The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies grants admission to graduate students, only on the recommendation of the program in which the applicant intends to pursue studies. Admission to graduate programs at The University Of Western Ontario is competitive. Thus, applicants meeting or even exceeding minimum admission standards, as described below, are not guaranteed admission to any of the University of Western Ontario's Graduate Programs. Admission decisions are not subject to appeal.

For purposes of admission and financial support the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies determines accreditation, degree, and standing equivalencies for all non-UWO degrees.

For students undertaking a thesis as part of their degree requirements, the Graduate Chair must determine that an appropriate thesis Supervisor is available for the student's declared field of research before nominating the student for admission.

For admission to Master's programs applicants must possess a four-year degree or equivalent from an accredited university. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires at least a 70% average in courses taken in the last two full-time years of the undergraduate degree. In certain programs equivalent qualifications may be considered, based on the standards of the discipline or profession.

For admission to Doctoral programs, applicants must possess a Master's degree or equivalent from a university, college or institute, and provide evidence of research potential. Ordinarily, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires at least a 70% average in the Master's degree, as determined by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. (Note: some UWO programs provide for transfers from Master's to Doctoral degree status without achieving a Master's degree.)

Individual programs commonly have higher admission standards than the minimum. Applicants should contact their program of choice to get information on its admission requirements.