Which Grade 12 Courses Do You Need for Your University Program?
Choosing your Grade 12 courses is one of the most important decisions you will make in high school. The courses you pick now decide which university programs you can apply to next year. Pick the wrong ones and you can find yourself locked out of a program you really want, even with strong marks.
This guide keeps it simple. Below you will find the Grade 12 U courses most Ontario universities ask for, grouped by the five program areas students ask us about most: engineering, life sciences, health sciences, business, and computer science.
A quick note before we start. Every Ontario university asks for the same foundation, so learn these two rules first.
Two rules that apply to almost every program
First, you need your OSSD and at least six Grade 12 U or M courses. Universities build your admission average from your top six, and your prerequisite courses must sit inside that six.
Second, you need Grade 12 English (ENG4U). Every Ontario university requires it, no matter what program you apply to. If you take only one thing from this article, take that.
Now let us look at each program area.
Engineering
Engineering is the most course heavy pathway on this list. You need a full set of math and science courses, and most programs ask for a minimum grade in each one.
Required Grade 12 U courses for engineering:
- Advanced Functions (MHF4U)
- Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U)
- Chemistry (SCH4U)
- Physics (SPH4U)
- English (ENG4U)
At competitive schools such as the University of Waterloo, each required course usually needs a minimum grade of 70. Real admission averages run much higher. The University of Toronto builds its engineering admission average from the five prerequisite subjects. Strong marks in math, physics and chemistry matter a great deal.
If university engineering is your goal, plan to take all five of these courses. Missing physics or chemistry will close most engineering doors.
Life sciences
Life sciences covers biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, and many pre health pathways. The course list is science focused, with biology and chemistry at the centre.
Common required Grade 12 U courses for life sciences:
Physics (SPH4U) is often recommended rather than required, but a few programs do ask for it, so always check your specific program. Advanced Functions (MHF4U) is also needed here, because it is the prerequisite for Calculus and Vectors. More on that in a moment.
Health sciences
Health sciences programs vary more than any other group on this list, so treat this section as a starting point and confirm each program yourself.
Most health science programs expect:
- English (ENG4U)
- Biology (SBI4U)
- Chemistry (SCH4U)
- A Grade 12 U math course, often Advanced Functions (MHF4U) or Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U)
Some competitive health science programs ask for both Grade 12 math courses, and some add physics. Because the range is wide, look up the exact program on the university website before you finalize your timetable.
Business and commerce
Business is where students most often get caught out, because the math requirement is stricter than people expect.
Typical required Grade 12 U courses for business:
- English (ENG4U)
- A Grade 12 U math course
Here is the catch. Top commerce programs such as Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto require Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), not just any math. Other programs are more flexible. Business Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, for example, will accept Calculus and Vectors, Advanced Functions, or Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U). Even so, they still prefer Calculus and Vectors.
The safe move for business is to take MCV4U. It keeps every commerce program open to you, including the most competitive ones.
Computer science
Computer science is a math program in disguise. Universities care far more about your math than about whether you have taken a coding course.
Common required Grade 12 U courses for computer science:
Grade 11 or Grade 12 computer science courses are helpful background, but at schools like Waterloo they do not affect your chance of admission. Strong math does. If you want computer science, focus your energy on MHF4U and MCV4U.
Quick reference chart
| Program area | Core Grade 12 U courses |
|---|---|
| Engineering | MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U, SPH4U, ENG4U |
| Life sciences | SBI4U, SCH4U, MCV4U (with MHF4U), ENG4U |
| Health sciences | SBI4U, SCH4U, ENG4U, plus a Grade 12 U math |
| Business and commerce | ENG4U, MCV4U preferred |
| Computer science | MHF4U, MCV4U, ENG4U |
Use this chart as a map, not a rulebook. Requirements shift from one university to the next, and programs update their lists every year.
The one step you should never skip
Always confirm the requirements on the official website for each program you plan to apply to. Two universities can offer a program with the same name and ask for different courses. The prerequisite list on the program page is the version that counts.
If you are not sure which courses your goal program needs, that is exactly what we are here for. At Royal Ontario Academy we look at where you want to go, then help you build a course plan that gets you there. If you already studied some of these subjects at another school or in another country, ask us about a free PLAR assessment. You may be able to earn credit for prior learning and avoid repeating work.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Grade 12 English for every university program? Yes. Every Ontario university requires Grade 12 English (ENG4U) for admission, regardless of your program.
How many Grade 12 U courses do I need to apply to university? Most Ontario universities require at least six Grade 12 U or M courses, and your prerequisite courses must be part of those six.
Which math should I take for business programs? Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) is the safest choice. Top commerce programs require it, and programs that accept other math courses still tend to prefer it.
Do I need computer science courses to study computer science at university? No. Universities focus on your math results. A high school computer science course is useful background but is rarely required.
Where can I confirm the exact courses my program needs? Check the official admission page for your specific program and university. You can also explore programs and prerequisites on the OUInfo website.