What is Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Equivalent: Importance for Canadian College Admissions

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is a crucial document that identifies students' completion of secondary education in the province of Ontario, Canada. It is often required by Canadian colleges as a standard for admission. In addition to the OSSD, several equivalent qualifications may also be accepted.

What is the Ontario Secondary School Diploma?

The OSSD is awarded to students who successfully complete their secondary education in Ontario. This diploma indicates that the student has met the minimum academic and extracurricular requirements set by the Ontario school system. It serves as a testament to the student's academic readiness and comprehensive learning experience.

To earn an OSSD, students must accumulate a total of 30 credits, which include:

Compulsory Credits (18 credits)

English Mathematics Science Social Studies Health and Physical Education Canadian Geography and History Civics

Elective Credits (12 credits)

Additionally, students can choose electives based on their interests, future plans, or career aspirations. These electives could include arts, business, technology, or any other subjects offered by the school.

Community Involvement (40 hours)

Another requirement is for students to complete 40 hours of community service, demonstrating their commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.

Literacy Requirement

A literacy test is required to ensure basic communication skills. Students can either pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or a literacy course (OSSLC) to meet this requirement.

Equivalent Qualifications

For some Canadian colleges, the OSSD is a standard requirement. However, equivalent qualifications from other provinces or countries may also be accepted. These include:

High school diplomas from other Canadian provinces International secondary school qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or A-levels The General Educational Development (GED) certificate

It's important for applicants to check the specific requirements of the college they are interested in, as different colleges may have varying criteria.

Admission Requirements for BITTS College

For BITTS College specifically, the admissions requirements include:

A Canadian Ontario Secondary School Diploma or an equivalent qualification The applicant must be at least 18 years old by the start of the program Evidence of English language proficiency: IELTS with a minimum score of 5.5 (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing) for international students For domestic students, a pass in grade 12 or a qualifying test approved by the college is required

Conclusion

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma is a significant document that demonstrates a student's readiness for higher education in Ontario. Whether through the OSSD or an equivalent qualification, students must ensure they meet the necessary requirements to be eligible for Canadian college admissions.

For more information on college requirements, it is recommended to directly contact the institution of interest.