(Approved by the Senate on April 14, 2025)
Students may only enrol in the program to which they have been admitted. Those who wish to enrol in a different program must submit a new request for admission accompanied by all required supporting documents.
To learn more about the admission process, please follow the steps to apply.
C-2.1 Admission requirements
Applicants must meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements set by the University, as specified in this regulation, in addition to those specified by the program to which they are applying, including language requirements.
Satisfaction of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Full-time faculty members of the University may not be admitted into a graduate program offered by their home academic unit or by a joint Ottawa-Carleton institute associated with their home faculty, if applicable.
C-2.1.1 Graduate diploma programs
Applicants for admission to graduate diploma programs must hold a four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree (120 units) or equivalent in the same or a related discipline, obtained from an accredited university, with a minimum average of 70% (B) calculated in accordance with the University guidelines.
C-2.1.2 Master鈥檚 programs
Applicants for admission to a master鈥檚 program must hold a four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree (120 units) or equivalent in the same or a related discipline, obtained from an accredited university, with a minimum average of 70% (B) calculated in accordance with the University guidelines.
Applicants with significant formal training and relevant professional experience, and/or otherwise possess demonstrable knowledge or expertise that would prepare them adequately for successful study in a specific graduate program, may be granted admission on the recommendation of the admissions committee of the master鈥檚 program (or its equivalent).
For some master鈥檚 programs, candidates for admission who do not hold the equivalent of a four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree as required by this subsection may be eligible for enrolment in a qualifying program. Where available, a qualifying program is designed to bring the knowledge of the relevant discipline up to the standard required for admission to a particular master鈥檚 program. To be eligible for admission to the master鈥檚 program, students must reach this standard by successfully completing the requirements of the qualifying program.
C-2.1.3 Doctoral programs
Applicants for admission to doctoral programs must hold a master鈥檚 degree or equivalent in the same or a related discipline, obtained from an accredited university, with a minimum average of 75% (B+) calculated in accordance with the University guidelines.
Where permitted by specific doctoral programs, applicants who demonstrate advanced research ability may be granted direct admission to a doctoral degree program.
For some doctoral programs, candidates for admission who do not hold the equivalent of a master鈥檚 degree may be eligible to enrol in a qualifying program. Where available, a qualifying program is designed to enable students to bring their knowledge of the relevant discipline up to the standard required for admission to the related doctoral program. To be admitted into the doctoral program, students must reach this standard by successfully completing the requirements of the qualifying program.
C-2.1.4 Appeal of an admission decision
A denial of admission by the faculty is final. The dean (or delegate) of the faculty offering the program may consider an appeal regarding a denial of admission only on procedural grounds. Where an appeal on procedural grounds is allowed, the request for admission is returned to the authority where the procedural error arose for reconsideration in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
C-2.2 Transfer from program levels
C-2.2.1 Transfer from a graduate diploma to a master鈥檚 program
Students enrolled in a graduate diploma program may submit a written request for a transfer to a master鈥檚 program in the same discipline without completing all the requirements of the diploma program if allowed by the regulations governing the master鈥檚 program concerned. The granting of such a transfer request must be recommended by the admissions committee of the master鈥檚 program (or its equivalent) and approved by the faculty offering the program.
Any course failure incurred in the graduate diploma program will also count as a failure in the related master鈥檚 program.
C-2.2.2 Transfer from a master鈥檚 to a doctoral program
Students enrolled in a master鈥檚 program may submit a written request for a transfer to a doctoral program in the same discipline, without completing all the requirements of the master鈥檚 program, if allowed by the regulations governing the doctoral program concerned. The granting of such a transfer request must be recommended by the admissions committee of the doctoral program (or its equivalent) and approved by the faculty offering the program.
Any course failure incurred in the master鈥檚 program will also count as a failure in the related doctoral program.
C-2.2.3 Transfer from a doctoral to a master鈥檚 program
Students enrolled in a doctoral program may submit a written request for a transfer to a master鈥檚 program in the same discipline. The granting of such a transfer request must be recommended by the admissions committee of the master鈥檚 program (or its equivalent) and approved by the faculty offering the program.
Students who transfer from a doctoral program to a master鈥檚 program will not subsequently be allowed to enrol in the same doctoral program. Transferring students must meet all the requirements of the master鈥檚 degree or its equivalent to be awarded the master鈥檚 degree.
C-2.3 Equivalencies and transfer of course units
C-2.3.1 General enrolment requirements
Students may be granted transfer of course units or equivalencies at the time of admission or when transferring programs for courses taken at the University of Ottawa or at other institutions recognized by it.
To be eligible for transfer of course units or equivalencies, courses must:
1. be deemed relevant by the program admission committee (or its equivalent);
2. meet the same learning outcomes as the program鈥檚 course to ensure that skills, knowledge and abilities have been acquired;
3. have been completed with a grade of at least 70% (B);
4. have been taking within eight years preceding the admission date to the program, taking into account the evolution of the field.
Transfer of course units or equivalencies do not apply to the comprehensive examination, thesis project or the thesis.
C-2.3.2 Transfer of University of Ottawa course units
Unless otherwise stated in the regulations for a specific program, students who have completed graduate-level courses at the University of Ottawa may, upon subsequent admission to a graduate diploma or graduate program at the University, be granted equivalencies for a maximum of up to 50% of the program鈥檚 requirements.
C-2.3.3 Equivalencies from other universities
Unless otherwise stated in the regulations for a specific program, admissions committees (or its equivalent) may grant equivalencies for up to 50% of the program鈥檚 requirements.