Determine if you’re eligible 

To be eligible, you must: 

• Be nominated by your home institution. 

• Submit your complete online application by March 31 (for Fall term or full academic year) or October 15 (for Winter term). 

• Be registered in an undergraduate or graduate program of studies (but not a PhD program) at your home institution. 

• Academic record:  

  • Have a good academic record (2.7/4.0 | 12/20) minimum — can be higher at graduate level and in some faculties). 

  • Have completed a minimum of one university academic year at the time you apply. 

  • Course selection: Make sure your home institution has approved your course selection. 

• Language requirements: Meet the language proficiency requirements. You must get your results on time and attach them to your application. Otherwise, your application could be rejected. For more, see the “Language Proficiency” section. 

Nomination and application process 

Important: All applications that on the time of submission are INCOMPLETE will not be analyzed or considered for exchange at uOttawa. We will not make any follow-ups with the student or partner. To avoid any deception, make sure you submit all the necessary documents for evaluation purposes.

1. Your home university must submit your nomination by March 15 (for Fall term or academic year) or September 30 (for Winter term). 

2. Once they nominate you, your home university will send you the link to our MoveOn application platform. 

3. Include the following documents: 

   • All your official university transcripts in English or French (translated if necessary), including grading scales. 

   • Official language proficiency test results, if required (check the language requirements under Step 2). 

   • A scanned copy of your valid passport or national identity document 

4. Students in Common Law, Civil Law, Theatre, Visual Arts and Music, and graduate students, may be required additional documents at the time of the application.

Language proficiency 

Courses offered at the University of Ottawa are given in English or French.  

You must submit a language proficiency test (with results that will be no more than two years’ old at the time of application) in the language you wish to study in, if that language is not your mother tongue. 

See the language requirements for undergraduate and graduate studies in English and French.

Select your desired courses 

You must submit a preliminary course selection approved by your home institution.  Here is information to help you. Your letter of acceptance will reflect the faculty in which you chose to partake most of your courses. Its imperative that you select courses that are relevant to your study background.

• It is up to your home institution to determine the exact equivalencies. You will need to provide them with your syllabus (course description and hours)
• Courses access restrictions

  • Prerequisites: You can’t enrol in a course if you haven’t already taken the prerequisites. 

  • Restricted faculties: You can’t enrol in courses from the Telfer School of Management (course codes ADM, MGT or MBA), the Faculty of Medicine or the Faculty of Education Bachelor. 

  • Auditors: Exchange students cannot enroll in courses as auditors.

  • Restricted courses: Mandatory courses in some programs may be reserved for University of Ottawa students, and visiting international students are not eligible to take them. See the following course guidelines and restrictions by level and faculty.

Undergraduate level restricted courses:

• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Arts — requirements for language classes
•  Faculty of Engineering 
• Faculty of Health Sciences * list of courses open to exchange students*
• Faculty of Social Sciences 
• Faculty of Law — Civil Law Section
• Faculty of Law — Common Law Section 
• Faculty of Science 

Graduate level restricted courses:

• Faculty of Arts

• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering 
• Faculty of Health Sciences * list of courses open to exchange students*
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Science
• Please communicate with the graduate office of Law at [email protected] for restricted courses

All faculties evaluate exchange applications on a case-by-case basis. 

Note: Submitting your preliminary course selection doesn’t mean you’re enrolled in these courses. You enroll once you’re accepted to the University of Ottawa. 

We can’t guarantee your place in the courses you select. Some have limited enrolment or prerequisites. Enroll in your courses as soon as possible. 

Finances 

As an exchange student, you have the status of a special student. You are exempt from paying tuition and incidental fees. However, you may have to pay fees for some learning materials (e.g., visual arts material).  

Plan a budget that includes your rent or residence fees, books, travel and other living expenses. See our estimated university costs. 

You’re responsible for all other costs related to your stay in Canada.  UHIP health insurance is mandatory for all exchange students without exception. 

As a full-time exchange student, you have the option of purchasing a U-Pass, which entitles you to ride public transit for free anywhere in Ottawa or Gatineau. This pass is optional: if you wish to opt in, you must submit a request online in uoZone. Learn more about the fees for this pass and how to opt in. 

Immigration

See our uOInternational immigration services. You can review their Frequently Asked Questions to find answers to your immigration related doubts.

To ensure you can be on campus for the beginning of the term, start your immigration procedures as soon as you receive your acceptance letter. 

Academic matters 

In your letter of admission, we will provide you with all the information regarding course enrollment. The letter will indicate how to proceed with enrollment and any course specification you should keep in mind.

Once you are accepted, the main point of contact for you regarding all academic matters is your faculty. They will be able to assist you with enrolling, equivalences, course descriptions etc. See contact information for your faculty.

Only after your faculty enrolls you, will you have access to the student services like Student Card and your student email.

University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) 

Once you have enrolled in your courses, the University of Ottawa will automatically enroll you in UHIP. This insurance plan is mandatory for all incoming international exchange students. See what UHIP covers.

Your UHIP fees will appear on your statement of account, which you can see by logging into  uoZone. You can pay your fees using any of the methods of payment. Once the University receives your fee payment, which includes your UHIP fees, the insurance provider (Cowan) will send a PDF copy of your UHIP coverage card to your uOttawa email account within 10 business days. Remember to check your spam folder for this important document

Find housing

You may live off-campus or on-campus during your stay in Ottawa.

Meet with a mentor at the International Mentoring Centre

The International Mentoring Centre offers a variety of valuable services to University of Ottawa international and exchange students.

Our mentors are available to answer any questions you have. They’ve gone through experiences similar to yours. They can relate to your experiences and can often provide very useful advice during your transition.

Get involved and meet new people

There are many ways to get involved on campus, but here are some options: 

• Join a  cultural club. 

• Participate in a socio-cultural activity, such as uOConnexion

• Attend an event hosted by the International House.  

• Learn while helping the community through the Centre for Community Engagement. 

• See our campus activities calendar for non-academic activities. 

• Stay active and in good health by taking part in recreational activities or join a uOttawa Gee-Gees sports team. 

Support services for you

Here is a list of some support services offered to you at uOttawa: