The General Arts – One Year Certificate (GAP) program at Seneca Polytechnic provides students with an opportunity to explore different academic disciplines while developing essential skills needed for future educational and career success. The program combines general education courses with career exploration and academic planning support.
Students develop communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and time management skills while discovering areas of interest for future study. The program is particularly beneficial for students seeking academic direction, preparing for further postsecondary education or returning to studies after an interruption.
Graduates can use earned credits toward future diploma or degree programs and gain a stronger foundation for academic and professional success.
- Academic Requirement: • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. • Successful completion of Grade 12 or equivalent. • International applicants must submit academic transcripts and graduation documents. • Suitable for students exploring future academic and career pathways.
- ELP Requirement: • IELTS Academic: 6.0 Overall (No Band Below 5.5) • PTE Academic: 58 • Duolingo English Test: 105-110 • TOEFL iBT: Minimum 20 in each skill • CAEL: 60 • Cambridge English: 169 (No skill below 162)
- Special Requirement: • Designed for students exploring future diploma, degree and career pathways. • Includes career counselling and academic planning components. • General education credits may be transferable to other Seneca programs. • Suitable for students returning to studies or changing academic direction. • Available through In-Person and Online delivery options.
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Students whose study permit applications are still pending may request a deferral to the next available intake, provided the request is submitted before Day 10 of classes and the program is available. Deferrals are granted only once.
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Students awaiting an IRCC decision must still meet the deferral deadline. Requests submitted after Day 10 of classes will not be approved solely because a study permit decision is pending.
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Students may alternatively withdraw and apply for a refund by submitting the required withdrawal form and supporting documentation. Applicable administrative fees may be deducted.
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If a study permit application is refused, students may defer their admission and request a new Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to support a future study permit application. PAL issuance is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
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Refund requests due to study permit refusal must include a copy of the official IRCC refusal letter and be submitted within 14 days of the refusal date.
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Only the refusal letter associated with the intake being withdrawn from will be considered for refund eligibility.
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Students whose second study permit application is refused before the start of classes may still qualify for a refund, subject to Seneca’s refund policy.
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Deferral requests are subject to program availability, and late requests may require a written appeal.
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Approved late deferrals may be subject to a CAD $200 late fee.
- Application Fee: $90
- LOA Deposit: $0
- Annual Tuition Fee: $15,500
- Total Tuition Fee: $15,500
- Course Duration: 1 Year
- Credentials: Certificate
- Intake: September 2026 January 2027 May 2027
• Completed application form
• CAD $90 application fee
• Passport copy
• Academic transcripts
• Grade 12 certificate or equivalent
• English language proficiency documents (if required)
• Proof of name change (if applicable)
• Additional documents requested by Seneca Polytechnic
• Monitor application status through Seneca Student Home