International Post-Secondary

Admission Requirements

High school (secondary school) graduation is the normal minimum level of study to be considered for admission to the first year of an undergraduate program at Carleton University. If you have undertaken studies at a recognized college or university following your secondary school graduation, we will assess these post-secondary studies as your ‘basis of admission’, as your highest level and most recent studies. Academic performance in your previous studies is the main determining factor for admission.

You will need to provide transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, showing all courses undertaken and grades achieved, as well as any registration in courses in progress. If you have completed one year or less of post-secondary studies, please also submit your secondary school transcripts and any graduation exam results. If an application is submitted while studies are still in progress, we will review for an early/conditional offer.

You do not need to apply as a ‘transfer student’ – the application process is the same for all
Advanced standing (transfer credit) – If you have taken university courses and wish to be considered for credit, please be sure to submit official course descriptions (and translations if necessary) from your university detailing content of the courses completed. These will be assessed on a course by course basis for credit. An ‘audit’ will be provided after admission showing the Carleton credits granted.

English Language Requirement

You will also need to demonstrate that your knowledge and use of English are strong enough for studies in an English Language university. If your first language is not English, you can prove your language proficiency in a number ways. See: English Language Requirement

Prerequisites

In addition to your overall academic performance, for most of our programs you will also need specific required subjects (prerequisites) to be considered for admission. In general, prerequisite subjects should be completed during your post-secondary studies, or in the highest/final year of secondary school study.

Please review the specific admission requirements by degree program below.

Add a Program

Select a program:

The Application Process

Check application deadlines

Start in September:
Applications open: September of preceding year
Deadline to apply: April 1 (international students)
Deadline to apply: June 1 (students in Canada or US)
(See programs with earlier deadlines and portfolio requirements)

Start in January (limited programs)
Applications open: late September
Deadline to apply: October 15

Admissions for most programs are done on a ‘rolling’ basis – as soon as an application and sufficient grades are provided, an assessment can be made.

Apply online

You can apply directly to Carleton University by completing our International Student Application, available through your Carleton 360 account (processing fee: $100 CAD). OR
If you are applying to several Ontario universities, you can use the central Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) online application, and select Carleton as one of your choices.

You will receive an acknowledgement email with your Carleton applicant number and your MyCarletonOne (MC1) username and password, along with details on how to check the status of your application on our student portal—Carleton 360.

Upload documents

When you log in to your Carleton 360 account, you will see any documents we require, and be able to upload pdfs directly. Typically we request:

Transcripts from your most recent/highest level of education
English as a Second Language (ESL) test score, if required

Please do not send duplicate documents unless you have confirmed with Admissions that additional copies are required.

Monitor your application

If we are missing documents or need more information to process your application, we will post additional document requests on Carleton 360. Be sure to check your application frequently and contact us with any questions you may have: international@carleton.ca.

Receive admission decision

You can view offers of admission in Carleton 360 by clicking on the View Offer Details link on the application page. Important information about your degree program, any offer of scholarship or a space in residence, and information needed to obtain a study permit is included in your offer package. Any conditions associated with your offer will appear in your offer letter. Conditions may include things like updated or official transcripts, final grades or proof of graduation. Please review your conditions carefully and contact us if you have any questions.

Accept your offer & next steps

If you applied directly to Carleton University: Log in to Carleton 360 and accept your offer on the Admission Offer Details page.
If you applied through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC): Accept an offer of admission on the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre’s website.

Offers should be accepted by the date indicated on the offer letter in order to reserve a space in the program. It may be possible to accept offers after that date, subject to availability.

It’s important to remember that most offers of admission are conditional. Make sure to review the information on how to maintain your conditional offer of admission.

Next steps: Find out how and when to secure a spot in residence, apply for a study permit, register for classes and more.

Undergraduate Admissions