Earning your OSSD involves three key pillars: academic credits, community engagement, and literacy proficiency. It is an important certificate for students from all over who want to enter higher education. OSSD is welcomed by all Canadian universities and is also recognised and valued in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Europe and Asia.
Attending an OSSD school provides students with both academic readiness and a boost to their university applications, thanks to lessons developed around thinking critically, strong reading and math skills and real-life abilities. OSSD diploma requirements include earning 30 credits, completing 40 volunteer hours, and passing the literacy requirement. The Canada education system for international students offers world-class academic standards, diverse programs, and opportunities for post-study work and immigration.
OSSD Credit Requirements: How Many Credits Do You Need?
When students finish secondary school, the Ontario Ministry of Education offers the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) as the official diploma. Ontario students are required to fill certain academic needs and have sufficient personal development to be granted the OSSD, which involves getting a minimum number of credits, taking the literacy test and completing 40 hours of community work. They are meant to help students complete their education with skills that will benefit them in university, at work or in other areas. Because the OSSD is recognised not only in Canada but also internationally, it helps students who hope to study or work overseas.
Why is OSSD important in 2025?
By 2025, people around the world will give more importance to OSSD because Canadian education and flexible online learning will become more popular. Now that many students are considering online study and applying to international universities, knowing the 2025 OSSD diploma requirements is a must. It doesn’t matter if you are studying in Canada or outside the country; the OSSD helps you become ready for university and a fulfilling career.
In 2025, students will graduate with an OSSD once they finish 30 credits, including 18 compulsory credits in English, Math, Science and Canadian studies and 12 optional credits that suit their interests. These components ensure OSSD graduates develop skills and ethics, qualities valued by universities and employers globally. They must also demonstrate literacy skills by passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or completing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC). These components help OSSD students possess needed skills and ethics, valuable qualities recognised by universities and companies everywhere.
Find out about OSSD programs available.
What Are the Top OSSD Diploma Requirements?
Students who want to earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) must achieve different important educational and personal goals while attending high school. The goal of these standards is to support students completing their education with skills in learning, civic involvement and literacy.
These are the requirements each OSSD student is required to achieve:
- You should earn a total of 30 high school credits, which includes:
- In total, there are 18 required credits in English, Math, Science and Canadian History.
- Providing 12 optional credits allows students to choose their subjects in Business, Arts or Technology.
- You should do at least 40 hours of community activities, as this helps you develop social responsibility, leadership and civic awareness outside school.
- You can meet the literacy requirement by finishing any of these:
- Passing the OSSLT is required for graduation in Ontario.
- Good news: you can still earn an OSSLC diploma if you didn’t pass the OSSLT.
International students and domestic students both need to complete the same graduation requirements, but sometimes the routes to get there are not the same. As an example, international students who start in Ontario in either Grade 11 or 12 may be given credits for their prior educational years. The key objective still involves all students meeting all OSSD requirements to gain eligibility to pursue any form of post-secondary study, either in Canada or globally.
OSSD Credit Requirements: How Many Credits Do You Need?
- Students are required to earn 30 credits in the program.
- You must complete 18 credits to earn the diploma.
- There are 12 optional credits in the curriculum.
Credit Breakdown Table
| Subject Area | Compulsory Credits |
| English | 4 |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| Science | 2 |
| Canadian Geography/History | 2 |
| Arts | 1 |
| Health and Physical Education | 1 |
| French as a Second Language | 1 |
| Career Studies/Civics | 1 |
| Group credits (A/B/C types) | 3 |
OSSD Course Requirements
Participating students are required to complete courses set out by the authorities such as:
- English (Grades 9–12)
- Mathematics (Grades 9–11)
- Science (Grades 9–10)
- Canadian Geography (Grade 9)
- Canadian History (Grade 10)
Optional courses are available, such as:
- Business Studies
- Works of Visual Art and Performing Arts
- Computer Science
- Technological Education
Each course is given an Academic, Applied or Open classification, which tells you how much and what kind of knowledge is required.
This section’s target keyword is: OSSD course requirements
OSSD Volunteer Requirements
It is required that all students complete at least 40 hours of supervised community work.
Valid volunteer activities include:
- Taking care of fundraising for non-profits
- Helping clean up the community
- Giving support at senior homes
Not valid:
- Paid work
- Family chores
- Business internships
OSSD Reading Requirement
Students must do the following to meet the ossd requirement for literacy:
- Achieve a passing score (70%+) on the OSSLT.
- Finish the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC).
Students who are from other countries or use ESL receive support with remedial literacy courses.
What International Students Need to Meet at OSSD
International students are eligible to obtain their OSSD by:
- Choosing to register in an accredited Canadian or Canadian international school
- Use your earlier IB/AP/IGCSE credits
- Taking ESL support classes if that’s advised
Why Should You Choose OSSD?
The Ontario OSSD is recognised everywhere and gives students a chance to compete at top universities worldwide.
Topics covered: what international students should meet for admission to OSSD
Find more information on international schools in Canada
OSSD Requirements 2025: What’s New or Changing?
As of 2025, the Ontario Ministry of Education has introduced several updates to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements to better prepare students for the evolving educational and professional landscapes.
Mandatory Online Learning Credits
Students who began Grade 9 in the 2020–21 academic year or later are now required to complete at least two online learning credits as part of their 30-credit OSSD requirement. This initiative aims to enhance digital literacy, self-directed learning, and adaptability—skills essential for success in post-secondary education and the modern workforce.
These online courses are delivered asynchronously, allowing students to learn at their own pace while receiving support from certified Ontario teachers. It’s important to note that students have the option to opt out of this requirement by submitting a formal request through their school.
Expansion of Virtual OSSD Programs
The demand for virtual high school programs has significantly increased, offering greater flexibility for students with diverse needs, including international learners and those with unconventional schedules. Institutions like TVO ILC provide accredited online courses that contribute toward the OSSD, enabling students worldwide to obtain a Canadian high school diploma remotely.
Enhanced Support for ESL Learners
Recognising the diverse linguistic backgrounds of students, the OSSD framework now allows English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD) learners to count up to three ESL/ELD credits toward the four compulsory English credits required for graduation. The remaining credit must be a Grade 12 English course.
Additionally, students who do not pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) have the alternative option to complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) to fulfil the literacy requirement.
Introduction of Financial Literacy Component
According to the Ontario Ministry of Education (link), students starting Grade 9 in 2021–22 must earn a minimum of 70% in the financial literacy module of their Grade 10 math course.. This addition emphasises the importance of financial competence in students’ personal and professional lives. For local updates, consult your school board (e.g., York Region District School Board
How to Plan for Graduation: A Sample Timeline
Grade 9–12 Path:
| Grade | Focus Area |
| 9 | Start compulsory courses |
| 10 | Begin volunteer hours & literacy prep |
| 11 | Choose electives for future goals |
| 12 | Complete all credits & OSSLT |
Advise that schools monitor student progress at least every three months.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Meeting OSSD Requirements
- Students who achieve the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) are ready to access international learning and employment paths. If you’re going to be completing the OSSD in Ontario or from another country, understanding and following the requirements is very important.
- To complete your academic goals and prepare for the future, each requirement, like completing your credits and participating in community activities, matters a lot. Introductions of mandatory online courses and assistance for ESL students have made it easier and more welcoming for everyone to graduate, but graduation requirements are now stronger than before.
- Be informed about each course, every standard, and each exam requirement as you start putting your plan together for 2025 and further. In addition to helping you graduate from OSSD, this work helps you stand out as a potential applicant for top universities in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Australia and other countries.
- Start planning your OSSD pathway today—book a free consultation with USCA Academy to ensure you meet all 2025 requirements. Ask members of your academic team for support. Keep your graduation goals close by. When you earn an OSSD, you’re getting ready for many exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
Conclusion
Students who achieve the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) are ready to access international learning and employment paths. If you’re going to be completing the OSSD in Ontario or from another country, understanding and following the requirements is very important.
To complete your academic goals and prepare for the future, each requirement, like completing your credits and participating in community activities, matters a lot. Introductions of mandatory online courses and assistance for ESL students have made it easier and more welcoming for everyone to graduate, but graduation requirements are now stronger than before.
Be informed about each course, every standard, and each exam requirement as you start putting your plan together for 2025 and further. In addition to helping you graduate from OSSD, this work helps you stand out as a potential applicant for top universities in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Australia and other countries.
Stay proactive. Ask members of your academic team for support. Keep your graduation goals close by. When you earn an OSSD, you’re getting ready for many exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions About OSSD Diploma Requirements
1. How long does it take to get an OSSD?
Depending on the details of an organisation’s needs, audience and goals, it often takes about 4 to 8 weeks to put together a design thinking training program from the beginning. Because of this timeline, it’s possible to research in depth, consider stakeholder feedback, create personalised exercises, assemble workshop resources and test the learning modules.
2. Can I get an OSSD online?
No experience in design is necessary. Design thinking training is built in a way that ensures it is suitable for anyone, even those from marketing, HR, IT or operations.
3. What happens if I don’t pass OSSLT?
In a design thinking workshop, groups with 5 to 8 people usually work best. Because of this flexibility, participants remain active, share multiple opinions and work together without causing too much work for the facilitators.
4. Do international credits count toward OSSD?
Absolutely. Though design thinking began with product design, it is now used throughout human resources, customer service, business planning, education, healthcare and social innovation.
5. Is OSSD accepted by US/UK universities?
You can measure your success by both qualitative and quantitative means. Valuable information comes from recording the number of innovative concepts formed after training, how many participants finished the training, what they thought of it and surveys about whether the training was useful at work.
