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.
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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 undergraduate program leading to a university bachelor’s degree. This requirement must be fulfilled, with final grades available on an official transcript, by June 30, prior to admission to the MD Program.
An academic year comprised of 4 courses per term will be recognized as full-time provided that the missing courses (units) to fulfill 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.
Note: 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).
Advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB) and transfer credits cannot be used to satisfy the full-time studies requirement.
We do not recognize full-time remote studies (e.g., online). The full-time studies requirement is designed to assess how candidates succeed in an in-person full-time course load and to predict their performance and ability to cope with the rigorous demands of the medical program.
We generally consider professional degrees earned at Canadian institutions as undergraduate degrees.
Note that studies 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.
Furthermore, 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 you achieve in these courses.
We do not pre-assess files; we will assess applications individually during the evaluation process once you submit your application to 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 that are missing to meet the full-time requirement may be taken during another school year or a spring/summer session (before or after the term in which you took 4 courses), except in the summer prior to admission to the MD Program, as all requirements must be fulfilled, with final grades available on an official transcript, by June 30, prior to admission to the MD Program.
Can I qualify for admission with part-time studies?
No. Only full-time studies leading to a university bachelor’s degree will qualify you for admission.
Which undergraduate program will give me the best chance of being accepted into your MD Program?
We strive for diversity; therefore, all undergraduate programs leading to a university bachelor’s degree are welcome. All applications are assessed the same way. There is no special weight or preference given to any particular undergraduate university degree.
The required minimum CGPA is 3.50 on the 4.0 scale, according to the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
While this meets the minimum criterion for admission consideration, be aware that, given the rising level of competition for a limited number of positions, a significantly higher CGPA will improve your chances of admission.
Admission to the MD program is competitive; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
When assessing excellence in marks for admission to the MD Program, we will use the CGPA based on your most recent 3 years of full-time undergraduate studies (5 courses per term per year) completed toward a university bachelor’s degree. The CGPA will include all full-time courses taken during the regular academic year (fall and winter terms) and individual courses taken during the spring/summer term during that period (unless they are completed abroad).
A school year with fewer than 4 courses per term is not considered full-time and will not be included in the calculation of the CGPA.
Marks obtained in an academic year where you completed a term (or full year) abroad as part of an exchange program will not be included in the CGPA calculation.
We will not include individual grades received for coursework taken as part of a graduate degree in the CGPA calculation.
Any additional university courses or studies outside that period will be considered during the final comprehensive file review, despite not being included in the CGPA calculation, to ensure academic excellence is maintained.
For an academic year to count toward the CGPA calculation, a maximum of one pass/fail graded course per term may have been completed in accordance with the full-time requirement. Therefore, an academic year with more than one pass/fail graded course in a single term will not be considered in the CGPA calculation.
FAQ
How do you assess repeated courses?
All courses shown on your transcript within the most recent 3 years of full-time undergraduate studies leading to a university bachelor’s degree will count in the calculation of your CGPA. If you repeated a course and both the original and the repeated attempts fall within this three-year period, both grades will be included in your CGPA calculation.
My CGPA is 0.02 less than the required minimum required average. Will my application advance in the selection process?
No. You must have the minimum required CGPA. Under no circumstances will be exceptions granted.
Will the grades I obtained during the first semester of the year in which I am applying for admission count?
They will not be counted in the initial CGPA calculation but will be taken into account if your application advances further in the process, and you receive an offer of admission.
Each specific prerequisite courses must be completed 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 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
- 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.
Notes
- Units are equivalent to credits.
- 3 units are equivalent to a one-term course, and 6 units are equivalent to either 1 full-year course or 2 term-long courses.
- We will accept courses where the title or content includes topics related to the category required. For example, we will accept any Introduction to Chemistry or General Chemistry for the 3 units of General Chemistry.
- Having more courses in one category does not compensate for missing courses in other categories. For example, having 6 units in organic chemistry does not compensate for missing units in general chemistry or vice versa.
- An exclusive laboratory course does not replace a prerequisite course for which you did not obtain the minimum grade of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale.
- For more information on prerequisite courses taken at the CEGEP or college level, please refer the “I am applying as a student from a CEGEP or a community college” section of our website.
- Prerequisite courses will not be validated in advance; they will be assessed as part of the application evaluation process. Refer to the previous topic examples to determine whether your courses align with the requirements. If most topics are covered, the course will be accepted.
- Prerequisite courses with the minimum grade of 3.0 on 4.0 scale, according to the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table completed outside of the most recent 3 years of studies will count toward fulfilling the prerequisite units; however, the grades will not count toward the CGPA.
Laboratory Requirement
You must have a laboratory component in 2 of the science courses from the categories listed or have completed 1 exclusive laboratory course equivalent to 6 units.
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, you must have completed the laboratory component onsite, at the university, as we do not accept home or virtual labs.
Are courses taken at CEGEP or college recognized as prerequisites?
Only some biology and chemistry courses from CEGEP or college are recognized as equivalent to our science prerequisites, provided you have obtained a minimum grade of 70%. For more information on course equivalencies, please see the “I am applying as a student from a CEGEP or a community college” section.
I completed the Advanced Placement (AP) and/or the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Are AP or IB courses recognized as prerequisites?
We grant AP and IB equivalencies only for science prerequisites (biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry) provided that you obtained a minimum score of 4 on AP exams and 5 on IB exams.
For your courses to be recognized, you must provide your AP or IB transcript. You must arrange with the College Board/IB to send a transcript directly to OMSAS.
Can I complete prerequisite courses at a university other than the one where I am currently enrolled?
Yes. It is important to note that you must provide a transcript from the university where the courses were taken to confirm your grade. 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/units required per category. For example, 2 courses (6 units) in humanities/social sciences.
If you selected a course that does not meet the requirements, we will review your transcript(s) to determine if you have successfully completed another course that meets the requirements.
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 can provide a detailed and official syllabus for each of the courses you have selected. This document can be uploaded via 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 in your application for admission.
We will use the links (URLs) to your course descriptions to identify courses with a laboratory component. This information is also available in your transcript.
I am completing a prerequisite course during the application year. What should I enter in the “ Course Grade” box?
If you are taking a prerequisite course during the application year, please enter “IP” in the course grade box. This will indicate that the course is in progress.
Official transcripts are required for each university, college, CEGEP, junior college, graduate school or other postsecondary institution you currently attend, previously attended or withdrew from. You must submit a separate transcript even if your home school transcript shows an exchange or transfer course, and regardless of whether the course of study is relevant to your application.
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 prerequisites].
To be official, transcripts must meet these criteria:
- Be sent directly from the registrar’s office to OMSAS (we will not accept transcripts sent by you).
- Be either:
- printed on the institution’s official transcript paper or be imprinted with the school’s seal and/or bear the appropriate signatures; or
- sent electronically, where that procedure is established.
Note: It is not possible for OMSAS to notify you of any outstanding transcripts before the application deadline. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure that OMSAS receives all transcripts and registrar statements by the application deadline.
Non-Academic Requirements
The University of Ottawa offers its MD Program in both official languages (English and French) in a faculty where both the francophone and anglophone teaching activities correlate. These teaching activities enhance 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. You can apply to the English or French stream regardless of your mother tongue or the first language you learned.
- Interviews will be conducted in the language of instruction you selected in your application.
- Your proficiency in your chosen language will be carefully assessed during the interview, as the goal of this policy is to ensure you can complete your medical studies in the language of your choice.
- The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request a language proficiency test 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 chosen.
- Francophone stream applicants: It is essential for students admitted to the Francophone stream to be proficient in English for clerkship. A large part of the patient population in the National Capital Region is Anglophone and we cannot guarantee that clinical placements in exclusively Francophone environments will be offered.
Bilingualism
A bilingual applicant is someone who speaks both of Canada’s official languages: English and French.
Note: If you claim bilingual status, we will assess your ability to have a functional conversation in both languages at the time of the interview.
To be eligible for our MD Program, you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a convention refugee in Canada at the time of submitting your application. Status in Canada must be approved (IE Notice of Decision is required to show approved 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, which provides information that allows assessors to evaluate the scope of your activities since age 16.
The purpose of this questionnaire is for us to obtain more information about you. When completing the ABS, you will be prompted to provide more specific details for all of the categories (employment, volunteer and extracurricular activities, awards and accomplishments, research and other).
It is in your best interest to be complete, yet concise, and to specify the time of completion (academic or non-academic) and number of hours for each activity. Answers in point form are easier to review. You are not writing a personal letter.
We want to know:
- what you have done in your life so far;
- why you did it; and
- what you have gained from it as a person and as a future physician.
We are unable to advise you on the ABS, as we want to see how you choose to present your information. It is your responsibility to use your best judgment.
You will 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.
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 must comply with the instructions provided or your application will be disqualified.
Note: 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.
Employment
List employment you have held in chronological order. Specify your education level during employment (e.g., first year of university). Indicate if the employment was during the summer or the academic year, if it was part-time or full-time, the total number of hours (per week or per month) and the start and end date. Provide the location, your title and briefly describe your responsibilities.
Volunteer Activities
List your volunteer activities in chronological order. Specify your education level at the time (e.g., second year of university). Indicate if the activity was during the summer or the academic year, the total number of hours (per week or per month) and the start and end date. Provide the name and location of the organization, and briefly describe your responsibilities.
Extracurricular Activities
List your extracurricular activities in chronological order. Specify your education level at the time (e.g., first year of university). Indicate if the activity was during the summer or the academic year, the total number of hours (per week or per month) and the start and end date. Indicate the type of activity: individual activity, team activity or club activity (i.e., sports, arts, music, student governments, personal activities such as camping, etc.) For sports activities, indicate at which level you performed: recreational, varsity, intramural, provincial, national or international.
Awards and Accomplishments
These may include: university entrance scholarships, service awards, humanitarian awards, community awards/service, athletic scholarships, etc. Specify when they were received (e.g., third year of university), and the duration.
Research
Specify your education level during the research (e.g., first year of university) and the title of the project. Indicate the type of publications: paper, abstract and presentation at a scientific meeting, etc., accepted or published with a reference, submitted or in preparation.
FAQ
Do you look at the “Other” section?
Each category 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. You can complete the ABS in either French or English, regardless of the language stream you are applying to.
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.
Selecting Your Referees
You must ask 3 people to provide a reference on your behalf:
- one academic- or employment-related referee;
- one non-academic referee; and
- one referee of your choosing.
Note: We will not accept CAFs from family members or co-applicants. Select people who have extensive personal knowledge of you.
They will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- Would this applicant make a good physician?
- Rate the applicant on each of the following attributes:
- 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 applicant.
- Share any other information you feel may be relevant to a medical school’s admissions committee.
References are due by the OMSAS application deadline along with the rest of your application.
You should send reference requests to your referees by September 15 to allow them enough time for them to complete the online reference by the deadline. We will not accept late references.
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 you are applying to.
- All applicants are required to complete Casper through the Acuity Insights platform to be eligible for admission. Applicants are only required to do Casper (duet is not required).
- Exception: Casper is not required for candidates who qualify under the Indigenous Program and Government of Nunavut Applicants pathways.
- Casper assesses the non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. It also complements our other applicant screening tools.
- To take Casper, you must have access to a computer with audio capabilities, equipped with a webcam and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. Casper can be taken anywhere that you can satisfy these requirements.
- You do not need to study for Casper, although you may want to familiarize yourself with Casper structure and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test in.
Casper Registration and Test Dates
- Sign up for a Casper account
- Register for the CSP-10211—Canadian Professional Health Sciences version of Casper using a piece of government-issued photo ID.
- Select a testing date and time. You will be provided with a limited number of dates and times based on the admission timeline and requirements. There will be no additional tests scheduled.
Notes
- You must complete Casper in the language of instruction you selected when submitting your application to the University of Ottawa. If you fail to complete Casper in the correct language, your application will be disqualified.
- Casper scores are valid for only 1 application cycle. Applicants who have taken the test in previous years must retake it.
- Visit Acuity Insights’ test date and school information to find available test dates
- If you have already written Casper for other MD Programs in Canada, you are not required to retake it unless you are applying for a different language stream.
- If you take Casper but do not yet have your OMSAS Reference Number, you may reserve your Casper with a temporary reference number of 800000.
- After you submit your application and receive your OMSAS Reference Number, you must log into your Acuity Insights account to update your reference number and request that your results be sent to the University of Ottawa by the distribution deadline. Failure to update your OMSAS Reference Number may affect the distribution of your results. Exceptions will not be made for applicants who are unable to take Casper during one of the available test dates.
- There is a separate fee for Casper, which you must pay directly to Acuity Insights. This fee is not included in the OMSAS/Ottawa’s application fees.
Direct any inquiries about your Casper to the Acuity Insights Support Team using the chat on the Acuity Insights website.
If you require testing accommodations, you must submit all necessary forms and supporting documentation 4 weeks before your scheduled test. Find more information about Casper testing accommodations.
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.
These guidelines apply to students registered in or applying to any of the Ontario medical schools.
You are required to consult the document Essential Skills and Abilities Required for Entry to a Medical Degree Program for a complete review of these guidelines.
Applications are available online via the OMSAS website starting at the beginning of July of the year preceding the desired admission year.
The deadline to register for/create an account and the deadline to submit the application are indicated at the OMSAS website address above.
No exceptions to the published deadlines will be granted.
If applying to medical school is a significant financial burden to you, consider applying to the Medical School Application Fee Waiver Program. This program subsidizes the costs for up to 3 Ontario medical schools for the 2025–2026 application cycle (from $100 to $380 in total) as well as the $220 OMSAS processing fee. Applications open on June 27, 2025 (11:59 p.m.) and close on August 22, 2025 (11:59 p.m.). To assess your eligibility and apply, visit the Application Guide.
If you have any questions, please contact the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada. For resources to support your application process, you can connect with the Price of a Dream via email or Instagram (@priceofadream_md).
If you have an unaccommodated disability, you may request additional consideration in the undergraduate MD program admission process if you:
- were not aware that you had a disability; or
- were not appropriately accommodated for a documented disability during your undergraduate and/or graduate studies.
This request applies 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 from 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.
No diagnosis is needed.
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:
- include the health practitioner’s professional credentials (must be clearly stated);
- support the need for accommodation;
- specify the accommodation required;
- provide the date of diagnosis; and
- outline the underlying functional impairment and restrictions.
The following types of regulated health practitioners may provide a letter to support your request:
- 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 submit a Disability-based Consideration Request Form [PDF] that includes:
- the nature of your disability and its impact on your learning.
- the academic consideration you are requesting, including any semester(s) or year(s) your disability was not accommodated.
- the accommodation you applied for, and if received, the type of accommodation you received or the reason you did not request or receive accommodation.
- the courses, if any, you completed after you received accommodation.
- how you overcame your challenges and your plan to be successful 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 upon review of your request.
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 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 an undergraduate 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 an undergraduate degree plus 2 years toward a second 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 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 trimester (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 CGPA calculation.
Course sequence
Example 1
If your co-op program followed the calendar below, you can apply for admission after the second year, provided that your third year is completed by the end of the winter term and that all 3 years of study have been full-time.
| Year of study | Fall term | Winter term | Sprig-Summer term |
| 1 | Studies | Studies | - |
| 2 | Studies | Studies | Work 1 |
| 3 | Studies | Studies | Work 2 |
| 4 | Work 3 | Work 4 | - |
| 5 | Studies | Studies | - |
Example 2
If your co-op program followed the calendar below, you can apply for admission 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 have been full-time.
| Year of study | Fall term | Winter term | Sprig-Summer term |
| 1 | Studies | Studies | - |
| 2 | Studies | Studies | - |
| 3 | Studies | Wok 1 | Work 2 |
| 4 | Work 3 | Studies | Work 4 |
| 5 | Studies | Studies | - |
Candidates coming directly from CEGEP or community college are not eligible.
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 an undergraduate program leading to a university bachelor’s degree.
Prerequisite courses equivalencies
| 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 these courses must be completed to meet the requirements of the general chemistry prerequisite.
Note: Only the above CEGEP or college courses will be recognized as equivalencies to the science prerequisites, provided you obtained a minimum grade of 70%.
If you have completed these science courses at the CEGEP or college level, you must also take, in a recognized university, the following additional prerequisite courses:
- 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, a permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a 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).
If you have completed 3 years of full-time studies in an undergraduate program leading to a university bachelor’s degree in Canada or the US after your international studies, the international grades will not be used in calculating the CGPA. In this case, a WES evaluation is not required; however, your transcript must be sent directly from the foreign university to OMSAS by the application deadline.
We will consider your application only if the WES course-by-course evaluation is provided.
The WES evaluation greatly facilitates the consideration of your application; however, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to apply its own conversion.
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:
- Eligibility criteria (citizenship, full-time study and prerequisite courses)
- Academic parameters (CGPA)
- Non-academic parameters (Confidential Assessment Forms [CAFs], Casper, Autobiographical Sketch [ABS] and interview).
Note: The CGPA is calculated based on the last 3 years of full-time undergraduate studies. Although the CGPA does not include grades from graduate studies (master’s and doctoral degree), they will be considered as part of the final comprehensive file review to ensure academic excellence is maintained.
As a graduate applicant, you must have completed 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 reflecting your academic performance for the current year, followed by a final transcript confirming the conferral of your graduate degree.
Admission for non-degree or mature students, as described in the University of Ottawa general admission requirements, does not apply to the Faculty of Medicine.
You are not eligible if you were previously registered in, and withdrew or were excluded from, a medical program leading to an MD degree.
We may consider exceptions for exceptional or medical circumstances.
Individual applicants, their family members, delegates, and friends, are not to 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 via telephone, mail, email social media or in person, regarding the application process or their application. To do so will be considered a breach of professionalism and any such contact or overtures will be noted and may jeopardize the individual’s application.
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). This body is responsible for accrediting medical 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 any candidates who have previously submitted a false, misleading or fraudulent application to any medical school.
Applicants submitting fraudulent applications may be subject to prosecution.
In order to foster constructive communication and maintain a safe and respectful space, inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and will therefore not receive a response.
The Faculty of Medicine does not tolerate any form of verbal abuse, harassment or intimidation of its staff. This includes the following:
- Using language that is aggressive, unpleasant and/or vulgar
- Making direct or indirect threats
- Communicating too frequently and/or at inappropriate times
- Refusing to accept the responses provided
Abusive, aggressive, threatening or vexatious emails are a minority, but the University of Ottawa employees sometimes find themselves in a position where they need to end communication with the complainant.
Transfers Into the University of Ottawa’s MD Program
Transfers into the MD Program will only be considered under exceptional circumstances, and in consultation with the vice-dean of Undergraduate Medical Education of the Faculty of Medicine, subject to space availability, and if in full compliance with all of the following criteria. Transfers will only be considered into year 3 of the four-year undergraduate medical program.
The applicant must:
- be registered full-time as an undergraduate medical student in a Canadian university offering an accredited and comparable 4-year medical program;
- initiate the request at least one year prior to the desired 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 the general admission requirements of the Faculty;
- not be on leave from the home institution.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary documentation from the home institution reaches the University of Ottawa along with the request for transfer.
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 refers to the importance of OMSAS receiving the application materials and required documentation by the published deadlines.
You must ensure that OMSAS receives your transcripts by the stated deadline so that the file can be reviewed in sufficient time to allow any errors or omissions to be addressed.
If your transcript issues are not resolved before our selection process begins, it will not be possible to insert the file into our process and we may disqualify your application.
Due to the nature of selection procedures, deadlines are strictly enforced. You must submit all required documentation by the specified deadlines.
If you fail to comply with the instructions or meet the deadlines, your application will be disqualified.
Note: The Admissions Office will make no exceptions to the above policies.
The initial application review is based on:
- Eligibility criteria (citizenship, full-time study and prerequisite courses);
- Academic requirements (CGPA);
- Non-academic requirements (Casper).
These criteria are further defined in the Admissions Requirements.
Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements do not advance in the process.
Following this review, the Admissions Committee will assess the ABS and verify the CAFs of candidates who meet the minimum requirements.
To determine which candidates are invited to an interview, a rank order list is generated. This list is based on three components: the CGPA, the Casper score, and the ABS.
Approximately 70% of the seats are reserved for regional candidates.
As long as the eligibility criteria are met, we do not give preference to the academic discipline of a candidate’s university program.
Age, gender, race, religion and socio-economic status do not influence the selection process, except where specified for designated seats.
Other factors being equal, we will give preference to candidates who have an active knowledge of both official languages (English and French).
Applicants submitting fraudulent applications may be subject to prosecution.
You will not be admitted without an interview. We usually hold interviews from February to March. We base invitations for interviews on the file assessment process of academic and non-academic criteria.
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 inform the Admissions Office by email immediately upon receiving your invitation. Failure to do so may result in accommodation not being put in place. Consultation with the Academic Accommodation Service will be organized to discuss your request and you will be required to provide supporting documentation.
Note: Interviews for the 2026 admission cycle will be virtual and will take place in February and March. The letters to confirm the status of applications will be sent by email around the last week of January 2026.
Given the important weight attached to the interview performance for our MD Program, your application will be rejected if you have been interviewed 3 times. This policy applies to all applications regardless of the language stream or pathway applied for.
No feedback will be provided regarding the assessment of your file. Our decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Following the interview, we prepare a rank order list based on the interview performance (a poor interview may not be ranked).
The Admissions Committee may take other factors into consideration when ranking each candidate on the excellence list for the offers.
All offers of admission are conditional and are subject to the following conditions:
- The success 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).
- The cumulative grade point average (CGPA) will be recalculated for applicants who are currently completing their undergraduate studies to ensure that their CGPA is not below the required minimum CGPA of 3.50 on the 4.0 scale, according to the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
- Although the CGPA only includes grades from undergraduate studies, grades from higher levels of education will be taken into consideration during the final evaluation to ensure that academic excellence has been maintained.
- Submission of an official transcript of your grades for the current academic year to OMSAS no later than June 30, 2026. The transcript must show proof of completion of all admission requirements.
- If you are enrolled in a graduate program, you can complete the thesis requirement (or clinical component) during the summer before starting the MD Program. However, you cannot be enrolled in two programs at the same time. Therefore, all requirements of your graduate program must be completed before the MD Program begins.
- 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 may revoke the offer of admission if you fail to meet any admission requirements or any one of the conditions mentioned.
In view of the increasing use of information technology, students admitted to the MD Program are expected to be computer literate and are required to use a laptop in class from day one. Students enrolled must purchase their own laptop and ensure that it meets the requirements mandated by the Faculty. We will provide further information in the offer of admission package.
The institutional fee for the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine is $135 and is deductible from tuition fees when you are admitted.
A deposit fee of $1,000 must accompany an offer of admission acceptance. The deposit is deducted from your tuition fees when you are admitted.
Once admitted in the first year of the MD Program, you cannot be enrolled in any other college or university program (full-time or part time). Under very exceptional circumstances, permission may be granted by the vice-dean of 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 VSC is mandatory for student placements. It includes a record check by the Canadian Police Information Centre plus a check to see if a person has a record suspension (pardon) for 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.
- TST is recommended 3 months of returning from travel to any 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.
Request for deferred registration is only considered under extenuating circumstances. The Admissions Office, in consultation with the vice-dean, may grant or refuse requests for deferral.
If you wish to submit a request for deferral, you must accept the offer of admission and send us a detailed letter explaining the reasons for your request. The letter must be received no later than June 30, 2026.
Requests for deferral will only be considered if the candidate satisfies all the admission requirements for the initial intended year of entry into the MD Program.
If another medical school admits you and allows you to defer your registration, you will not be considered for admission to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ottawa, as long as you maintain your deferred registration.
The Faculty of Medicine offers a large number of scholarships and bursaries to students registered in our MD Program. Scholarships are awarded for academic achievements while bursaries are awarded based on financial need.
For the complete list of scholarships and bursaries offered, please refer to the Scholarships webpage.
Page update: June 2025
