IV. Admission Information

Admission Requirements to University Programs

Semester One Admission

Entry Point

Admission to semester one of a degree program and the Academic Transition 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.  Applicants from Ontario Secondary Schools

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

All semester one applicants have the opportunity to complete and submit the Student Profile Form which is considered during the third round of high school offers in May. Leadership and citizenship qualities as well as extenuating circumstances of a medical or compassionate nature are considered for applicants whose admission average falls within a discretionary range below the determined program admission average.

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 admission average does not reflect their true academic ability as a result of a disability, are encouraged to complete the Supplementary Information Form for Students with Disabilities. This form is taken into consideration along with academics for applicants whose admission average falls within a discretionary range below the determined program admission average.

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 letter. 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 in order to maintain their offer, will be specified in the offer letter. 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.

Applicants who have not received an offer of admission by the end of May, may become eligible for admission consideration to all non-limited enrolment programs by submitting their final grades. Admission consideration will be given on the basis of final grades only when places are still available in the program and/or specialization to which the student has applied at the time that the final grades are received. Applicants may be required to possess an admission average higher than those used prior to the end of May.

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 may be taken into consideration. Applicants currently in their final year of the IB 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 subjects: 3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level, and should include specific subject requirements for the program to which they are applying among their Standard and Higher Level courses. 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 on an individual basis within the first 30 days of the semester in which they commence their studies.

Ontario high school students registered in an IB 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.

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 on an individual basis 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

All semester one applicants have the opportunity to complete and submit the Student Profile Form which is considered during the third round of high school offers in May. Leadership and citizenship qualities as well as extenuating circumstances of a medical or compassionate nature are considered for applicants whose admission average falls within a discretionary range below the determined program admission average.

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 admission average does not reflect their true academic ability as a result of a disability, are encouraged to complete the Supplementary Information Form for Students with Disabilities. This form is taken into consideration along with academics for applicants whose admission average falls within a discretionary range below the determined program admission average.

Offers of Admission

Conditional offers of admission may be released on the basis of interim and/or first term grades. Some decisions may be deferred until final grades are submitted. Applicants are encouraged to submit any academic information which might expedite an admission decision by March 1. 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 and 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 an application.
  3. British Patterned Education Systems - Applicants must present either the GCSE (or IGCSE) and the GCE showing one of:
    1. Minimum of two Advanced Level passes and three GCSE or IGCSE (Ordinary level) passes.
    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 on an individual basis 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 another country is normally acceptable, provided that it is the equivalent of admission requirements for the University of Guelph.

Note: Possession of these minimum 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 in order to obtain specific information on admission requirements. They are strongly advised to provide detailed information on their particular situation.

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.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

ENG4U and two additional 4U or 4M courses, one of 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.

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 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 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 Science (B.Sc. (Env.))

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

Bachelor of One Health (BOH)

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

General Notes and Recommendations

The minimum average required for admission consideration will normally be that required for regular admission from secondary school. Students applying under the Mature Student Regulation must submit official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended. Applicants are also encouraged to write a letter of support explaining their activities since their last academic semester. The complete academic record will be considered by the Admission Committee in reaching an admission decision.

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.

Applicants to the Academic Transition Program will normally:
  • not have previously registered at a university
  • have completed the O.S.S.D. 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 B.A.S. 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.