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, and Dr. Emilio Alarcón—this program offers participants the opportunity to learn directly from experts shaping the future of medicine.

With learning experiences across uOttawa’s vibrant downtown campus, hospitals, and health and research centres throughout the city, 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.

MedGlobal 2027 information coming soon!

Be the first to hear about MedGlobal 2027. Complete our interest form to be notified when applications open and new program information becomes available.

Program Format

Open to pre-clerkship medical students and those preparing for medical school, this intensive one-month program runs from July 4 to 31, 2027, 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.

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;
Learning experiences in global health, planetary health, Indigenous health, medical ethics, health systems, and culturally safe care.

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 awarded to students who successfully complete the program. To qualify for the certificate, participants must attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled classes and successfully complete a capstone project.

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 1, 2027
Must provide a letter of good academic standing from their current academic institution confirming their enrolment in a program and that they are not on academic probation

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

Applicants will receive a MedGlobal Program Offer or waitlist notification within three business days of submitting their application. Offers are based on admission criteria and available regional capacity.

Program offers are valid for two weeks. To secure your place, a $2,000 CAD Program Fee Deposit must be received by the deadline specified in your offer. Letters of Acceptance for visa purposes will only be issued after the deposit is received.

If the deposit is not received by the deadline, you must reapply. Acceptance is not guaranteed and is subject to available capacity.

MedGlobal 2027 Key Dates:

Date	November 2026	Within 3 business days of applying	Within 2 weeks of your offer	February 2027	Before March 15, 2027	June 1, 2027	July 4–31, 2027
Event / Deadline	Applications open	Receive your admission decision or waitlist notification	Accept your offer and pay the $2,000 CAD deposit	Participant information session	Submit your visa or eTA application (if required)	Final payment due	MedGlobal Summer School

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Fees

Total cost per student: $5,775 CAD

The program fee is paid in two payments:

$2,000 CAD deposit: Due within two weeks of receiving a MedGlobal Program Offer. Your place in the program is not confirmed until the deposit is received.
$3,775 CAD final program fee: Due by June 1, 2027.

Included in the MedGlobal Program Fee:	Additional Costs (Participant Responsibility):
Tuition All course materials Accommodation in a shared 2-bedroom suite in uOttawa’s 90U Residence On campus wifi Some activities and tours Some meals Private health insurance (via GuardMe)	Airfare Visa application fees Some 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

Refunds are based on the Canadian dollar amount paid. Exchange rates may vary between the date of payment and the date of refund. Service fees are non-refundable.

Cancellation request timeline	Cancellation date	Refund amount
66 days prior to program start date	Thursday, April 29, 2027	100% of the full MedGlobal Program Fees paid to date, excluding service fees*
33 days prior to program start date	Tuesday, June 1, 2027	50% of the full MedGlobal Program Fee, excluding service fees*
32 days or less before the program start date	N/A	No refund

*Note: Refunds will be processed at the end of the program (August 4, 2027).

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 15, 2027 (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 15, 2027.
To qualify, you must:
- Provide official documentation showing the date of your visitor visa/eTA application;
- Submit your refund request no later than June 29, 2027;
- 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 March 15. 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