OCAD University: Popular Programmes & Ranking

Commonly known as the OCAD University, the Ontario College of Art and Design University is a government-run institution of higher education and research in Toronto, Ontario's provincial capital. It was established as the Ontario School of Art in the year 1876 to extend professional artistic training and promote art education in the city. The institution was renamed thrice between 1886 and 1996 before adopting the name Ontario College of Art and Design. In 2010, the college transitioned into a university under the Act of 2002, thus approving its current name. It has affiliations from the International Association of Universities, Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design and the Canadian Bureau for International Education. The university is also associated with the Council of Ontario Universities and Universities Canada.

The main campus of OCAD U is located at 100 McCaul Street, which is divided into the North Campus and the South Campus. The North Campus is home to the main university building, the Annex Building, Inclusive Design Institute, Sharp Centre for Design, Continuing Education Centre, Rosalie Sharp Pavilion and the Student Centre. Dorothy H. Hoover Library, housed in the Annex Building, is the central library of the university. The Learning Zone in the building has the OCAD Zine Library, which possesses a collection of periodicals, books, and magazines related to art, design and other subjects.

Writing and Learning Centre helps the students explore their ideas and approaches in academic learning, writing, critical thinking, research and studio process. The South Campus comprises the two buildings on the Richmond Street West and Mirvish-Gehry building located south of the King Street. Besides, the university has several on-campus and off-campus galleries that host frequent exhibitions and events. The Student Wellness Centre on the campus provides counseling and health services to those who need it.

The academic structure of OCAD U is categorized into three faculties, focused on different disciplines of art, design, liberal arts and sciences. Each faculty offers a range of educational programs across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It also conducts researches in digital media industries, expression, experience and immersion under the Digital Media Research and Innovation Institute, which has 19 labs and centers. The university is a vibrant community of 4601 students, including 20% of learners from more than 50 countries other than Canada. Approximately 23% of the 255 postgraduate students are international, while they make up about 9% of the total undergraduate student population. The institution has a full-time academic staff of over 250 instructors and administrative staff of more than 485 members.

OCAD U possesses a comprehensive list of alumni who are highly successful and renowned in their respective professional fields. Madeline Ashby (Writer), Rachel Hayward (Actress), Shary Boyle (Canadian Visual Artist), Martha Ladly (Musician and Designer), Frank Faubert (Canadian Politician), Mary Margaret O'Hara (Actress and Musician), Noreen Young (Producer), Dick Wilson (Actor), Wade Hemsworth (Songwriter), Tracey Johnston-Aldworth (Entrepreneur) and Aimee Chan (Actress, Graphic Designer and Miss Hing Kong 2006) are few notable names in the list.