Complete an OSSD Online from Nepal: A Guide for Nepalese Students
Students in Nepal can earn Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits online without moving to Canada for high school.
Whether you have completed the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), are studying in Grade 11 or Grade 12, or have already completed Grade 12 under Nepal’s National Examinations Board (NEB), your previous education may be considered when Royal Ontario Academy develops your individual OSSD pathway.
You will not automatically need to complete all 30 OSSD credits again. Royal Ontario Academy’s Principal reviews your academic records, determines the equivalency credits that may be granted under Ontario policy, and identifies the courses and graduation requirements you still need to complete.
Because ROA courses are asynchronous, students can continue living in Nepal and study without attending daily classes scheduled in Ontario time.
Royal Ontario Academy (ROA) is an Ontario Ministry of Education-inspected private high school (BSID #669115) offering online OSSD courses to students in Canada and around the world.
Find Out Which OSSD Requirements You Have Left
Submit your SEE, Grade 11 or Grade 12 records for an initial academic review. ROA can help you understand your possible equivalency credits, remaining graduation requirements and university prerequisites before you register for courses.
Request an Academic Record Review
Students and families who are new to the Ontario education system can also explore ROA’s guide to the benefits of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma for international students.
Can You Complete an OSSD Online While Living in Nepal?
Yes. Students can complete their OSSD pathway through Royal Ontario Academy while continuing to live in Nepal.
ROA courses are delivered online and asynchronously. Students do not need to attend daily scheduled classes based on Canadian time. Instead, they access their courses online and complete the required lessons, activities, assignments and assessments.
This model is particularly useful for students in Nepal because Nepal Standard Time is substantially ahead of Ontario time, and the difference changes when Ontario enters or leaves daylight saving time. Students can organize most of their learning around school, family and other commitments in Nepal.
Students must still meet course deadlines, arrange any required meetings or supervised assessments in advance, and satisfy all applicable OSSD graduation requirements.
What Do You Need to Study Online from Nepal?
Before enrolling, students should confirm that they have:
- Reliable internet access
- A computer suitable for completing assignments and assessments
- A quiet place for any supervised test or examination
- Time to communicate with teachers when support is needed
- A study plan that accounts for school or other commitments in Nepal
What Is the Ontario Secondary School Diploma?
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is Ontario’s official secondary school diploma. Students earn it by completing the applicable credit, literacy, community involvement, online learning and other graduation requirements established by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
The OSSD can be used when applying to universities and colleges in Canada and internationally. Each institution and program sets its own admission requirements, so earning the diploma does not guarantee admission to a particular program.
Students interested in international university opportunities can explore ROA’s OSSD University Recognition guide.
Can Your Previous Education in Nepal Count Toward the OSSD?
Yes, eligible previous secondary school education may count toward your Ontario diploma. This is particularly important for students who have already completed the SEE, Grade 11 or Grade 12 in Nepal.
Ontario’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition policies include processes for recognizing eligible previous learning. For a student transferring from a school outside Ontario, the Principal reviews the student’s complete educational background and determines the appropriate equivalency credits in accordance with Ontario policy. Different procedures apply to mature students.
Completing Grade 12 in Nepal does not automatically produce an OSSD, and Nepalese courses should not be matched course-for-course with Ontario courses without an official review. The Principal must determine what previous education can count and which OSSD requirements remain.
Read ROA’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition guide to learn more.
What Academic Records Should a Student in Nepal Submit?
The documents you should submit depend on how much secondary education you have completed. ROA may ask for:
- SEE Grade Sheet or mark sheet
- SEE certificate, if available
- Grade 11 academic records
- Grade 12 Grade Sheet or transcript
- Provisional or graduation certificate, where applicable
- Migration certificate, if relevant to your educational history
- Records from any secondary school attended outside Nepal
- Certified English translations of documents not issued in English, if requested by ROA
Submit the most complete set of records available so that ROA can understand the subjects, grades and levels you have completed. Do not send only your most recent result if earlier records are available.
Contact ROA before arranging translations or certification so that you understand the school’s current documentation requirements. Nepalese students can also consult the National Examinations Board for information about national examinations and academic records.
What Might Your OSSD Pathway from Nepal Look Like?
Every student receives an individual assessment. The following examples explain why students should have their records reviewed before purchasing courses. They do not guarantee a particular number of equivalency credits.
| Student’s background in Nepal | What ROA would review | Planning focus |
|---|---|---|
| Completed SEE | SEE subjects and results, age and previous school history | Remaining diploma requirements and an appropriate Grade 11–12 course sequence |
| Completed Grade 11 | SEE and Grade 11 records | Possible equivalencies, remaining compulsory credits, prerequisites and Grade 12 planning |
| Completed Grade 12 | SEE, Grade 11 and Grade 12 or NEB records | Possible equivalencies, outstanding OSSD requirements and Canadian university prerequisites |
| Completed some postsecondary study | Complete secondary and postsecondary records | The appropriate assessment process, including whether mature-student rules apply |
Receiving equivalency credits does not necessarily mean that a student already has every Grade 12 prerequisite required for a chosen Canadian university program. Graduation planning and university-admission planning must be completed together.
Seven Steps in Your OSSD Pathway
- Submit your complete academic records from Nepal.
- Have your previous secondary education reviewed.
- Identify your remaining OSSD graduation requirements.
- Research university or college admission requirements.
- Match your remaining courses with the prerequisites for your intended programs.
- Complete the required Ontario courses and other graduation requirements.
- Earn your OSSD and apply to university or college.
Plan before simply registering for courses. Your OSSD requirements, course prerequisites, postsecondary goals and application deadlines should all be considered together.
What Are the OSSD Graduation Requirements?
Ontario requires students to earn at least 30 credits to receive the OSSD. The combination of compulsory and optional credits depends on when the student entered Grade 9.
- Students who entered Grade 9 in September 2023 or earlier generally require 18 compulsory credits and 12 optional credits.
- Students who entered Grade 9 in 2024–25 or later generally require 17 compulsory credits and 13 optional credits.
Students must also satisfy the applicable:
- Secondary school literacy graduation requirement
- 40-hour community involvement requirement
- Online learning graduation requirement
- Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement, where applicable
Ontario generally requires students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020–21 school year or later to earn at least two online learning credits, subject to applicable opt-out and exemption provisions.
Starting in the 2026–27 school year, students who entered Grade 9 in 2025–26 or later must also meet the Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement. Applicable students complete it through the compulsory Grade 10 Career Studies course and must achieve at least 70% on the financial literacy assessment.
The requirement of at least 30 total credits does not necessarily mean that a student from Nepal must complete 30 new courses at ROA. Previous education should be assessed before the number of remaining courses is estimated.
Families can review the current requirements through the Ontario Ministry of Education’s OSSD graduation requirements.
How Many OSSD Courses Will You Need?
There is no single number that applies to every Nepali student. The number of courses you need may depend on:
- Your previous education in Nepal
- Equivalency credits granted after the review of your academic records
- Remaining compulsory and optional credits
- Ontario course prerequisites
- Your intended university or college program
- Other outstanding OSSD graduation requirements
Two students of the same age may need very different OSSD plans if they have different academic backgrounds or postsecondary goals. An academic-record review should therefore come before an estimate of cost or completion time.
Choosing Grade 12 Courses for Canadian University
Earning the OSSD is only one part of preparing for university. Students also need the right Grade 12 courses for the program they want to enter.
How Is OSSD Course Selection Different from Choosing a Stream in Nepal?
Students in Nepal may be accustomed to selecting a broad area of study, such as science, management, humanities or education. Canadian universities usually assess applicants using specific Grade 12 courses rather than relying only on the name of a student’s previous stream.
For example, a student with a science background in Nepal should not assume that every Canadian engineering or health-sciences prerequisite has automatically been satisfied. Depending on the university, the student may still need particular Ontario courses.
| Possible program area | Examples of courses that may be required |
|---|---|
| Engineering | ENG4U English, MHF4U Advanced Functions, MCV4U Calculus and Vectors, SCH4U Chemistry and SPH4U Physics |
| Life or health sciences | ENG4U English, SBI4U Biology, SCH4U Chemistry and MHF4U Advanced Functions |
These are examples only. Requirements vary among universities and programs.
Research Before Selecting Courses
- Identify several possible university programs.
- Check each program’s required Grade 12 courses.
- Confirm its English-language proficiency requirements.
- Determine whether a supplemental application, portfolio or interview is required.
- Ask ROA to incorporate those requirements into your OSSD plan.
For Ontario programs, Ontario Universities’ Info is a useful starting point. Students should confirm requirements directly with each university and review the OUAC Undergraduate Application Guide.
Completing ENG4U or earning an OSSD does not automatically guarantee an IELTS or other English-proficiency waiver. Each university establishes its own policy.
How Do Online OSSD Courses Work at ROA?
ROA courses are delivered asynchronously. Students access online lessons and complete the activities and assessments required for each course. Depending on the subject, this may include videos, interactive activities, practice exercises, assignments, discussions, quizzes, tests, culminating activities and final assessments.
A student in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar or another community in Nepal can complete most learning activities according to an individual schedule. Flexibility still requires planning: students taking Grade 12 courses for university admission must allow enough time for their work to be assessed and their grades to be submitted by university deadlines.
Do You Need a Canadian Study Permit to Complete the OSSD Online from Nepal?
Students who remain in Nepal while completing a distance-learning program generally do not need a Canadian study permit simply for that online study.
Immigration requirements can change and different rules may apply if a student later travels to Canada for in-person study. Students and families should check the latest information directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before making immigration decisions.
Can You Complete Community Involvement Hours in Nepal?
Students earning an OSSD need to complete at least 40 hours of community involvement activities. Eligible activities can be completed while the student lives in Nepal.
Potential activities might involve an eligible charity, community school, environmental initiative, youth program, health-awareness campaign or community-support project. However, an activity is not automatically eligible simply because it is unpaid or described as volunteer work.
Students should ask ROA to approve an activity before beginning. They should retain the organization’s name, supervisor’s contact information, dates, duties and verified number of hours.
Read ROA’s guide to completing OSSD community involvement hours while studying internationally.
Meeting the Ontario Literacy Graduation Requirement
Students must satisfy Ontario’s secondary school literacy graduation requirement to earn the OSSD. For many students in Ontario, this requirement is completed by passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
Students living overseas, including students completing their OSSD online from Nepal, can meet the literacy graduation requirement by successfully completing OLC4O: Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course, when approved as the appropriate pathway by the Principal. This means an eligible student can complete the literacy course online instead of travelling to Ontario to write the OSSLT.
OLC4O is a full Grade 12 Open credit course. It develops and assesses the reading and writing skills measured by the OSSLT. Successfully completing the course satisfies the provincial literacy graduation requirement and also earns one OSSD credit.
OLC4O should not be confused with ENG4U. Although OLC4O can satisfy the OSSD literacy requirement, universities commonly require ENG4U as the Grade 12 English prerequisite for admission. A student may therefore need to complete both courses.
ROA will review each student’s records and confirm whether the OSSLT or OLC4O is the appropriate literacy pathway. Students working toward the complete OSSD should address this requirement early so that it does not become an unexpected barrier to graduation.
Explore ROA’s online OLC4O Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course.
Applying to University or College from Nepal
Students can complete their OSSD while living in Nepal and apply to Canadian universities and colleges. Ontario university applications are generally processed through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), while students can research Ontario college programs through Ontario Colleges.
Admission decisions may consider:
- Required Grade 12 courses
- Grades and admission averages
- English-language proficiency
- Supplemental applications, portfolios or interviews
- Application and grade-submission deadlines
The flexibility of online learning does not change university deadlines. Students should build their course-completion plans around the deadlines of their intended institutions.
ROA also provides a guide to applying to UK universities through UCAS.
How Long Does It Take to Complete an OSSD from Nepal?
There is no single completion timeline. A student who has completed substantial secondary education in Nepal may have fewer remaining requirements than a student who enters the Ontario system earlier.
Your timeline may depend on previous education, equivalency credits, remaining courses, course prerequisites, pace of study, literacy and community involvement requirements, and university application deadlines.
An academic review should come before a final completion timeline is created.
How Much Do Online OSSD Courses Cost for Students in Nepal?
ROA currently charges the same posted course tuition to Canadian and international students. Nepali students do not pay a separate international course rate.
| Number of courses | Tuition in CAD | Average per course |
|---|---|---|
| 1 course | $500 CAD | $500 CAD |
| 2 courses | $900 CAD | $450 CAD |
| 3 courses | $1,275 CAD | $425 CAD |
Tuition is charged in Canadian dollars. The amount paid in Nepalese rupees will depend on the exchange rate and any charges applied by the payment provider or financial institution.
Before paying, confirm:
- The number of courses recommended after your academic review
- The current Canadian-dollar price
- Available international payment methods
- Any payment-processing or currency-conversion charges
- What tuition includes
- The applicable refund and withdrawal policy
Do not purchase a multi-course package solely because it has a lower average price. Students seeking the complete OSSD should first confirm which courses are required for graduation and university admission.
Why Consider ROA for Your OSSD from Nepal?
- Study from Nepal: Remain at home while completing online Ontario high school courses.
- Flexible asynchronous learning: Avoid attending daily classes scheduled according to Toronto time.
- Ontario curriculum: Complete courses developed according to Ontario curriculum expectations.
- Recognition of previous education: Eligible education completed in Nepal may count after an individual assessment.
- University-focused planning: Select courses based on both OSSD graduation requirements and postsecondary prerequisites.
- No separate international course rate: Pay the same posted course prices as Canadian students.
What Do Students and Parents Say About ROA?
Choosing an online school is an important decision, particularly for an international family. Royal Ontario Academy has verified student, parent and alumni reviews through Our Kids, a Canadian private-school information platform.
Read verified Royal Ontario Academy reviews on Our Kids.
Frequently Asked Questions About Completing an OSSD from Nepal
Can I complete an OSSD entirely online from Nepal?
Yes. Students can complete their OSSD pathway through Royal Ontario Academy while living in Nepal. ROA delivers its courses online, and applicable graduation requirements can be completed remotely in accordance with Ontario requirements.
Will my SEE or Grade 12 education count toward the OSSD?
Eligible previous education may count. The Principal reviews the student’s complete academic background and determines the appropriate equivalency credits under Ontario policy. Completion of SEE or Grade 12 does not guarantee a predetermined number of credits.
Which documents should I submit from Nepal?
Depending on your educational history, ROA may request your SEE Grade Sheet or certificate, Grade 11 records, Grade 12 Grade Sheet or transcript, and other relevant certificates or school records. Contact ROA to confirm current translation and certification requirements.
How many OSSD courses will I need?
There is no standard number for every international student. It depends on your previous education, equivalency credits, remaining graduation requirements, course prerequisites and postsecondary goals.
Can I remain enrolled at a school in Nepal while taking ROA courses?
Some students may take individual OSSD courses while continuing their education in Nepal, while others may pursue the complete OSSD through ROA. The appropriate arrangement depends on the student’s academic goals and schedule. Tell ROA about all concurrent studies so that course selection and academic reporting can be planned correctly.
Do Nepali students need IELTS to enrol at ROA?
ROA does not require IELTS simply to register for its online high school courses. Students need sufficient English proficiency to understand lessons and complete assignments. Universities may impose separate English-language requirements, and an OSSD or ENG4U credit does not automatically guarantee a waiver.
Do I need a Canadian study permit?
Students remaining in Nepal while completing online distance learning generally do not require a Canadian study permit simply for that study. Different rules may apply if the student later travels to Canada for in-person education.
Can I complete my 40 community involvement hours in Nepal?
Yes, eligible activities can be completed in Nepal. Ask ROA to approve a proposed activity before beginning and maintain appropriate documentation and verification.
How do I pay from Nepal?
ROA tuition is listed in Canadian dollars. Contact ROA or consult the current registration instructions to confirm available international payment methods, currency conversion and any processing charges.
Can I apply to Canadian universities from Nepal with an OSSD?
Yes. Admission depends on the requirements of each university and program, including Grade 12 courses, grades, prerequisites, English-language proficiency and any supplemental requirements.
Ready to Explore Your OSSD Pathway from Nepal?
Submit your academic records and tell ROA about your university or college goals. An initial review can help identify your possible equivalency credits, remaining graduation requirements and appropriate Ontario courses.
Contact Royal Ontario Academy to discuss your academic background, remaining OSSD requirements, and university goals.