Nursing is one of the most competitive undergraduate programmes in Canada. Many schools receive several applications for every seat, and admission averages are often in the high 80s or above. But thousands of students are admitted every year, and with the right courses, a strong application and a smart list of schools, your chances improve considerably.
This guide explains the high school prerequisites, how averages work, supplementary applications, Casper and interviews, application deadlines and systems, routes for mature, Indigenous and international students, and what to do if you are not admitted the first time.
Imagine you finish Grade 12 with an 86% average and apply to three top nursing schools. You are rejected by all three and feel your dream is over. Your classmate with an 84% is admitted, because she also applied to two collaborative college programmes, prepared carefully for Casper and wrote a strong supplementary application about her volunteering in a long-term care home. The difference was not just grades. It was strategy.
High school prerequisites
Requirements vary between provinces and schools, but most four-year BScN programmes require Grade 12 (or equivalent) courses in:
- English (or French for French-language programmes)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics (sometimes a specific course, such as functions or pre-calculus)
Some programmes also require or recommend Grade 12 Anatomy and Physiology, Physics or a social science such as Psychology. Ontario programmes commonly require English (ENG4U), Biology (SBI4U), Chemistry (SCH4U) and a Grade 12 Math course. Always check each school’s website, as requirements differ and minimum grades in specific courses may apply.
Admission averages
Most nursing programmes calculate an admission average from your prerequisite courses and sometimes other top Grade 12 courses. Published minimums may be in the 70s, but competitive averages are usually much higher. At the most competitive Ontario and western Canadian schools, successful applicants often have averages in the high 80s or 90s. Collaborative college-university programmes and smaller universities may admit students with somewhat lower averages, though they are still competitive.
Because averages change each year based on demand, treat published ranges as a guide only.
Supplementary applications
Many programmes ask for more than grades. Supplementary applications may include:
- Short essays on why you want to be a nurse and what you would bring to the profession
- A description of volunteer, work or caregiving experience
- Examples of teamwork, leadership, resilience or cultural awareness
- References
Use specific examples. Instead of “I like helping people”, describe a moment when you supported someone and what you learned. Experience in health, care or community settings, such as volunteering at a hospital, care home, food bank or camp, helps, but so do part-time jobs, caring for family members and community leadership.
Casper and interviews
Casper is an online situational judgement test used by many health programmes in Canada, including some nursing schools. You watch or read scenarios and respond to questions about how you would handle them, typed and recorded. It assesses qualities such as empathy, ethics, communication and professionalism. Some programmes also require Duet, a short value-alignment survey from the same company.
- Check whether your programmes require Casper and book your test date early
- Practise with the official sample questions and timing
- Show balanced thinking: acknowledge different perspectives, consider safety, and explain your reasoning
- Avoid extreme or judgemental responses
Some programmes, especially accelerated or northern programmes, use interviews or multiple mini-interviews (MMIs). Prepare by practising answers about your motivation, teamwork and handling difficult situations.
Application systems and deadlines
- Ontario: applications to universities go through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), usually with an equal consideration deadline in mid-January. College programmes, including collaborative and college BScN programmes, use OntarioColleges.ca, with an equal consideration date usually around 1 February.
- Quebec: CEGEP nursing applications go through regional admission services such as SRAM, SRACQ or SRASL, with a main deadline of 1 March. University applications go directly to each university.
- Alberta: many institutions use ApplyAlberta or their own portals, often with deadlines between December and March.
- British Columbia: applications usually go through EducationPlannerBC or directly to each institution, with deadlines often in January or February.
- Other provinces: apply directly to each university, often by February or March.
Some programmes have early deadlines for supplementary documents or Casper. Make a calendar of every deadline.
Building a smart list of schools
- Apply to a mix of highly competitive and less competitive programmes
- Include collaborative programmes taught at colleges and universities in smaller cities
- Consider programmes in other provinces, especially if your home province is very competitive
- Look at French-language or bilingual programmes if you speak French
- Consider practical nursing as a first step, with a plan to bridge to an RN degree later
Our guide to the best nursing schools in Canada links to every province.
Mature students and career changers
If you have been out of school for some time, many universities have mature student admission categories that consider work and life experience alongside upgraded prerequisite courses. If you already hold a degree in another subject, consider an accelerated or after-degree programme, which can take about two years. Admission to these is very competitive and often based on your university grades in recent courses and specific prerequisites such as anatomy, physiology and statistics.
Indigenous applicants
Many nursing programmes reserve seats for First Nations, Inuit and Métis applicants and offer dedicated support, such as Indigenous student centres, elders, mentorship and transition programmes. Some offer access or pre-nursing programmes to help students meet prerequisites. Indigenous nurses are crucial to culturally safe care, and programmes increasingly recognise this in admissions.
International students
International students can apply to many Canadian nursing programmes, but places are limited, fees are much higher and some programmes accept very few international applicants. You will need to meet English or French language requirements (for example IELTS or TOEFL), have your transcripts assessed, and obtain a study permit, which has been subject to national caps since 2024. If you are already a qualified nurse abroad, it may be better to follow the internationally educated nurse registration route rather than start a new degree.
If you are not admitted
- Ask the programme for feedback, if available
- Upgrade prerequisite courses to raise your average
- Gain more volunteer or care experience
- Consider practical nursing, then bridge to a degree
- Take related university courses and reapply, or transfer from another programme where possible
- Apply more widely next time
Many successful nurses were not admitted on their first attempt.
Costs to plan for
Beyond tuition, nursing students pay for uniforms, a stethoscope and equipment, immunisations, CPR certification, criminal record and vulnerable sector checks, textbooks, and travel to clinical placements, which may be some distance from campus. Look for nursing-specific scholarships and bursaries, and check provincial programmes that offer tuition support in return for working in underserved areas after graduating.
Frequently asked questions
What average do I need for nursing in Canada?
It varies by school and year, but competitive programmes often admit students with averages in the high 80s or above.
Is Grade 12 Chemistry required?
Most four-year BScN programmes require it, but some accept alternatives. Check each school.
Do all nursing schools require Casper?
No. Some do and some do not. Check each programme’s admission requirements.
Can I apply to nursing after another degree?
Yes. Accelerated and after-degree programmes are designed for students with previous university study.
But is it worth all this effort?
Nursing offers a secure, meaningful career with jobs in every part of Canada and opportunities to specialise, lead, teach, research and travel. The competition is tough because the career is valued. Plan early, apply widely, and show who you are beyond your grades.
Your next step: Make a list of five nursing programmes, write down each one’s prerequisites, admission average range, Casper requirement and deadline, and put the dates in your calendar today.
Related: Best nursing schools in Canada · Canada’s nursing roles explained · How to get into nursing school
Sources: Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, OntarioColleges.ca, Quebec regional admission services (SRAM), ApplyAlberta, EducationPlannerBC, Acuity Insights (Casper), Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, university and college websites. Requirements change each year; always check with the school.
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