The OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) is a secondary school qualification from the Canadian province of Ontario. Ranked second globally, first in North America and first in Canada, it is one of the world’s most authoritative and advanced secondary school curriculum systems. It enjoys extremely high recognition worldwide for its high-quality and rigorous teaching standards, and is recognised by all universities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and elsewhere, serving as a universal qualification for entry to universities worldwide.
Advantages of Canadian Academic Credentials
Canada boasts abundant educational resources and exceptionally high standards of education, with 80 per cent of its top universities concentrated in the province of Ontario. Holders of the OSSD qualification can apply directly via the ‘101 pathway’ – the same route as local Ontario students – which offers the largest allocation of admission places. This allows them to avoid the highly competitive ‘105 pathway’ for international students, making it easier to stand out.
Which Universities Can the OSSD Be Used to Apply to?
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) enables applicants to apply to universities in countries such as the US and the UK:
The OSSD enjoys extremely high recognition worldwide; when applying to universities in other major countries, it offers a better chance of admission than applying with a Chinese secondary school diploma and Gaokao results.
Applying to prestigious US universities:
The Canadian OSSD shares common ground with the US education system, collectively referred to as the North American curriculum. Holding an OSSD is equivalent to a local student applying to a local university, or a student from Beijing applying to Peking University. Conditions for awarding a Paper OSSD Document Diploma
Requirements for obtaining the OSSD
1. Complete 30 OSSD credits (courses) at a Canadian high school in Ontario, comprising 18 compulsory credits and 12 elective credits.
2. Pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), a standardised English literacy test set by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
3. Complete 40 hours of OSSD-recognised community service.
