York University Admission Guide (Official Process)

About York University

York University is a large public university in Toronto, Ontario, and one of Canada's biggest universities by enrolment. It offers a very wide range of undergraduate programs across faculties including Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, Science, Engineering (Lassonde), the Schulich School of Business, Health, Education, and the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD).

York has two teaching campuses in Toronto: the main Keele campus, where programs are taught in English, and the Glendon campus, which offers a bilingual English–French environment. Its size means a broad choice of subjects and a large international community.

This guide covers York's official application routes, its campuses, automatic entrance scholarships and the supplementary steps some programs require.

How to apply: OUAC or York direct

York accepts undergraduate applications through two official routes. Applicants to multiple Ontario universities, and current Ontario high-school students, typically apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). International, mature and transfer students applying only to York can use York's own direct application instead. One exception: studio-based programs in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) are applied to through OUAC only.

Once you apply, York issues a reference number and gives you access to an online document portal (MyFile) where you upload transcripts and supporting materials. York assesses applications on a rolling basis, generally within about four weeks after all your documents have arrived, so submit everything promptly.

• OUAC route — for applicants to several Ontario universities / Ontario high-school students
• York direct application — for international, mature or transfer applicants applying only to York
• Studio arts (AMPD) programs apply through OUAC only
• Upload documents to MyFile after applying
• Allow roughly four weeks for assessment once documents are complete

Choosing a campus: Keele and Glendon

One decision unique to York is the campus. Most programs are at the Keele campus and are taught in English. The Glendon campus offers York’s bilingual (English–French) faculty, which can be attractive if you want to study or strengthen French — a useful asset in Canada. Some Glendon programs can be started without prior French, while others expect functional French at entry — check the French-language expectations for your specific program.

Program availability differs by campus, so check which campus offers your intended program and what language of instruction applies. If you are considering Glendon, review any French-language expectations for your specific program.

• Keele campus — the main campus; programs taught in English
• Glendon campus — bilingual English/French environment
• Program availability and language of instruction vary by campus

Automatic entrance scholarships

A notable feature of York is that some entrance scholarships are awarded automatically at the time of admission, based on your final admission average — you don't submit a separate application for those. York publishes award tiers that rise with your average, and there are additional awards recognising achievement, resilience and community leadership that may require a separate application.

Award values, average thresholds and eligibility differ by applicant type — some automatic awards are aimed at particular applicant groups, and international-applicant eligibility and terms change from year to year. Confirm the current entrance-scholarship details for your applicant type on York's official scholarships pages rather than relying on figures from third parties.

• Some entrance awards are assessed automatically at admission — no separate form
• Award levels typically rise with a higher final admission average
• Eligibility differs by applicant type — check the terms for international applicants
• Other awards (achievement, leadership, resilience) may need a separate application
• Confirm current values and thresholds on York's official scholarship pages

Supplementary applications for studio programs

Most York programs are admitted on academic records, but certain studio-based creative programs in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) — such as cinema and media arts, dance, design, music, theatre and visual arts — require an additional supplementary component (for example a portfolio, audition or written submission), along with a supplementary application fee. These AMPD programs are applied to through OUAC.

If you're applying to a creative program, check its specific supplementary requirement and deadline early, as preparing a portfolio or audition takes time. Requirements for non-studio programs are generally academic.

English requirements, timelines and study permit

If your first language is not English or your schooling was not in English, you'll usually need to prove English proficiency for Keele's English-taught programs; Glendon may have French-language expectations for some programs. Accepted tests and minimum scores are set officially and change, so verify them on York's pages.

York's main intake is Fall (September), and it processes applications over the preceding cycle. After you accept an offer, you'll need a Canadian study permit. This is general information, not immigration advice: most applications now require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), and rules change frequently — verify everything on the official IRCC / canada.ca source and consider a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or lawyer for your case.

• Prove English proficiency for English-taught programs; check French expectations at Glendon
• Main intake is Fall (September)
• A study permit (with a PAL for most applicants) is required — verify on canada.ca