OUAC Application Guide (Ontario)

What OUAC is — and what it is not

The Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) is a centralized service that processes undergraduate applications to universities in Ontario. Instead of applying separately to each Ontario university, you complete one OUAC application and select the Ontario universities and programs you want; OUAC forwards your application to them.

Crucially, OUAC is Ontario-only. It does not handle applications to universities in other provinces (such as British Columbia, Alberta, or Quebec) — for those, you apply directly to each university. Always confirm details on the official OUAC website.

Group A — current Ontario high-school students

A "Group A" applicant — the group historically associated with the OUAC "101" application — is generally a current Ontario secondary-school student applying to first-year (undergraduate) programs during their final year of high school. These students usually apply through their school, which coordinates the transmission of grades to OUAC.

The precise definition of Group A is set by OUAC, so if you are unsure which group fits you, check the official OUAC description.

• Generally current Ontario high-school students in their graduating year
• Applying to first-year undergraduate programs
• Grades are typically forwarded through the student's Ontario school

Group B — everyone else

A "Group B" applicant — the group historically associated with the OUAC "105" application — is generally anyone who is not a current Ontario high-school student. This commonly includes students from outside Ontario, international applicants, university transfer students, and those who are out of school.

OUAC may distinguish further sub-types within Group B (for example, applicants studying within versus outside Canada). The exact categories and what each requires are defined by OUAC — verify which one applies to you on the official site.

• Generally applicants who are not current Ontario high-school students
• Includes out-of-province, international, transfer, and out-of-school applicants
• May have sub-categories defined by OUAC

How an OUAC application generally works

In broad terms, you create an OUAC profile, choose your university and program selections, provide your academic information, pay the OUAC fees, and then complete any additional steps each university requires (such as a supplementary application, essay, or portfolio submitted to the university directly).

Fees, the number of program choices included, and the exact steps are set by OUAC and the universities, and they change over time. We do not list figures here — confirm the current fees and process on the official OUAC website.

International applicants using OUAC

International students applying to Ontario universities generally apply through OUAC (typically as Group B applicants — the group historically called "105") and should plan extra time for language-proficiency results and for any assessment of their qualifications against each university's standards. After receiving and accepting an offer, studying for more than six months in Canada generally requires a study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The study permit is separate from the OUAC application. This is general information, not immigration advice — confirm current requirements on the official Government of Canada source.