If you're applying to an Ontario university as an international student, you'll almost certainly go through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre — but the specific application form you use, called "OUAC 105," is not the same one Ontario high schoolers use, and mixing the two up is one of the most common early mistakes international applicants make. Unlike many other application systems, OUAC 105 doesn't have a single universal deadline — each university, and sometimes each individual programme, sets its own.
What Is OUAC?
The Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) is the centralised body that processes undergraduate (and some other) applications for admission to Ontario's universities. It functions similarly to a shared application portal — you submit your academic background and program choices once, and OUAC routes your application data to each university you've selected.
Important: OUAC is specific to Ontario. It does not cover universities in other Canadian provinces — British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and others generally use direct-to-institution applications or their own separate systems, so if your target schools span multiple provinces, expect to manage more than one application process.
Which OUAC Application Type Applies to You
| Application Code | Who It's For |
|---|---|
| 101 | Students currently attending secondary school in Ontario, or following the Ontario curriculum full-time |
| 105 | Everyone else — international students, applicants from other Canadian provinces, mature students (typically 21+), and those who have already attended a postsecondary institution |
| 106 / 107 and others | Specific categories such as current Ontario college students or current/former Ontario university students seeking transfer or additional admission |
Most international students will apply using OUAC 105 — confirm this applies to your specific situation on the OUAC website, since exact category definitions are set by OUAC and occasionally refined.
Which Institutions Use OUAC vs Direct Application
| Approach | Examples of How It Works |
|---|---|
| Applications processed through OUAC | Most Ontario universities accept undergraduate applications via OUAC 105 for international applicants |
| Direct application (no OUAC) | Some programmes, some graduate-level admissions, and some specific faculties manage applications directly through the university's own portal rather than OUAC |
| Hybrid | Some universities use OUAC for initial application submission but require supplementary applications/portfolios directly through their own supplementary application portal (common for programmes like business, engineering, or the arts) |
Always check each specific university and programme's admissions page — do not assume every programme at a OUAC-affiliated university uses OUAC for every application type.
Step-by-Step: OUAC 105 Application Process
- Confirm you're in the correct applicant category (105, in most international cases) on the OUAC website
- Create an OUAC account and start your 105 application
- Select your university and programme choices — you can generally apply to multiple universities/programmes within a single OUAC 105 application, with additional choices beyond a base number incurring extra fees
- Enter your academic history — including secondary school and any postsecondary education completed to date
- Arrange for official transcripts to be sent — usually directly from your school/institution to OUAC or to each university, depending on their specific requirements; check whether transcripts need to be sent in the original language with certified translations
- Submit supplementary applications where required — many competitive programmes (business, engineering, health sciences, and others) require an additional application directly through the university beyond the base OUAC submission
- Pay the OUAC application fee — a base fee typically covers a set number of programme choices, with additional fees for extra choices beyond that; international applicants generally pay through OUAC's supported international payment method (Flywire is commonly used)
- Submit English proficiency test scores (IELTS or equivalent) directly to each university as required — this is usually separate from the core OUAC submission
- Track your application status through your OUAC account and each university's own applicant portal, since decisions are issued by the universities individually, not by OUAC
- Receive offers and respond by each university's specific reply deadline
Fees
| Fee Component | Structure |
|---|---|
| Base application fee | Covers a set number of initial programme choices (confirm the current number and amount on ouac.on.ca, as this is reviewed periodically) |
| Additional programme choices | An extra fee applies per additional choice beyond the base allotment |
| Supplementary applications | Charged separately by individual universities/programmes where required, on top of the OUAC fee |
| Payment method for international applicants | Often processed via Flywire or another international payment partner |
All OUAC fees are generally non-refundable, and your application is not forwarded to your chosen universities until payment is completed in full — don't leave payment until the last moment before a deadline.
Deadlines
| Detail | Rule |
|---|---|
| General OUAC 105 deadline | Unlike OUAC 101, there is no single OUAC-wide deadline for 105 applicants — deadlines are set individually by each university and sometimes by each programme |
| Competitive programmes | Often close significantly earlier than general programmes — some as early as several months before the intake |
| Recommended approach | Check the specific deadline for every individual programme you're applying to and apply to your earliest-closing choice first |
Because deadlines vary this much by programme, building a personal deadline tracker for each of your chosen universities/programmes is strongly recommended rather than assuming one date applies across your whole application.
After Applying: What Happens Next
- Universities review applications independently — OUAC does not make admission decisions
- You may be asked for additional documents (mid-year or final transcripts, supplementary essays, portfolios) directly by individual universities
- Offers are issued by each university separately, with their own response deadlines and, for some programmes, deposit requirements
- Once you accept an offer, you'll receive an official Letter of Acceptance, which is required for your Canadian study permit application
Documents You'll Typically Need
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Official secondary school transcripts | Sent directly by your school or via a certified transcript service, depending on your country |
| Proof of any postsecondary study completed | Required if you've attended any college/university before applying |
| English proficiency test scores | IELTS or equivalent, sent directly to each university (not typically part of the core OUAC submission itself) |
| Passport/identification | For identity verification purposes |
| Supplementary application materials | Portfolios, essays, or interviews for competitive programmes — required in addition to, not instead of, the core OUAC application |
Because transcript and test-score submission requirements are set individually by each university rather than by OUAC itself, keep a checklist per university rather than assuming one submission covers every school you've applied to.
After You Submit: What to Expect
| Stage | Typical Timing |
|---|---|
| OUAC confirms receipt of your application | Shortly after submission and payment |
| Universities begin reviewing applications | Varies — some universities review on a rolling basis, others wait until their specific deadline passes |
| Supplementary application requests (if applicable) | Often sent directly by the university within weeks of your core application being received |
| Admission decisions issued | Timing varies significantly by university and programme — competitive programmes can take longer |
| Offer response deadlines | Set individually by each university, often with a required tuition deposit to confirm your spot |
Because Ontario universities issue decisions independently and on their own timelines, it's common to receive offers from different schools weeks or even months apart — don't assume a delay from one university means a rejection is coming.
Comparing OUAC to Other Canadian Application Routes
| Province/System | How Applications Work |
|---|---|
| Ontario (OUAC) | Centralised application centre for most university applications |
| British Columbia | Generally direct application to each individual institution |
| Alberta | Some institutions use ApplyAlberta, a centralised system similar in spirit to OUAC, though not identical in scope |
| Quebec (French-language institutions) | Often uses SRAM for CEGEP-level applications, with direct university applications at the degree level |
| Most other provinces | Typically direct application to each individual institution |
If you're applying to universities across multiple provinces, budget time to manage several separate application systems rather than assuming one centralised process covers all of Canada — OUAC is Ontario-specific.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to more than one Ontario university with a single OUAC 105 application? Yes — a single OUAC 105 application lets you apply to multiple universities and programmes, with additional choices beyond the base allotment typically incurring extra fees.
Do I need a separate application for graduate (master's/PhD) programmes? Generally yes — OUAC undergraduate applications (105, 101, etc.) are distinct from graduate admissions, which most Ontario universities manage directly through their own graduate studies portal rather than through OUAC.
Does OUAC evaluate whether my international qualifications are equivalent to Ontario high school requirements? OUAC collects and forwards your academic information, but the actual equivalency assessment and admission decision is made by each individual university's admissions office, not by OUAC itself.
What happens if I made a mistake on my OUAC application after submitting it? Most corrections can be made through your OUAC account for a period after submission, sometimes for an additional fee — check your account for the specific correction options available and any associated costs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying under the wrong OUAC application type (e.g., 101 instead of 105) — this can cause processing delays or an invalid application
- Assuming a single deadline applies across all your programme choices — always check each one individually
- Forgetting supplementary applications for competitive programmes, which are separate from and additional to the base OUAC submission
- Delaying transcript requests — international transcript processing and mailing/certification can take weeks
- Confusing OUAC with applications to universities outside Ontario — it does not cover other provinces
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