Today, students choose between OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma), IB (International Baccalaureate) and AP (Advanced Placement) programs to choose the best educational program for university entrance. But what are the differences between these three systems? Which program is more suitable for your academic goals? Here is a detailed comparison!
1. What are OSSD, IB and AP?
What is OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma)?
The OSSD is a high school diploma specific to the Canadian province of Ontario. International students can also earn this diploma online or physically. The OSSD offers a credit-based system and allows students to improve their grades throughproject-based learning.
What is IB (International Baccalaureate)?
The IB is a globally recognized international high school program. The IB encourages students to think critically and is known for its heavy academic load. To obtain the IB Diploma, students must compulsorily complete the TOK (Theory of Knowledge), EE (Extended Essay) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) components.
What is AP (Advanced Placement)?
AP is a US-based program that offers students the opportunity to take college courses at the high school level. AP courses allow students to gain advanced knowledge in specific areas before starting college.
2. Curriculum and Academic Comparison
| Program | Curriculum Structure | Difficulty | Flexibility |
| OSSD | Credit-based, project-based assessment | 3 | 5 |
| IB | Academically intensive, compulsory courses and additional projects | 5 | 1 |
| AP | Individual lessons at university level | 4 | 3 |
- OSSD focuses on students’ progression through project-based learning and has a more flexible structure.
- The IB is an academically intensive program and students are expected to show a balanced performance in different subjects.
- Because AP offers individual courses, students can specialize in the areas they want, but they must pass certain exams to receive college credit.
3. Which is more advantageous in terms of university admission?
University Admission with OSSD
The OSSD is recognized by universities in Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia and Europe. It is directly valid at universities in Canada and students can graduate with 100% in-school assessment.
For more information, please visit the Ontario Ministry of Education page.
Since the IB is a globally recognized diploma, it can be an advantage in the admission process to many prestigious universities. As the scoring system is different, it may require more effort for some students to achieve high grades.
Admission to University with AP
AP courses are widely accepted by US universities. However, AP exam grades are only an advantage for some universities and are not considered a direct high school diploma.
4. Advantages and Disadvantages of OSSD, IB and AP
Advantages and Disadvantages of OSSD
✅ Flexible curriculum and student-centered learning
✅ Higher chances of achieving academic success with project-based assessment
✅ Direct admission advantage to Canadian universities
Advantages and Disadvantages of IB
✅ It is a well-known academic program in many countries.
✅ Offers the opportunity to develop critical thinking and research skills
⚪ As it is an academically intensive program, it requires disciplined work and additional effort for the student’s social planning.
⚪ The grading system may require more effort for some students
Advantages and Disadvantages of AP
✅ Offers the opportunity to take university level courses
✅ Provides the advantage of earning additional credits at US universities
⚪ It is not a substitute for a high school diploma, it is a complementary program
⚪ May not be as widely recognized as IB and OSSD at universities in Canada and Europe
For more information about the OSSD Canada Dual Diploma, IB Program and AP Program, write to us or visit our school