As part of the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers, the Career Development office supports the professional development of emerging OCAD U creative talent. We provide direction, resources and opportunities which lead to the realization of transformative personal and early-career goals.

The Career Development office has the experience, networks and agility to take on ambitious partnerships which benefit students and recent alumni. We facilitate connections and develop strong relationships which result in recruitment for all manner of paid creative work opportunities. We foster inclusive, accessible and supportive spaces that allow aspiring individuals to develop new skills and take risks with their work, in any number of contexts and sectors.

Building meaningful, lasting relationships within the communities and industries that matter to you is an important step towards early career success as you transition out of school.

There are a number of ways the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) facilitates professional connections for students both in and outside of OCAD U, including a professional dinner series, employer information sessions, online social platforms, Coffee Chats,or individual opportunities for mentorship, such as the OCAD U Hub on TenThousandCoffees.com. In addition, the RBC Speed Networking Program which is coordinated by OCAD U’s Alumni Relations department

For Further Enquiry Please Contact to our PSA counselor.

Eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):
Graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.
Desire to stay in Canada temporarily for work.

Important Note:
Graduating from a DLI doesn't automatically qualify you for a PGWP.

Validity of PGWP:
Depends on the length of the study program or the expiry date of your passport, whichever comes first.

Duration of PGWP Based on Study Program Length:
Less than 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials): Not eligible for PGWP.
At least 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials), but less than 2 years: PGWP may be granted for the same length as the study program (e.g., a 9-month program results in a 9-month PGWP).
2 years or more: PGWP may be valid for 3 years.

Completion of Multiple Programs:
PGWP may combine the lengths of each program if:
Each program is PGWP eligible.
Each program is at least 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials) in length.

Important Restriction:
You cannot obtain a PGWP if you already had one after completing an earlier program of study.

For Further Enquiry Please Contact to our PSA counselor.

The official language of instruction at OCAD U is English. To demonstrate English language proficiency at a graduate level, you must meet one of the following criteria: 

Completion of a Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree (or equivalent) where the language of instruction was English;  

Applicants should provide official documentation from the institution stating that the degree was taught in English, in one of the following ways:  
A transcript that includes information on language of instruction; 
A document issued by the institution stating that the language of instruction for the degree was English  
Your first language is English; 

Completion of an English language test within the 24 months prior to the application deadline, meeting the below minimum test scores:  

TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Overall: 90  
Reading: 22  
Listening : 20  
Writing: 22  
Speaking: 22  
IELTS (Academic)  
Overall: 7 
Reading: 7 
Listening: 7 
Writing: 7 
Speaking: 7  
Duolingo English Test  
Overall: 120
(OCAD U is temporarily accepting Duolingo English Test scores for Fall 2024 applicants to our graduate programs.)
Applicants who are required to provide TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores are encouraged to schedule their test date as soon as possible to ensure that test scores are available prior to the application deadline. You will not be able to submit your application until you provide English language test scores. 

In need of accessibility accommodations? All listed proficiency tests offer alternative testing formats:

IELTS Test Format Accommodations
TOEFL Test Format Accommodations
Duolingo Test Format Accommodations
If you are offered admission, we will verify your English language test results with the testing body. You may be asked to provide additional information (e.g. IELTS test report form number, or TOEFL registration number) at this point. When registering for your English language test, please make sure you select OCAD University as a score recipient. 

OCAD University reserves the right to require an applicant to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test, or to provide documentation proving that the language of instruction at an institution attended was English, at any point during the application or admissions process.