BA – Non-Honours (3 years)

Prerequisites

Programs: African Studies, Anthropology, Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies, Art History, Biology,* Childhood and Youth Studies, English, Environmental and Climate Change Studies, European and Russian Studies, Film Studies, French, Geography, Geomatics, Greek and Roman Studies, History, History and Theory of Architecture, Human Rights and Social Justice, Indigenous Studies, Law, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Sociology, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

You can also apply to the BA Undeclared for first year, or our new 15-credit online program in General Studies.

• English (ENG4U)
• 5 best 4U/M courses

*BA Biology: English (ENG4U) and Chemistry (SCH4U), plus 4 best 4U/M courses. Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Calculus (MCV4U) recommended.

IB and AP Requirements

• IB Admission Information
• AP Admission Information

Language Requirements

The language of instruction at Carleton University is English. If English is not your first language, you must demonstrate that you can cope with the language demands of an English-language university.

Students can do this by:

• Submitting an English Language (ESL) test result

OR by

• Demonstrating they have studied for the last 3 years (full-time) in a high school, college or university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English and where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was exclusively English. Students choosing this option should note the following:
  • Time spent in ESL courses will not be counted towards meeting these requirements
  • Language requirements will not be waived based on letters written by students or as a result of completing senior-level high-school English courses
  • If in addition to evidence of 3 years of study a student also provides an English language test score, the University reserves the right to review or change the admission decision
  • The University reserves the right to request an English Language Proficiency test from any applicant regardless of their academic background

More ESL information for international applicants

More information on the language test score needed for an offer of admission with an English language requirement

Those with test scores below those listed may still be eligible for an offer of admission with an ESL requirement to complete English language foundation courses in their first terms of degree study. 

Note: Students beginning their studies with an English-language requirement are not eligible for admission to the following programs:

• Architectural Studies
• Health Sciences
• Humanities
• Information Technology
• Industrial Design
• International Business
• Journalism
• Journalism and Humanities
• Media Production and Design
• Public Affairs and Policy Management
• Post-Baccalaureate Diplomas (all).

Offers of Admission

Basic Requirements for Admission

For admission to undergraduate programs, Ontario students must have the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U/M courses. 4U English is recommended. 4U/M credits for Co-op courses will not be considered as part of the 6 courses.

Higher averages are required for admission to programs for which the demand for places by qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available. The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program by program basis. All programs have limited enrolment.

Admission is not guaranteed and all requirements are subject to change. The admission average required for entry to the Co-op option of the programs listed below may be higher than the cut-off range listed for the program itself.

More about admission to Carleton

Failed and Repeated Courses

We will use the highest grade to calculate the average.

Timing and Process for Admission Decisions

We make offers of admission on a rolling basis.

Each time we receive grades from the OUAC, we re-assess to determine eligibility.

For programs with additional admission requirements (Architectural Studies, Industrial Design, Information Technology [Interactive Multimedia and Design], Music, Nursing and Social Work) that require additional information (e.g., portfolios, interviews, auditions), admission decisions will be made after the portfolio or supplementary application deadline.

If you apply to any of the specialty programs and plan to submit an English-language test score, scores are due on or before the portfolio or supplementary application deadlines.

Note: Most offers of admission are conditional. Once we receive your final grades, we will reassess your application to ensure that it still meets the requirements for the program and that you have received the OSSD. If you have not met the conditions, we will withdraw the offer of admission. However, where possible, we will attempt to provide an alternate offer of admission.

If you have been admitted to Carleton with an admission average of 80% or better, you will automatically be considered for one of our Entrance Scholarships. The admission average is calculated based on the high school grades submitted in support of the application, including any required prerequisite courses.

Notes:

• If you were given a scholarship offer based on early grades, and your admission average is higher when we receive your midterm grades in May, you will have your scholarship adjusted upward, if applicable.
• If your midterm average is lower than the average calculated from early grades, you will keep the original scholarship offer.
• Scholarships are not reassessed based on the grades received in June or July.
• The Entrance Scholarship offer is valid as long as you remain admissible to the chosen program.