Admission Requirements to University Programs

Semester One Admission

Entry Point

Admission to semester one of a degree program is available in the fall semester only. A semester one degree applicant is defined as one who will receive fewer than 2.00 transfer credits upon admission.

1.  Ontario Secondary School Applicants

Students seeking admission to a degree program must present the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, and a minimum of six 4U/M courses including ENG4U and specific subject requirements. Specific subject requirements for admission to the various degree programs are outlined in this section. Students are also advised to consult Chapter X of the Calendar (Undergraduate Degree Programs) to note those subjects which are recommended for specific programs.

Student Profile Form

The Student Profile Form (SPF) provides semester one applicants with the opportunity to tell Admission Services about activities and experiences that have helped them develop leadership and citizenship qualities.  Factors beyond their control that have negatively impacted their academic performance, such as illness or extenuating circumstances, will also be considered.  SPF submissions may be considered for applicants whose admission average falls within a discretionary range of the final cut-off (up to 5%).  Submission is optional but strongly encouraged.

Supplementary Information Form for Students with Disabilities

The University of Guelph strives to provide equal opportunity for academically qualified students with disabilities. All semester one applicants who feel their disability has adversely affected their grades are encouraged to complete the Supplementary Information Form for Students with Disabilities. This form may be taken into consideration along with academics for applicants whose admission average falls within a discretionary range of the final admission cut-off.

Offers of Admission

Offers of Admission will be released starting in December. All offers of admission will be conditional upon completion of the OSSD, completion of six 4U/M courses (or equivalent) including specific subject requirements, and a minimum final admission average as outlined in the offer of admission. Grades in specific subject requirements are included in the calculation of the admission average. All offer conditions, including the minimum final admission average which the applicant will have to achieve to maintain their offer, will be specified in the offer. The University reserves the right to revoke the offer of admission should a student fail to meet any condition in the offer.

Students will not be required to respond to the offer until the common response date for all Ontario universities. Those wishing to respond earlier may do so.

Submission of Documents

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure their Guidance Counsellor or School Administrator submits all final grades, and confirmation of OSSD completion to the Ontario Universities' Application Centre by the deadline specified in the offer of admission.

All offers based on self-reported information are conditional upon receipt of the official document.

International Baccalaureate

Students applying for admission on the basis of the IB Diploma should possess a minimum score of 28. Some programs may require a higher score for admission consideration. Reported bonus points will be taken into consideration. Applicants currently in their final year of the IB Diploma program are encouraged to present "predicted" scores on the seven-point scale, which will be taken into consideration for conditional offers of admission. The predicted scores can include grades from the Extended Essay and the Theory of Knowledge. Applicants should complete the Diploma with 6 unique subjects: 3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level, and must include specific subject requirements for the program to which they are applying among their Standard and Higher Level courses. 

Ontario high school students registered in an IB Diploma program will automatically have their IB courses converted into Ontario U and M level equivalents.  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 to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre by the applicant’s high school.

The English Proficiency Requirement will be waived for applicants who have completed the Diploma where the language of instruction is English.

Applicants who have completed Higher Level courses with a minimum grade of 5 may be eligible for university credit to a maximum of 2.0 credits. Specific transfer credits and exemptions, where applicable, will be assigned upon receipt of official final results from the IBO. Students may request a change to unspecified credit within the first 30 days of the semester in which they commence their studies.

Advanced Placement

Applicants who have completed Advanced Placement exams with a minimum grade of 4 may be eligible to receive university credit to a maximum of 2.00 credits. Specific transfer credits and exemptions, where applicable, will be assigned upon receipt of official final results from the College Board. Students may request a change to unspecified credit within the first 30 days of the semester in which they commence their studies.

2. Applicants from Outside Ontario

Applicants whose preparation to enter the University has been completed outside the Ontario secondary school system must present academic standing equivalent to that required of Ontario students and must satisfy the specific subject requirements for the program desired. Students should refer to the information for Ontario applicants regarding specific subject requirements. The University will take into consideration the availability of specific course requirements in other countries or provinces to ensure that the applicant is not disadvantaged if particular senior secondary courses are not offered. Please refer to the information following this section regarding specific subject requirements and equivalents.

Student Profile Form

The Student Profile Form (SPF) provides semester one applicants with the opportunity to tell Admission Services about activities and experiences that have helped them develop leadership and citizenship qualities.  Factors beyond their control that have negatively impacted their academic performance, such as illness or extenuating circumstances, will also be considered.  SPF submissions may be considered for applicants whose admission average falls within a discretionary range of the final cut-off (up to 5%).  Submission is optional but strongly encouraged.

Supplementary Information Form for Students with Disabilities

The University of Guelph strives to provide equal opportunity for academically qualified students with disabilities. All semester one applicants who feel their disability has adversely affected their grades are encouraged to complete the Supplementary Information Form for Students with Disabilities. This form may be taken into consideration along with academics for applicants whose admission average falls within a discretionary range of the final admission cut-off.

Offers of Admission

Offers of Admission will be released starting in December. All offers of admission will be conditional upon completion of the secondary school diploma, completion of the required grade 12 academic courses including specific subject requirements, and a minimum final admission average as outlined in the offer of admission. The number of required grade 12 academic courses varies by province. Grades in specific subject requirements are included in the calculation of the admission average. All offer conditions, including the minimum final admission average which the applicant will have to achieve to maintain their offer, will be specified in the offer. The University reserves the right to revoke the offer of admission should a student fail to meet any condition in the offer.

The conditions of the offer will be applied as outlined for Ontario applicants.

1. Other Provinces and Territories of Canada - Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon--Grade 12. Quebec- Senior High School Leaving Certificate or High School Leaving Certificate plus 12 academic credits from an appropriate CEGEP program. For further details, please visit Out of Province Admission Requirements.
2. United States of America - Students must have a minimum cumulative unweighted grade point average of 3.0 from a regionally accredited high school. In addition, they must present a minimum SAT score of 1100 or ACT score of 24. GPA, SAT/ACT score admission expectations may vary by degree and major, and are often higher than the minimum. Students should include, among their senior level courses, the specific subject requirements for the program to which they are applying. Particular attention is paid to performance in program prerequisites. A school profile with grading scale should be included with documents.
   • Note: Effective for the fall 2021 admission cycle the University of Guelph is implementing a pilot where SAT/ACT tests are optional.  SAT/ACT tests continue to be optional for the fall 2023, 2024 and 2025 admission cycles.  Results (if submitted) will be considered if they benefit the applicant and strengthen their application.
3. British Patterned Education Systems - Applicants must present the following:
   1. Minimum of two Advanced Level passes and three GCSE or IGCSE (Ordinary Level) passes in unique subjects.
   2. Two Advanced Supplementary (AS) Level courses may be substituted for one Advanced Level course.
   3. Applicants who have completed GCE Advanced Level examinations with a minimum grade of 'C' may be eligible for university credit to a maximum of 3.00 credits (1.00 credit per course). Specific transfer credits and exemptions, where applicable, will be assigned upon receipt of official final results. Students may request a change to unspecified credit within the first 30 days of the semester in which they commence their studies.
4. Other Countries - The secondary school graduation certificate which admits to an internationally recognized university in the applicant's home country is normally acceptable, provided that it is the equivalent of admission requirements for the University of Guelph.

Note: Presenting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Required levels of academic preparation may vary according to the jurisdiction or country in which course work was completed. Applicants are encouraged to contact Admission Services prior to applying if they have questions about admission requirements and preparation based on their curricula.

3. Mature Student Admission

Mature applicants are those who, prior to the beginning of the fall semester:

1. will have been out of secondary school for at least two years.
2. will have normally not attended another post-secondary institution.
3. have completed their secondary school diploma, or equivalent.

Mature applicants must present the specific subject requirements or equivalents, with acceptable academic standing, as outlined below for the degree programs to which they have applied. Admission as a mature student is available in the fall semester only.

Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.)

Applied Human Nutrition - ENG4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, and one 4U math course.

Family Studies and Human Development; Child Studies; - ENG4U, one 4U math course, and one of the following three courses: SBI4U, SCH4U, PSK4U.

ENG4U and two additional 4U or 4M courses, one of which must contain a writing component.

Note: Economics; Mathematical Economics - ENG4U, MHF4U and one additional 4U or 4M course which must contain a writing component.

Bachelor of Arts and Science (B.A.S.)

ENG4U, MHF4U, and two of the following three courses: SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U.

Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management (B.B.R.M.)

Environmental Management - ENG4U, SBI4U, and one additional 4U/M course.

Equine Management - SBI4U, SCH4U and one 4U math course. ENG4U is also recommended.

Food Industry Management - MHF4U, SBI4U and SCH4U. ENG4U is also recommended.

Note: Admission to the Food Industry Management program has been suspended for fall 2025.

Bachelor of Commerce (B.COMM.)

Hospitality and Tourism Management; Government, Economics and Management - ENG4U, MHF4U, and one additional 4U/M course.

Accounting; Food and Agricultural Business; Management; Marketing Management; Management Economics and Finance; Real Estate; Sport and Event Management; Undeclared - ENG4U, MHF4U, and one additional 4U math course.

Bachelor of Computing (B.COMP.)

ENG4U, MCV4U, and one additional 4U/M course.

Bachelor of Creative Arts, Health and Wellness (B.C.A.)

ENG4U and two additional 4U or 4M courses, one of which must contain a writing component.

Bachelor of Engineering (B.ENG.)

MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U and SPH4U. ENG4U is also recommended.

Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice (B.I.E.S.P.)

MHF4U, SBI4U and SCH4U. ENG4U is also recommended.

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.)

ENG4U and two additional 4U or 4M courses.

Note: Applicants are required to complete a Background Information Form (BIF).

Bachelor of Mathematics (B.Math)

ENG4U, MHF4U and MCV4U.

Bachelor of One Health (BOH)

MHF4U, and two of the following three courses: SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U. ENG4U is also recommended.

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

Biological Sciences - MHF4U, and two of the following three courses: SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U. ENG4U is also recommended.

Physical Sciences - MCV4U, and two of the following three courses: SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U. ENG4U is also recommended.

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.Sc. (Agr.))

MHF4U, and two of the following three courses: SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U. ENG4U is also recommended.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences (B.Sc. (Env.))

MHF4U, and two of the following three courses: SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U. ENG4U is also recommended.

Submission of Documents

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions are received in Admission Services by the document deadline.

Offers of Admission

The minimum average required for admission consideration will normally be that required for regular admission from secondary school.  Admission decisions will be made on an ongoing basis as applications become complete.  All offer conditions, including the minimum final admission average which the applicant will have to achieve to maintain their offer, will be specified in the offer. The University reserves the right to revoke the offer of admission should a student fail to meet any condition in the offer.

4. Academic Transition Program

The Academic Transition Program provides an opportunity for mature students who do not meet the normal University admission requirements to take university courses and develop foundational academic skills before applying to a degree program.

Note: Admission to the Academic Transition Program has been suspended for fall 2025. Contact Admission Services for more information.

Applicants to the Academic Transition Program will normally:

• not have previously registered at a university
• have completed the OSSD or equivalent and
• have been out of secondary school for a minimum of 2 years

 Academic Counselling

Academic Transition Program students can obtain counselling for selecting courses and planning their future program from the A.T.P. Counselling Office located in Room 128A MacKinnon Building

Program Requirements

1. Students are required to take HUMN*1040 University Learning Skills in their first term.
2. Students may take 1000- and 2000-level courses in any discipline, provided prerequisites are met or instructor approval is obtained.
3. The grade assigned for each course will become part of the student's University academic record.
4. Upon completion of 2.0 credits, students may apply to transfer to a degree program. Students with a minimum cumulative average of 60% will meet the admission requirements for the Bachelor of Arts, General and can apply to transfer to the program. Students interested in another degree program must meet the admission requirements for internal transfer;  admission requirements vary by program.
5. Students will not normally be eligible to continue in the Academic Transition Program after completion of 5.0 credits.
6. Students are advised to consult the regulations for continuation of study (Schedule 1) in Chapter VIII -Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures in the Undergraduate Calendar. 

Tuition Fees

Students are advised to refer to Chapter VI - Schedule of Fees in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Undergraduate Regulations

Students are referred to Chapter VIII - Undergraduate Degree Regulations for additional information regarding registration, course selection, withdrawal from study, continuation of study, examination policy and requests for academic consideration.