OCAD University is Canada's largest and oldest art and design university, founded in 1876. Our campus, located in the heart of Toronto, is an internationally recognized hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity.

You will be immersed in a diverse and tight-knit community of 4,500+ students, and learn in small classrooms from professors who are leading artists, designers and scholars.

OCAD U has three undergraduate faculties, a School of Graduate Studies and a School of Continuing Studies.

You can choose between 17 undergraduate programs and 6 graduate programs across art, design, media and research. We offer a unique environment that combines studio-based learning with critical inquiry, history and theory, and academic rigor.

Undergraduate programs lead to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), a Bachelor of Design (BDes), or a Bachelor of Art (BA). Graduate programs award a Master of Art (MA), Master of Fine Art (MFA), or Master of Design (BDes).

Campus and Facilities

While enrolled, you will learn in small classrooms and have access to a wide range of unique shops and studios meant for you to explore and expand your art and design practice.

Specialized studios include:

• Photography Centre
  
• Rapid Prototyping
  
• Jewellery Studio
  
• Textiles Studio
  
• Ceramics Studio
  
• Mouldmaking Studio
  
• Printmaking Studio
  
• Computer Labs
  
• Motion Capture Studios
  
• Tool Loans and more

OCAD U does not have its own residence, but there are several nearby housing options to consider, such as residence parters, home stay options or co-ops.

Throughout the year, OCAD University hosts online and virtual events for you to learn more about the programs, portfolio requirements and transfer options. The summer programs are perfect for high school students looking to get studio experience before preparing applications for post-secondary art and design programs.

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists and Designers supports the early career advancement of all OCAD U students. You will have access to career advising, internships, experiential learning programs, career development opportunities, and creative entrepreneurship support.

OCAD University Campus Life, in collaboration with the Intramural Program at Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences (222 St. Patrick St.) offers exciting intramural opportunities to OCAD U students. All games are played in Michener's gymnasium where OCAD U students will play against each other, as well as Michener teams, for some friendly competition! All teams must be co-ed.

Campus Life

At OCAD U, we want all students to feel supported and enjoy every aspect of campus life! Campus Life ensures that students have access to community outside the classroom with initiatives such as:

• Orientation & Welcome Day
• Peer Mentor programs
• Intramural Sports
• Student Clubs

You can also get involved in the Student Union or be a student representative at the Board of Governors or Senate.

Special interest clubs on campus allow interaction among students, supports faith and culture, and creates an atmosphere of diversity while encouraging self-development, social responsibility and environmental awareness. Students are welcome to apply to establish new student groups following the Student Group Handbook which contains helpful information for student groups, the OCAD U Student Organization Recognition Policy and Application for Registered/Recognized Group Status

IT Services provides access to computing for the entire OCAD community. We support three scheduled Academic Computing Studios for structured curricular use, Computer Clusters, the Library, Learning Zone and collaborate with Studio Management on studio computing. The Laptop Program provides software and support for students bringing their own laptops to OCAD University for their learning and instruction in art and design. Your laptop is the primary computer you will use on campus, in specific courses, studios and open areas between classes.

XPACE Cultural Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to emerging art and design. Our goal is to bridge students with their established counterparts through experimental programming that cultivates public dialogue. This allows for a dynamic art space that questions and re-evaluates the cultural and artistic expectations of visual language. XPACE is a membership-driven organization supported by the OCAD University Student Union.

OCAD University offers a variety of services and supports to students, including:

• RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers
• Student Accessibility Services
• International Student Support Office
• Centre for Learning & Teaching
• Indigenous Student Centre
• Financial Aid

OCAD University has a study abroad program at our campus in Florence, Italy as well as a self designed international study program. The Florentine campus offers a facilitated, directed study approach to learning and is open each year to a limited number of students from all areas who have completed at least two years of study. While in Florence, students develop a body of work in a communal studio setting and study art history amidst a backdrop of architectural and artistic treasures from the Italian Renaissance. Alternatively, OCAD students may spend a semester at another art and design institution by participating in the Mobility/Exchange program.

Guided on-campus tours are available year-round, check the schedule here.

An education in art and design is a special learning experience. National Portfolio Day is your opportunity to meet professionals from some of the finest design and visual arts schools in North America. It’s not a competition and no offers of admission will be made. Bring your best work and have it critiqued for potential admission to the art or design school of your choice. OCAD hosts a National Portfolio Day event annually in November. Visit the Prospective Students section of the OCAD University website in September for exact dates and a list of participating institutions.