George Brown College is now officially named George Brown Polytechnic. For 2026–27 applicants, the most important facts are program availability, program-specific admission requirements, total cost and—if you are an international student—whether the program currently meets Post-Graduation Work Permit rules. The institution offers more than 160 career-focused programs in downtown Toronto, but admission, fees and availability differ by program.
Quick answer: International applications for the September 2026, January 2027 and May 2027 intakes began on October 6, 2025, February 2, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively. Those are cycle-opening dates, not guaranteed final deadlines. Programs can fill and close, so applicants should check the live availability tool before paying or uploading documents. Published 2026–27 international tuition is CAD $17,266–$31,742 for two semesters, excluding ancillary and program-specific costs.
George Brown admissions: key facts
| Item | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Current official name | George Brown Polytechnic |
| Former and commonly searched name | George Brown College |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Main campuses | Casa Loma, St. James and Waterfront |
| Credentials | Certificates, diplomas, postgraduate certificates, bachelor’s degrees and an applied master’s degree |
| 2026–27 international tuition | CAD $17,266–$31,742 for two semesters, before ancillary and other program costs |
| 2026–27 domestic tuition | CAD $2,508–$13,416 for two semesters, before ancillary and other program costs |
| International application route | George Brown’s official international online application system |
| Institution-wide acceptance rate | Not officially published; admission and capacity are program-specific |
George Brown Polytechnic name change
George Brown announced the move from George Brown College to George Brown Polytechnic on October 30, 2025. The institution said the new name reflects its applied, industry-focused model and an expanded mix of credentials, including its first applied master’s program.
Applicants may still see “George Brown College” in older documents, search results and third-party articles. Use the current name when completing a new application, but recognize that both names refer to the same public institution.
Programs, campuses and study options
George Brown offers more than 160 career-focused certificate, diploma, postgraduate and degree programs. Subject areas include business, hospitality and culinary arts, construction and engineering technologies, design, community services and health sciences. The right starting point is the official program availability tool, because not every program begins in every term and a listing can close when capacity is reached.
The institution has three main campuses in downtown Toronto: Casa Loma, St. James and Waterfront. A program page identifies its campus, credential, duration, admission requirements, fees, delivery method and any additional selection requirement.
Check PGWP eligibility before choosing a program
International students should not assume that every program leads to a Post-Graduation Work Permit. George Brown maintains an official PGWP-eligible program list and warns that the list may change with federal rules. Check both the institution’s list and the linked Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada guidance before accepting an offer. A school admission or Letter of Acceptance does not, by itself, guarantee future PGWP eligibility.
2026–27 international intakes and dates
The official international application cycle lists three starts. The “applications open” date is when submission and offer issuance begin; it is not a promise that every program remains open until classes start.
| Intake | Applications and offer issuance began | First day of classes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | October 6, 2025 | September 8, 2026 |
| Winter 2027 | February 2, 2026 | January 11, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 | June 1, 2026 | May 3, 2027 |
Is there one George Brown application deadline?
No single final date applies to every international program. George Brown states that programs may close early when their international capacity is filled, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an offer. Confirm that the exact program and intake are open on the international program page immediately before applying.
Domestic applicants use Ontario Colleges and should apply by the published equal-consideration date for highly competitive programs. International applicants use George Brown’s separate online route described below.
Admission requirements
Requirements depend on the credential, program and applicant’s education system. Applicants normally need the academic credential and prerequisite subjects shown on the program page, along with transcripts and proof of English proficiency where required. Some programs also require a portfolio, interview, questionnaire, testing, work experience or another selection component.
International applicants should use the official country-specific admission requirements. A general qualification may not replace a particular prerequisite, so compare the program page with the requirements for the country where you studied.
Minimum English-language scores
The following are George Brown’s published general minimums. A program may require a higher result, and test validity rules still apply.
| Test | Diploma or certificate | Postgraduate, fast-track, bridge or master’s | Bachelor’s degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall; at least 5.5 in each band | 6.5 overall; at least 6.0 in each band | 6.5 overall; at least 6.0 in each band |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 overall; at least 20 in each skill | 88 overall; at least 22 in each skill | 84 overall; at least 21 in each skill |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 overall; production score at least 90 | 120 overall; production score at least 100 | 120 overall; production score at least 100 |
| PTE Academic | 54 overall; at least 50 in each skill | 60 overall; at least 55 in each skill | 60 overall; at least 55 in each skill |
George Brown also publishes other accepted routes and scores, including CAEL, Cambridge English and qualifying English-medium study. Check the current English proficiency page rather than relying on an old screenshot or third-party list.
Tuition and other costs for 2026–27
The official 2026–27 fee schedule gives broad ranges because each program has its own price. For two semesters, domestic tuition ranges from CAD $2,508 to $13,416 and international tuition from CAD $17,266 to $31,742. These figures exclude ancillary fees. Materials and supplies may add CAD $1–$6,100 depending on the program, and international students may also have health-insurance, housing, transport and personal costs.
| Cost category | Official 2026–27 figure | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic tuition | CAD $2,508–$13,416 for two semesters | Exact program fee and ancillary charges |
| International tuition | CAD $17,266–$31,742 for two semesters | Exact program fee, ancillary charges and insurance |
| Materials and supplies | CAD $1–$6,100 | Program-specific equipment, uniforms or software |
| Student Association fee | CAD $147.14 per semester | Current fee schedule and opt-out rules, if applicable |
| Academic technology support | CAD $122.89 per semester | Current mandatory ancillary-fee breakdown |
Use the official 2026–27 tuition and ancillary-fee page and then open the individual program page. Fees for Fall 2027 or later may increase. Do not build a budget from the old CAD $16,200–$29,000 range that appeared in the previous version of this article.
Scholarships for international students
Most George Brown international scholarships are in-program awards, not automatic full scholarships for new overseas applicants. The official international scholarship page says awards generally depend on academic performance and other criteria after study has begun.
Returning diploma and degree students
The current page lists CAD $5,000 and CAD $1,000 competitions for eligible returning international students in full-time two-, three- or four-year diploma or degree programs. Typical criteria include a valid study permit, at least two consecutive completed semesters, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, community involvement and no previous International Centre scholarship. The page lists September 30 for the fall competition and January 31 for the winter competition. Applicants use STU-VIEW and should confirm the active competition before submitting.
Certificate and postgraduate students
The official page also lists CAD $2,000 awards for eligible returning students in full-time certificate or postgraduate-certificate programs. It states that applicants need at least one completed semester, a minimum 3.5 GPA and community involvement. Listed competition dates are January 31, May 31 and September 30, but availability and terms should be rechecked each semester.
New CAD $2,000 onshore scholarship
A separate onshore international student scholarship applies to eligible new international applicants for Fall 2026, Winter 2027 or Spring 2027. It is worth CAD $2,000 over two terms and does not require a separate scholarship application.
This is not a general entrance award for all international applicants. The applicant must have applied on or after April 11, 2026, be physically in Canada with valid status and a Canadian address when applying, pay international fees, meet registration and payment conditions, and remain enrolled full-time past day 10. Current George Brown students and people eligible for domestic fees are excluded. Funding is limited and may be awarded first-come, first-served when eligible demand exceeds the available budget.
How to apply as an international student
- Choose an international-eligible program. Confirm the credential, campus, duration, delivery and intake.
- Check live availability. An intake can close before the start date when capacity is reached.
- Review both requirement pages. Compare the program prerequisites with the requirements for your country and education system.
- Confirm English evidence. Upload a valid result or other accepted proof that meets the level required by the program.
- Prepare clear supporting documents. Include the academic records and any portfolio, questionnaire, résumé or other program-specific material requested.
- Submit through the official system. Use George Brown’s international application instructions and its linked application portal. Avoid an unauthorized agent.
- Monitor the email used on the application. George Brown says its international online system does not show ongoing status updates. Reopening an application can resubmit it and move it to the end of the processing queue.
- Review an offer carefully. If admitted, follow the Letter of Acceptance, deposit and document deadlines. Admission does not replace the separate Canadian study-permit process.
George Brown currently estimates that complete international applications take approximately four weeks or more to process, while applications needing academic review can take longer. This is an estimate, not a guaranteed decision date.
Documents to prepare
- Passport identification page and any identity documents requested by the portal
- Secondary or post-secondary transcripts and graduation documents required for the chosen credential
- Certified translations when documents are not in English
- Current English-language evidence, unless another accepted exemption applies
- Program-specific items such as a portfolio, résumé, questionnaire, interview or proof of work experience
- Proof of valid Canadian status and address only when claiming an onshore-specific benefit
The exact checklist in the application portal and program page controls. Submitting extra documents that were not requested does not compensate for a missing prerequisite.
George Brown ranking and acceptance rate
George Brown does not publish a single institution-wide acceptance rate. Its international admissions page explains that decisions depend on academic quality, program capacity and institutional priorities, and that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a place. The 80% acceptance-rate claim in the old article therefore should not be used.
Likewise, the previous claim that George Brown was in the top 50 Canadian institutions in the 2026 QS World University Rankings was unsupported and has been removed. A polytechnic applicant will get more useful information by checking program accreditation, curriculum, field education, campus, graduate outcomes, total cost and current PGWP alignment than by relying on an invented university ranking.
Practical application tips
- Apply only after confirming that the exact program and intake are open.
- Use the current official name, George Brown Polytechnic, in new correspondence.
- Make sure names and dates match across the application, passport and academic records.
- Upload legible, complete documents; incomplete files are not prioritized.
- Do not assume a program remains PGWP-eligible because it appeared on an old list.
- Budget beyond tuition for ancillary fees, materials, insurance, housing and transport in Toronto.
- Treat an admission offer and a scholarship decision as separate processes.
- Use only the official portal or an agent listed by George Brown.
Related funding guides
Applicants comparing Canadian opportunities can also review the McCall MacBain Scholarship 2027 guide for eligible graduate study at McGill and the MITACS Globalink Internship 2027 guide for eligible undergraduate research applicants. These are separate programs and do not fund George Brown admission automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is George Brown College now George Brown Polytechnic?
Yes. The institution announced the George Brown Polytechnic name on October 30, 2025. Older references to George Brown College refer to the same institution.
What is the George Brown acceptance rate?
George Brown does not publish a reliable institution-wide acceptance rate. Admission is program-specific, and some intakes close when their capacity is reached.
How much is international tuition for 2026–27?
Published international tuition is CAD $17,266–$31,742 for two semesters, excluding ancillary, material, insurance and living costs. The individual program page provides the most relevant estimate.
Can I apply for a January or May 2027 intake?
The official 2026–27 cycle includes January 11 and May 3, 2027 start dates. Availability differs by program, so check the live international program list before applying.
What IELTS score does George Brown require?
The general minimum is IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for diploma and certificate programs. Postgraduate, fast-track, bridge, master’s and bachelor’s programs generally require 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Some programs set higher requirements.
Does George Brown offer full scholarships for international students?
The official awards described here are not general full scholarships. Most are competitive in-program awards for returning students. A limited CAD $2,000 onshore award has separate eligibility for specified 2026 and 2027 intakes.
Are all George Brown programs PGWP-eligible?
No. Eligibility depends on the credential, program and current federal rules. Check the official George Brown list and IRCC information before accepting an offer.
Bottom line
George Brown Polytechnic remains a useful option for career-focused study in downtown Toronto, but a strong application starts with the exact program—not a generic ranking or acceptance-rate estimate. For the 2026–27 cycle, confirm live availability, use program-specific admission and fee information, verify PGWP alignment if relevant, and apply through the official international system. The January and May 2027 start dates are officially listed; that does not mean every program is open or that a universal 2027 deadline exists.