Admission Information

Accessibility Admissions Policy

Nipissing University encourages applications from those of Aboriginal ancestry, visible minority and/or persons with disabilities. Applicants, who meet the minimum stated requirements for admission to the University but not the admission average for the program applied to, may apply for consideration under the accessibility policy. Such candidates should self-identify themselves in writing to the Office of the Registrar at the time they apply for admission. Eligible persons must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents and applying to first year studies from high school or post-secondary education.

Applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. Admission offers may restrict the number of courses for which an applicant may register and may require a certain average be maintained. Once the admission requirements have been satisfied, the student may register for a full course load.

Applicants seeking consideration under the accessibility policy are required to supply official documentation as outlined below:

Aboriginal ancestry – proof of aboriginal ancestry

Provide one of:

  • Copy of Status or Treaty card:
  • Copy of Nunavut Trust certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities;
  • Copy of membership card in a Metis registry recognized by the Metis National Council;
  • Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, or on the band list of an individual band, or on the Inuit roll;
  • Written confirmation of Aboriginal ancestry from the Department of Indian Affairs;
  • Written confirmation of membership in a band council that has its own membership code; or
  • Other acceptable documentation
  • Visible minority – a letter outlining the personal situation and verification from prior school official,
  • Persons with Disabilities – a letter outlining personal situation, verification from prior school official and medical/psychological documentation.

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Applicant Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each applicant to submit directly to the Office of the Registrar:

  1. official transcripts from all institutions previously or presently attended, secondary schools, colleges and universities (Applicants who have attended postsecondary institutions outside of North America must have their foreign transcripts assessed (Credential Evaluation Report, including a Course-By-Course Analysis) by World Education Services – www.wes.org/ca.);
  2. proof of name change, if academic documents show a name other than that under which application is made (i.e. marriage registration, notarized statements of legal name change or other legal documents); and,
  3. evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not the applicant’s first language.

Ontario secondary school applicants should ensure that they understand how information is processed through their school to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) and the responsibility the applicant has in providing required information or documents directly to the OUAC and the University.

Applicants, who withhold, misrepresent or fail to provide all ainformation related to previous academic records may have their admission offer revoked or be required to withdraw from the University.

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Proof of Proficiency in English

All applicants to Nipissing University undergraduate degree programs (excluding BEd) from countries where the dominant language of instruction is other than English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English for admission consideration.

Permanent Resident applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide proof of proficiency in English. Permanent Resident applicants whose first language is not English but who have lived at least three years in Canada, or a country where English is the dominant language may be exempt.

Applicants can demonstrate proficiency in one of the following ways:

  1. Completion of three or more consecutive years of full-time education in English within Canada immediately prior to attending Nipissing University.
  2. Completion of three or more consecutive years of full-time education in English in a country other than Canada where English is the dominant language.  These years must be immediately prior to attending Nipissing University.
  3. Achieve the required proficiency level on one of the following tests of English language proficiency:
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):  minimum score of 86 (iBT) with no score below 20 in any section. The Nipissing University TOEFL institution code is #3614
    • International English Language Test Service (IELTS):  minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
    • The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB): minimum overall score of 90%.
    • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL):  minimum score of 60.
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic:  minimum overall score of 55 with a minimum score of 55 in writing.
    • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE):  minimum overall score of 176 with no less than 176 in each skill (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) and Use of English.
  4. Completion of an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma with a minimum score of 5 or better in HL or SL English A: Literature or HL or SL English A: Language and Literature. 
  5. Graduate from a regionally accredited US secondary school and achieve a minimum score of 4 or better in Advanced Placement (AP) English Language & Composition or English Literature & Composition.
  6. Achieve a minimum grade of B in GCSE, IGCSE or GCE Ordinary Level English Literature or English Language, a minimum grade of C in GCE A Level or AS Level or AICE or CAPE English or English Language, or a minimum score of M3 in Cambridge Pre-U English.
  7. Achieve a minimum score of 75% or better in the All India Senior Secondary School Certificate (ISSC) Core or Functional English or the Indian School Certificate (ISC) English, issued by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). 

Applicants who have met all of Nipissing University’s admission requirements except for the English language proficiency requirement can enroll in an EAP program.  Applicants who enroll in one of the following programs will receive a conditional offer of admission.  By successfully completing the program level indicated below, applicants can begin their studies at Nipissing University without further testing.

UOIT English Language Centre:  Level 5

AYJ Global EAP Program:  Highest Level

Brock University’s Intensive English Language Program:  Level 5

Canadian as a Second Language Institute (CSLI):  Advanced Level 10

Capital English Solutions:  College/University Preparation Course (CUPIC)

CultureWorks:  Level 7

Applicants who have successfully completed EAP programs associated with other Canadian universities and obtained that university’s minimum level for admission consideration may also be considered to have met Nipissing University’s English language proficiency requirement. Alternatively, Nipissing University may enter into an agreement with a Languages Canada accredited program/school to offer such services on its campus, with similar minimum levels of proficiency.

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How to Apply to Undergraduate Programs

All students must be admitted to the University prior to registering for courses.

First year, full-time enrolment is limited. Admission criteria are determined by the Nipissing University Senate. Please note that meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission. Applicants for admission who have questions regarding program choices, admission procedures, or current admission status should contact the Office of the Registrar.

Applicants currently attending an Ontario Secondary School as a full-time student

Fall/Winter Session – Full-time University Study

Information about applying online is available through high school guidance offices. Final and interim grades are sent to Nipissing University through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) by the school. Applicants completing secondary school courses through distance education while enrolled in an Ontario secondary school are responsible for ensuring that Nipissing University receives official course registration and grades (both interim and final) for these courses.

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents not currently attending an Ontario Secondary School

Fall/Winter Session – Full-time University Study

OUAC 105 applications are completed online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), at www.ouac.on.ca.

International Applicants

Fall/Winter Session – Full-time University Study

OUAC 105 applications are completed online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), at www.ouac.on.ca.

All international college and university transcripts must be assessed (Credential Evaluation Report, including a Course-By-Course Analysis) by World Education Services – www.wes.org/ca.

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Nipissing University
100 College Drive, Box 5002, North Bay, ON, Canada  P1B 8L7  Tel: 705.474.3450 | Fax: 705.474.1947 | TTY: 877.688.5507
nuinfo@nipissingu.ca

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