Second-Entry Programs in Ontario: Applying to Nursing, Education, or Business After Your First Degree
By Muntasir • Published Nov 06, 2025 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Admissions & Applications, Canadian Universities & Colleges
Second-entry programs in Ontario admit you after you already hold university credit, not straight from high school. Nursing, Bachelor of Education, and some business programs use this route, and your admission average comes from your prior degree, not your Grade 12 marks.
🎓 Second-entry means you apply after completing part or all of an undergraduate degree
Consecutive Bachelor of Education programs require a completed degree first
Some nursing and advanced-entry business programs also admit after prior university study
You still apply through OUAC 105, the same portal used for transfer and mature applicants
Admissions offices check specific prerequisite courses, not only your overall average
What a second-entry program is
A second-entry program admits students who already completed some or all of an undergraduate degree, rather than students coming straight from high school. Ontario universities use this model for professional programs where a broad first degree builds a foundation for specialized training. Your file gets reviewed on your university record, not your high school transcript.
This differs from a direct-entry (first-entry) program, where you apply in Grade 12 and start your degree right after high school. A second-entry program treats your prior degree as the admission credential, similar to how graduate school works, though second-entry programs remain undergraduate or professional degrees.
Entry types compared
| Entry type | When you apply | What gets assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Direct-entry (first-entry) | Grade 12, before you start any degree | Your Grade 12 average in required courses |
| Concurrent | Grade 12, program runs alongside your undergraduate degree | Your Grade 12 average plus continued academic standing |
| Second-entry | After you complete some or all of an undergraduate degree | Your university average, prerequisite courses, sometimes a supplementary application |
Which Ontario programs use second-entry admission
Consecutive Bachelor of Education programs are the clearest example. Unlike concurrent B.Ed programs that run alongside an undergraduate degree, a consecutive B.Ed requires you to finish your first degree before you apply, and several Ontario faculties of education, including the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, admit this way.
Nursing has second-entry routes too. A number of Ontario schools run an accelerated or second-entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing for applicants who already hold a degree in another field, compressing the program compared to a four-year direct-entry BScN.
Business has fewer second-entry options, but some advanced-entry programs, such as Western's Ivey Business School HBA, admit students partway through their studies rather than directly from high school. Check each program's own admission page since the entry point (after year one, two, or a completed degree) varies by school.
How you apply
Second-entry applicants use the OUAC 105 application , the same portal used by university transfer students, out-of-province applicants, and mature students applying to Ontario universities. You submit transcripts from every postsecondary institution you attended, not only your current one.
Some second-entry programs run their own supplementary application on top of OUAC 105, with a personal statement, references, or a skills-based assessment. Read the specific program page before you submit, since a missing supplementary form removes you from consideration even with a strong average.
How your average and prerequisites get assessed
Admissions offices calculate your cumulative or degree grade average from your university transcript, using the courses and years the program specifies, often your most recent full course load rather than your entire academic history. A weak first year followed by a strong finish carries more weight than an average taken across every term you completed.
Prerequisite courses matter as much as your overall average. A second-entry nursing program checks for specific science prerequisites, a B.Ed program checks for subject-specific undergraduate credit tied to the teachable subjects you want to teach, and a business advanced-entry program checks for foundational courses in your first degree. Missing one required prerequisite disqualifies an otherwise strong application, so confirm the exact course list on the program's page before you apply.
Practical steps
Confirm whether the program is second-entry, concurrent, or direct-entry before you build your application timeline.
List every prerequisite course the program names and check it against your transcript early enough to add a missing course.
Order transcripts from every postsecondary school you attended, not only your degree-granting institution.
Check for a supplementary application, essay, or reference requirement separate from OUAC 105.
Contact the program's admissions office directly if your degree mix (double major, transfer credit, grades from another country) makes your average hard to calculate from the standard formula.
When to apply
Second-entry programs often run smaller cohorts than direct-entry programs, and a smaller cohort means fewer seats to fill each cycle. Some second-entry programs set an earlier internal deadline than the general OUAC 105 window, particularly when a supplementary application or interview stage needs time to run before a final decision goes out. Check the specific program's deadline separately from the general OUAC 105 deadline rather than assuming they match.
Build in extra time if your current degree is still in progress. Many second-entry programs assess you on grades in progress and confirm your final average once your transcript closes, so a late add or drop in your final term affects a file that is already under review.