Prerequisites

• ENG4U/EAE4U (minimum grade 70%)

IB and AP Requirements

• IB Admission Information
• AP Admission Information

Additional Admission Criteria

The first 2 years of the program are considered general years. In first year, you are required to take Introduction to Social Work in addition to a variety of electives of your choice. Third and fourth year are considered the professional years of the program. During the second year of the Bachelor of Social Work program, you must apply for admission consideration to the professional years. Admission to the first or second year of the Bachelor of Social Work program does not guarantee acceptance into the professional years.

Language Requirements

English-language Proficiency Requirements 

All applicants to Nipissing University undergraduate degree and post-baccalaureate programs (excluding BEd) from countries where the dominant language of instruction is other than English will be required to achieve the required proficiency level on one of the following tests of English language proficiency 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 3 years in Canada, or a country where English is the dominant language, may be exempt.

English Language Policy Exemptions

To be exempt from providing proof of English language proficiency, you must satisfy 1 of the following criteria to demonstrate proficiency:

• Completion of 3 or more consecutive years of full-time education in English within Canada immediately prior to attending Nipissing University.
• Completion of 3 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.
• 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. 
• 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.
• 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.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Applicants who enroll in an EAP program with 1 of Nipissing’s pathway partners will receive a conditional offer of admission. By successfully completing the level indicated in the partner agreement, applicants can begin their studies at Nipissing without further testing.

Offers of Admission

Basic Requirements for Admission

Admission decisions are made on evidence of enrollment in 4U/M courses, including prerequisite courses. The minimum average for full-time admission consideration for most degree programs at Nipissing is at least 70% and may be higher. The cut-off average for some specific programs and/or majors is at least 75%, with some limited enrollment programs having an even higher cut-off average.

Failed and Repeated Courses

We will take the higher grade of any repeated course.

Timing and Process for Admission Decisions

We begin to make admission offers in November, and continue to make offers as midterm/interim and final grades are received. We do not make admission decisions to Bachelor of Physical and Health Education (BPHE) and Nursing (BScN) until late April/early May. 

Admission average calculation: We calculate admission averages using the best six 4U/M marks (midterm/interim/in progress and final), including prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses must be at the 4U level. You may be eligible to receive an offer of admission to select programs based on Grade 11 results, provided you complete a minimum of 4 Grade 11 U/M courses and are registered in the required 6 Grade 12 U/M courses for the program you applied to. The corresponding Grade 11 course for the Grade 12 prerequisite course will be used when calculating the admission average.

Starting in February, we typically calculate admission averages based on a minimum of 3 Grade 12 U/M course final grades (6 current grades including prerequisites for non-semestered schools). You must be registered in a total of 6 Grade 12 U/M courses, including prerequisite courses.

In May, we calculate admission averages using 6 Grade 12 U/M courses (midterm/interim/in progress and/or final grades), including prerequisites. We continue to make admission decisions after May. Decisions can be made based on final grades and any summer school/night school/online grades received by August 15, provided space is still available in the program you applied to.

All admission offers are conditional upon successfully completing the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a minimum of six 4U/M courses, including prerequisite courses, as specified, by the end of June. Offers are also conditional upon maintaining a minimum average (stated in an offer of admission) on final grades presented as of June 30, 2024.

Alternative Offers: If you do not meet the admission requirements or admission averages for the programs you apply to, you will automatically be considered for an alternative program that you qualify for. Visit our Alternative Offer website for further information.

Alternative Offers

If you do not meet the admission requirements or admission averages for the programs you apply to, you will automatically be considered for an alternative program that you qualify for.

If you are not admitted to Social Work, you will automatically be considered for Social Welfare and Social Development.