History
OCAD University was originally established in Toronto in 1876 by the Ontario Society of Artists. Back then it was called the Ontario School of Art. In 1912, it was incorporated as the Ontario College of Art, becoming the first school in Canada dedicated to exclusively to the education of professional artists in fine and commercial art.
Education
OCAD U continuously builds on its traditional, studio-based strengths, adding new approaches to learning that champion cross-disciplinary practice, collaboration and the integration of emerging technologies. In the Age of Imagination, members of the OCAD U community are uniquely qualified to act as catalysts for the next advances in culture, technology and quality of life for all Canadians.
Research
Art, design and digital research and creative practices through a diversity of perspectives, methods and approaches. As Canada's university of the imagination, OCAD University offers a depth and breadth of undergraduate and graduate critical inquiry. The university engages in art and design research and creative practices through a diversity of perspectives, methods and approaches. Due to OCADU's pivotal role in maintaining a community of existing artists and designers, as well as training the new generations of artists and designers, it also functions as a cultural institution within the City of Toronto, with influence nationally and internationally.
Career
As part of the Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers, the Career Development office supports the professional development of emerging OCAD U creative talent. We provide direction, resources and opportunities which lead to the realization of transformative personal and early-career goals.
The Career Development office has the experience, networks and agility to take on ambitious partnerships which benefit students and recent alumni. We facilitate connections and develop strong relationships which result in recruitment for all manner of paid creative work opportunities.
OCAD University Key Statistics & Highlights
- 6 Masters
- 89 Scholarships
- 4,742 Students
OCAD University Overview
OCAD University Scholarships
OCAD University Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to OCAD University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
DFL Scholarship Program
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
Udaan India Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 CAD
Deadline
31 May 2026
Digital Excellence Academic Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
20 Apr 2026
Innovation in Education
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12500 USD
Deadline
15 Dec 2026
International Peace Scholarship Fund
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 CAD
Deadline
18 Nov 2026
Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Monthly Scholarship Series
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
8000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2026
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12500 USD
Deadline
15 Dec 2026
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
DFL Scholarship Program
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
Udaan India Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 CAD
Deadline
31 May 2026
Digital Excellence Academic Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
20 Apr 2026
Innovation in Education
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12500 USD
Deadline
15 Dec 2026
International Peace Scholarship Fund
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 CAD
Deadline
18 Nov 2026
Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Monthly Scholarship Series
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
8000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2026
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12500 USD
Deadline
15 Dec 2026
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
DFL Scholarship Program
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
Udaan India Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 CAD
Deadline
31 May 2026
Digital Excellence Academic Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
20 Apr 2026
Innovation in Education
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12500 USD
Deadline
15 Dec 2026
International Peace Scholarship Fund
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 CAD
Deadline
18 Nov 2026
Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Monthly Scholarship Series
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
8000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2026
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12500 USD
Deadline
15 Dec 2026
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
DFL Scholarship Program
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
Udaan India Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 CAD
Deadline
31 May 2026
Digital Excellence Academic Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
20 Apr 2026
Innovation in Education
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12500 USD
Deadline
15 Dec 2026
International Peace Scholarship Fund
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 CAD
Deadline
18 Nov 2026
Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Monthly Scholarship Series
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
8000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2026
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12500 USD
Deadline
15 Dec 2026
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS)
Read more about eligibility
OCAD University Student Reviews & Awards
3.5
Based on 12 reviews
- 5 Star 3 Reviews
- 4 Star 3 Reviews
- 3 Star 3 Reviews
- 2 Star 3 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.0
Communication
The university features an easy-to-understand teaching style that prioritizes communication, and its faculty is quite receptive to questions from students. The educational approach provides students with insightful knowledge that fosters professional success and personal growth by fusing academic knowledge with real-world work experiences.
2/5
Post‑covid workshop triumph
Our first design and build class after Covid was great. Great in spite of the fact the that lead woodshop studio tech, a former student had no formal training or certification. The student tech was seriously lacking in knowledge of hand or power tools and did not know to set up machines properly. The student monitor was flamboyantly incompetent and hurt herself 2 times requiring medical help each time. Once on the router table where she had no training, no tech support and I believe she was alone in the shop. The second time she stabbed herself requiring more stitches. In spite of the studios' techs levels of incompetence the students designed and built unique and conceptually inspired furniture as per the class mandate. To keep the students safe and on track their professor showed up a day early and left a day late. They held the final crit in a photo studio and the Industrial Design director HM attended and was pleased with what he saw. SInce they photographed everything their professor gave HM all the pics with the intent he would OK and help and with an effort to submit a presentation the international publication Dezeen (an online architecture, interiors and design magazine based in London, Eng.) who often shows student work. HM did nothing to support or the students. Since then the design departments both U of Toronto and Metropolitan U. have exhibited student work internationally on the Dezeen's international platform.
2/5
Review of Ontario College of Art and Design University
The school recently banned a prof. without a proper review and failed to take into consideration a recently diagnosed condition BPD that lead to a text that was considered as harassment. OCADU does not appear to support with mental health issues that were triggered on campus.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
-
Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
Student services
The Student Advising Centre provides a coordinated and centralized model for undergraduate student academic advising. The Student Advising team supports student success by providing a welcoming environment where students can get support and advice related to their personal and academic success.
- Provide help, answers, support and advice
- Assist with course selection and program planning
- Discuss program requirements
- Review educational path and identify opportunities
- Connect students with on-campus resources
Housing services
OCAD U has several housing partners including co-ops, independent student residences and online housing service providers.
Library services
- Review loan periods and fines, remove account blocks and register for an account.
- Request accommodations or accessibility preferences to access library spaces or collections.
- Request textual materials in formats for use with adaptive technologies.
- Ask questions related to teaching, learning, administration, art & design practice, and student life from throughout OCAD U’s history.
Medical services
The Student Wellness Centre remains available and committed to supporting OCADU students while the physical facilities are closed. Our accessibility advisors, counsellors, and doctors are available to connect over email, phone, and video.
Campus life
OCAD University is a 100 per cent commuter campus. With lots of students travelling hours a day to get to school and home again, it can be challenging to meet new friends and get involved on campus. We get it. So, we're here to help!
Campus Life, within OCAD U's Student Success Programs, ensures that students have access to social, learning and development opportunities outside the classroom. Our programs encourage enhanced personal growth, connection, engagement, leadership, self-confidence, interpersonal and team-building skills.
Sports facilities
There are many bike racks around campus: a series on both sides of the main entrance at 100 McCaul St., as well as city posts on both sides of the street.
Campus Life has partnered with the Intramural Program at Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences (222 St. Patrick St.). This exciting new collaboration brings intramural opportunities to OCAD U students and allows access to Michener's gymnasium where they will play against each other and Michener teams for some friendly competition!
OCAD U students who wish to be physically active, work out, or keep fit can take advantage of affordable student memberships at a variety of recreation and fitness facilities within two kilometres of campus.
Student clubs
The OCAD Student Union (OCADSU) is a not-for profit corporation that exists to advocate on behalf of the OCAD U student body at-large serving as a liaison between the student body and OCAD U governance, administration, faculty, other universities and colleges, all levels of government, and the Canadian Federation of Students. Within the Toronto art and design community, OCADSU is proud to be represented by its subsidiary, Xpace Cultural Center.
OCAD University Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Canada Country
Toronto City