Admissions Policy

To provide a framework for admission to Seneca Polytechnic’s full-time postsecondary programs.

This policy applies to all applicants to Seneca and includes all full-time postsecondary Seneca programs.

Three terms of study beginning in September and concluding in August of the following year.

An individual unit of instruction offered at a postsecondary institution.

The grade point average for all completed graded courses a student has completed during their studies.

A sequence of courses leading to an Ontario college credential offered in two-to-eight semesters.

An applicant to a to certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree program who does not have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent but has reached the age of 19 years on or before the commencement of the program of instruction in which they intend to enrol.

A credential awarded upon successful completion of a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, bachelor’s degree, graduate certificate or master’s degree program that meets the minimum requirements of the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security’s binding policies and directives.

A provincially recognized credential earned on successful completion of secondary school requirements established by the Ministry of Education. Also known as a Secondary School Graduation Diploma (SSGD) or a Secondary School Honours Graduation Diploma (SSHGD).

A course that must be completed before taking a course.

1. An applicant must meet one of the following college system eligibility requirements to be considered for admission:
   • hold an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
   • have mature student status
   • possess a lesser minimum admission requirement for the specific program as established by Seneca’s Board of Governors
2. In addition to the requirements in section 1.1, an applicant should also meet the following requirements established on a program-specific basis:
   • successful completion of prerequisites
   • for master’s degrees, successful completion of an honours bachelor’s degree with a minimum 70 per cent grade point average or a 70 per cent grade point average in the final two years of study or demonstrated academic or demonstrated experiential and/or academic equivalent
   • for graduate certificate programs, successful completion of an Ontario college diploma, bachelor’s degree or equivalent
   • for honours bachelor’s degree programs, successful completion of an OSSD with a minimum of six university and/or university/college preparation level courses, with a minimum average of 65 per cent
   • for bachelor’s degree programs, successful completion of an OSSD with a minimum or six university, university/college and/or college preparation level courses, with a minimum average of 65 per cent
   • for advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates, successful completion of an OSSD, or equivalent
   • possess English language proficiency appropriate to the credential level
   • successful completion of any other requirements, such as specific courses, portfolios, tests, auditions, certifications, credentials or specialized fields of study
3. Meeting minimum admission requirements for a program does not guarantee an offer of admission to that program if a program is considered by Seneca to be highly competitive.
4. Seneca shall make publicly available the admission requirements established on a program-specific basis.

1. Mature applicants will meet all program-specific admission requirements.
2. Mature applicants to degree, certificate, diploma and advanced diploma programs who are unable to provide transcripts showing program-specific academic requirements can demonstrate required competencies through assessment or other means.
3. Mature applicants to apprenticeship or diploma-apprenticeship programs require an OSSD, General Education Development certificate or equivalent.

1. Applications received by February 1 prior to the academic year in which a program begins are given equal consideration.
2. Applications received after February 1 are considered on a first-come, first-served basis if space remains in a program.
3. Generally, qualified applicants in oversubscribed programs will be selected to receive an offer of admission based on the following order of preference:
   • residents of Ontario
   • residents of Canada
   • all other applicants
4. If a program is oversubscribed after the above residency preference , qualified applicants will be ranked according to predetermined, measurable, program-specific criteria.

1. Applicants will be notified in writing regarding Seneca’s decision about their application.
2. Admission to a Seneca program means that a student is admitted to the program and admit term specified in their letter of acceptance.

1. In order to start a Seneca program, applicants who receive a conditional offer will be required to satisfy admission requirements for that program.
2. Applicants will be notified in writing regarding the conditions of admission to the program to which they have applied. 
3. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide final transcripts showing successful completion of the required courses and/or programs prior to starting of classes.
4. Applicants with a conditional offer who do not meet the admissions requirements of a program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

1. Academic transcripts from other provinces and/or countries may be considered when assessing admission requirements of a program.
2. Seneca may request translations and/or evaluations of documents from non-Canadian institutions by recognized evaluation services. For programs of study where a previous postsecondary credential is required, Seneca will consider granting an equivalency for significant partial completion of a credential, partial completion of a credential and related work experience\ or significant related work experience.

1. Seneca reserves the right to restrict enrolment in a program and/or suspend a program intake where sufficient enrolment is not attained prior to the start of classes.
2. When Seneca has taken a decision to suspend a program to which applicants have been admitted, applicants will be notified in writing.

1. Seneca will provide its processes for reviewing admission decisions upon request.
2. If an applicant is not satisfied with the explanation provided for a decision to decline admission, they may request a formal review or appeal, in writing, within 30 days of the admission decision.
3. Admission appeals can be based on procedural error or unfair or unequitable decision making during the admission process. Admission appeals cannot be based on stringency or the nature of the admissions requirements.
4. Admission appeals that are received less than five days prior to the start of classes will only be considered for the next available intake of the program.

• None

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy
• Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Policy
• Student Code of Conduct
• Student Progression and Promotion Policy
• Transfer Credit Policy

• Admissions Criteria Minister’s Binding Policy Directive
• Framework for Programs of Instruction Minister’s Binding Policy Directive

Last Revision: July 2025