It’s no secret that the Canadian university system is highly competitive. Every year, thousands of students from all over the world vie for a spot at one of the country’s top schools. And while a high CGPA is certainly an important factor in the admissions process, it’s not the only thing that counts.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at a list of Canadian universities that are known to accept students with lower GPAs. Whether you’re coming from a non-traditional background or you simply didn’t do as well as you would’ve liked in high school, there are still options available to you.
So if you’re looking to pursue your studies in Canada, read on for a list of universities that may be a good fit for you.
What is Low and Good CGPA?
Good CGPA: A first-class honour and second-class upper honour are considered to be good CGPA for a postgraduate degree in most Canadian universities.
| First-Class (Very Good CGPA) | On a scale of 4.0 4.0 out of 4.0 | On a scale of 5.0 4.5 to 5.0 out of 5.0 |
| Second- Class Upper (Good CGPA) | On a scale of 4.0 3.3 to 3.7 out of 4.0 | On a scale of 5.0 3.5 to 4.49 out of 5.0 |
Low CGPA: A CGPA that is below second class upper honour is considered low for a postgraduate or undergraduate degree. While the low CGPA affects the admission process there are plenty of Canadian universities accepting low CGPA
| Second Lower Class (Low CGPA) | On a scale of 4.0 2.7 to 3.0 out of 4.0 | On a scale of 5.0 2.5 to 3.49 out of 5.0 |
| Third Class (Very Low CGPA) | On a scale of 4.0 1.0 to 2.3 out of 4.0 | On a scale of 5.0 1.5 to 2.49 out of 5.0 |
Can a Student with a Low CGPA Get into a Canadian University?
Yes, a student with a low CGPA can definitely get into a Canadian university. This is because most universities don’t look at CGPA they just take your top 5 grade 12 marks and calculate your average. UoT, despite its reputation of “Canadian Ivy-League” does that. As long as you’ve shown improvement over the years of high school with the best being your grade 12 year, you should be fine.
List of Canadian Universities Accepting Low CGPA
Simon Fraser University
Canada is a renowned country for providing quality education. The universities in Canada are globally recognized and offer various programs in different disciplines. Many students aspire to study in Canadian universities but think that their low CGPA will be a hindrance in getting admission. However, this is not true as there are many universities in Canada that accept low CGPA for admission into various programs.
Simon Fraser University is one of the leading research universities in Canada and is located in Burnaby, British Columbia. It was established in 1965 and has since then been providing quality education to students from all over the world. The university has three campuses, namely, Burnaby campus, Vancouver campus, and Surrey campus. It offers more than 100 undergraduate programs and over 50 graduate programs in different disciplines such as Arts & Social Sciences, Business & Economics, Education & Human Development, Engineering & Applied Science, Environment & Sustainability, Health Sciences, and Science.
Admission requirements vary depending on the program you choose to apply for. For some programs, a minimum GPA of 2.5 is required whereas for others a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. The minimum GPA requirement for graduate programs is 3.0. If your CGPA is below the minimum requirement but you have strong work experience or other extenuating circumstances that the university feels makes you a good candidate for admission into the program then your application will be given special consideration by the admissions committee.
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto (UofT) is one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities and is Canada’s largest university. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, UofT has a student population of over 86,000, including more than 10,000 graduate students.
UofT is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world and is a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (G8) – a coalition of leading research-intensive universities. The University’s reputation for excellence in research and teaching attracts top students from across Canada and around the world.
Despite its large size, UofT has a collegiate atmosphere with each college having its own unique character. The University comprises 20 different colleges located across three distinct campuses: St. George Campus (the main campus), Mississauga Campus, and Scarborough Campus.
UofT offers more than 700 undergraduate programs and over 200 graduate programs across a wide range of disciplines. Students can choose from traditional arts and sciences programs, as well as innovative interdisciplinary programs that combine multiple disciplines.
Admission to UofT is highly competitive – only the top students are admitted each year. However, the University does consider applicants with low CGPA scores on a case-by-case basis. If you have low grades but believe that you have what it takes to succeed at UofT, be sure to submit a strong application package highlighting your strengths and achievements.
McGill University
McGill University is a public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821 by royal charter granted by King George IV, it is one of the oldest universities in Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Scotland whose bequest in 1813 formed the university’s precursor, McGill College.
McGill’s main campus is at Mount Royal in downtown Montreal, with the second campus situated in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue on the city’s West Island. The university also operates two satellite healthcare facilities, the McGill University Health Centre and the Allan Memorial Institute.
As of 2019, McGill has 21 faculties and schools that offer more than 300 programs at locations across Quebec and around the world. The university has approximately 39,700 students, including over 15,000 graduate students, and over 830 full-time professors.
McMaster University
McMaster University is one of the leading research-intensive universities in Canada. It is located in Hamilton, Ontario. McMaster has over 70 research centers and institutes, and is home to more than 2,000 faculty members and 21,000 students.
The university has a strong focus on interdisciplinary research and teaching. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. McMaster also has a reputation for being one of the most innovative universities in Canada.
Despite its reputation as a research-intensive university, McMaster also has a strong commitment to teaching excellence. The university was ranked 3rd in Canada for teaching quality by Maclean’s Magazine in 2016.
McMaster University is one of the few universities that accept students with low CGPA scores. The minimum CGPA required for admission varies depending on the program you are applying to. However, generally speaking, the minimum CGPA required for admission into McMaster University is 2.5.
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is one of the leading public research universities in Canada, and is one of the few that accept students with low CGPA scores. The university has a strong focus on research, and its faculty members are highly respected in their fields. The university also has a diverse student body, with students from all over the world.
Conclusion
We hope this list of Canadian universities accepting low CGPA has been helpful. If you’re looking to apply to university in Canada, don’t let your low GPA hold you back — there are plenty of options out there for you. Do your research and find the school that’s right for you, and you’ll be on your way to success.
