Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
- Admission Requirements
- Required Documents
- Application Process & Guide
- Admission Review & Applicant Status
- FAQ
- Prepare for Entry
***Updated for the 2022 – 23 Application Cycle***
Minimum Admission Requirements
An applicant must have completed at least two years of study from a recognized undergraduate university program prior to admission, which is the equivalent of at least 10.0 U of T credits. A minimum of 4.0 credits must be above the 100/first year level of study.
Applicants need at least a B average (approximately 75%/3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale) in the most recent 5.0 credits and the entirety of your university level academic record will be taken into account when your application is reviewed. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is highly competitive and meeting minimum admission requirements does not ensure admission to the program.
Refer to our Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) for more information.
Prerequisite Requirements
Note for the 2024 – 2025 BScN Application Cycle:
Please be aware that we anticipate that completion of a 0.5 credit course in microbiology will be a prerequisite for the BScN program. Beginning in the fall of 2024, students applying to the BScN program will need this new prerequisite for admission.
Prerequisite courses must be completed at the university level with a grade of at least 60% or C- and cannot be designated as credit/no credit (CR/NCR) or pass/fail (P/F). In exceptional circumstances, the CR/NCR or P/F course may be accepted with the appropriate approval. Please contact connect.nursing@utoronto.ca for more information.
All applicants are required to upload either a course outline from the course instructor OR a brief course description from the course calendar via the Bloomberg Nursing Supplementary Application portal. Applications submitted without this supporting documentation are incomplete and will not be considered.
All pre-requisite courses must be completed by May 31st. Transcripts with final grades for pre-requisite courses that are completed by the February 15th application deadline must be uploaded to the Bloomberg Nursing Supplementary Application Portal. Transcripts confirming enrolment in pre-requisites that are pending completion by May 31st must be uploaded to the Bloomberg Nursing Supplementary Application portal by the February 15th application deadline. Applications missing this documentation will not be considered for admission.
The pre-requisite requirements are as follows:
1.0 credit in Human Physiology OR 0.5 credit in Human Physiology + 0.5 credit in Human Anatomy. Students will be best prepared for the program if their 1.0 Human Physiology course(s) cover the following topics: Neurological System, Endocrine System, Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Digestive System, Reproductive System, Renal System, Musculoskeletal System, and Hepatic System.
0.5 credit in Statistics. Introductory statistics courses that include descriptive and/or inferential statistics will be accepted. Quantitative research courses are generally not accepted.
1.0 credit in Life Sciences or Physical Sciences. Examples include Anatomy, Biology, Immunology, Pathology, Psychology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Physics. Out of 1.0 credit in Life Sciences or Physical Sciences, only 0.5 credit can be in Psychology.
1.0 credit in Social Sciences. Examples include Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Gender Studies, Gerontology, Disability Studies, Anti-Facism Studies, Ethics. Out of 1.0 credit in Social Sciences, only 0.5 credit can be in Psychology.
1.0 credit in Humanities. Examples include Classics, English, History, Literature, Religion, and Philosophy. Introductory language courses that focus on grammar, vocabulary building, and everyday usage are usually not considered. Acceptable prerequisite courses in humanities should focus on the writing, reading and critical thinking in the humanities.
General Guidance on Credit Weight
You will need to ensure that you have completed all the prerequisite courses with acceptable credit weight.
- A standard 1.0 credit (full course) course usually starts in September and ends in April.
- A standard 0.5 credit (half course) course usually starts in September and ends in December or starts in January and ends in April.
Therefore, two 0.5 credit/half courses are normally considered equivalent to 1.0 credit/full course.
If you have completed additional courses that may fulfill a given prerequisite, select the most recent course(s) and/or the course(s) with the highest grade.
Nursing Supplementary Application
The supplementary application has required and optional components for applicants to provide their interests in studying nursing at Bloomberg Nursing as well as their relevant work, volunteer, award, research and life experiences. There is no model answer or format for the personal statement. Reviewers will look for engaging responses about an applicant’s thoughts on nursing and health care. Please be original and share your thoughts with us on nursing and health care.
Applicants are required to provide the following:
- A personal statement, which articulates their skills, strengths, relevant life/work experience that would help them excel in the program
- A statement detailing their leadership and community involvement including university campus involvement, volunteer and/or student associations
In addition to the required information, applicants are given the option to articulate their significant accomplishments (e.g., publications, research team membership, presentations, awards), employment history and elaborate on any obstacles that they believe the Admission Committee should consider in evaluating their application.
English Facility Requirements
If English is not your first language, please read English Facility Requirements.
Requisite Skills and Abilities for Nursing Practice in Ontario
Please review the document on Requisite Skills and Abilities for nursing practice in Ontario prior to application.
Essential Requirements for Study in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs in Ontario
Please also review the document on Essential Requirements for Study in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs in Ontario prior to application.
How to submit official transcript(s) and other required documents?
U of T Transcript
If you have had an academic record at the University of Toronto since September 1998, you are not required to order a U of T transcript. By completing your application, you agree to allow us to review your academic record available on ACORN for academic assessment.
If you have completed courses at the School of Continuing Studies (SCS), U of T, please note that those courses are not recorded in ACORN. You must arrange for an official transcript from the School of Continuing Studies (SCS), to be sent to Enrolment Services (Refer to All Other Transcripts for details).
If you are enrolled in a (SCS course e.g. SCS 2159 Basic Human Physiology) at the time of application, please upload a copy of proof of enrolment at Join U of T portal by February 1. Please refer to All Other Transcripts for instructions on how to submit your official final transcript.
Ontario Transcripts
Transcripts from Ontario colleges and universities must be received via the Ontario Universities’ Electronic Transcript System (EDI), OUAC. If you are attending or have previously attended an Ontario post-secondary institution, order your official transcripts by completing the OUAC Transcript Request Form (TRF). Please refer to OUAC and Enrolment Services for full details.
If you are enrolled in courses at the time of application, please ensure an up-to-date transcript including Fall Term grades and Winter Term enrolment is submitted via OUAC by February 1. A final transcript submitted via OUAC is required once all grades become available (usually in May).
Transcripts from U.S institutions
Applicants from US institutions should arrange interim and final transcripts to be sent electronically through Parchment/Naviance. Go to Parchment (http://exchange.parchment.comsign-up/), register for a student account and have your transcripts sent electronically to Enrolment Services.
Transcripts from institutions in China
You must arrange to have transcripts verified by CHESICC. Transcript verification report must be sent directly to Enrolment Services.
All Other Transcripts
If electronic submission via Parchment/Naviance/OUAC is not possible, you must arrange for the electronic official transcript to be sent directly from your institution to connect.nursing@utoronto.ca. A transcript(s) submitted by a student is not considered official.
Other Documents
You may be required to submit other documents such as Proof of English Facility by February 1.
Proof of English Facility
Applicants must check if they have met the University’s English language requirements. If you are required to submit proof of English Facility, official test scores must be sent directly to Enrolment Services by the testing agency no later than February 1.
Documents from applicants educated outside of Canada
Applicants who studied outside of Canada may have to submit additional documents such as official English translations of academic records. Please visit Enrolment Services for details.
***Updated for the 2022 – 23 Application Cycle***
Bachelor Program Application Process & Guide
Applications via OUAC and the Bloomberg Nursing Supplementary Application will open on November 1st.
There are two steps to the application process:
(1) OUAC 105 application: Program code TN: This application portal closes January 31st
(2) Bloomberg Nursing Supplementary Application: this application portal closes February 15th
To be considered, you must complete both steps of the application process. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please note that applicants will no longer need to submit academic and work-related references
Step 1: OUAC 105 or Internal U of T application
External Application: If you are new to the University of Toronto, please complete the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) 105 Application Form.
Internal Application: If you are currently registered, or have previously been registered at the University of Toronto, please complete the Internal Application. Please note this is an application to the program and not a transfer request.
Once an application is submitted through OUAC, it will take 3 to 7 business days for processing. If it’s been longer than a week and the supplementary application form isn’t available, please contact connect.nursing@utoronto.ca.
You are required to complete Step 1 by January 31st
Step 2: Supplementary Application
Once you receive your U of T applicant number, complete Step 2:
- Log into the Join U of T Portal to submit your Supplementary Application including your personal statement, academic history and prerequisite course details
- Click Bloomberg Nursing Supplementary Application under Required Documents; then click Start New Application on the bottom of the page to begin. A pop up box will appear, prompting you to create a new Bloomberg Nursing Supplementary Application
- After clicking on “Create Application”, an “Open Application” button will automatically appear, clicking on it will take you to the application
- Submit a copy of your transcript(s)
- Submit proof of English facility (if required)
- Apply for relevant admission awards
You are required to complete Step 2 by February 15th
The Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing is committed to admitting candidates with the potential to become outstanding nurses who will make a difference in health care.
Our Admission Committee conducts a rigorous and thorough selection process to ensure students offered admission to the BScN program, are well equipped to be successful in a program focused on the care of others. The faculty welcomes qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. Applications are encouraged from visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities.
The Admission Committee will review an applicants academic and non-academic achievements, including extra-curricular activities or volunteer work.
A successful candidate typically has:
- High academic standing with a GPA of B+ or greater in the final year of their bachelor’s degree
- Broad knowledge of diverse disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, and life sciences
- Satisfactory grades in all prerequisite courses
- A personal statement that conveys enthusiasm and commitment to nursing
- A strong track record in community involvement, volunteering and other relevant experiences
Admission Timeline
The Admission Committee reviews applications from March until June. Admission decisions are issued in different stages from late March until the end of June. All applicants will hear from us via email no later than June 30. Please note that only complete applications will be reviewed by the Admission Committee. Late applications will not be considered.
How to check your application status
Applicants who have successfully submitted their application via OUAC can setup their Join U of T portal as soon as they receive their U of T applicant number. You can verify contact information, any documents requested and received, selection decisions and confirm receipt of admission acceptance on the Join U of T portal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
GPA Calculation
What is the grade average required to be competitive to enter the BScN Program?
The minimum grade required is at least a B (3.0 GPA or 75%) in the most recent 5.0 credits, which is your final year average. The BScN program is highly competitive and most successful applicants have a grade average of at least B+ or higher in their most recent 5.0 credits.
I am pursuing the fourth year of my degree and grades for my final year will not be available until May, which courses will be included in the average calculation?
Completed courses of your most recent year of studies (usually Fall Term courses of year 4, Summer session courses – if any, and Winter Term courses for year 3) will be considered for average calculation at the time of our admission review. The Admissions Office will review your final transcript(s) with completed grades after submission.
I am completing my Master’s degree. Will grades of my Master-level courses be considered for grade average calculation?
No, only courses taken at the undergraduate level will be considered for average calculation. Master’s credentials will be considered as additional qualifications.
I completed my degree already. But some of my prerequisite courses were taken in Year 1 and 2 of my degree, not the final year. Will my prerequisite courses taken in my earlier years of study be considered for grade average calculation?
Only completed courses in the final year will be considered for final year grade average calculation. However, grades for all prerequisite courses will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Applicants are expected to have satisfactory grades in all prerequisite courses. Any grade below 60% will not meet minimum requirements.
Prerequisite Courses
I already have a degree and have completed all of the prerequisite courses except for human physiology. Can I still apply to the BScN program?
Yes. While applicants are encouraged to complete all prerequisite courses before applying to the program, it is possible to complete prerequisite courses in the Fall or Winter Term prior to admission. Applicants must submit up-to-date interim transcript(s) through the supplementary application portal by February 1st. Official final transcript(s) must be submitted by in May 31st.
SCS 2159 Basic Human Physiology offered by the School of Continuing Studies, University of Toronto is a good option for applicants who have not yet taken a human physiology course. It is offered online 3 times a year.
I completed my degree 7 years ago. Can the courses that I took 7 years ago be considered to fulfil the prerequisite course requirements?
In general, prerequisite courses at the undergraduate level from a recognized university will be considered. However, we recommend applicants who have been away from academia for over 5 years to take relevant prerequisite courses as a refresher.
Is a Music course considered as Humanities?
Music courses that require analytical writing and critical thinking (eg. Music history, Music and Popular culture) can be considered as humanities. However, courses on instrumental and vocal performances are usually not considered.
I have taken some language courses for my bachelor’s degree, can they be considered to fulfil the humanities prerequisite requirement?
The BScN program requires candidates with strong reading and writing skills in diverse disciplines in the humanities. Language courses that introduce students to grammatical structures, vocabulary and oral or written expression of a certain language often cannot provide the academic preparation in the humanities that we require from our students.
However, many courses (usually senior-level courses) offered by various departments of languages focus on writing, reading, and critical thinking skills in the humanities. These courses will continue to be acceptable to fulfil the humanities prerequisite requirement. For example, French literature courses will be acceptable.
References
Please note that academic and work-related references are no longer required.
Admission Offers
When will I be notified whether I am admitted to the program?
We typically start issuing offer of admission as early as early March until the end of June on an on-going basis.
Is there a waiting list? When will students be notified if they are placed on a waiting list?
Students who have been waitlisted will be notified by the end of June. Waitlisted students will be contacted from July until early September if there are spots available for them.
How to prepare for BScN entry once you have received an offer
Accepting the offer of admission
If you have been offered admission into our BScN program, you will receive an official acceptance package by mail. You must respond within two weeks of receipt of the admission package to secure your place in our program.
Acceptance procedure
Offered Admission
To accept an admission offer, please complete all of the following steps:
- Log into the OUAC application system and/or JOIN U of T site to respond to the offer.
- Submit a non-refundable tuition deposit of $500.00 by credit card to secure your spot. Detailed instructions can be found on the official offer at join.utoronto.ca.
The University of Toronto does not accept personal cheques, or cash for this payment.
If you have any questions about your Offer of Admission, please contact us by e-mail at connect.nursing@utoronto.ca.
Wait-listed:
The Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing will contact you if a space becomes available.
Not been offered admission
The Bloomberg Faculty’s Admissions Committee has reviewed all BScN applications. After careful consideration the Admissions Committee regrets that we cannot offer you admission. For more details please see Admission Review & Application Status.
Clearing admission conditions
If your offer of admission has condition(s), please follow the instructions outlined in your offer of admission letter and submitted the required documents. Failure to clear outstanding condition(s) may jeopardize your entry to the BScN Program.
Criminal Record Check
Clinical practice is a significant component of the undergraduate BScN program. Nursing students provide direct care to vulnerable patients/clients of all ages across a wide variety of hospital and community agencies. As of January 1, 2005 a clear criminal record check is required by the College of Nurses of Ontario for licensure as a Registered Nurse.
All newly admitted BScN students must complete and pass a Vulnerable Persons Criminal Record Check. Failure to do so can jeopardize your entry to the BScN Program. Please refer to Police Record Check for more information. Updated information and full details will be sent to newly admitted students via email.
Immunization
All newly admitted students are required to complete Immunization Forms and medical test results before entering the BScN program. In order to comply with the Public Hospitals Act, other legislation, and to meet the requirements of the students’ nursing practice placement settings, the Immunization Forms must be completed in its entirety. Failure to do so can jeopardize your entry to the BScN Program. Please refer to BScN Immunization Forms for more information. Updated information and full details will be sent to newly admitted students via email.
The University of Toronto has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. All students are required to have received a full dose schedule of a Health Canada approved vaccine and upload proof of vaccination to UCheck. Review our COVID-19 information page for more details.
TCard, UT email and ACORN
Once you have accepted your offer, you should also get your TCard, UT email and ACORN access prior to September. They are essential for your studies at the University of Toronto. Full details will be sent to new students via email.
Fees, Registration, and Enrolment
Please refer to Tuition & Fees for more information. Full details on fees and registration will be sent out to new students in July. Please note that courses will be automatically enrolled for incoming BScN students.
Orientations
Mandatory orientation days are usually scheduled on the first week of September. Please note that these orientation days are mandatory for newly admitted students. Full details will be sent to new students via email in July.