Master of Fine Arts - Criticism and Curatorial Practice

Academic Requirements

For the Master of Fine Arts in Criticism and Curatorial Practice at OCAD University, applicants must meet the following Academic Requirements:

• Minimum GPA: Applicants must hold a BA, BFA, BDes, or comparable honours degree/certification with an average of 75 per cent (B+) or better during the last two years of study.
• Exceptional Experience: Alternatively, applicants may demonstrate exceptional experience/expertise as a practising artist, designer, critic, or curator.
• Creative and Conceptual Competence: All applicants must demonstrate creative and conceptual competence at a high level.
• Research Proposal: A maximum of 500 words describing the research interest or theme for graduate work, including a bibliography.
• Samples of Work: Include 1-3 samples of past work that reflect the ability to undertake graduate work, which may include writing samples or images of past curated exhibitions.
• Curriculum Vitae: An updated CV in PDF format must be submitted.
• Program-Specific Questions: Responses to a series of questions specific to the program are required.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

For any clarification and support, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Language Requirements

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:

1. 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.
2. Your first language is English;
3. 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 will continue to accept Duolingo English Test scores for Fall 2025 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.

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.