About
A young, dynamic university, we are known for prioritizing student success and providing a top-notch student experience.
With approximately 4,000 full-time students, our average class size is around 29, and the faculty-to-student ratio is one of the best in Ontario. Small, interactive classes combined with supportive, accessible professors encourage self-expression, collaboration and participation.
We are located in North Bay on a stunning 291 hectares of Canadian Shield forest. We are a 3.5-hour drive north of downtown Toronto and a 4-hour drive northwest of Ottawa.
Programs
Key Dates
Admission Points
Admission to full-time or part-time studies at Nipissing is available at 3 points:
- September
- January
- May
For admission in January and May or part-time for September, apply directly to Nipissing.
If you are an international student studying in Canada (on a study permit) or studying in another country (no status in Canada), you should apply using the Nipissing International Application portal.
Deadlines
We encourage you to apply early.
Unless otherwise indicated, we should receive applications and documentation by April 1, 2025, to ensure consideration for fall admission. We will consider late applications on an individual basis.
Some programs have earlier deadlines (for Group B applicants). We highly recommend that you review all information on the program details page of the program that you are interested in.
Admission Requirements
Group A Admission Requirements
We make admission decisions based on evidence of enrollment in 4U/M courses, including prerequisite courses.
The minimum average for full-time admission consideration for most degree programs at Nipissing is at least 70% and may be higher. The cut-off average for some specific programs and/or majors is at least 75%, with some limited enrollment programs having an even higher cut-off average.
We calculate admission averages using the best six 4U/M marks (midterm or interim and final), including prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses must be at the 4U level.
Group B Admission Requirements
Canadian High School Students From Outside of Ontario
If you are a Canadian high school applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that official transcripts are sent directly from your school showing all final grades and midterm grades for courses in progress to Nipissing University by April 1, 2025.
Home-schooled Applicants
We will consider your application for admission to undergraduate studies if you have completed your high school education through a program of home-schooling.
We may consider the type of program, measurable results (i.e., SAT, AP or ACT scores) and other factors (including letters of reference and/or a personal interview) in the admission decision.
We encourage you to read more about Homeschool Admission or email the Admissions Office for further information.
International Applicants
If you are an international student studying in Canada (on a study permit) or studying in another country (no status in Canada), you should apply using the Nipissing International Application portal.
Transfer Students
If you have attended, or are currently attending, a recognized Canadian postsecondary institution, we may consider you for admission and/or you may be eligible for transfer credit. If you already have an undergraduate degree, you may apply to complete a second degree.
Mature Students
If you do not qualify for undergraduate admission as a regularly qualified applicant (according to the Admissions Office), we may consider you for admission as a mature student.
Other Admission Requirements
Indigenous Applicants
We welcome Indigenous students, their families, Elders, youth and children within inclusive programs in Enji giigdoyang, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.
Need assistance? Email our Indigenous Student Recruitment Officer.
International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP)
We recognize the exceptional academic preparation, leadership skills and work ethic IB students possess.
If you are an IB Diploma graduate or have completed individual IB courses, we encourage you to submit your final score(s).
If you have completed AP courses, we encourage you to submit your examination results.
Letter of Permission (LOP) Students
If you are enrolled at another recognized university, you may apply for admission on an LOP. If admitted, you can complete approved Nipissing courses and then transfer credits to your home university.
Limited Enrollment Programs
The Bachelor of Physical Health and Education, Orientation to a Master of Arts in History (OMAH) and all versions of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) programs are highly competitive, limited-enrollment programs.
The minimum average required for admission consideration may be higher than the stated minimum.
Multiple Application Choices and Rank
You will receive an admission decision on each Nipissing application choice.
If you are not admissible to the program(s) of your choice, we will automatically consider you for an alternative program if you possess the required grades and prerequisites.
We do not consider the ranking of program choices in the OUAC Undergraduate application when we make admission decisions.
Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to BScN Bridging Programs
If you are interested in our BScN –RPN Full-time, on-campus program, ensure that you select program PNB when you apply in the OUAC Undergraduate application.
If you are interested in our BScN –RPN (Blended Delivery) program, apply directly to the BScN – RPN program through Nipissing.
Special Circumstances and Pathways
We may consider documented extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical or special needs) if you do not meet the required admission averages.
Submit the Applicants with Extenuating Circumstances form to the Office of the Registrar by April 1, 2025.
If you are eligible for admission consideration but your average is below the minimum average for admission to full-time studies (30 credits), we may offer you admission to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree program beginning on a full-time, reduced course load. This option is not available for college or university transfer applicants.
We welcome applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds. Refer to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Special Students
If you hold a recognized university degree, you are eligible for admission consideration as a Special Student (i.e., non-degree seeking student) if you intend to take courses for interest, upgrading, a qualifying year or to meet the requirements for a professional designation.
If you are a Special Student applicant, you can apply directly to Nipissing.
Supporting Documents
Transcripts
Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you previously attended must be submitted directly to Nipissing University; high school transcripts may also be required.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all completed and in-progress courses (if applicable) show on the transcript your institution sends.
If you have completed courses outside of North America (Canada and the US), you must have all your foreign transcripts evaluated and translated by World Education Services (WES). A WES Credential Evaluation Report, including a course-by-course analysis, must be sent directly to Nipissing University by the appropriate deadline for the program you applied to.
You are responsible for the costs associated with the WES evaluation and any translation required.
It can take upwards of 6 weeks for WES to receive official transcripts from a foreign academic institution, after which point the WES evaluation can take a week or longer to complete.
You should begin the evaluation process as early as possible.
If you have attended a postsecondary institution (e.g., university, college, technical institute), you must submit an $80 non-refundable document evaluation fee to the OUAC.
Document Submission
After you apply, we will send you an acknowledgement with instructions on how to access the My Nipissing portal.
Depending on the program(s) you applied to, your acknowledgement will be either emailed or mailed to you.
After you log in to the My Nipissing portal, you can track all required documents and the status of your application through WebAdvisor.
You cannot upload required documents to the My Nipissing portal or your OUAC Undergraduate application. You will find document submission instructions in your acknowledgement and/or on our document submission website.
Language Requirements
If you apply to one or more of our undergraduate degree or post-baccalaureate programs (excluding the Bachelor of Education) from a country where the dominant language of instruction is other than English, you will be required to achieve the required proficiency on one of the acceptable tests of English language proficiency for admission consideration.
If you are a permanent resident (landed immigrant) whose first language is not English, you may be required to provide proof of proficiency in English.
Supplemental Application
If you are applying to the Bachelor of Social Work – Professional Years (BSW-PY) program, you will be required to submit supplemental documents.
The supplemental application will be linked on the Next Steps website that will be sent to you in your acknowledgement email.
Scholarships, Bursaries and Financial Aid
Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships
All Canadian and international students applying direct from high school are eligible to be considered for one of our Entrance Scholarships. We calculate scholarship averages using the best six final 4U/M grades (or provincial or international equivalent), completed as of June 30, 2025.
Canadian and international college transfer applicants applying directly to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree program in North Bay are also eligible for entrance scholarship consideration.
College transfer applicants may be eligible for scholarship consideration provided they are eligible to receive no more than 18 transfer credits.
Other Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries
We offer additional funding based on a range of criteria:
- academic merit,
- financial need or
- a combination of
- extracurricular involvement,
- academics,
- demonstrated leadership ability or
- volunteerism.
If you are a high school applicant, visit Entrance Awards for further information and application deadlines. If you are another type of applicant, visit Student Awards and Financial Aid.
On-campus Employment (NUWork)
We offer the NUWork program, which enables students to work part time on campus.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
We encourage you to email the Financial Aid Office or visit the OSAP website if you require information about OSAP.
Offers of Admission
Offers for Group A Applicants
We begin to make offers of admission to Group A applicants in November and continue on a rolling basis as we receive midterm or interim and final grades.
Offers for Canadian High School Students From Outside of Ontario
We will make offers of admission once your application is complete (i.e., we have received all required documents).
If your official high school transcript does not include current registration and/or midterm grades, you should have your school email the Admissions Office. This email should include a list of all courses you are registered in and any midterm grades that may be available at that time.
Offers for the BPHE, OMAH and/or 4-year BScN Programs
We will send admission decisions for these limited enrollment programs in late April or early May.
Offers for the BSW-PY Program
You will find further information on our Decision Timelines website.
Offers for College or University Transfer Students
We will make offers of admission once your application is complete (i.e., we have received all required documents).
For September admission, ensure that your transcript is sent once your first-term grades are available.
We will assess for transfer credits once you receive and accept an offer of admission. It can take approximately 2-4 weeks to assess and process transfer credits.
If you received a conditional offer of admission, we will require a final official transcript to be sent to complete this assessment. Our Pathway Development Coordinator may reach out to you if we require syllabi to assist with equivalency evaluation.
Alternative Offers
If you do not meet the admission requirements or admission averages for programs you applied to, we will automatically consider you for an alternative program that you do qualify for.
Accessibility Services
If you require student accessibility services, identify yourself as early as possible so that we can arrange accommodations and support systems prior to the beginning of classes.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
We are committed to the principles of EDI. You will have the opportunity to complete an optional Applicant Diversity Census as part of your application. We will not use diversity-based personal information for admission purposes. We may use aggregated EDI data to improve our student supports and/or develop new programs that meet our student needs.
We welcome applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds. We recognize that there are institutional processes and cultural differences that present barriers to some applicants in obtaining access to university. We have reserved spaces in our undergraduate programs for students from groups including, but not limited to:
- persons with disabilities,
- economically disadvantaged individuals,
- Franco-Ontarians,
- Indigenous persons,
- visible minorities,
- LGBTQ+ individuals and
- those from northern, remote or rural areas.
Residence
If you are a direct-from-high-school applicant, we guarantee you a single room in residence if you receive a full-time offer of admission by May 29, 2025.
You must return the Guaranteed Residence Application Form and applicable deposit by June 2, 2025.
You will receive information on how to apply for residence in your offer of admission.
Campus Tours and Events
Most students who visit our campus choose to call Nipissing home. We encourage you to visit and discover why Nipissing is right where you belong.
Contact
Nipissing University
Office of the Registrar
100 College Drive, Box 5002
North Bay ON P1B 8L7
Telephone: 705-474-3461
Email: admissions@nipissingu.ca
Admissions: Ext. 4600
General Information and Campus Tours: Ext. 4200
Residence: Ext. 4855
Student Accessibility Services: Ext. 4362
Scholarships and Financial Aid: Ext. 4311