International Collaboration and Learning at uOttawa

The International and Global Health Office (IGHO) at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, welcomes learners and professionals from around the world to connect, collaborate, and grow through meaningful academic and professional exchanges and programs.

Our commitment to international collaboration and mutual learning is rooted in shared experiences, diverse perspectives, and lasting partnerships. Whether you're seeking to enrich your academic experience, develop leadership skills, or engage in cross-cultural learning, we invite you to join our dynamic international community.

Explore the tabs below to learn more about available opportunities and how to get involved.

uOttawa MedGlobal Summer School: Where Innovation Meets Compassion

The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine invites aspiring physicians from around the world to participate in the MedGlobal Summer School—a four-week immersive program in Canada’s capital that blends cutting-edge medical education, hands-on clinical training, and rich cultural experiences.

Designed by a dedicated curriculum committee of internationally recognized medical and scientific leaders—including Dr. Mark Walker, Dr. David Ponka, Dr. Emilio I. Alarcón, and Dr. Fahad AlKherayf—this program offers participants the opportunity to learn directly from experts shaping the future of medicine.

Held on our vibrant downtown campus, steps away from national institutions, hospitals, and research centres, the MedGlobal Summer School provides a truly Canadian learning environment in a global context.

Below, you’ll find detailed information about the program format, eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and what to expect from your experience in Ottawa.

Program Format

Open to pre-clerkship medical students and those preparing for medical school, this intensive one-month program runs from July 6 to 31, 2026, and offers approximately 100 hours of instruction. Participants stay in on-campus residences and learn from world-class faculty using state-of-the-art facilities. Visit our Summer Accommodation at 90 University.

The curriculum features

Cutting-edge training in Artificial intelligence (AI) and medical innovation;
Hands-on anatomy instruction in Canada’s leading cadaveric lab;
Interactive simulation labs and academic bootcamps;
Lectures on professionalism, wellness, Indigenous health, and climate health.

Cultural immersion is provided through guided tours, social events, and city explorations.

Optional ESL/FSL courses are available to complement the core program.

Learning Outcome

A Certificate of Completion will be provided to students at the end of the program. Participants must attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled classes to qualify for a certificate.

Please note: The uOttawa MedGlobal Summer School is a non-credit program; however, participants may wish to consult their home institutions to determine if transfer credit or recognition is possible.

Program Eligibility and Acceptance Criteria

Students studying medicine or related sciences with an interest in health professions
Pre-clerkship medical students or pre-med students
Functional level of English*
Must be at least 19 years old by July 6, 2026

Spots are limited within each region to ensure a diverse international mix, and places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on regional capacity. We recommend applying early to increase your chances of securing your spot.

* While there is no English language test proficiency requirement, students who have not met one of the language proficiency metrics listed in the FAQs below may struggle to participate effectively in the program and are advised not to register for the MedGlobal program until they have strengthened their language skills.

Application Deadlines

Applications for summer 2026 are now open! Click here to access the MedGlobal 2026 application form.

Please note: This program is designed primarily for international applicants; Canadian students interested in applying are asked to contact us directly for further guidance.

Deadline to Apply: Thursday, January 15, 2026

If you are an academic institution and would like to send a cohort of multiple students, please email us at [email protected] to inquire.

Letter of Acceptance: Thursday, February 12, 2026

Accepted applicants are required to submit the non-refundable registration fee to confirm their enrollment and secure their place in the program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Fees

Fee information for future editions of the program will be announced at a later date.

What is included in the MedGlobal Program Fee

Tuition
All course materials
Accommodation in a shared 2-bedroom suite in uOttawa’s 90U Residence
On-campus wifi
Some activities and tours
Private health insurance (via GuardMe)

Additional Costs
Participants are responsible for:

Airfare
Visa application fees
Meals
Laundry
Transportation to get around Ottawa for all off-campus classes and field trips to medical or cultural locations.
Personal expenses (phone and data, entertainment, etc…)
Electronic device (tablet or laptop) for coursework

General Refund Policy

In case of any refund, the amount of refund will be based on the Canadian dollar amount, whose exchange rates may vary between the time of payment and time of refund.
The registration fee will not be refunded unless the University of Ottawa cancels your course.
Refunds will be processed at the end of the program (August 4, 2026).

Cancellation request timeline	Cancellation date	Refund amount
62 days prior to program start date	Friday, May 1, 2026	100% of any portion of the full MedGlobal Program Fee that has already been paid, excluding service fees (up to $4400 CAD)
32 days prior to program start date	Monday, June 1, 2026	50% of the full MedGlobal Program Fee, excluding service fees ($2200CAD)

Refunds due to Visa or eTA Delays and Visa Refusals /eTA Refusals

Visa or eTA Refusal - 100% (minus service charges)

If your application for a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is denied by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you are eligible for a full refund of the program fee (excluding service charges).
To request a refund, you must email [email protected] before the program begins and include:
- A formal withdrawal request stating the visa or eTA refusal.
- The official denial letter from IRCC.

Visa or eTA Processing Delays - 100% if applied before March 16, 2026 (minus service charges)

If you cannot attend MedGlobal because your visitor visa or eTA was not issued in time, you may receive a full refund of the program fee (excluding service charges) only if your application was submitted on or before March 16, 2026.
To qualify, you must:
- Provide official documentation showing the date of your visitor visa/eTA application.
- Submit your refund request no later than July 1, 2026 (5 days before the program starts).
- If your application was submitted after the deadline, your refund will follow the general refund policy outlined in the “General Refund Policy” section.

Refunds for Course Cancellations

If your MedGlobal program is cancelled, we will refund 100% of the application and program fees paid (excluding service charges).

Besides your passport, you may also need to apply for a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your citizenship, to enter Canada. Find out which document is required for you at the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Many students will need a ‘tourist/visitor’ visa, also called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), to participate in this program. At this time, MedGlobal participants are eligible to study without a study permit because the MedGlobal program is less than 6 months.

Visitor Visa

If you need a visitor visa to enter Canada, you can apply on the Government of Canada Vistor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) website. The processing time for a Canadian visitor visa application may take longer than you expect. In order to participate in MedGlobal, it is crucial that you apply with us as soon as possible, and then make your visitor visa application at once after you have received your MedGlobal Letter of Acceptance (LOA).

Find out the current visitor visa processing times on the Government of Canada Check our current processing times website. It will depend on the country of where you are applying from, not the country of your citizenship. Be sure to carefully review and follow all available application support tools and instructions, as even small discrepancies or missing information can lead to delays or refusals.

NOTE: If you cannot attend MedGlobal because your visa or eTA was not issued in time, you may receive a full refund of the program fee (excluding service charges) only if your application was submitted on or before April 10. For more details, please see our full Refund Policy in the FAQ above, under “Fees, Cancellation and Refund Policies.”

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

If you are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, you can apply for one Government of Canada eTA website. While an eTA would usually be approved within a few minutes, you are still advised to make the application as soon as possible as you could be asked to submit additional documents for reviewing and this would significantly extend the processing time.

Contact Us

For more information or questions, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 613 562 5800 x 7800