scores

Offers of Admission for Ontario High School Students

Offers of Admission

Basic Requirements for Admission: If you have an admission average of 75% or higher, you will be considered for admission to all programs you’ve applied to at the University of Guelph. Your admission average is calculated using your top six 4U/M courses (or equivalent), including subject requirements. The estimated cut-off admission range varies by program.

Estimated cut-off admission ranges: Estimated cut-off ranges are based on the admission averages from previous years and are provided solely as a point of reference. Exact cut-offs for the current cycle will be determined by the quantity and quality of applications received and the number of spaces available in the program. Co-op averages will often exceed the estimated cut-off ranges. Possession of an admission average within the estimated cut-off range does not guarantee an offer of admission.

Subject requirements: Subject requirements vary by program. Detailed subject requirements.

Student Profile Form (SPF)

We recognize that non-academic factors play an important role in students’ lives. If you are a high school applicant, the Student Profile Form (SPF) is your opportunity to tell Admission Services about activities you have been involved in that have helped you develop leadership and citizenship qualities. We will also consider factors beyond your control that have negatively affected your academic performance, such as illness or extenuating circumstances.

If your admission average in May does not meet the cut-off for the program you have applied to, we may consider your SPF if your average falls within a discretionary range of the final cut-off. Submission is optional but strongly encouraged. 

Supplementary Information Form for Students with Disabilities

We strive to provide equal opportunity for academically qualified students with disabilities. If you are a high school applicant and feel your admission average does not reflect your true academic ability as a result of a disability, we encourage you to complete the Supplementary Information Form for Students with Disabilities (SIF-D). We take this form into consideration along with academics for applicants whose admission average falls within a discretionary range of the final cut-off. 

Both forms become available online in November.  

Submission Deadline: March 1, 2024

Rank: If you apply to more than 1 program at the University of Guelph and you have never attended a postsecondary institution, you will be considered for all programs to which you’ve applied.

If you are a transfer applicant (i.e., have attended any postsecondary institution), and you apply to more than 1 program at the University of Guelph, you can expect to receive only 1 offer of admission from the University. The highest-ranked choice will be considered first. Only if you are not admissible to your highest choice will your next choice be considered. If you want to reorder your U of G program rankings, please amend your application on the OUAC website.

Failed and Repeated Courses

The University of Guelph will use the highest grade reported from a Ministry-approved institution for any repeated courses.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate (IB)

If you are applying with an IB Diploma, you should present a minimum score of 28, although many programs require a higher score for admission consideration. Reported bonus points will be taken into consideration. You should complete the diploma with 6 subjects: 3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level. You should also include specific subject requirements for the program you are applying to among your Higher and Standard levels. You should ensure that your predicted scores are submitted using the 7-point scale. 

Note: Math Studies/Standard Level Applications and Interpretations are not an acceptable prerequisite for programs that require Grade 12 Advanced Functions, Calculus or equivalent.

Ontario high school students registered in an IB program will typically have their IB courses converted into Ontario U- and M-level courses. IB scores will be converted into grades on a percentage scale out of 100 by the applicant's high school. Admission and scholarships will be determined using the conversions as submitted. Upon receipt of official final results from the International Baccalaureate Organization, we will assign specific transfer credits, where applicable, to a maximum of 2.0 credits (4 courses), for grades of 5 or better on Higher Level courses where the applicant has been awarded the IB Diploma or DP Course.

Advanced Placement (AP)

If you completed Advanced Placement Examinations with a minimum grade of 4, you will be eligible to receive university-specific transfer credits (where applicable) to a maximum of 2.0 credits (4 courses), subject to the discretion of the Degree Program Admission Committee. Transfer credit will be assigned once Admission Services receives an official College Board AP exam score report.

Timing and Process for Admission Decisions

If you are currently enrolled full time in high school and you meet the minimum admission requirements, you will be considered for admission on an ongoing basis, beginning January 2024.

Timing of offers (January to end of May) and the grades considered for each round of offers are as follows:

Late January to Late February:

We use the top 6 completed 4U/M (or equivalent) courses, including required subjects. Where not available, we use a combination of the top 6 completed 4U/M and 3U/M courses, including required subjects. If no 4U/M courses are completed, we will use the top five 3U/M courses (including required subjects).

Early March to Mid-April:

We use the top 6 completed 4U/M (or equivalent) courses, including required subjects. Where not available, we use a combination of the top 6 completed or in-progress 4U/M and completed 3U/M courses, including required subjects.

Late April to Mid-May:

We use the top 6 completed or in-progress 4U/M (or equivalent) courses, including required subjects.

Applicants presenting an admission average of 75% and higher will be considered for admission to all programs to which they’ve applied. Possession of an admission average within the estimated cut-off range does not guarantee an offer of admission.

Note: If you fill out the SPF, offers may be made to you if you fall within a discretionary range below the determined cut-off range. Although not required, you are encouraged to complete the SPF.

All offers of admission are conditional upon:

• completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; and
• completion of six 4U and/or M courses, including required subjects, or equivalent; and
• a minimum final average as outlined in the offer letter. Note: Your offer of admission will outline all conditions you will be required to fulfill.

Alternate Offers: You will be considered for all programs you've applied to at the University of Guelph. If you apply for, but are not admitted to, a co-op program, you will be automatically considered for the regular program. You may then re-apply to co-op after your first year of study.

If you are not admitted to Bio-Medical Science, Animal Biology or Human Kinetics, you will be automatically considered for Bachelor of Science, Biological Science.

If you are not admitted to Criminal Justice and Public Policy, you will be automatically considered for Bachelor of Arts, General Arts.