5.0 ADMISSION

Admission Requirements

In order to give College applicants the greatest opportunity for success, their suitability for admission to a program will be assessed and considered based on a range of factors including their academic history and credentials. Each Humber program has academic, language, and residency requirements that applicants must satisfy in order to be admitted to that program. Specific admission requirements may vary from program to program. Details of the program-specific academic or secondary requirements are referenced in the College Calendar.

Since applicants may be ranked based on a range of  factors, meeting the minimum requirements for admission in any one year does not guarantee acceptance into a Humber program in a following year, as applicants are competing with others in the applicant pool for each admissions term. Admission is competitive and will be based on the applicant’s overall qualifications and the availability of space in the program.

Applicants may apply in one of the three categories identified in Section 5.1, Applicant Categories.

Equivalent Admission Requirements

Applicants who attended secondary school in another province or country must provide documentation as proof of their credentials’ academic equivalency to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Conditional Offers of Admission

In some cases, a student’s offer letter will stipulate conditions that need to be satisfied in order for Humber to complete the offer of admission. Terms of the conditional offer of admission, as stated in the offer letter, must be met prior to beginning studies at Humber, or as otherwise stated in the offer letter. Failure to complete the conditional requirements will result in withdrawal from the program by the Admissions Office.

Readmission to Program of Study

For information on interruption of studies and subsequent requests for readmission to programs, see Section 11.3, Readmission to Program of Study.

5.1 Eligibility Categories and Criteria

The following section outlines the admission categories and general eligibility criteria for each credential.

5.1.a   Eligibility Categories Criteria for Degrees

Degree - Secondary School Graduate

Applicants must possess:

  1. an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent;
  2. a minimum average of 65% including Grade 12 University English or OAC English 1, or equivalent; and
  3. six Grade 12 University or University/College (U or M) courses;
  4. a final grade of not less than 60% in each of the published subject requirements for the applicant’s program of interest.
  5. Has not previously attempted any postsecondary studies.

Degree - Mature Student Applicants

Applicant must:

  1. be at least 21 years of age on the first day of classes;
  2. not have graduated from secondary school;
  3. have been away from secondary school studies for at least two (2) years;
  4. not have previously attempted any postsecondary studies;
  5. possess the published secondary school subject requirements, or equivalents, and meet the minimum admission average of 65% based on these subjects;
  6. submit official copies of transcripts for her/his secondary school grades, or any other academic work

Degree - Transfer Student Applicants

Applicants, who have undertaken previous full-time postsecondary studies, will be considered as a Transfer Student applicants. Criteria for consideration for admission of Transfer Students are determined by level of previous study and outlined below.

  1. Previous Studies in a Bachelor's Degree Level Program

An application will normally be considered for admission provided the applicant meets each of the following criteria.

  1. The applicant possesses an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the specific published subject requirements, or equivalents, for the program of interest.
  2. The applicant has completed at least one (1) year of study at the postsecondary level.
  3. The applicant is eligible to return to her/his most recent institution in good standing. If the student is ineligible to return to continue studies, the student’s application will not be considered for admission until the period of rustication has expired.
  1. Previous Studies In a Diploma or Certificate Level Program

If the applicant has previously been admitted to a postsecondary program that did not require him/her to meet OSSD requirements, with the published subject requirements, the applicant may still be considered for admission, provided the applicant meets each of the following criteria.

  1. The applicant possesses the specific published subject requirements, or equivalents, for the program of interest.
  2. The applicant has demonstrated her/his ability to study at the degree level through one of the following:
    • completion of at least one (1) year of a college diploma level program with a minimum average of 65% or equivalent, including all attempted courses; or
    • completion of a General Arts and Science, College or University Transfer Program in an Ontario college or university with a minimum average of 65%, or equivalent; or,
    • completion of an Ontario College Certificate program with a minimum average of 65%. Typically, pre-postsecondary certificate programs will not be considered.
    • A transfer student’s application will be considered for admission in competition with other applicants. More information can be found online: http://www.humber.ca/transferoptions/.

Students, who fail to disclose previous postsecondary studies and are admitted based on incomplete information, will be subject to a disciplinary hearing, the results of which may be expulsion from Humber.

International credentials and English proficiency will be validated to Canadian standards. Refer to the English Language Proficiency Policy for more information. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

5.1.b   Eligibility Categories and Criteria for Postsecondary Diplomas and Certificates

Diploma and Certificate - Secondary School Graduate

Applicant must possess:

  • an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent;
  • published academic and secondary requirements for the applicant’s program of interest; and
  • admission cut-offs and grades required for published subject requirements which will vary from program to program.

Diploma and Certificate - Mature Student Applicants

An applicant, who does not possess the minimum academic admission requirements but can demonstrate the potential to study at the postsecondary diploma or certificate level, may be considered for admission as a Mature Student provided the applicant:

  1. will be at least 19 years of age at the beginning of the term in which studies will commence; and
  2. has not graduated from secondary school with the required Grade 12 credits.

International credentials and English proficiency will be validated to Canadian standards. Refer to the English Language Proficiency Policy for more information. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

5.1.c   Eligibility Categories and Criteria for Ontario Graduate Certificates

Ontario Graduate Certificate - Secondary School Graduate

Applicants, who possess only an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, are not eligible to apply for Ontario Graduate Certificates.

Ontario Graduate Certificate - Mature Student Applicants

Applicants who do not possess an undergraduate degree or a completed College diploma, as outlined in Humber’s College Calendar, may be considered for admission to an Ontario Graduate Certificate program. Individuals must possess some postsecondary education plus significant, related, work experience. Documentation and a personal interview may be required.

Ontario Graduate Certificate – Transfer Student Applicants

Applicants seeking admission to Ontario Graduate Certificate programs must possess either an undergraduate degree or a College diploma, as outlined in Humber’s College Calendar, to be eligible for admission. Students who do not possess a completed credential may be considered as mature students for admission. Additional program-specific admission requirements for each of the Ontario Graduate Certificate programs are published in the College Calendar.

International credentials and English proficiency will be validated to Canadian standards. Refer to the English Language Proficiency Policy for more information. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

5.1.d   Eligibility Categories and Criteria for General Interest Courses

For most postsecondary courses, including those offered evenings and weekends a student must be 19 years of age or possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. For many of the general interest courses offered, the above qualification normally does not apply. Refer directly to the Course Calendar and specific courses for admission requirements.

Humber reserves the right to determine a minimum literacy and language proficiency level as a prerequisite to any course. In some cases, students will be required to complete placement testing prior to being able to register for classes, as in the case with English and math courses. Students who are unable to meet an acceptable level of applicable verbal and written skills will be withdrawn from the course/program until the acceptable literacy level is achieved.

5.1.e   Eligibility Categories and Criteria for Academic Upgrading and Apprenticeship

Academic Upgrading

Academic Upgrading provides learners with the opportunity to improve their English, math and/or science skills in order to meet the admission requirements for further post-secondary studies at the diploma or certificate levels.  Fully funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, this program may be suited to individuals who are unemployed, out of school, and/or who want to improve their reading and writing skills in order to explore different employment opportunities.

To be eligible for Academic Upgrading, learners must be 19 years of age or older, a resident of Ontario, and legally able to work in Ontario. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission to Academic Upgrading. 

Contact the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences for specific admission requirements and intake processes, including dates for information and assessment sessions. More information can be found online: http://www.humber.ca/liberalarts/programs/academic-upgrading.

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is an on-the-job training program for people who want to work in a skilled trade or occupation and includes learning new skills from skilled journeypersons as well as classroom instruction. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) contracts Humber to deliver the in-school portion of certain apprenticeship programs.

Students must find an employer and be approved by the MTCU prior to being approved for admission by the College.  Some apprenticeships are regulated by the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act. Applicants are required to register through their local Apprenticeship Branch Office of the MTCU.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet the specific and varied admission requirements for the program in question. More information and detailed admission requirements can be found online:  www.humber.ca/content/apprenticeships.

Admission requirements are published in the College Calendar by program.

5.2 English Language Proficiency Policy

Since most activities (lectures, seminars, laboratories, clinical, and work placements) at Humber are conducted in English, it is essential that all students possess the writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills necessary to cope with the rigors of the academic curriculum and successfully complete the practical (co-operative, clinical, field placement, work term, etc.) components of their programs.

If a student's first language is not English, or if a student's previous education has not been conducted in English, the student will be required to demonstrate acceptable proficiency in English by undertaking and submitting the results of one of a range of English language proficiency tests. Specific details of these requirements can be found in the English Language Proficiency Policy online: https://humber.ca/admissions/apply/english-proficiency.html.

5.3 International Student Admission

Applicants applying from outside Canada must review and adhere to admission requirements and equivalencies by country. The requirements, equivalencies and process can be found online:

https://international.humber.ca/study-at-humber/application-process.html.

Admission Requirements

International applicants must provide proof that they meet English language proficiency requirements. This can be demonstrated through various tests (i.e. TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL, MELAB). Transcripts, TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL and MELAB scores must be original or attested copies. Refer to the English Language Proficiency Policy for more information and further acceptable tests and scores.

Additional program-specific requirements can be found in the program pages of the postsecondary and postgraduate calendars. Admission requirements are subject to change without notice.

Conditional Acceptance through English for Academic Purposes

Students who do not meet Humber’s English language requirements may satisfy these requirements through completion of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. More information is online: https://liberalarts.humber.ca/programs/english-for-academic-purposes.html.

EAP students may be granted conditional acceptance into many of Humber’s certificate, diploma, degree, and Ontario graduate certificate programs after successful completion of the program as stated in the English Language Proficiency Policy.

5.4 Admission Appeals

An applicant who has been refused admission to a Humber program has the right to request an appeal within ten (10) business days of the admission decision. Such requests must be made in writing to the Associate Registrar, Enrolment Services. Information can be found online: https://humber.ca/admissions/apply/admission-requirements.html

Humber Admission Requirements and Academic Regulations