Applying to university can feel like a maze of forms and dates. For students heading into their final year this fall, a handful of milestones anchor the whole process. Here is how the timeline looks for the 2026–2027 application cycle, the one that ends with offers for September 2027 entry.
How applying to an Ontario university works
Most current Ontario high school students apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, or OUAC, using the application known as the 101. One OUAC application covers every Ontario university: a student lists the programs they want, and the centre sends their information and grades to each one.
The dates worth marking
The OUAC 101 application deadline is January 15, 2027. Applications completed by that date receive equal consideration from every Ontario university. The OUAC keeps processing applications afterward, but individual universities then apply their own later cut-offs, and spaces in popular programs fill quickly.
Some programs and awards close earlier. Competitive programs, supplementary applications, portfolios, and major entrance scholarships can have deadlines in the fall or early winter, so it is worth checking the requirements for each program on a student’s list well before January.
Offers of admission arrive through the winter and spring. No Ontario university can require a student to accept an offer or pay a deposit before June 1, 2027, which gives families room to weigh their options before committing.
If your child is starting to plan their applications, we’re glad to help them map these dates to their program list and keep things on track. Families are always welcome to reach out.
The OUAC updates its schedule each year. You can confirm the current dates at the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre.