Academic Requirements
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is NOT an admission requirement for the medical program at the University of Ottawa.
Application Process
Your journey as a future medical student starts here. You will find all the information you need to apply for admission on this page.
Thinking about a career in Family Medicine?
Explore our new program designed to inspire, guide, and prepare you for this vital path in healthcare.
To be eligible for our MD Program, you must successfully complete at least 3 years of full-time studies (equivalent to 5 courses per term each year) in any program leading to a university bachelor’s degree. This requirement must be met, with final grades available on an official transcript, by June 30, 2027, prior to admission to the MD Program.
What counts as one full-time academic year?
A full-time academic year is defined as 5 courses per term, equivalent to 15 units per term (30 units per academic year).
An academic year comprised of 4 courses per term will be recognized as full-time, provided that the missing courses (units) to meet the full-time (5 courses per term) requirement are completed within another academic year or as spring/summer course(s). Any school year with fewer than 4 courses per term will not count as a full-time year of study.
The following examples of course load combinations are considered equivalent to a full-time academic year for the purposes of meeting the MD Program admissions requirements:
- 5 courses in the Fall term and 5 courses in the Winter term
- 4 courses in the Fall term, 5 courses in the Winter term, and 1 course in the Summer term
- 5 courses in the Fall term, 4 courses in the Winter term, and 1 course in the Summer term
- 4 courses in the Fall term, 4 courses in the Winter term, and 2 courses in the Summer term
- 4 courses in the Fall term and 6 courses in the Winter term
- 6 courses in the Fall term and 4 courses in the Winter term
Individual courses taken during a Summer term to make up for missing courses from a year in which you were enrolled in 4 courses per term do not necessarily have to be taken in the Summer term of the same academic year, provided they are part of your undergraduate degree program.
Definition of an academic year
An academic year consists of 2 regular terms—fall and winter (September to April). A full-time spring/summer term does not replace a regular term of studies (except for co-op programs).
The following types of credits cannot be used to satisfy the full-time study requirement:
- Advanced placement (AP);
- International baccalaureate (IB); and
- Transfer credits.
Remote Studies
Full-time remote or online studies are not recognized to meet the full-time requirement. This requirement is intended to assess your ability to manage a full-time, in-person academic workload comparable to the rigours of medical school.
Professional degrees
Professional degrees earned at Canadian universities are generally considered undergraduate degrees leading to a bachelor’s degree for admissions purposes.
However, programs leading to a diploma, a certificate or a degree of Doctor of Medicine are not considered equivalent to an undergraduate program leading to a university bachelor’s degree.
Additional considerations
- The Admissions Committee reserves the right to assess:
- the level of difficulty of the courses;
- the relevance of the courses for future medical studies at the University of Ottawa; and
- the performance achieved in these courses.
Pre-assessment of academic records is not available. All applications are assessed individually during the formal evaluation process following submission through OMSAS.
FAQ
I completed 4 courses in the winter term this year. Does the course I took last summer count toward the required 5 courses per term?
Yes. Courses taken to make up a full-time course load may be completed during another academic year or during a spring/summer session, either before or after the term in which you completed four courses.
Please note that:
- Courses taken during the summer prior to admission to the MD Program cannot be used to meet this requirement.
- All requirements must be completed, with final grades reported on an official transcript, by June 30, 2027, prior to admission to the MD Program.
- The course must be part of your bachelor’s degree program.
I completed 4 courses in the fall and 5 courses in the winter. However, one of my fall courses was worth 6 units. Do I still need to complete another course to fulfill the missing course?
No. A course worth 6 units completed within that term and not spread over 2 terms, is considered equivalent to two standard 3-unit courses. As a result, your fall term will be counted as having 5 courses, and your academic year will be recognized as full-time.
I completed one full-year course that spans over both the Fall and Winter terms within the same academic year. Could you please confirm whether this course counts toward the course load for both terms?
Year long courses (6 units) are counted toward the course load for both the Fall and Winter terms. For assessment purposes, each full-year course contributes the equivalent of 3 units per term.
Can I qualify for admission with part-time studies?
No. Only full-time studies leading to a university bachelor’s degree are considered eligible for admission. Part-time studies do not meet the admission requirements.
Which undergraduate program will give me the best chance of being accepted into your MD Program?
We value diversity in academic background; therefore, applicants from all undergraduate programs leading to a university bachelor’s degree are welcome. All applications are assessed using the same criteria, and no preference or special weighting is given to any particular undergraduate university degree.
The required minimum CGPA is 3.50 on the 4.0 scale, as per the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
Admission to the MD Program is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. A substantially higher CGPA will improve your chances in the selection process.
To assess academic excellence, the CGPA is calculated using the most recent 3 years of full-time undergraduate studies (5 courses per term per year) completed toward a university bachelor’s degree.
The calculation includes all full-time courses taken during the regular academic year (fall and winter terms) and individual spring and summer courses completed during that period (unless they are completed abroad).
An academic year must include a minimum of four graded courses per term (12 graded units) to be included in the CGPA calculation. Qualitative grades (e.g., Pass/Satisfactory) are permitted provided the minimum number of graded courses is maintained. Courses graded as Not Satisfactory (NS) or Fail (F) are considered graded outcomes. Any academic year with fewer than four graded courses in a term is excluded from the CGPA calculation.
Important notes
- An academic year with fewer than 4 courses per term is not considered full-time and will not be included in the calculation of the CGPA.
- Grades earned during any academic year in which a term or full year was completed abroad as part of an exchange program are not included in the CGPA calculation.
- Grades obtained from coursework completed as part of a graduate degree are also excluded.
- Although courses completed outside the three-year period are not included in the CGPA calculation, they may be considered during the final comprehensive file review to ensure continued academic excellence.
FAQ
How do you assess repeated courses?
All courses appearing on your transcript within the most recent 3 years of full-time undergraduate studies leading to a university bachelor’s degree are included in the CGPA calculation. If you repeated a course and both the original and repeated attempts fall within this three-year period, both grades will be used in calculating your CGPA.
My CGPA is 0.02 below the required minimum. Will my application advance in the selection process?
No. You must meet the minimum required CGPA to be eligible for consideration. No exceptions are granted under any circumstances.
Will the grades from the current term at the time I submit my application be included in the CGPA calculation?
No. Grades from the first semester of the year in which you apply are not included in the initial CGPA calculation. However, they will be taken into account if your application advances further in the admissions process and you receive an offer of admission.
I have completed a first university bachelor’s degree and I am now currently enrolled in another bachelor’s program. How will my CGPA be calculated?
For the assessment of academic excellence, the CGPA is calculated using the most recent three years of full-time undergraduate studies (five courses per term per year) completed toward a university bachelor’s degree.
These three years of full-time studies do not need to be consecutive or completed within the same bachelor’s degree program.
For example, if you apply after completing two years of full-time studies in a second bachelor’s program, we will use those two years along with the most recent year of full-time studies from your first bachelor’s degree to calculate your CGPA.
You must complete prerequisite courses in all of the following subject areas with a minimum grade of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale, according to the OMSAS Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
You may complete missing prerequisite courses during the academic year preceding admission to the MD Program. However, all courses must be completed and final grades must be available on the official transcript by June 30, 2027, prior to admission to the MD Program.
Course Requirements
- 6 units in humanities/social sciences
- You may fulfill the humanities/social sciences requirements with any courses that are not science-based. These include, but are not limited to: sociology, psychology, mathematics, religion, administration, English literature, creative writing, etc.
- We do not accept any second language courses toward the humanities/social sciences requirements.
- 6 units in biology
- Examples of topics covered in the course may include: general biology, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology. Anatomy and physiology courses are also accepted.
- 3 units in organic chemistry
- Examples of topics covered in the course may include: classification, identification and structural characterization of organic compounds, the mechanisms of organic reactions, basic principles of organic stereochemistry, properties and preparation of hydrocarbons, halogen derivatives, alcohols, ethers and selected polymers.
- 3 units in general chemistry
- Examples of topics covered in the course may include: chemical bonding, molecular geometry, chemical equations and quantitative relations, kinetics and equilibrium, redox reactions, electrochemistry, ionic equilibria, acids and bases in solution.
- 3 units in biochemistry
- Examples of topics covered in the course may include: the chemistry and biological properties of amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates and vitamins.
- 3 units in statistics
- Examples of topics covered in the course may include: concise survey of probability, theory of statistical inference, point and interval estimation, tests of hypotheses, introduction to analysis of continuous variables, sampling distribution, quantitative analysis, regression analysis, use of statistical software.
Laboratory Requirement
6 units from the listed science course categories must include a laboratory component.
Notes
- Units are equivalent to credits.
- 3 units = one-term course; 6 units = one full-year course or two one-term courses.
- Courses will be accepted if the content covers topics relevant to the required category.
- Completing additional courses in one subject area does not compensate for missing courses in other categories.
- Example: 6 units in organic chemistry does not compensate for missing units in general chemistry.
- A standalone laboratory course cannot replace a prerequisite course for which the minimum grade of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale, was not achieved.
- For information on prerequisite courses completed at the CEGEP or college level, refer to the “I am applying as a student from a CEGEP or a community college” section of our website.
- Prerequisite courses are not validated in advance; they are assessed during our formal application review process.
- If most of the required topics are covered, the course will be accepted.
- A prerequisite course completed outside of the most recent 3 years of full-time studies may be used to fulfill prerequisite requirements if the minimum grade is met; however, the grade from this course will not be included in the CGPA calculation.
FAQ
Can distance learning courses (e.g., online) be taken to fulfill prerequisite course requirements?
Yes, courses taken through distance learning are accepted.
However, to satisfy the laboratory requirement, the laboratory component must be completed on site at a university. Home-based or virtual laboratory components are not accepted.
Are courses taken at CEGEP or college recognized as prerequisites?
Only certain biology and chemistry courses completed at a CEGEP or college are recognized as equivalent to our science prerequisites, provided a minimum grade of 70% has been obtained. For more information on course equivalencies, please refer to the “I am applying as a student from a CEGEP or a community college” section of our website.
I completed the Advanced Placement (AP) and/or the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Are AP or IB courses recognized as prerequisites?
Yes, AP and IB courses in biology and general chemistry may be recognized to meet the corresponding prerequisites, provided that you have achieved a minimum score of 4 on AP exams or 5 on IB exams.
To have AP or IB courses recognized, you must submit an official AP or IB transcript. Transcripts must be sent directly to OMSAS by the College Board or the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Can I complete prerequisite courses at a university other than the one where I am currently enrolled?
Yes. Prerequisite courses may be completed at a university other than your current institution. However, you must submit an official transcript from the university where the courses were taken to confirm your grades. A notation of CR (credit) on your current university transcript is not sufficient.
I completed more than one prerequisite course per required category. Do I need to include all of them in my application?
No. Please select only the number of courses or units required for each category. For example, you should select 2 courses (6 units) in humanities/social sciences category.
If a selected course does not meet the requirements, we will review your transcript(s) to determine whether you have successfully completed another course that fulfills the requirement.
I can’t find the link (URL) for one of my prerequisites. What should I do?
A course description is recommended for all prerequisites.
If course descriptions are not available on your school’s website, you may instead provide a detailed, official course syllabus for each prerequisite course selected. This document can be uploaded through the Secure Applicant Messaging (SAM) within your OMSAS application.
How do I indicate which prerequisite courses have a laboratory component on my application?
There is no option to indicate this information directly in the application for admission.
Laboratory components are identified through the links (URLs) to course descriptions you provided and through information available on your official transcript.
I am completing a prerequisite course during the application year. What should I enter in the “ Course Grade” box?
If you are completing a prerequisite course during the application year, please enter “IP” (in-progress) in the Course Grade box. This indicates that the course is currently in progress.
You must submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you currently attend, have previously attended or withdrew from. This includes universities, colleges, CEGEPs, junior colleges, graduate schools and IB or AP programs.
A separate transcript is required for each institution, even if exchange or transfer courses appear on your home institution’s transcript
This includes transcripts for:
- course taken on letter of permission;
- transfer credit;
- exchange program credit;
- international baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) transcripts [if the courses are used to fulfill prerequisites].
To be official, transcripts must meet these criteria:
- Be sent directly from the registrar’s office to OMSAS transcripts submitted by applicants are not accepted); and
- Be either:
- printed on the institution’s official transcript paper or be imprinted by the institution's seal and/or bear the appropriate signatures; or
- sent electronically, where this option is available.
Note: OMSAS is unable to notify candidates of any outstanding transcripts prior to the application deadline. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that all transcripts and registrar statements are received by OMSAS by the application deadline.
Non-Academic Requirements
The University of Ottawa offers its MD Program in both of Canada’s official languages, English and French. The Program is delivered within a faculty where both the Francophone and Anglophone teaching activities correlate, supporting the development of linguistic skills in both languages.
Choice of Language of Instruction
When applying for admission to the MD Program, you must select a language stream. Candidates may choose to apply to either the English or French stream, regardless of their mother tongue or first language.
Please note the following:
- Interviews will be conducted in the language of instruction selected in your application.
- Proficiency in the chosen language will be carefully assessed during the interview process, as candidates must be able to complete their medical studies in that language.
- The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of language proficiency, if necessary.
- You must be able to function in the language of instruction you have chosen, both orally and in writing
Important:
- Once you submit your application and/or are admitted, you cannot switch from one language stream to the other.
- You agree to participate in all teaching activities in the language stream admitted.
- If you apply to the francophone stream, your ability to carry on a conversation in both official languages will be assessed during the interview.
Bilingualism
Applicants for the Francophone stream are expected to have proficiency in both French and English, as patient care in the National Capital Region involves interactions in both official languages. English proficiency will be assessed during the interview.
To be eligible for admission, candidates must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application:
- be a Canadian citizen;
- be a permanent resident of Canada (landed immigrant); or
- be a Convention refugee in Canada with approved status.
Status in Canada must be approved (i.e., a Notice of Decision is required to show approval of refugee status in Canada). We will make an exception only for eligible children of University of Ottawa alumni who have completed studies at the Faculty of Medicine.
If you are a permanent resident (landed immigrant) or convention refugee in Canada, you must provide proof of status to OMSAS at the time you submit your application.
As part of your application, you must complete the ABS. The ABS is used to provide information about your non academic experiences and achievements, and allows us to assess the breadth and nature of your activities.
When completing the ABS, you will be prompted to provide more specific details for all categories (employment, volunteer and extracurricular activities, awards and accomplishments, research and other).
Candidates are encouraged to be complete yet concise. For each activity, please indicate:
- whether the activity took place during an academic or non-academic period; and
- the total number of hours completed.
Point-form responses are recommended. You are not expected to write a personal letter.
Through the ABS, we want to know:
- what you have done in your life so far;
- why you chose to engage in these activities; and
- what you gained from them, both personally and as a future physician.
We are unable to provide guidance on how to complete the ABS. Candidates are responsible for determining how best to present their experiences and must rely on their own judgment.
You must provide a verifier for each activity listed on your ABS. We are unable to guide you in selecting your verifiers. Whenever possible, avoid using a friend, family member or co-applicant as a verifier.
You will also be asked to identify the top 3 activities in each category (maximum of 18 in total) that you feel have best prepared you to apply to medicine.
When selecting your top 3 activities, priority should be given to experiences from your postsecondary education. High school activities may be included if they were continued beyond high school.
Failure to follow the instructions provided may result in disqualification of your application.
Notes
- The Admissions Committee does not assess activities completed solely during high school. If an activity was started in high school and continued into postsecondary education, only the portion completed during postsecondary studies will be considered.
- The form allows you to enter up to 32 activities. You are not required to complete all available fields.
- We randomly contact verifiers. If you submit false, misleading or fraudulent information on your ABS, such as inaccurate verifier information, your application will be disqualified.
ABS Categories – How to Enter Activities
For all ABS categories, list activities in chronological order and include the following information unless otherwise specified:
your education level at the time (e.g., first year of university);
- whether the activity occurred during the academic year or summer;
- the start and end dates;
- the total number of hours (per week or per month); and
- a brief description of your role or responsibilities.
Employment
Include paid positions you have held. In addition to the general requirements above, please indicate:
- whether the position was part time, full-time or part of a co-op program;
- the location;
- your job title.
Volunteer Activities
- Include unpaid volunteer experiences. In addition to the general requirements above, please include:
- the name and location of the organization.
Extracurricular Activities
Include activities outside of formal employment or volunteer roles (e.g., clubs, sports, arts, music, student government, or personal activities such as camping).
In addition to the general requirements above, please indicate:
- the type of activity (individual, team, or club); and
- for sports activities, the level of participation (recreational, intramural, varsity, provincial, national, or international).
Awards and Accomplishments
These may include academic, service, humanitarian, community, or athletic awards (e.g., scholarships or formal recognitions).
For each award, please specify:
- when it was received (education level or year);
- the duration, if applicable; and
- the granting organization, if relevant.
Research
Include research experiences conducted in an academic or formal research setting.
For each entry, please specify:
- your education level at the time of the research;
- the title of the research project; and
- any research outputs, such as: papers,
- abstracts,
- presentations at scientific meetings,
- publications (accepted or published, with reference), or
- work submitted or in preparation.
FAQ
Do you look at the “Other” section?
All categories of the Autobiographical Sketch, including the “Other” section, may be reviewed during the evaluation process.
Do you only look at the top 3 activities?
The entire ABS may be reviewed during the evaluation process — not just the top 3 activities.
I am applying to the French stream. Can I complete the ABS in English?
Yes. The ABS may be completed in French or English if you are applying only to the University of Ottawa. If you are applying to other Ontario medical schools, it should be completed in English so that all schools can review it.
You must ask 3 different individuals (referred to as referees) to provide a reference on your behalf:
- one academic- or employment-related referee;
- one non-academic referee; and
- one referee of your choosing.
To ensure referees provide the specific information that the Admissions Committee is seeking, each of your referees will be asked to fill out a CAF. It is your responsibility to inform your referees that they must fill out the CAF.
Additional letters of reference will not be accepted
Note: We will not accept CAF from family members or co-applicants. Select referees who have extensive personal knowledge of you and can accurately answer the CAF questions.
Referees will be asked to respond to the following:
- Whether the candidate would make a good physician.
- An assessment of the candidate’s abilities in the following areas:
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Professionalism (e.g., commitment to ethical practice, standards of behaviour and accountability to others)
- Empathy (e.g., demonstrating consideration of others’ perspectives)
- Identify and comment on one area of improvement for the candidate.
- Share any other information you believe may be relevant to a medical school’s admissions committee.
All CAFs must be submitted by the OMSAS application deadline, along with the rest of your application. Late references will not be accepted.
You should send reference requests to your referees by September 15 to allow sufficient time for completion of the online CAF before the deadline.
FAQ
I am applying to the French stream. Can my referees submit their CAF in English?
Yes. Referees may complete the CAF in either French or English, regardless of the language stream to which you are applying.
All applicants are required to complete an early-phase MMI through the Acuity Insights platform to be considered for admission.
This asynchronous assessment is collaboratively developed by several Ontario medical schools and evaluates skills essential for success in the MD Program, including critical thinking, decision making, communication, interpersonal skills, compassion and teamwork.
Applicants will respond to prompts by recording video responses directly on the platform.
All applicants who successfully submit an application to the University of Ottawa MD Program will be contacted in early October, shortly after the OMSAS application deadline, with instructions to schedule their early-phase MMI.
Only applicants who have successfully submitted an application to the MD Program will be eligible to select a testing date.
To take the early-phase MMI, you must use a computer with a webcam, audio capabilities and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date.
You must complete the Early MMI in the language of instruction you selected when submitting your application to the University of Ottawa. If you fail to complete early-phase MMI in the correct language, your application will be disqualified.
You may complete the early-phase MMI from any location, as long as you have a quiet, private space that is free from disruptions and meet the required technical specifications.
If you require testing accommodations, you must submit all necessary forms and supporting documentation. For more information, consult the Early-phase MMI Accommodations page on the Acuity Insight website.
Essential Skills and Abilities for the Study of Medicine
The Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine issued guidelines about the skills and abilities required to:
- study medicine in Ontario;
- successfully complete the medical program;
- enter professional practice.
TThese guidelines apply to all individuals who are applying to or enrolled in an Ontario medical school.
You are required to review the document Essential Skills and Abilities Required for Entry to a Medical Degree Program for a comprehensive understanding of these guidelines.
Applications must be submitted via the Ontario Medical School Application Service website (OMSAS). The application platform generally opens in early July of the year preceding the intended year of admission.
Deadlines for account creation and application submission are published on the OMSAS website. Candidates are responsible for consulting the OMSAS website to confirm all applicable deadlines.
No exceptions will be made to the published deadlines.
Is applying to medical school a significant financial burden to you? You could save approximately $610 by applying to the Ontario Medical School Application Fee Waiver Program.
This program subsidizes your application costs for up to 3 Ontario medical schools for fall 2027 admission.
This program was collaboratively developed by the AFMC, the Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine, the OUAC and Price of a Dream (POD).
- For more information, visit the AFMC website.
- If you have any questions, email the AFMC.
- For resources to support your fee waiver application, email POD or reach out to POD on Instagram.
If you have an unaccommodated disability, you may request additional consideration in the undergraduate MD Program admission process if one or more of the following apply:
- you were not aware that you had a disability during your undergraduate and/or studies; or
- you had a documented disability but were not appropriately accommodated during your undergraduate and/or graduate studies.
Disability-based consideration requests apply only to the initial assessment of your OMSAS application.
Supporting Documentation
You must submit the following supporting documentation by the application deadline:
Documentation From the Accessibility Services Office
If you were registered with and received accommodation through the accessibility services office at your university (or other educational institution), you must submit a report from the accessibility services office that:
- confirms your registration for academic accommodations;
- supports the need for accommodation; and
- lists the accommodation given and its duration.
A medical diagnosis is not required for this documentation.
Letter From a Regulated Health Practitioner
You must submit a letter from a regulated health practitioner who is licensed to diagnose. The letter must be dated and:
- clearly state the practitioner’s professional credentials;
- support the need for accommodation;
- specify the type of accommodation required;
- include the date of diagnosis; and
- describe the functional impairment and related limitations.
The letter may be provided by one of the following regulated health practitioners:
- Physician (family physician or specialist)
- Nurse practitioner
- Psychologist
- Dentist
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational therapist
- Speech and language pathologist
- Audiologist
- Optometrist
- Social worker
- Other regulated health practitioner who is licensed to diagnose
Disability-based Consideration Request Form
You must also submit the Disability-based Consideration Request Form [PDF] which must include:
- A description of the nature of your disability and its impact on learning.
- The academic consideration being requested, including the term(s) or year(s) during which accommodations were not received.
- Details of any accommodation requested, received, or not requested (including reasons)
- Information about any courses, if any, that were completed after accommodations were put in place; and
- A brief explanation of how you addressed challenges and your plan for success in the study and practice of medicine.
Use the Secure Application Messaging (SAM) in your OMSAS application to upload all supporting documentation for your request.
The University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine Admissions Committee may request additional information or documentation as part of the review process.
Do I qualify
You can apply if you have completed 2 years of full-time studies in a program leading to a university bachelor’s degree and are currently enrolled as a third-year, full-time undergraduate student.
You must complete all admission requirements, with final grades available on the official transcript, by June 30, 2027, prior to admission to the MD Program.
You are eligible to apply if you have completed at least 3 years of full-time studies in a program leading to a university bachelor’s degree.
The 3 years of full-time studies do not necessarily need to be consecutive nor be in the same bachelor’s degree program.
For example, if at the time of application, you have completed a university bachelor’s degree plus 2 years toward a second university bachelor’s degree, you are eligible to apply, provided that:
- At least 3 of your undergraduate years of study were completed as full-time.
- You have completed all admission requirements, with final grades available on the official transcript, by June 30, 2027, prior to admission to the MD Program.
If you are registered in a co-op program, you are eligible to apply if you meet the admission requirements.
To satisfy the 3 years of full-time studies requirement, each completed year of study must have at least 2 academic terms per year (fall, winter and spring-summer).
Any academic year where you completed 2 work terms will not count as part of the 3 required years of full-time studies and, therefore, the grades obtained during the academic term will not be used in the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) calculation.
Course sequence
Example 1
If your co-op program followed the calendar outlined below, you may apply to the MD Program after your second year, provided that your third year is completed by the end of the winter term and that all 3 years of study were completed on a full-time basis.
| Year of study | Fall term | Winter term | Spring-Summer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study | Study | - |
| 2 | Study | Study | Work 1 |
| 3 | Study | Study | Work 2 |
| 4 | Work 3 | Work 4 | - |
| 5 | Study | Study | - |
Example 2
If your co-op program followed the calendar outlined below, you may apply to the MD Program after completing your fourth year, provided that your fifth year is completed by the end of the winter term and that all 3 years of study were completed on a full-time basis.
| Year of study | Fall term | Winter term | Spring-Summer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study | Study | - |
| 2 | Study | Study | - |
| 3 | Study | Work 1 | Work 2 |
| 4 | Work 3 | Study | Work 4 |
| 5 | Studies | Studies | - |
Candidates coming directly from CEGEP or community college are not eligible for admission.
College diplomas (CEGEP or community college) are recognized as equivalent to 1 year of postsecondary university studies. To satisfy the full-time requirement, you must also have completed 2 years of full-time studies (5 courses per term each year) in a program leading to a university bachelor’s degree.
Prerequisite courses equivalencies
The following CEGEP or community college courses are recognized as equivalent to specific science prerequisites provided a minimum grade of 70% is obtained:
| Course Title CEGEP/COLLEGE | Equivalency University of Ottawa |
|---|---|
| General Biology I | 3 units (credits) in biology |
| General Biology II | 3 units (credits) in biology |
| General Chemistry AND Chemistry of Solutions* | 3 units (credits) in general chemistry |
| Organic Chemistry I | 3 units (credits) in organic chemistry |
*Both General Chemistry and Chemistry of Solutions must be completed to meet the general chemistry prerequisite requirement.
Note: Only the courses listed above are recognized as equivalencies for science prerequisites, completed at the CEGEP or college level.
If you completed the science courses listed above at the CEGEP or college level, you must also complete the following prerequisite courses at an accredited university, with a minimum grade of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale, in accordance with the OMSAS Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table:
- 6 units (credits) in humanities/social sciences;
- 3 units (credits) in biochemistry; and
- 3 units (credits) in statistics.
Courses in humanities, social sciences, biochemistry and statistics taken at the CEGEP or college level are not accepted.
If you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant), or Convention refugee in Canada and have completed postsecondary studies outside of Canada and the United States (US), you must have your international transcripts assessed by World Education Services (WES).
Exemption from WES evaluation
You are exempt from submitting a WES evaluation if you have completed at least 3 years of full time studies in a university bachelor’s program in Canada or the United States after completing your international studies. Grades from your international studies will not be included in the CGPA calculation. In this case:
- a WES evaluation is not required; however
- official transcripts from the foreign institution must still be sent directly to OMSAS by the application deadline.
While a WES evaluation facilitates the review of international academic records, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to apply its own grade conversion as part of the assessment process.
Note: A WES evaluation is not required for studies completed as an exchange program.
If you are a graduate candidate who is currently registered in, or has recently completed, a master’s or doctoral degree, you are eligible to apply to the MD Program provided you meet the admission requirements.
Your application will be assessed on the same basis as all other applications, namely:
- Academic requirements (full-time study, prerequisite courses, CGPA)
- Non-academic requirements (citizenship, Confidential Assessment Forms [CAFs], early-phase multiple mini interview [MMI], Autobiographical Sketch [ABS] and interview)
Note: The CGPA is calculated based on the last 3 years of full-time undergraduate study. Grades from graduate-level studies (master’s and doctoral degree) are not included in the CGPA calculation; however, they will be considered as part of the final comprehensive file assessment to ensure academic excellence is maintained.
As a graduate applicant, you must have fulfilled all requirements of your graduate program prior to the start of the MD Program, as simultaneous enrollment in two academic programs is not permitted.
You are required to submit:
- an official transcript to OMSAS no later than June 30, 2027, reflecting your academic performance for the current year; and
- a final official transcript confirming the conferral of your graduate degree, once available.
Admission for non-degree or mature students, as defined by the University of Ottawa’s general admission requirements, is not applicable to the MD Program.
You are not eligible if you:
- have previously been enrolled in a medical program leading to an MD degree and withdrew or were excluded, or
- are currently enrolled in, have accepted an offer to, or will begin another MD program prior to the start of our MD Program.
In rare cases, we may consider exceptions for applicants with documented exceptional or medical circumstances.
Candidates, as well as their family members, delegates, or friends, must not contact the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the Vice-Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education or the Vice-Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, directly or indirectly regarding the application process or an individual’s application. This includes contact by telephone, mail, email, social media, or in person.
As such contact will be considered a breach of professionalism. All instances of interference will be documented and may jeopardize the applicant’s candidacy.
The MD Program of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS), the body responsible for accrediting medical education programs in Canada. The Admissions Office strictly adheres to the following CACMS standard:
“10.2 Final Authority of Admissions Committee—The final responsibility for accepting students to a medical education program rests with a formally constituted Admissions Committee. The authority and composition of the committee and the rules for its operation, including voting privileges and the definition of a quorum, are specified in bylaws or other medical school policies. Faculty members constitute the majority of voting members at all meetings. The selection of individual medical students for admission is not influenced by political or financial factors.”
We reserve the right to refuse future applications to the MD Program from candidates who have previously submitted false, misleading or fraudulent information to any medical school.
Any applicant found to have submitted fraudulent documentation or information will be disqualified from the admission process and may be subject to legal consequences.
To foster constructive communication and maintain a safe and respectful environment, inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and will not receive a response.
The Faculty of Medicine does not tolerate any form of verbal abuse, harassment or intimidation toward its staff. This includes but is not limited to:
- The use of aggressive, offensive, or vulgar language
- Making direct or indirect threats
- Excessive or inappropriate frequency of communication
- Refusal to accept responses or decisions that have already been communicated
While such communications are rare, there are instances where University of Ottawa employees may need to discontinue communication with individuals whose correspondence is abusive, aggressive, threatening, or vexatious
Transfers Into the University of Ottawa’s MD Program
Transfers into the University of Ottawa’s MD Program are considered only under exceptional circumstances, and subject to space availability. All transfer requests are reviewed in consultation with the Vice-Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education of the Faculty of Medicine, and must fully comply with the criteria outline below. Transfers are only considered into year 3 of the four-year undergraduate medical program.
The applicant must:
- be registered full-time as an undergraduate medical student at a Canadian university offering an accredited and comparable 4-year medical program;
- submit the transfer request at least one year prior to the intended year of transfer;
- have successfully completed year 2 at the time of transfer;
- be in good academic standing and have a satisfactory overall record at the home institution;
- meet all general admission requirements of the Faculty of Medicine;
- not be on leave from the home institution.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all required documentation from your home institution is submitted to the University of Ottawa with the transfer request. Incomplete requests will not be considered.
Transfers within the Faculty of Medicine
- Francophone and Anglophone streams: Transfers between streams are not permitted.
- Once you accept an offer of admission, it is not possible to transfer from one program to another.
The OMSAS Application Guide emphasizes that all application materials and required documents must be received by OMSAS by the published deadlines.
You must ensure that OMSAS receives your transcripts by the stated deadline so the file can be reviewed in sufficient time and for you to correct any errors or missing information, if needed.
Transcript-related issues must be resolved before our selection process begins. Files with outstanding transcript issues cannot be included in the evaluation process and your application may be disqualified.
Deadlines are strictly enforced. All required documents must be submitted by the specified dates. Failure to follow instructions or meet the deadlines will result in the disqualification of your application
Note: The Admissions Office will make no exceptions to the above policies
The initial application review is based on the following criteria.
Academic requirements:
- Full-time study status
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- CGPA
Non-academic requirements:
- Citizenship eligibility
- Early-phase MMI
These requirements are further defined in the Admission Requirements section.
Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements at this stage do not advance in the admission process.
For those who meet the minimum eligibility requirements, the Admissions Committee proceeds with an evaluation of the ABS and verification of the CAF.
Interview invitations are determined using a rank-order list based on the following components:
- CGPA
- Early-phase MMI score
- ABS score
Approximately 70% of seats are reserved for regional candidates.
Provided that eligibility criteria are met, no preference is given to the academic discipline of a candidate’s undergraduate university program.
Age, gender, race, religion and socio-economic status do not influence the selection process, except where specified for designated pathways.
Candidates who submit fraudulent or misleading information may have their application disqualified and may be subject to legal consequences.
You will not be admitted without an interview. Interviews are typically held between February and March, and invitations are issued based on a comprehensive assessment of both the academic and non-academic components of your application.
Our interviews are semi-structured and last approximately 40 minutes. They are conducted by a panel consisting of two members of the Admissions Committee who may be faculty or community representatives, and a fourth-year medical student. During the interview, we evaluate the following characteristics: motivation, empathy/compassion, conflict resolution/teamwork, communication skills, professionalism, critical thinking/ethics as well as resiliency.
If you require accommodations for your interview, you must email the Admissions Office immediately upon receiving your invitation to allow sufficient time to review and process your request. Failure to do so may result in accommodations not being implemented. Once received, accommodation requests are forwarded to the Academic Accommodation Service, who will contact you to review your needs and inform you of any supporting documentation required.
Given the significant weight assigned to interview performance in our MD Program selection process, candidates who have previously completed 3 interviews for the University of Ottawa MD Program are no longer eligible for consideration.
This policy applies to all applicants, regardless of language stream or admission pathway.
Note: Interviews for the 2027 admission cycle will be conducted virtually and will take place in February and March. Communications confirming the status of applications will be sent by email during the last week of January 2027.
Feedback on the evaluation of applications is not provided. Admission decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Following the interview process, applicants are placed on a rank-order list based primarily on interview performance. Applicants who do not meet interview performance standards may not be ranked.
The Admissions Committee may also consider additional factors when determining a candidate’s position on the excellence list for offers of admission.
All offers of admission are conditional and subject to the following academic requirements:
- Successful completion of the current academic year, including having maintained your average (this applies to all levels of study, undergraduate, graduate or professional studies, whether full-time or part-time).
- For applicants currently completing an undergraduate degree, the CGPA will be recalculated to confirm it meets the required minimum CGPA of 3.50 on the 4.0 scale, according to the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
- While the CGPA includes only undergraduate grades, academic performance in graduate or doctoral studies will also be reviewed during the final evaluation to ensure that academic excellence has been maintained.
- Submission of an official transcript for the current academic year to OMSAS no later than June 30, 2027. The transcript must confirm completion of all admission requirements.
- Applicants enrolled in a graduate program may complete their thesis requirement (or clinical component) during the summer before starting the MD Program. However, you cannot be enrolled in 2 programs simultaneously. All graduate program requirements must be completed before the MD Program begins.
Other Conditions
- Satisfactory completion of all clinical placement requirements.
- Submission of proof of citizenship (copy only).
- Ability to meet the standards as stated in the document Essential Skills and Abilities Required for Entry to a Medical Degree Program.
Important: The University reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if a candidate fails to meet any admission requirements or conditions outlined above.
Given the extensive use of information technology in the MD Program, admitted students are expected to be computer literate and to use a laptop in class from day one. Students are responsible for purchasing their own laptop and ensuring it meets the technical specifications required by the Faculty. Detailed requirements will be provided in the offer of admission package.
Please note that all courses in the MD Program are delivered in person. In addition, it is essential that students have reliable means of transportation to access their clinical placements, including rotations in rural and distributed community settings. Public transportation may not be sufficient to meet these requirements.
The institutional fee for applying to the University of Ottawa MD Program is $135. For admitted students, this amount is deducted from tuition fees.
A deposit of $1,000 is required when accepting an offer of admission. This deposit is applied toward your tuition fees once you are enrolled.
Once admitted in the first year of the MD Program, you cannot be enrolled in any other college or university program, whether full-time or part time. Permission to hold concurrent registration may be granted only under exceptional circumstances and requires approval from the Vice-Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education.
To obtain details on the clinical placement requirements, please consult the Program Requirement and Program Deadlines on the Faculty of Medicine Clinical Placement Risk Management (FoM CPRM) website.
An instruction package will be sent to accepted students with information on the clinical placement requirements. These include:
- Police Vulnerable Sector Check
- Immunization
- Basic Life Support Provider Certification
Police Vulnerable Sector Check
The Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) is mandatory for participation in clinical placements. It includes a search of police records through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and identifies any criminal record suspensions (pardons) related to sexual offences. The University reserves the right to revoke admission offers and/or registration at any time based on the results of the VSC.
Immunization
Clinical placements are an essential component of the MD Program. As a health care professional, you have an obligation to protect your patients, colleagues, and yourself from infections that can be transmitted in health care practice settings. Immunization requirements are mandatory and must be fulfilled before entering a clinical setting.
Tetanus/Diphtheria
- Proof of a childhood immunization record or adult primary series (at least 3 doses) is mandatory.
- Proof of a booster received within the last 10 years.
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
- Proof of one dose of Tdap vaccine is mandatory if not previously received in adulthood (18 years of age and older).
Polio
- Proof of a childhood immunization record or adult primary series (at least 3 doses) is mandatory.
Tuberculosis
- Proof of a baseline two-step tuberculin skin test (TST) is mandatory in addition to a yearly one-step TST.
- Students with a history of positive TST must provide a chest x-ray report done after the positive TST. Future TST is not required but the Tuberculosis Signs and Symptoms Self-Declaration Form [PDF]must be completed on an annual basis.
- A new TST is recommended within three months of returning from travel to any TB-endemic area.
Varicella/Zoster
- Laboratory evidence of immunity or
- Documentation of a diagnosis by a health care provider of varicella/herpes zoster that is laboratory confirmed or
- Documentation of 2 doses of a varicella vaccine.
- Vaccination series is required if there is no proof of immunity.
MMR
- Measles: proof of 2 vaccine doses or laboratory evidence of immunity.
- Mumps: proof of 2 vaccine doses or laboratory evidence of immunity.
- Rubella: proof of one vaccine dose or laboratory evidence of immunity.
Hepatitis B
- Documented evidence of a complete primary series of hepatitis B immunization.
- Serology for hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs titer) AND hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
- Booster(s) required if hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs titer) is negative.
- Post-vaccination hepatitis B surface antibody serology (anti-HBs titer) is mandatory one month later.
Influenza
- Documented evidence of seasonal flu vaccine for the academic year. This is a mandatory annual requirement.
COVID-19
- Documented evidence of a complete primary series of COVID-19 immunization.
Basic Life Support Provider Certification
BLS certification is an annual requirement for the MD Program. Your BLS certification must remain valid at all times. Annual renewal is required regardless of the expiry date listed on your certification card.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation BLS training course is the only certification accepted.
Blood-borne Pathogens
All undergraduate medical students should know their HIV and hepatitis C status. Like hepatitis B, these are blood-borne pathogens for which there are strict policies and restrictions for risk-prone activities you may have to perform as a student during your various rotations.
Everyone should know their status and some universities and hospitals where you may rotate have listed these requirements as mandatory, in which case you will be required to provide serological results.
Upon acceptance, undergraduate medical students are required to inform the Vice-Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME), if they are positive for a blood-borne virus. The Vice-Dean may consult with the Expert Board and/or Board of Medical Assessors or other experts, as appropriate. Confidentiality concerning the applicant’s state of health will be maintained to the greatest extent possible.
You should discuss this with your health care provider and are encouraged to include testing and results in your record of immunization at the University of Ottawa.
A positive result for any blood-borne virus will not cause your faculty or institution to decline you; rather, it will result in special accommodations that will exempt you from risk-prone procedures that could put patients at risk.
Requests for deferred registration are considered only in extenuating circumstances. The Admissions Office, in consultation with the Vice-Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) will review all requests and may grant or deny a deferral.
To request a deferral, you must first accept your offer of admission and then submit a detailed letter explaining your circumstances. Your request must be received no later than June 30, 2027.
Deferral requests will be considered only if you have met all admission requirements for the original year of entry into the MD Program.
Applicants who hold a deferred admission at another medical school are not eligible for consideration by the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine during the period of that deferral.
The Faculty of Medicine offers a wide range of scholarships and bursaries to students enrolled in our MD Program. Scholarships are awarded in recognition of academic excellence, while bursaries are granted based on demonstrated financial need.
For a complete list and up-to-date list of available scholarships and bursaries, please consult the Scholarships webpage.
Page update: June 2026
