Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Your Direct Pathway to Canadian and International Universities
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is one of the most widely recognized and respected high school credentials in the world. Awarded by the Ministry of Education of Ontario, Canada, it’s the same diploma earned by students in Canadian public and private high schools, and accepted by universities across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and beyond.
We help international students enroll in accredited Ontario-curriculum programs, transfer their existing academic credits, and graduate with a full OSSD without needing to relocate to complete every year of study in Canada.
Why Families Choose the OSSD
- Direct admission pathway — Canadian universities treat the OSSD as a domestic credential, which can mean more transparent and often more favourable admission assessment than international curricula.
- No separate standardized test required — Most Canadian universities do not require SAT, ACT, or A-Level exams from OSSD holders.
- Flexible, credit-based system — Students build their diploma course by course, which allows strong students to accelerate and others to focus extra time where they need it.
- University-preparation courses (Grade 11–12 “U” and “M” courses) — designed specifically to align with the entrance requirements of competitive programs in engineering, business, health sciences, and more.
- Globally recognized — Ontario’s curriculum is respected by admissions offices well beyond Canada, including in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.
- Counts towards Students residency permit — The one year of OSSD counts towards the required number of years for residency permit application in Canada
Who Is OSSD For
- Students currently completing Secondary school in another country who want to finish high school with a Canadian diploma
- Students who want to strengthen their university applications with Ontario-specific prerequisite courses
- Families planning a future move to Canada who want their child’s transcript already aligned with the Canadian system
- Students who have completed part of their high school studies abroad and want credit transfer toward the OSSD rather than starting over
How OSSD Works
1. Academic Assessment & Credit Transfer We review the student’s current transcripts and determine how many credits from their home curriculum can be equivalenced toward the OSSD, and how many Ontario credits still need to be completed.
2. Enrollment with an Accredited Partner School Students are enrolled with an Ontario Ministry of Education–inspected school authorized to grant OSSD credits, whether attending in person, online, or through a hybrid model.
3. Personalized Course Plan Based on the student’s target universities and intended field of study, we build a course plan that satisfies both OSSD requirements and university-specific prerequisite courses.
4. Ongoing Academic Support Students receive guidance throughout their coursework, literacy requirement preparation, and community involvement hour tracking.
5. Graduation & University Application Support On completion, the student receives an official OSSD and Ontario Student Transcript (OST), which we help them use to apply directly to Canadian and international universities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to move to Canada to earn the OSSD?
No. Students can complete OSSD coursework online or through approved international partner schools.
How long does it take?
1 Year of part-time or full-time study. We confirm an individual timeline as part of the initial assessment.
Is the OSSD accepted outside Canada?
Yes. It is recognized by many universities in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and elsewhere as a rigorous, internationally respected secondary credential.
Will universities know the diploma was completed outside Canada?
No. The OSSD and official Ontario transcript do not distinguish delivery mode. Universities receive the same credential as any other OSSD graduate.
Ready to Get Started?
Book a free credit assessment and we’ll map out exactly what your child needs to earn their OSSD.