To improve the process for transfer students, the University of Guelph will fully implement the Ontario Transfer Credit System (ONTCS), supported by funding from the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT).
The project will create a centralized platform that will make the transfer process faster, clearer and more consistent, replacing disconnected tools with a coordinated, transparent and student-centred approach. Students will experience a smoother transition as it relates to their transfer credits, with timely information to make informed choices about program selection, course planning and tuition costs.
“We are proud to be leading the ONTCS implementation at the University of Guelph as part of our commitment to supporting transfer students and expanding student mobility across the sector,” says Lisa Latif, University Registrar.
“We look forward to working closely with faculty, academic staff and campus partners to implement a system that helps create a more seamless, accessible and inclusive transfer experience.”
U of G lead partner in adopting platform
Transfer activity at the University of Guelph continues to grow; approximately 600 transfer students are admitted annually. U of G is an early adopter of the new system, modelled after one already in use in British Columbia. Fully operational by April 2027, with inter-provincial capabilities, this change will strengthen Ontario’s transfer system through shared tools and consistent practices that will reduce delays.
It will enable course-to-course and curriculum comparison for transfer evaluation, build equivalencies and record decisions.
The project aims to give transfer students the ability to track the transfer credit process, improving turnaround by up to 25%. The first phase will make the platform available for domestic students, with plans for international students as well.
It will also develop sector-facing resources, including a digital toolkit, webinar series, training materials and workflow maps, created in collaboration with six partner universities, to prepare them for system adoption.
“ONCAT is pleased to support this joint project, led by the University of Guelph in partnership with six other publicly assisted postsecondary institutions, to implement the Ontario Transfer Credit System and establish a replicable approach to implementation,” says Dr. Adrienne Galway, president and CEO, ONCAT.
“ONTCS is one of several shared tools provided by ONCAT to colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes across the province to support learner mobility. Through this collaborative approach, ONTCS strengthens transparency, streamlines credit recognition and helps students move more efficiently between credentials and institutions.”
The project is among 27 funded by $1.94 million from ONCAT, which partners with postsecondary institutions to establish academic pathways, facilitate recognition of prior learning and support learners’ transition into the labour market. ONCAT is funded by the Government of Ontario.
For more information about the transfer process, visit the Admissions webpage.