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Grad Admission FAQs and Contacts

Before you apply


For applicants

  • How do I check the status of my application?

    Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email from us within two to three business days, with instructions on how to log in to the graduate admissions portal. Here, you will be able to see the status of each of your documents, notes from your admissions officer (if applicable) and the final admission decision.

  • How do I upload my documentation?

    Once your application is received by our office, you will receive an email with a link to upload your documentation. Uploaded documents are not considered official. If you are accepted to a graduate program, you must arrange to have an official transcript mailed to our office.

  • How many letters of recommendation do I need?

    Most of our graduate programs generally require two letters of recommendation. However, we encourage you to review your program page for specific requirements. Your referees will receive a confirmation email from the university once the letter has been submitted successfully. 

    To learn more, see letters of recommendation.

  • Will the university reach out to my referees to obtain a letter of recommendation?

    We do not send requests for their letter of recommendation to your referees. It is your responsibility to input your referees' contact information under the Referees section of the OUAC application. Once you have done this, you can then proceed to send the Recommendation Request email directly to the business/institutional email you have provided for your referee. Note that personal email addresses (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, 163, etc.) are not acceptable.

    Once your referees submit the recommendation form, you will not be able to change or update the Referees section of the OUAC application.

    If you see that your checklist item is not updated with receipt of your Letter of Recommendation, you must follow up with your referee to ensure they submit their recommendation as soon as possible. At this time, you can log back into the OUAC application and review the status of your request. Here you can resend the email, updated your referee contact information, or change your referee.

    Upon receipt of a letter of recommendation, the university may contact the listed referee to verify authenticity.

    To learn more, see letters of recommendation.

  • What is a degree parchment?

    A degree parchment is the document issued to you at your convocation ceremony. The degree generally includes your name, the date the degree was issued, the name of the degree, and the seal or crest of the institution.

    To submit your degree parchment(s), a photocopy must be submitted to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The submission must confirm that you have completed all degree requirements.

    We do not accept degree certificates or provisional degree certificates.

  • I submitted my documentation but my checklist hasn't been updated. What do I do?

    Once a document arrives at the university, either by mail or through electronic upload, it can take up to 10 business days to be distributed, processed and updated on your document checklist.

  • Can I apply for more than one program?
    Yes, you may apply for more than one program. Each application fee requires a payment of $110. If you have already submitted your application you will need to create a new profile on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre page. If possible, please include your university ID number that you were assigned with your previous application.
  • Can I transfer courses from a previous degree into my graduate program at Ontario Tech?

    Applicants may apply for transfer credit for an equivalent graduate level course if the course was completed within the last eight years and the grade was no lower than B- (or equivalent). The Request for Transfer Credit form, course syllabus, and official transcript must be submitted for review. Fifty per cent of all program coursework must be completed at Ontario Tech. Normally, transfer credits must not have been credited towards an acquired degree or other academic credential.

    All requests must be submitted before the end of the first term of study and are subject to the approval of the graduate program director and SGPS. Transfer credit requests that list an institution that was not disclosed on the online application will not be considered.

  • Can I make a change to my application once I have paid the $110 fee?
    You will not be able to make changes to your application once the application fee has been processed. To notify our office of any changes, email gradstudies@ontariotechu.ca.
  • What do I do if I cannot log in to the applicant portal?
    For login errors and password changes, contact the university's IT Service Desk at 905.721.3333. Please have your student number ready when you call.
  • When will I receive a decision?
    Decisions are released on an ongoing basis. The majority of decisions for the fall intake are released by the end of April. 

    For the winter intake, decisions are typically released in early September, and for the Spring/Summer, decisions are typically released in late January.

    Please ensure that you submit the required documents by the appropriate deadline if you wish to receive a timely response. 

  • I would like to delay starting my program. Is this possible?

    If you would like to apply to defer your application or offer to the next starting term, please fill out a deferral request. Deferral requests must be made within one year of the selected term on the application (for deferred applications) or one year from the term listed on the offer of admission (for deferred offers of admission). Approval is required.

  • I am an international student. Is there someone who can help me with the student visa application process?

    The university's International Office is committed to assisting international students with a smooth transition to a new country and academic culture. If you are an international student and need guidance in areas such as immigration, cultural adaptation, UHIP, language support and more, we encourage you to meet with an International Student Advisor to help you in your transition. You may also contact the office directly.

  • My application status is wait listed. What does this mean?

    Due to a competitive application process, we are unable to offer admission to all applicants. If your status has been changed to wait list, your application has been reviewed and placed on the wait list. Applicants on wait lists are not guaranteed admission. If space becomes available in the program, your status will be updated with an offer of admission. If space does not become available, your application will be declined.

  • Am I permitted to use a third party agent to help complete my application?
    SGPS does not work with third party agents, unless a formal agreement is in place. If you chose to have an agent complete your application, you would be responsible for any fees incurred. Due to privacy, we are only able to respond to the email address listed on the online application for all application inquires. In order for us to release information about your application or other details to a third party, you are required to fill out and sign the applicant release form and upload it with your other supporting documents

For more information


Download Grad Studies Guidebook