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Bachelor of Creative Advertising

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Program Code: 22041
Credential: Honours Degree
Start Dates: September
Program Length: 8 semesters
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Humber is proud to have the highest graduate employment and employer satisfaction rate of the GTA colleges based on Colleges Ontario’s key performance indicators for college graduates in 2022-2023.

Program Overview

You’re smart. That’s a good start. Also funny and creative. You’ve been called “talented.” You do stuff like write, draw, paint, design posters, dance, play music, DJ, take cool photos, do stand-up comedy, shoot your own videos, create animated GIFs. You like to make things and get stuff done. You’re the one who organizes the stage crew and the Talent Night. Maybe you’ve already done some other study – anthropology, English, history, psychology, graphic design, photography. And you’re wondering: “Can I make a career out of any of this?”

We certainly think so. How about art director, copywriter, strategist, or account executive in the world of advertising – probably the most fun business you can be in while actually being paid (well) to be creative.

In Humber’s Bachelor of Creative Advertising program, you’ll work hard. You’ll get a lot of depth and theory, but you’ll do even more hands-on work that puts that theory to real-world use. You'll build skills you never knew you had. You’ll have fun. You’ll meet lifelong friends and creative collaborators who will become the core of your future professional network. You’ll mix and work with industry professionals, build a killer portfolio and launch your career with a 14-week field placement – probably at one of the better agencies in the country.

The BoCA program provides a unique, 360-degree education in the key aspects of modern advertising: art direction, copywriting, account management and creative strategy. Over the four years of the degree you not only go deep, you also discover your own particular creative strengths and identify your ideal career path while working in industry-standard teams and learning how to develop powerful, effective advertising campaigns.

So why do a degree? Because the BoCA program trains future industry leaders. Seventy-eight per cent of BoCA graduates currently work in advertising or related fields (design, PR, marketing). Our award-winning alumni work on major brands in top Canadian and international ad agencies. And 24% of BoCA graduates more than five years out from graduation have moved into senior industry positions such as senior strategist, creative director, vice-president, partner and even agency founder.

Sound like you? Check out our grad profiles, awards lists and full program details on our website.

Courses


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Work-Integrated Learning  

Students will gain practical, hands-on experience in the industry by completing a mandatory in the winter semester of fourth year. After completing a field experience preparation course, students will be supported in marketing themselves to prospective employers in order to find a field experience that aligns with their personal career goals. As students are often hired directly from their placements, the final summer term is fully online.

As a four-year degree program, Bachelor of Creative Advertising gives you the luxury of going deep: discovering what you’re really good at, and what you love to do. Does it work? Check out our grads and meet the future you.

Bachelor of Creative Advertising graduates are pretty successful. Since our first graduating class in 2009, alumni have won a lot of major advertising industry awards, including:

  • 30 Cannes Lions & Cannes Young Lions
  • 40+ Canadian Marketing Awards
  • 25+ Marketing Magazine Awards
  • 20 National Advertising Challenge Awards
  • 4 Clio Awards
  • 6 One Show Awards
  • 7 D&AD Awards
  • 6 London International Awards

In the 2021 Canadian Marketing Awards, there were 15 BoCA grads among the winners, including three who won The Best of the Best (top Canadian campaign of the year) for their work for Volkswagen, "The Carbon-Neutral Net": Logan Franklin (art director, 2017), Zach Richman (copywriter, 2017) and Atash Khosrorad (account director, 2012), at the agency TYPE1 (TAXI + Wunderman Thompson). They also won Gold in three other categories: Brand Building, Customer Experience, and Engagement.

Bachelor of Creative Advertising has an extensive graduate network in first-tier agencies in Canada and internationally. As well as major agencies in Canada, our students also work in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore and Melbourne, at agencies like Cossette, Anomaly, DDB, BBDO, FCB, Taxi, Publicis, Grip, Leo Burnett, Mother, J. Walter Thompson, Ogilvy, john st., Rethink, Taxi, Sid Lee, Goodby Silverstein, and Forsman & Bodenfors among many others.

Seventy-seven percent of our graduates since 2009 are currently employed in advertising or related industries (marketing, design, PR, communications), and 60% of our 2022 cohort was hired before they had even completed their last semester of study. Bachelor of Creative Advertising graduates have also gone on to graduate studies in law, medicine, architecture, and business.

The Humber BoCA program is taught in beautifully restored, 19th-century red-brick buildings that are the former home of the historic Queen Street Mental Health Centre, which is situated in a large park on the shores of Lake Ontario. Our labs and equipment, however, are 21st century industry-standard, and Mac-based.

Real (paid) work for real clients, in school!
Unique to Humber is our in-house ad agency, BuildingF. BuildingF (named after the iconic home of the Bachelor of Creative Advertising program on the Lakeshore Campus) co-ordinates client work for the students Humber's advertising, design and PR programs. Bachelor of Creative Advertising students have produced campaigns for Winner's, Toronto Policy Services (Anti-Fentanyl campaign), Daily Bread Food Bank, Trillium Gift of Life, Ontario Human Rights Commission, University of Guelph, Canada Bread (Dempster's), Goodwill and many others. This is live experience for paying clients and it is built right into our curriculum.

people sitting at a table

jeep

person working at a computer

Student created ad for Doritos battle featuring Doritos flavours as Luchadores
Student created ad for Ontario Human Rights Legal Support about job discrimination

People running in the street

Vintage photo of a group of men

Student created ad for Jeep about their off-roading Rubicon car
Student created ad for WeVibe for a remote-controlled vibrator

Outside of a diner

Student created ad for SanPellegrino's limonata drink

dress laid out on a bed

Student created billboard for Columbia's winter coat
Student created ad for ecosmart lightbulbs

silhouette of person with purple sky behind them

Student created ad series for Hero Certified Burger about their topping varieties
Student created ad set for Häagen-Dazs about all the reasons to eat their ice cream
Student rendition of a KitKat bar
Student's rendition of a VW van
Student typography poster saying "This is my heart, dive deep"
Student render of wine pouring into a wine glass

Expert Faculty

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We have a dedicated full-time faculty of 9 (4 Ph.D., 5 M.A., M.B.A., M.F.A), who together have combined industry experience of over 175 years. Many faculty continue to provide services to various aspects of the industry, and all maintain extensive networks of creative industry contacts. In addition, we have an active roster of part-time instructors who are working industry professionals.

View Credentials

Colin Flint

DPhil – University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
MPhil – University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
B.Sc. – University College, UK

Elizabeth Dempster

MA – Dublin Institute of Technology, UK
Graduate Certificate – Concordia University
BA – Brock University
Professor

Janice Fung

RGD (Registered Graphic Designer of Ontario)
PhD - The Glasgow School of Art, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
B.Des. (Honours) - York University/Sheridan College
Professor and Program Co-ordinator, Graduate Advertising Art Direction

Marilyn Cresswell

MBA – McMaster University
Post Graduate Diploma (Management Studies) – Wilfrid Laurier University
BA – Wilfrid Laurier University
Professor and Program Co-ordinator, Graduate Advertising Account Management

Michael Rosen

MFA (Advertising Design) – Syracuse University, USA
BFA (Advertising Design) – Syracuse University, USA
Professor

Naeema Farooqi

PhD – University of Liverpool, UK
MA – Coventry University, UK
MBA - QAU, Pakistan
 
Professor

Richard Bingham

MA – University of Warwick, UK
BA – University of Toronto
Professor and Program Co-ordinator, Bachelor of Creative Advertising

Sarah Nasby

MFA – NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
BA – University of Guelph
Diploma (Digital Media) – George Brown College
Professor

Suzanne Pope

MA - Athabaska University
BA – Trinity College, University of Toronto
Professor


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Dexter Asson

Experienced Marketing, Communications, and Advertising Executive with a Proven Track Record of Success.

Self-motivated, entrepreneurial, mission-oriented marketing director with 13+ years of in-house & agency experience in the health/pharma, professional services, automotive, retail & QSR sectors. Track record of leading and growing cross-functional teams by 4-fold within 5 years, as well as executing comprehensive marketing plans from ideation to closure. Diplomatic, meticulous, and consistently able to find the right opportunities for team members. As a collaborative leader, I excel in team management, building strong relationships, & delivering compelling presentations.

  • Presented thought leadership insights on emerging marketing trends at 2 post-secondary institutions.
  • Integration of pDOOH, as a new marketing channel strategy for Marc Jacobs & Calvin Klein resulting in a cohesive and consistent brand message across all touchpoints. This effort generated a 25% uplift in brand awareness.
  • Led the new marketing penetration campaign & launch of Fiji Airways & Tourism Fiji to the Canadian Market with impactful 360 marketing which led to an increase in visitor arrivals for Q1-Q2 2023.

 

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Daniel Berkal

Daniel Berkal is a globally recognized expert in immersive methodologies who leads the research team at The Palmerston Group.

The recipient of the QRCA “Qually" for excellence in qualitative research, Daniel has worked on the most innovative brands in business and is best known for completely immersing himself in consumer environments. He's been called "Hands down, the most unique, thought-provoking and game-changing qualitative researcher in the business. Period.”

Daniel holds degrees from McGill University and The University of Texas at Austin.

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Richard Bingham

Richard Bingham is the program co-ordinator for the Bachelor of Creative Advertising program, and was one of its founding faculty. Before coming to Humber, he worked in advertising, design, book publishing, and magazines. He has also produced a feature-length documentary, published a bestselling book, and once co-piloted a blimp.

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Logan Broger

Logan is an award-winning copywriter who prides himself on strategically sound distillations that tackle complex business problems. His decade of experience has had him work on just about everything - from cause marketing to big CPG brand campaigns to being The Most Interesting Man in the World for the Canadian market.

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Elizabeth Dempster

Liz is currently a professor in the Bachelor of Creative Advertising, the Post Graduate certificate in Account Management, and the Diploma in Advertising and Graphic Design programs. Her industry experience ranges from agency, media, and in-house; working with clients like: Rogers, Kraft, Unilever, P&G, Reckitt Benckiser, SC Johnston, Campbell's, and Cadbury. Educationally, Liz has always had a focus on design and art direction with her Undergrad, Post Graduate, and Masters work/research all centering on design thinking.

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Randy Diplock

- One of very few to win major national and international awards as a writer, art director and director.

- Named top writer in the country by Strategy Magazine.

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Colin Flint
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Sarah Nasby

Sarah Nasby (she/her/hers) is a professor in the Bachelor of Creative Advertising program and the Advertising & Graphic Design diploma program. She completed an MFA at NSCAD University and a BA at the University of Guelph. She is a designer and visual artist. Her work has been shown recently at Access Gallery in Vancouver, Critical Distance Centre for Curators in Toronto as well as a temporary public artwork for the City of Mississauga at Jack Darling Memorial Park, in collaboration with Shannon Linde.

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Kylie Pinder

Kylie Pinder is a part-time professor in the BOCA program at Humber. Her career in advertising includes positions at some of Canada’s top agencies including Cossette, john st, and Traffik. Kylie specializes in brand strategy, building omni-channel campaigns, and business management. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the program, having lead the work on several award-winning campaigns on some of the country's most well-known brands, including Walmart Canada, Winners, McDonald’s, RMHC, Kellogg’s, Maple Leaf Food, WWF, Dempster's, TD Bank, and Metro.

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Suzanne Pope

Suzanne Pope's copywriting career included positions at some of Canada's most respected agencies, including Ogilvy & Mather, john st. and TAXI. In a career spanning more than three decades, Suzanne has won recognition from The One Show, Communication Arts, the London International Advertising Awards, the New York Festivals, Lürzer's Archive and the Clios. In addition to teaching at Humber, Suzanne runs adteachings.com, a blog devoted to helping young people gain practical skills in advertising.

Study Abroad

We offer many global opportunities for you to explore during your time at Humber! We live in a very interconnected world and by participating in a global opportunity, not only will you gain new skills, but you may also be eligible for academic credits and/or co-curricular record (CCR). Some of the global opportunities at Humber include Summer Abroad, Semester Exchange, faculty-led trips, Humber Global Summer School and many others! To learn more, please visit Humber Global Opportunities.

Your Career

Our program allows you to develop your strong creative skills, giving you the tools to work in a broad range of agency and corporate environments within the advertising industry. Working initially as an art director, copywriter, creative strategist or account co-ordinator, you may look forward to a career as a creative director, head of strategy or account director. The four-year BA also sets you up for graduate studies, should you choose. Graduates have also pursued law, medicine, architecture and MBA studies.

Upon graduation, you’ll stand out from the crowd with a background that includes:

  • the ability to create the concept, copy and design for all forms of advertising: both traditional – print, radio, and video – and the full range of digital and social platforms
  • a comprehensive portfolio developed through industry-style studio-based classes and participation in national and international student design competitions
  • experience working on creative teams, designing real-world campaigns for live clients through BuildingF, Humber’s on-campus advertising agency
  • knowledge of agency and corporate advertising best practices, as well as perspectives on consumer and business-to-business (B2B) advertising
  • proficiency in using state-of-the-art equipment and industry-standard production software

Program Availability

Start dates between Sept 2024 - Aug 2025
START DELIVERY LOCATION STATUS
Sep 2024 Course-Based Lakeshore Open
Start dates between Sept 2024 - Aug 2025
START DELIVERY LOCATION STATUS
Sep 2024 Course-Based Lakeshore Open

Humber is a publicly-funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber or Humber’s International Graduate School (IGS) are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

International Students in Canada who apply for May 2024 start could be eligible for a $1,000 Scholarship*. Apply now

Start dates between Sept 2024 - Aug 2025
START DELIVERY LOCATION STATUS
Sep 2024 Course-Based Lakeshore Open

Humber is a publicly-funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber or Humber’s International Graduate School (IGS) are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

International Students Out of Canada can Apply through Humber International

Recruitment Events

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Can't make it to campus?

Experience Humber Virtually  

Behind the Scenes: BuildingF

people working at a desk

Watch the video above to learn more about BuildingF Ad Centre, Humber's in-house advertising agency, where students get to work on advertising projects for real-life clients.


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Senior Dean Update: Media & Creative Arts Anti-Racism Action Plan

Fri, October 15, 2021

In June 2020, I committed the FMCA to seven action items to address the attitudes, behaviours and structures that act as barriers for students from Indigenous and equity-deserving communities.

Read More
Update: Humber Music Solidarity One Year On

Update: Humber Music Solidarity One Year On

Fri, October 15, 2021

In June 2020, Humber Music faculty pledged to address systemic racism and gender discrimination in the music programs by working with students, alumni, administrators, and industry experts

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A Message from the Senior Dean: Music Degree Update

A Message from the Senior Dean: Music Degree Update

Tue, April 27, 2021

Over the past few months, the Faculty of Media & Creative Arts began a review of our Bachelor of Music program delivery.

Read More

No news at this time.

Ministry Consent

Humber College has been granted a consent by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a seven-year term starting July 15, 2020.  Humber College shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.

Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.

Contact Us

Admissions Questions

General Enquiries

Call 416-675-3111 or email enquiry@humber.ca. If you have already applied, be sure to check your application status on myhumber.ca.

Domestic Applicants Enquiries

Domestic applicants can book a one-on-one advising appointment with an admissions representative.

International Applicants Enquiries

Contact the International Centre for information about full-time programs (including the International Graduate School), how to apply and to follow up on your submitted application.

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Richard Bingham, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3018
richard.bingham@humber.ca

Campus Information

Book a campus tour to take a closer look at what it's like to be a student at Humber.

Want More Info?

Find out more about the student experience and everything that Humber has to offer Future Students.

for more info on Humber, including programs, special events and more!

How To Become An Apprentice

Becoming an Apprentice

Find an employer willing to sponsor you as an apprentice.

Contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to register as an apprentice.

Work with your employer approximately one year before attending Humber.

View Instructions 

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

If you’re in high school – grade 11 or 12 – you can earn co-op education credits through work placements in some skilled trades.

Visit OYAP 

How to Apply

Domestic Students

Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program.

To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber’s program pages, search by availability, or ontariocolleges.ca.

To see where you are in the admissions process, visit the Admissions Road Map.

International Students

If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.

Need Advice?

Program Advising Appointments

Get help narrowing down your program options or book a one-on-one pre-enrolment advising appointment with one of our Recruitment Officers.

Transfer & Pathway Advising

Book a virtual appointment with a Student Mobility Advisor learn more about getting Transfer Credit(s) for previous post-secondary experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), and Pathways options.

Admission Requirements

Admission selection is based on the academic criteria indicated. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

Admission selection is based on the following four requirements:

  • Academic

    To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:

    • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses:
      • Grade 12 English (ENG4U or equivalent) minimum 65 per cent
      • Five Grade 12 U or M courses in addition to those listed above
      • Overall minimum grade point average (GPA) 65 per cent

    or

    or

    Mature Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

    College Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

    University Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

  • Portfolio

  • In this program, we are looking for creative people who can write, who can design, and (especially) who can think.

    The portfolio requirement is meant to give us an idea of your basic creativity and thinking, either as a designer or as a writer. You may choose to submit either a visually-focused portfolio, or a writing-focused portfolio. But if you're not sure (or you are adept at both), feel free to include work from both categories. In short, show us what you can do!

    Note: the example(s) you submit do not have to be school assignments (but they could be). If you are thinking about submitting something that was a school assignment, consider re-working it and making it better. Make it not a school assignment anymore, but something that is entirely your own. Alternatively, feel free to do something completely new for this portfolio if you want. 

    Option 1: Copywriting Focus

    Submit minimum one, maximum three examples of your best original creative written work. This can be (but is not limited to): stories, poetry, skits (scripts or video), musical performances (especially your own compositions), case studies, or maybe just the smartest essay you ever wrote. What matters is that you believe it is an example of your best creative written work, and that it represents what you are capable of.

    Option 2: Art Direction Focus

    Submit minimum one, maximum three examples of your best original work representing your visual skills. Submissions can include traditional two-dimensional design projects (manually or electronically created) that show your skills with typography, page layout, or image manipulation (e.g., logos, posters, ads). In addition, works such as drawings (traditional or digital media), painting, collage, sculpture, furniture design, apps & web pages, graffiti, photography, video, short films, memes, animation, cosplay costumes, or set designs are all acceptable. 

    What we don't want to see: Yearbooks, self-portraits (any medium).

    Submission Instructions

  • English Language Proficiency

    All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

  • International Credit Evaluation

    Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.

International Academic Equivalency

Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please enter your location or choose detect my location to see the requirements for your country below.

Post-Admission Requirements

Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).

N/A

Equipment & Device Requirements

All Semesters

Details and Specifications Minimum Specs Recommended Specs
Mac or PC Ability to run Adobe Creative Suite MAC 10.14 (Mojave), PC Windows 10 (PC)
OS 10.15 (Mac)

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Richard Bingham, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3018
richard.bingham@humber.ca

Fees & Financial Aid

The 2024/2025 fee for two semesters is:

  • domestic: $7,440.86
  • international: $21,470.18

Fees are subject to change.

Fees by Semester

Domestic Fees International Fees

Additional Costs

For information regarding fees for work terms, refer to Fees.

Financial Aid, Scholarships and Bursaries

Understand the costs associated with coming to Humber and explore resources available from first year to your final year on Student Fees and Financial Resources.

Scholarships

Humber Degree Scholarships

Humber awards degree scholarships automatically to graduating high school students based on academic achievement. See this following chart for details. Some of the scholarships are renewable each year if you maintain an average of 80 per cent or more.

95%+ $4,000 renewable
90 - 94.9% $3,500 renewable
85 - 89.9% $3,000 renewable
80 - 84.9% $2,000 renewable
75 - 79.9% $1,500 one time

Degree Transfer Scholarships ($1,500 - $2,500)

Humber automatically awards degree transfer scholarships to students entering any Humber degree program who have completed a one-year Ontario college certificate* or a two- or three-year diploma with a GPA of 80 per cent or more from a publicly-funded college. Students who have achieved a program GPA of 80 per cent or more will be awarded a one-time scholarship of $1,500 for a certificate program or $2,500 for a diploma program in recognition of their academic achievement. Certificates and diplomas do not have to be related to the degree program of choice and are not tied to the eligibility for advanced standing or transfer credit. No application is required

80%+ Certificate | $1,500

One Time 80%+ Diploma | $2,500

Humber Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.

Humber Bursaries

Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.

External Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.

Indigenous Student Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.

Explore Opportunities through Humber Pathways

Humber Pathways include:

  • Opportunities to build on your college education and complete your diploma or degree at Humber.
  • Degree and graduate study opportunities at other institutions in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
View Pathways Into This Program  
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