If you have searched for the York University acceptance rate, you have probably seen figures anywhere from 27% to 89%. They cannot all be right, and most cannot be traced back to York. In short, York University in Toronto does not publish a single headline acceptance rate that we could verify. What it does publish, program by program, is the academic average it expects, the prerequisite courses, English-language scores, deadlines and fees. Those details decide whether you can get in.
This guide separates what York has confirmed from what third parties estimate. It then covers admission requirements for domestic and international students, tuition, scholarships and Fall 2027 deadlines. Details were last reviewed in November 2026. Admissions rules change, so confirm them on York's Future Students site before you apply.
A quick note on names: this article is about York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is not the University of York in England, which has a different admissions system and different statistics.
London City properties
Find your perfect student accommodation
York University Overview and Academic Reputation
York University is a public research university in Toronto with 11 faculties and campuses at Keele, Glendon and Markham. Keele programs are taught in English. Glendon is a bilingual (English and French) campus and runs its own recruitment and admissions.
Well-known professional schools include the Schulich School of Business, the Lassonde School of Engineering and Osgoode Hall Law School. Programs range from arts and sciences to health, education, environmental studies and design. That breadth matters for admissions, because a business or engineering applicant faces very different expectations from someone applying to history or sociology.
What Is the Acceptance Rate of York University?
An acceptance rate is the share of applicants who receive an offer. It is easy to confuse with two other ideas:
- Acceptance rate: the percentage of applicants offered admission, usually measured across a whole institution or program.
- Admission requirements: the minimum standards you must meet to be considered, such as courses, grades and English proficiency.
- Program competitiveness: how far above the minimum successful applicants typically are, which depends on how many people apply for limited places.
For a Canadian university, the second and third ideas are usually more useful than the first. A single institution-wide percentage blends together programs that admit most qualified applicants with programs that are very hard to enter. It tells you little about your own chances.
Does York University Publish an Official Acceptance Rate?
We could not find a single official overall acceptance rate for York University on its admissions pages or in its published institutional data.
York does take part in Common University Data Ontario (CUDO), the shared reporting framework for Ontario universities. York's institutional planning office describes CUDO as covering entering averages by program, enrolment, tuition and other indicators. CUDO reports applicants and registrants by program, meaning students who actually enrolled. That is not the same as the number of offers made, so it cannot be turned into a true acceptance rate.
Why third-party estimates disagree
Websites that quote a York University acceptance rate give figures ranging from the high 20s to nearly 90 per cent. Treat them cautiously, for these reasons:
- Different definitions. Some figures divide offers by applications, others divide enrolments by applications, and some mix total student enrolment with application counts.
- Unclear sources. Many do not name a dataset or a year, and several repeat each other.
- Blended levels. Some pages combine undergraduate and graduate numbers into one percentage.
- Missing data. Some US-style databases list York's figures as "N/A".
If you see a precise percentage without a named York or CUDO source, assume it is an estimate. It should not be the basis for choosing where to apply.
Undergraduate and Graduate Admission Competitiveness
York University undergraduate admission is program-based. York publishes, for each program, the courses you need and an average at which applicants "may be considered". It also publishes a lower average you must maintain to keep an offer. These ranges run from the low 70s for many arts programs to the low 90s for the Schulich BBA.
York's graduate admission is run by the Faculty of Graduate Studies together with individual graduate programs. The Faculty states that admission is highly competitive and that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an offer. Applicants are generally expected to hold a four-year honours degree with at least a B+ average in the final two years. Many research programs also expect two recommendation letters, and some expect you to have secured a potential supervisor.
Admission Competitiveness by Program
The table below summarizes York's published ranges for Ontario high school applicants applying for Fall 2027. York does not publish program-level acceptance rates, so this table shows average expectations instead.
| Program | Average at which applicants may be considered | Average to maintain your offer | Key requirements |
| Business Administration (BBA, Schulich) | Low 90s | 88% | ENG4U and MHF4U at 70% or higher; supplementary application by February 1, 2027 |
| Engineering (BEng, Lassonde) | Mid-80s | 78% (each prerequisite 70%+) | ENG4U, MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U, SPH4U |
| Computer Science (BSc, Lassonde) | Low 80s | 78%, with a 75% math average | ENG4U, MHF4U, a 4U math, SCH4U or SPH4U |
| Commerce (BCom) | Low 80s | 80% | ENG4U, MHF4U |
| Direct Entry Nursing (BScN) | High 80s | 86% | Strict eligibility beyond the minimums; applications due February 1 |
| Neuroscience (BSc) | Low 80s | 75% | No prerequisite below 80%; ENG4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, MHF4U |
| Social Work (BSW) | Mid-80s | 75% | Applications close January 15 |
| Kinesiology & Health Science (BA/BSc) | High 70s | 74% | ENG4U, a 4U math, plus science for the BSc |
| Psychology, Keele (BA/BSc) | Mid-70s | 72% | ENG4U; BSc adds a 4U math and a 4U science |
| Most arts and humanities programs (e.g., History, Sociology, Philosophy) | Low-to-mid 70s | 70% | ENG4U plus five other 4U/M courses |
Treat these as York's indicative ranges, not cut-offs. They apply to Ontario curriculum applicants, and York states for every program that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. If you studied under another curriculum, look up your own route on York's admission requirements page, which covers IB, Indian, GCE, WASSCE and other curricula.
Admission Requirements for Domestic Students
Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens and permanent residents. For direct entry from an Ontario high school, York generally asks for:
- an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- ENG4U (Grade 12 English)
- five additional 4U or 4M courses, or fewer where a program names specific prerequisites
- the program's own prerequisites, such as MHF4U for business or SCH4U and SPH4U for engineering
Applicants from other provinces have equivalent requirements. For example, Alberta applicants need ELA 30-1 and, for many programs, Math 30-1.
Some programs also require a supplementary application. Examples include the Schulich BBA, Education, Creative Writing and many arts programs, which ask for a portfolio, audition or video interview.
| ** | Domestic applicants | International applicants |
| Academic credential | OSSD or equivalent provincial diploma | Your home curriculum (CBSE/ISC, IB, GCE, WASSCE, US high school and others), assessed under York's curriculum-specific requirements |
| English proficiency | Usually exempt after four years of study in English at a Canadian high school | Required unless you meet an exemption; IELTS Academic 6.5 is the standard minimum |
| Fall 2027 deadline | January 15, 2027 (Ontario high school) | March 24, 2027 (out-of-province and international) |
| Tuition category | Domestic rate | International rate |
| Entrance scholarships | See York's Scholarships & Bursaries page | Automatic consideration based on final admission average |
Admission Requirements for International Students
If you are searching for the York University acceptance rate for international students, note that York does not publish a separate figure. York does publish clear requirements, and they work like this:
- Academic standing: York assesses your secondary school results against its program averages, by curriculum. Business, engineering and computer science expect higher averages than most arts programs.
- Course prerequisites: your Grade 12 subjects should match the program. A BSc normally needs math and science, while Commerce needs advanced math.
- English proficiency: required unless you qualify for a waiver (see below).
- Documents: official transcripts, plus any supplementary application the program requires. Upload them in York's applicant portal, MyFile.
- Study permit: apply for admission early to leave time for your study permit.
For international students looking at graduate study, graduate admission requirements are set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and by each program. They typically include an honours degree, a B+ average, recommendation letters and English test scores.
English Language Requirements
York's general undergraduate minimums, from its language proficiency page, are:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 (IELTS General Training is not accepted)
- TOEFL iBT: 88 for tests taken before January 2026, or 4.5 on the new scale for tests taken from January 2026
- Pearson PTE Academic: 60
- CAEL: 60
- Duolingo English Test: 120
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: no score below 180
Some programs require higher scores. Nursing and the Schulich BBA ask for IELTS 7.0 (TOEFL iBT 94 on the older scale, PTE 67, Duolingo 130). Engineering also sets minimums for each test section. Scores are valid for two years.
You may not need a test. York waives the requirement if you have completed four full years of high school study in English at an accredited school in Canada or a country where English is the official primary language. Certain curricula can also qualify, including the IB Diploma and some GCE/GCSE results. Students who completed four years of English-medium studies through CBSE or ISC may be eligible too. Time in ESL courses does not count, and a letter from your school will not replace a test.
If your score falls short: York can issue a conditional offer while you finish your test or a pathway program. Options include the York University English Language Institute (YUELI), Integrated Year One for Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, Accelerated English and Academic Credit English. Each has its own IELTS entry level.
Graduate English requirements are set by each program, so check your program's page. TOEFL scoring changed in January 2026, so confirm which scale a program's published score uses.
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
York University tuition fees for 2026–27 are published as approximate annual amounts for a full course load, in Canadian dollars:
- Most arts and science programs: about $6,200 domestic and $40,000 international
- Business programs: 8,000–11,000 domestic and 40,000–44,000 international
- Computer Science: about $8,800 domestic and $38,000 international
- Design: about $9,200 domestic and $40,000 international
- Engineering: about $10,600 domestic and $47,000 international
Supplementary student fees add roughly 40–50 per credit. York's living-expense estimates are 9,000–13,000 for residence or apartment (eight months) and about 4,350–8,000 for meal plans, plus personal costs. Health and dental cover for international students is about $1,151. Exact figures are on York's Course and Program Fees page. Our cost of living calculator and listings for student accommodation near York University can help you budget.
International entrance scholarships (Fall 2027) are awarded automatically, with no separate application, based on your final admission average:
- 90% or higher: York International Scholarship of Distinction, up to 37,500intotal(15,000 in year one, $7,500 in each later year)
- 80–89.9%: York International Merit Award, up to 25,000(10,000 in year one, $5,000 afterwards)
- 75–79.9%: York International Entrance Award, $5,000 once
- Transfer applicants with 24 or more credits and 75% or higher: $2,500 once
Renewable awards require at least 24 York credits each year and a minimum 7.5 GPA (B+). Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Engineering students are generally not eligible for the Scholarship of Distinction. Applicants completing the Ontario curriculum are an exception.
York also offers the President's International Scholarship of Excellence, worth 180,000(45,000 a year for four years). The student application deadline is January 27, 2027. It cannot be combined with entrance scholarships. Direct-entry international students starting in Fall 2027 also receive a four-year on-campus residence guarantee. It does not cover the cost of residence. Browse more funding options on Acolyte's scholarships page.
Application Process and Important Deadlines
The York University application requirements follow these steps:
- Choose a program using York's program search, and check its requirements and deadline.
- Apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) or directly through York's own application. Use York's application if you are applying after the OUAC deadline.
- Check your email. You will receive a York student number for tracking your application in MyFile.
- Submit documents such as official transcripts and any supplementary application.
- Send English test results from your test centre, using York's institution code 0894 for IELTS and TOEFL. Allow up to three weeks. PTE scores are sent by emailing your Score Report Code to study@yorku.ca.
Key undergraduate deadlines:
- Winter 2027 (January start): November 18, 2026 for all applicant groups
- Fall 2027 (September start): January 15, 2027 for Ontario high school applicants, and March 24, 2027 for out-of-province, international and transfer applicants
- Summer 2027 (May start): April 1, 2027
- Exceptions: the Schulich BBA and Social Work (BSW) do not accept applications after January 15. Direct Entry Nursing closes February 1. Supplementary deadlines vary, such as February 1 for the BBA and February 5 for many arts programs.
York accepts and assesses applications until programs are full, so earlier is safer. If you are planning your move, compare student housing options across Canada early, since good rooms go quickly.
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Admission
Here is how to get into York University with a stronger application:
- Aim for the "may be considered" average, not the minimum. The maintain-your-offer average is a floor for keeping an offer, not a target.
- Match your subjects to the program. Missing a prerequisite can rule you out regardless of your overall average.
- Treat supplementary applications as seriously as grades. For the BBA, arts and education programs, the portfolio, interview or writing task is part of the decision.
- Book your English test early. Scores take time to arrive, and a conditional offer lets you secure a place while you finish.
- Consider a pathway if your English score is just below the minimum.
- Apply to a realistic mix of programs, including at least one whose published range matches your current average.
- Apply for prestigious scholarships separately. The PISE has its own January 27, 2027 deadline.
- Avoid scams. York warns that fraudulent messages circulate. Pay fees only to "York University", never to third parties, and York does not request payments by text message.
No grade or test score guarantees admission. Offers depend on program capacity and the strength of the applicant pool in a given year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does York University publish its acceptance rate? We could not find a single official institution-wide rate. York publishes program requirements and takes part in CUDO reporting, which includes applicants and registrants by program, but that data does not show how many offers were made.
Is York University hard to get into? It depends on the program. Many arts programs are considered at averages in the low-to-mid 70s. Engineering, computer science, nursing and the Schulich BBA expect much higher averages. Competition for any program can change from year to year.
What is the York University acceptance rate for international students? York does not publish a separate rate for international students. Figures online are third-party estimates, so plan around the published program averages, English requirements and deadlines instead.
What English test score do I need for York University? The general undergraduate minimum is IELTS Academic 6.5 or the equivalent on another accepted test. Nursing and the Schulich BBA require higher scores. You may be exempt if you have studied in English for four full years at an eligible high school.
When should international students apply for Fall 2027? The general international deadline is March 24, 2027. Apply as early as you can to leave time for a study permit. The Schulich BBA and Social Work (BSW) close on January 15, and some programs fill before their deadlines.
Can I get a scholarship automatically? Yes. International students admitted from high school are automatically considered for entrance scholarships worth $2,500 to $37,500 based on their final admission average. The President's International Scholarship of Excellence requires a separate application.
Wassup
Instagram??
Final Verdict
There is no verified single answer to the York University acceptance rate, and any precise percentage you see online should be treated as an estimate. What matters more is what York publishes: the average expected for your program, the prerequisite courses, English-language scores and deadlines. By those measures, York is accessible for many arts and science programs and highly competitive for business, engineering, computer science and nursing.
Check your program's page on York's Future Students site, line up your English test and documents early, and apply before the deadline. If you are comparing options, our guide to the University of Toronto acceptance rate is a useful next read. Once you have an offer, you can explore student accommodation in downtown Toronto alongside housing near York.