Admission for College/University Transfer Students

For how to apply/application portal, refer to the Apply to NU section above.

For deadlines to apply, visit our Application Deadlines website for specific deadline dates.

Review the chart on our Alternate Offer  page. Find the program you intend to apply to. You do not have to apply to the program(s) listed as an alternate offer for that program. What is listed is the program(s) we will automatically consider you for. However, if you wish to be considered for another program that is not listed as an alternate offer you must include it as an application choice when applying to Nipissing. 

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents: “My Nipissing” is a valuable online information system and we encourage you to regularly check WebAdvisor. Information on how to access “My Nipissing” is included in the email you receive acknowledging your application. You will be able to view up-to-date information about your application status, including whether your transcripts and other required documents have been received. You are also able to update personal details, such as your address, ensuring our records remain accurate.

International Applicants: The Nipissing International Application Service portal (IAS) is a one stop shop for everything related to your application. You will be able to view up-to-date information about your application status, including whether your transcripts and other required documents have been received. This is also where your offer of admission and fee receipt(s) will be posted. Make sure you check it regularly.

Information can be found at:

• Faculty of Arts and Science
• Faculty of Education and Professional Studies
• Academic Calendar
• Programs

Visit Special Transfer Pathway from an Ontario College page to find pathways to transfer into Nipissing degree with your Ontario college and/or diploma. 

If your specific diploma program is not indicated in that page, please refer to the College and University Transfer Credit Policy page.

• Domestic applicants should visit our Average Calculations website
• International applicants should contact internationaladmiss@nipissingu.ca regarding country/educational system specific information.

If you have completed an undergraduate degree from a recognized university and wish to complete a second degree you may apply for admission consideration as a Second-Degree applicant.

Visit our Second-Degree applicant to see additional information. 

To apply for admission as a second degree applicant, use the “Apply to NU” section above.

• Applicants from Bible Colleges or other religious institutions that are accredited with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) will be eligible for admission consideration.
• No transfer credit will be granted for courses in church education or administration, pastoral studies, or courses intended to promote a particular doctrinal or denominational belief.
• All other transfer credit is assessed on an individual basis. Transfer credit consideration will follow the same policy and procedures as indicated on the College and University Transfer Credit Policy page. Please note that all students must meet Nipissing University’s residency requirements and degree requirements regardless of how many transfer credits are granted.

Bible College Transfer Applicants: Applicants from Bible Colleges or other religious institutions that are accredited with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) will be eligible for admission consideration.

University Transfer Applicants from Religious Degree Granting Institutions: Applicants from religious institutions that have received accreditation to offer degrees in one of the following ways will be eligible for admission consideration.

• Accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
• Received Ministerial Consent (Ontario)
• Accredited by the appropriate accrediting body for the province or country the institution is located in.

Transfer Credit

• No transfer credit will be granted for courses in church education or administration, pastoral studies, or courses intended to promote a particular doctrinal or denominational belief.
• All other transfer credit is assessed on an individual basis. Transfer credit consideration will follow the same policy and procedures as indicated on the College and University Transfer Credit Policy page. Please note that all students must meet Nipissing University’s residency requirements and degree requirements regardless of how many transfer credits are granted.

US University Transfer Applicants

• Applicants who have completed courses from universities that are accredited by one of the Regional Accrediting Organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or, where applicable, the US Department of Education are eligible for admission consideration.
• Applicants who have completed courses while registered in or who have completed an Associate degree are considered college transfer applicants.

US College Transfer Applicants

• Applicants who have completed courses from colleges that are accredited by one of the Regional Accrediting Organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or, where applicable, the US Department of Education are eligible for admission consideration.
• Applicants who have completed courses while registered in or who have completed an Associate degree are considered college transfer applicants.

Transfer Credit

• All other transfer credit is assessed on an individual basis. Transfer credit consideration will follow the same policy and procedures as indicated on the College and University Transfer Credit Policy page. Please note that all students must meet Nipissing University’s residency requirements and degree requirements regardless of how many transfer credits are granted.

Courses and/or programs completed at a career college are not eligible for transfer credit consideration or used as a basis of admission. Applicants do not need to submit official transcripts from these institutions.

All applicants to Nipissing University undergraduate degree programs from countries where the dominant language of instruction is other than English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English for admission consideration.

Permanent Resident applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide proof of proficiency in English. Permanent Resident applicants whose first language is not English, but who have lived at least three years in Canada, or a country where English is the dominant language may be exempt.

See our English Language Proficiency requirements page for more details.

Access and Equity Policy

Nipissing University welcomes applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds. We recognize that there are institutional processes and cultural differences that present barriers to some applicants obtaining access to university. Nipissing University is committed to diversity, equity and accessibility and has 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+ and those from northern/remote/rural areas. Visit our full policy for further information.

Applicants to Nipissing University are first considered for admission based on their most recent and highest level of education attempted or completed. We require official transcripts from EVERY institution attended to make admission decisions, including high school and non-Canadian institutions. Applications will be considered once all required documentation is received

Other required documents will depend on your educational background, program applied to, and intake. Required documents (if applicable) may include but are not limited to: WES evaluation, English language proficiency results, and for some programs: statements and references.

• All required documents must be submitted by the deadline dates indicated. It is the applicants’ responsibility to log into either “My Nipissing” and check WebAdvisor (domestic applicants) or the International Application Service (IAS) portal (international applicants) to verify that required documents have been received.
• Login information and instructions are included in the information domestic applicants receive from Nipissing acknowledging your application. International applicants receive information during the application process through the IAS.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• It is recommended that you check your email regularly as we may email you with a question or concern that requires a timely response. Failure to read your email and respond promptly, if necessary, could affect the status of your application.

Instructions on how to submit your documents are included in the information sent to you acknowledging your application to Nipissing.

Transcripts: Applicants are required to declare and submit transcripts from every university attended/currently attending even those that you attended on a Letter of Permission. Transcripts must show all courses required for admission consideration as either completed or in progress. It is your responsibility to ensure that all courses (completed and in progress) appear on your transcript.

• Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents
  • Current and Former Nipissing Students: Current Nipissing students and Nipissing former students and/or graduates do not need to order or send Nipissing transcripts. However, if you attended Nipissing prior to 1992, you are considered a Laurentian University student and must request that transcript.
• Applicants with Canadian Credentials
  • Ontario: The fastest and most effective way to send your official transcripts is by ordering them through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) when you apply. Otherwise, you will need to contact the institution(s) directly to request your transcript(s) and have them sent to Nipissing University.
  • All Other Provinces: You will need to contact the institution(s) directly to request your transcript(s) and have them sent directly to Nipissing University by one of the following methods:
    1. Email: admissions@nipissingu.ca – All documentation can be sent to this email address. As for official transcripts, emailed transcripts will only be accepted when we can verify that they come directly from the issuing institution.
    2. Third-Party Companies (e.g., MyCreds, Parchment): Please contact your institution directly for assistance with these platforms. Send to admissions@nipissingu.ca.
    3. OUAC: Official transcripts from Ontario universities and colleges should be ordered through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) as part of the application process.
    4. Mail: Nipissing University
       Office of the Registrar – Admissions
       100 College Drive, Box 5002
       North Bay ON P1B 8L7
• Applicants with International Credentials
  • If you attended a postsecondary institution at the undergraduate or graduate level outside of Canada or the United States, you MUST have your foreign transcripts assessed by World Education Services (WES). We require a WES Credential Evaluation Report, including a course-by-course analysis. WES evaluations must be sent directly to the Admissions Office and must be received by the transcript deadline. 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. This requirement cannot be waived. No exceptions.
• International Applicants
  • All required documents can be uploaded to the International Application Services (IAS) portal. Follow all instructions provided to you during the application process. Applicants are required to declare and submit transcripts from every university attended/currently attending. Current Nipissing students or Nipissing graduates do not need to order or send Nipissing transcripts.

All Other Documentation: All applicants should follow the instructions provided to you in the information sent to you acknowledging your application to Nipissing.

Domestic Applicants: If you attended a postsecondary institution outside Canada or the United States, you must have your foreign transcripts assessed by World Education Services (WES). We require a WES Credential Evaluation Report, including a course-by-course analysis. WES evaluations must be sent directly to the Admissions Office and must be received by the transcript deadline. 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.

International Applicants: If your application was submitted through the Nipissing International Application Service (IAS) portal, please follow the instructions provided to you on how to submit your transcripts.

You can expect to receive an admission decision for every program to which you applied and for which you are eligible.

If you do not meet the admission requirements for the program you have applied for, we will offer you admission to a program for which you are eligible. Some of the possible reasons for an alternate offer may be that you applied to a program that;

• Was a competitive program (i.e., Nursing) and you did not meet the required average for admission consideration.
• You did not meet the minimum average for the program applied to.
• You were missing required prerequisite(s).

Depending on the original program you applied to and the reason you received an alternate offer there may be options you can consider immediately or options that you can consider during your first year at Nipissing.

Visit our Alternate Offer website for further information.

Visit our When to Expect a Decision website for information on decision timelines.

Your transfer credit will be processed when you have accepted your offer of admission and submitted your final post-secondary transcript showing that your diploma/degree has been awarded and/or your undergraduate final grades are posted (if applicable). When you request your final transcript, please ensure that your transcript indicates that you have graduated, and your diploma/degree is awarded (if applicable).

Until your final transcript has been received and your transfer credits are processed, you may not be able to register in some of your courses because you may not have the prerequisites for certain upper year courses. Once your transfer credit evaluation is complete, you will be able to view it on WebAdvisor under ‘Unofficial Transcript’ and ‘Summary of Transfer Credits’.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your final transcript is submitted. Please check the status of your final transcript in WebAdvisor under Important Documents – Outstanding/Received to ensure that your final transcript is marked received.

It can take approximately 2 – 4 weeks for your transfer credit to be processed.

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents

• If you applied using the Undergraduate application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) you will accept your offer through the OUAC website. OUAC has helpful FAQs and How-to videos.
• If you applied using the Nipissing University Application for Admission you will follow the instructions on how to accept that is included in your offer of admission.
• Ensure that you accept by the deadline indicated in your offer of admission. Late acceptances may jeopardize your position in the program.

International Applicants:

Accept your offer of admission by the date indicated in the offer letter using the International Application Service Portal (IAS) or contact your agent to assist you with accepting your offer through the portal. International applicants are strongly encouraged to accept their offer within 2 weeks of the date on their offer of admission. Late acceptances may jeopardize your position in the program.

If you currently have courses in progress or have not yet graduated from your current program (if applicable), your offer will be conditional upon successfully completing your courses and/or diploma/degree. A final official transcript showing all courses are completed and/or your diploma/degree (if applicable) has been awarded must be submitted by the deadline date indicated in your Offer of Admission. You should accept your offer by the deadline even if you have not met the conditions at that time.

If you do not meet the conditions of your offer, we may change your offer of admission to an alternate program for which you are eligible or place you on probation on a reduced course load. We will only rescind an offer if you are no longer eligible for admission once all courses are completed.

If you do not meet the admission requirements for the program you applied for, we will offer you admission to a program for which you are eligible. Some of the possible reasons may be that you applied to a program that;

• requires a specific course, such as 4U math or equivalent, and you do not have that course completed or in progress, or
• we have established you have not or will not meet the minimum entrance average.

Visit our Alternate Offer website for further information.

We have determined that you are a desirable candidate for admission to Nipissing University but the program you applied to is full.

Nipissing receives many more applications to our limited enrollment programs than we have places. That being the case we offer to a select group of applicants, an opportunity to be considered for places that may become available in these programs prior to the start of classes.

Depending on the program you may be required to fill out a waitlist form. Full instructions are provided in your waitlist email. By submitting the form, you are not making a commitment of any sort. The waitlist form has no bearing on your acceptance to another Nipissing University program or any other university’s acceptance. Should you choose to submit the form to us, we will keep you on the waitlist until the start of the intake regardless of where you have already accepted an offer of admission.

If a place becomes available and you are the candidate selected to fill the space, we will contact you by phone or email to inform you of this opportunity and to determine your interest at that time. Prior to contacting you with an offer of admission, we will first confirm that you continue to meet the admission requirements for the program.

You may be eligible for transfer credit for undergraduate courses taken at another postsecondary institution. Transfer credit is granted on a course-by-course basis. Transfer credit is only granted for courses with a grade of C (60%) or higher. Transfer credit may be granted for courses with a grade of D (50 – 59%) if there are A (80%+) and B grades (70 – 79%) on the transcript to compensate for the D grade. Please note that all students must meet Nipissing University’s residency requirements and degree requirements regardless of how many transfer credits are granted.

Academic Advising can assist you with your course selection to ensure you are taking the correct courses in the right order for a successful degree completion plan. Visit the Academic Advising website to book an appointment or look at their self-help tools for assistance.

For undergraduate courses it may be due to the grade you received in the course. Transfer credit is only granted for courses with a grade of C (60%) or higher. Transfer credit may be granted for courses with a grade of D (50 – 59%) if there are A (80%+) and B grades (70 – 79%) on the transcript to compensate for the D grade.

Transfer credit for college certificates or diplomas are NOT granted on a course-by-course basis. Transfer credit is based on the overall learning outcomes of your complete college diploma/certificate program. The courses that you receive credit for are the courses that we have determined are equivalent to your entire diploma program. The Admissions Office has determined the specific transfer credit for the program and stream from which you graduated. Transfer credit may differ for each student based upon the diploma/certificate completed and the program to which you have been admitted to.

Fourth-year undergraduate courses will not transfer as transfer credit. These courses are referred to as ‘capstone courses’ – courses that bring all your learning together in the final stages of your degree program.

Even though the same textbook is used in university as the one used in college, it does not mean that the same content will be covered or that you will not learn anything new. We have determined that our course does provide additional information that was not part of the college course.

You may be eligible for additional transfer credit for additional diplomas completed with a cumulative GPA of at least 70%. The amount of transfer credit you will receive is determined by the Admissions Office. Please note that all students must meet Nipissing University’s residency requirements and degree requirements regardless of how many transfer credits are granted.

If you have already completed a degree at an accredited postsecondary institution, you may proceed to another undergraduate degree program in a different area of study as a “second degree” student at Nipissing University. Second degree students are exempt from having to repeat any equivalent required courses and may be exempt from some or all electives. Academic Advising assesses all documentation and transcripts for second degree students and creates program plans for students based on your previous studies and the degree program to which you have been admitted. Please note that all students must meet Nipissing University’s residency requirements and degree requirements.

You may be eligible for both a second-degree program plan and transfer credit for your completed diploma. Academic Advising will work to create a plan that takes into consideration the work you complete within both your diploma and degree

Information about scholarships, awards and bursaries can be found on our Financial Aid website.

Nipissing also offers guaranteed entrance scholarships for college transfer students who meet the following criteria:

• Canadian and international college transfer applicant
• Applying directly into first year as a full-time undergraduate degree program in North Bay
• Receives a maximum of 18 credits in transfer credit
• September intake only

No application needed! Visit our website College Transfer Awards for further information

If you are an Ontario resident and need help paying for your education, the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) may be able to help. Go to ontario.ca/osap to see how much you could get and to apply.

Residence is available for the Fall and Winter terms.

Nipissing residence accommodations are single occupancy only in a 4-bedroom suite or 6-bedroom townhouse. Family housing is not available.

Applicants are invited to apply for residence based on availability. Complete your application and pay your deposit to be considered on a first come first serve basis. Information about applying to residence will be included in your offer of admission.

For the Spring/Summer you can consider renting one of our apartment-style accommodations. Further information can be found on our Stay on Campus Accommodation website.

There is a variety of housing available in the City of North Bay. The Off-Campus Housing Service offers housing rental lists, maps of the city and bus schedules to assist you in finding suitable accommodation. Students will also find information that covers safety tips, legal resources, and tips on being a good tenant. Great information that will assist you in navigating renting a place to live in North Bay! The search for a place to live should begin early as housing can be more difficult to find toward the end of the summer. We encourage all students to search early for housing

If you are an international student studying in Canada (on a study permit), in Canada as a refugee claimant (you have applied for refugee protection but have not yet had a final decision on your claim) or you are studying or have completed your studies in another country (no status in Canada), you will be required to pay a deposit of $2000 CAD.

Proof of enrollment requests can be made once you have registered for courses. Students who require confirmation of their current registration status at Nipissing University can visit our Proof of Enrolment website.

Eligibility will be indicated when you select the program on the International Application Service (IAS) portal.

Due to the recent changes in the study permit process, a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) issued by the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that you will be attending, must be submitted as part of your student visa application. It is crucial that you take the following steps to be eligible to receive a PAL from Nipissing University.

• Accept your offer of admission by the date indicated in offer in the International Application Service (IAS) portal or contact your agent to assist you with accepting your offer through the portal. It is strongly advisable that you accept your offer within two weeks of the date of your offer letter.
• Pay your first payment of $2,000 through PayMyTuition. It is strongly recommended this payment be made within two weeks of the date of your offer letter.
• Complete your study permit pre-assessment with BorderPass. BorderPass will notify us once your pre assessment is complete

You will be notified once you have been approved for a PAL with instructions on how to access you PAL.

Nipissing has partnered with BorderPass to ensure your immigration journey – starting with your study permit application, to your arrival in Canada and beyond is as smooth as possible. BorderPass will assist with and assess visa applications for all incoming students. Securing a study permit is an important step that is necessary to start your academic journey with Nipissing. We want to make sure you have all the support you need to ensure your application is done right! BorderPass will notify us once you study permit pre-assessment is complete

Once approved for your study permit you are required to upload a copy of your approval to the International Application Service (IAS) portal.

Your first payment of $2,000 is non-refundable unless you have been denied a study permit. If your study permit is denied, and you submit proof, you will receive a partial refund of $1,700. Students who withdraw from Nipissing may be eligible for a tuition refund based on the refund schedule found on our Student Financial Services website, less your non-refundable tuition deposit. Please note that at the time of offer the refund schedule for your intake may not be available. Please continue to check the website as it will be updated as soon as the information is available for your intake.