Admissions & Applications

Dates and Deadlines

Domestic Students

• ORPAS Application Opens: October 10, 2024
• ORPAS Application Deadline: January 6, 2025
• Last Day to Complete Casper Test: January 21, 2025 (visit the Casper website for test dates)
• Initial Offers Sent: May 15, 2025
• Deadline for Initial Offers (Begin Offers from Waitlist): May 29, 2025
• Final Transcripts Must be Submitted: June 30, 2025

International Students

International students may apply through ORPAS following the above timelines if they choose. However, this is not a requirement as you may apply directly to the program via SGPS at any time. If you have any questions about this process, please email Canbulat Ozkurt, International Recruitment Coordinator (cozkurt@uwo.ca).

Admissions Decisions

The MScOT Program uses the following process to determine admission to the program:

• Based on the applications received, the applicants with the highest combined sub-GPA and Casper scores are selected for further consideration
  • The cutoff sub-GPA is dependent on that year’s applicant pool and therefore varies from year to year
• Casper ranking: Students who are ranked significantly below average on the Casper test will not be given further consideration

Admissions decisions made by the School of Occupational Therapy are final and not subject to appeal.

Generally, we do not accept requests for admission deferrals. Deferrals may be granted in exceptional circumstances at the program’s discretion and are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Appropriate documentation may be required to substantiate a request for deferral.

NOTE: The Admissions Committee may need to contact applicants during the selection process to ensure every aspect of the eligibility criteria is met. Information will be sent electronically to the address that was used to apply through ORPAS. It is important that applicants configure their email settings to accept messages coming from @uwo.ca addresses. Applicants are encouraged to check their junk/spam mail folders often to ensure important information is not missed during this time.

Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have successfully completed a four-year bachelor's degree with high academic standing from a recognized university or postsecondary degree-granting institution
• Applicants in the final year of their bachelor's degree must provide proof of degree completion (i.e., degree conferral) by June 30^th, 2025 to maintain their spot in the program.
• Applicants whose bachelor's degree was completed at an institution outside of Canada, must submit their transcripts for equivalency (see Application Components section below).
• Have a minimum sub-grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 (on the ORPAS 4.0 scale).
  
  • Meeting the minimum sub-GPA does not guarantee admission. For 2024, the average sub-GPA of the applicants who received a first-round offer was 3.78.
• Applicants must have successfully studied on a full-time basis for at least 2 years during their university level studies. For admission purposes, we consider full-time studies to be 4-5 half courses per semester (equivalent to a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester). Applicants whose most recent 20 half credits do not reflect full-time studies are strongly encouraged to submit a Special Consideration request to explain their situation to the MScOT Admission Committee.

NOTE: Applicants may submit a request for special consideration due to extenuating circumstances that may have affected their application. Please see the Special Consideration section below.

Additional Considerations:

• We will not consider applicants who are currently registered in another Canadian Occupational Therapy Program.
• We will not consider applicants if they have been required to withdraw from a professional rehabilitation sciences program.
• Applicants must be cognizant that the MScOT Program is an intense program, offered on a full-time basis only.
  
  • The application must support a student’s ability to keep up with a full-time workload.
• Admission decisions made by the School of Occupational Therapy are final and not subject to appeal.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency. The official test results must be uploaded into the ORPAS application or SGPS Admissions Portal, and also need to be sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Western University by the testing agency and received by the application deadline.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• A minimum overall score of 105 (internet-based) with a minimum of 23 on the speaking component and no other section below 20 TOEFL score is required.
• TOEFL scores must be sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Western University using TOEFL ID 0984.
• In addition, a copy of TOEFL score must be uploaded to your application.

The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic)

• A minimum overall score of 7.5 out of 9 in both the overall and writing sections is required.
• Applicants must upload IELTS score to their application.

The Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)

• A minimum score of 72 is required.

The Duolingo English Test

• A minimum score of 135 is required.

The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic)

Applicants whose first language is not English may be exempt from providing proof of English language proficiency if they have studied full-time for at least four years at a university where English is the medium of instruction in a country where English is the official language. This does not apply to English preparatory programs. NOTE: For applicants who are applying during their fourth year of undergraduate studies, four years will be counted as of June 30th of the application year.

If, after admission, the applicant shows an inadequate command of spoken or written English, they must improve their proficiency to the satisfaction of the MSc Occupational Therapy program. They may be asked to withdraw from the program if their command of English interferes with their ability to meet course and program progression requirements, including courses involving clinical placements. Western University offers English Language support for international students through the International & Exchange Student Centre.

Components of a complete application include:

1. An ORPAS application
2. Official transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended
3. Response to question in the “Personal Submissions” section of the application
   1. Applicants will be required to provide a response to one question (500 word / 3500 character limit)
4. Completed Casper test with a competitive score
5. Other supporting documentation, as required
   1. Copy of Permanent Resident card, if applicable
   2. English Language Proficiency test scores, if applicable
6. Application fee payment

NOTE: References are not required for application to this program.

ORPAS Application System:

• Official transcripts must be sent directly to ORPASfrom the originating academic institution
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted, including transcripts for course work that is currently in progress, taken with a letter of permission, transfer credits, exchange credit program or advanced standing credits taken during high school or CEGEP
• For transcripts issued in a language other than English, applicants must submit one official transcript in the original language, as well as one certified English translation
  
  • Submit the foreign transcript to World Education Services (WES)for evaluation
  • Submit both the original transcript and the WES evaluation to ORPAS
  • WES assessment is not required for courses taken on exchange
  • Note: The applicant is responsible for any costs incurred in obtaining the WES evaluation.

Applicant Statement: (completed as part of the ORPAS application)
Your statement (500 words, maximum 3,500 characters) should respond to the following prompt:

Describe 2 experiences from your life that have informed your understanding of social justice, social inclusion and/or health and well-being, and have helped prepare you to contribute to our School’s commitments

Supplementary Documentation:

• Applicants who are permanent residents of Canada must submit a copy of both the front and back (date on the back must be legible) of their Permanent Residency Card as part of their application

Casper

• In addition to submitting an application through ORPAS, applicants are required to complete an online, video-scenario, situational judgement test called Casper. Casper testing takes place outside of the ORPAS application.

NOTE: Applicants must add Western’s School of Occupational Therapy to their Casper distribution list in order for their scores to be sent directly to us from Casper. 

For the 2025 application, the last Casper test date that will be accepted is on January 21, 2025. Visit Casper for all available test dates.

Applicants must use the same name and email address on the Casper as they do on their ORPAS application.

• Failing to enter correct and identical information may mean we are unable to match an applicant's Casper results with their ORPAS application. In this case, we will consider an application incomplete and the application will be disqualified from further consideration.

We will not consider applicants with incomplete or missing CASPer scores.

• Learn more about Casper
• Testing Dates
• Casper FAQ

Grade point average (GPA) calculations are completed by ORPAS. Questions pertaining to GPAs should be directed to the OT Graduate Affairs Assistant at askot@uwo.ca, (519) 661-2111 Ext. 84351.

Cut-off sub-GPA of Top Selected Files for Admission Review

• 2021: 3.84
• 2022: 3.88
• 2023: 3.88
• 2024: 3.78

Calculation of an applicant's sub-GPA will be completed based on their most recent 20 half courses (equivalent to 10 full courses or 60 credit hours) of university level academic study completed by December 31 of the application year.

Such calculations will also include grades of the following courses:

• Summer
• Part-time
• Intersession
• Graduate
• Distance studies
• Exchange Program
• Courses taken beyond the four-year undergraduate degree

Western does not include marks from the following types of courses in the calculation of applicants’ sub-GPA:

• Skill/activity (e.g., sports performance, music performance, arts performance)
• Bachelor of Education
• College certificate or diploma program
• Certificate or diploma program (except for graduate diplomas)
• Non-convertible grades (e.g., pass/fail)
• Internship/Placement/Co-op courses

Exchange program grades are included in the admission sub-GPA if they are convertible.

International Applicants Consideration

Co-Op Work Permit Requirement for Fieldwork

The Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) program requires students to complete 1,000 hours of supervised placements in diverse health care and social care settings, spanning work with children to older adults. As such, international applicants are required to have a co-op permit (in addition to a study permit) before the start of the program. Upon admission, successful applicants will receive a conditional offer letter which they can use as a required part of their co-op permit application. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that a co-op permit is obtained prior to starting the program.

Please note that once obtained, a co-op permit can only be used to complete the placements at approved and assigned institutions required by the program. International applicants planning to practice as a Registered Occupational Therapist in the province of Ontario should review the registration requirements for the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO). It is also recommended that applicants review the eligibility requirements for becoming a registered occupational therapist (where applicable) in their desired country to ensure Western’s entry-level Occupational Therapy program meets those requirements.

For more information regarding applying to a co-op permit or assistance for international applicants, please visit the IRCC website Work as a co-op student or intern and/or contact Western’s International Student Services at iss@uwo.ca.

• Skill/activity (e.g., sports performance, music performance, arts performance)
• Bachelor of Education
• College certificate or diploma program
• Certificate or diploma program (except for graduate diplomas)
• Non-convertible grades (e.g., pass/fail)
• Internship/Placement/Co-op courses

Indigenous Applicants

• Five spots are reserved for Indigenous students who are Canadian citizens and have completed a four-year undergraduate degree
• We will consider Indigenous applicants on a case-by-case basis. To be successful in the program, we strongly recommend that applicants have a minimum sub-GPA of 3.0.
• To be considered for the spots reserved for Indigenous applicants, you must indicate your Indigenous status and upload appropriate documentation as part of your ORPAS application. You may also be contacted by the university’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives if additional information is required.

Special Consideration Requests

Applicants seeking special consideration for extenuating circumstances that may have affected the competitiveness of their application, may submit a Request for Special Consideration form to the OT Admission Committee for review. Examples include terms with courses taken part-time or with a lower subGPA, with rationale for why the application may not meet requirements and how the applicant has ensured preparation for the program. All requests will be reviewed on a case- by- case basis. Supporting documentation (medical, personal, academic, etc.) must accompany the requests for special consideration. Request for Special Consideration must be submitted by the application deadline. Send an email to askot@uwo.ca for more information and to receive a copy of the Request for Special Consideration form.

Before accepting an offer of admission to Western's MScOT Program, potential incoming students should be aware of the information listed below:

• The Master of Occupational Therapy Program is a two-year, full-time onsite program
  • Incoming students should ensure they are prepared to be a full-time student

Vulnerable Sector Screening

All students admitted to the MScOT Program at Western University must obtain and submit documentation of a police Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). You may be required to provide this documentation from each country that you have resided in for the past five years. The VSC must include a search of the Pardoned Sex Offender Database and can typically be obtained through your local police department. This is a requirement of the MScOT Program and affiliated health care facilities prior to beginning clinical placements.

Medical Requirements

In addition to the academic criteria required for applicants to be accepted to the program, once admitted to the program, students must also meet/maintain various medical/non-medical requirements in order to participate in fieldwork placements.

Visit the Fieldwork & Placements page for more details.