Ontario Grade 12 U courses explained
6 min read ยท updated 2026-10-13
In Ontario, the letter at the end of a course code tells you where it leads. For university applicants, what matters most is the Grade 12 U and M courses (4U and 4M), because universities admit students on an average of their top six, including the prerequisites for each program.
The course types
- โ U: university preparation (for example ENG4U, MHF4U, SCH4U)
- โ M: university/college preparation (for example some business and social science courses)
- โ C: college preparation
- โ E: workplace preparation
- โ O: open courses, suitable for all students
How universities use your marks
Ontario universities generally calculate an admission average from your top six Grade 12 U or M courses, and each program lists required courses, such as ENG4U and MHF4U for many science and engineering programs. Those prerequisites must be among your six, so a strong mark in a required course matters more than in an elective.
Applications go through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre, and early offers are often based on Grade 11 final and Grade 12 midterm marks.
Typical prerequisites by program area
Each program sets its own list, so always check the university's admission page. As a guide, these Grade 12 courses come up often:
- โ Engineering: ENG4U, MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U and SPH4U
- โ Computer science and mathematics: ENG4U, MHF4U and MCV4U
- โ Life and health sciences: ENG4U and SBI4U and SCH4U, often with MHF4U
- โ Business and commerce: ENG4U and MHF4U, often with MCV4U or MDM4U
- โ Arts and social sciences: ENG4U plus your strongest 4U/4M courses
The diploma itself
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma needs 30 credits, at least 2 of them online learning credits, 40 hours of community involvement and the literacy requirement (the OSSLT or the literacy course). Students who started Grade 9 in 2024 or later need 17 compulsory and 13 optional credits plus the financial literacy requirement; those who started in 2023 or earlier need 18 compulsory and 12 optional.
Choosing Grade 12 courses
- โ Start from the programs you might apply to and list every prerequisite
- โ Take at least six 4U/4M courses, including those prerequisites
- โ Plan maths early: MCV4U (calculus and vectors) usually needs MHF4U first or alongside
- โ Keep one or two extra 4U/4M courses as a buffer for your top six
FAQs
What is a U course in Ontario?๏ผ
A university preparation course. Grade 12 U courses (4U) are the main courses Ontario universities use for admission.
How do Ontario universities calculate admission averages?๏ผ
Generally from your top six Grade 12 U or M courses, including the program's prerequisites.
Do M courses count for university?๏ผ
Yes, 4M courses can count towards the top six, but check each program's requirements.
How many credits do I need to graduate in Ontario?๏ผ
30 credits for the OSSD (including 2 online learning credits), plus 40 hours of community involvement and the literacy requirement.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-13.
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