OCAD University

The institution was established by the Ontario Society of Artists in 1876 as the Ontario School of Art, whose objective was to provide professional artistic training and further the development of art education in Ontario. The Ontario Society of Artists passed the motion to “draw up a scheme” for a school of art on 4 April 1876, and the first Ontario School of Art opened on 30 October 1876, funded by a government grant of $1,000. The school opened at 14 King Street West with an initial enrolment of 14 students. Thomas Mower Martin was the founding director until 1879. Robert Harris taught at the school as did William Cruikshank, who also served as president from 1884 to 1886.

In 1882, the provincial department of education assumed control over the institution and relocated the school to the Toronto Normal School building. In 1886, the school was relocated to another location on Queen and Yonge Street and renamed the Toronto Art School.

The Ontario Society of Artists resumed its sponsorship of the institution in 1890 and relocated the institution to 173 King Street West, occupying the upper levels of the Princess Theatre building, and shared the premises with the Art Museum of Toronto. The society reopened the school as the Central Ontario School of Art and Industrial Design.

It is ranked #51-100 in QS WUR Ranking By Subject 2023

Dates and Deadlines

OCAD U will continue to accept applications from all applicants until February 1, 2024. February 1, 2024 – Application deadline for all applicants for all programs. Apply through the OUAC by 11:59 pm EST.

Approximately $29,000 per academic year based on a full-time course load of 5.0 credits. Full-time students will usually take an average of 4-5 classes in the.

Undergraduate Programs

1. Criticism & Curatorial Practice
2. Advertising
3. Cross-Disciplinary Art: Life Studies
4. Environmental Design
5. Environmental Design: Interior Design Specialization
6. Graphic Design
7. Drawing & Painting: Digital Painting and Expanded Animation
8. Illustration
9. Integrated Media: Digital Painting and Expanded Animation
10. Drawing & Painting
11. Industrial Design
12. Integrated Media
13. Material Art & Design
14. Visual and Critical Studies
15. Photography
16. Indigenous Visual Culture
17. Sculpture/Installation
18. Digital Futures
19. Creative Writing
20. Printmaking & Publications
21. Experimental Animation
22. Experimental Animation VFS Exchange