Many factors affect your tuition fees.
Familiarize yourself with university fees
Learn more about tuition fees and the various factors affecting them.
Learn more about university fees
There are three levels of study at the University: bachelor’s or certificate, master’s or graduate diploma, and doctorate.
Once you’ve chosen a level of study, your first discipline within your program determines your tuition fees. For example, if you’re studying in the Honours Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in biology, your first discipline is Communication. If you’re doing a double degree or a joint honours degree, choose the option that includes both disciplines. If you don’t see your program combination in the list, check the fees for each discipline separately.
Fees for qualifying programs
If you don’t have the prerequisite courses for a graduate program, you may be able to try a qualifying program.
Qualifying programs prepare you and give you the knowledge you need to be admitted. You can take them either full or part time.
University fees (including incidental fees and ancillary fees) are the same as for graduate studies. They’re based on your student status (full or part time), faculty, total number of terms and legal status in Canada (Canadian or international student).
Whether your qualifying program leads to a master’s or a doctorate, you must pay the normal fees required for the program you’re seeking admission to.
Regular students
Regular students are students admitted into a program leading to a degree, certificate or diploma who have enrolled in one or more courses in their program. Regular students might pay a flat fee or by unit, depending on their program or course load.
Non-degree students
A non-degree student (formerly special student) is someone allowed to enrol for courses to receive units, but who’s not seeking a degree, certificate or diploma. Non-degree students pay a per-unit fee for part-time studies and a flat fee for full-time studies.
Tuition fees are based on the number of units in which you enrol.
Full time
Undergraduate studies
For a bachelor’s or certificate, you must enrol for at least 12 units per term to be considered full time for tuition fee calculation purposes. Full-time undergraduate students pay a flat tuition fee. There are specific fees for courses you take as an auditor, which are not included in the classification of students.
Graduate studies
For a master’s, graduate diploma or doctorate, students generally enrol in six or more units and are automatically considered full time for tuition fee calculation purposes. To change your classification, you must complete a Modification/Cancellation of Registration (Graduate Studies) form (PDF) and submit it to your faculty’s graduate studies office by the date indicated in the important academic dates and deadlines.
Full-time students pay a flat fee for most programs. However, some programs, such as the master’s in engineering, calculate fees per unit, regardless of whether you’re full or part time. There are specific fees for courses you take as an auditor, which are not included in the classification of students.
Part time
Part-time students pay a per-unit fee multiplied by the number of units they’re enrolled for. The fee per unit varies according to other criteria, such as your program or status in Canada. For undergraduate studies, part-time fees for non-credit (NC) courses are determined according to the number of hours of formal lectures (or the equivalent) per week.
Research fees
Part-time graduate students conducting research (instead of taking courses) pay a flat fee per term. Learn more about research fees for Canadians residing in Ontario, Canadians residing outside of Ontario and International students.
Financial impact of changing your status (from full time to part time)
If your academic status changes from full to part time, you might no longer be eligible for financial aid or able to renew scholarships or bursaries. As well, withdrawing from a course may affect your ability to meet your program requirements. Make sure you consider all the consequences first.
Fees for Canadian citizens apply to the following students:
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and their dependants1
- Students born outside of Canada must present proof of their status to InfoService to pay Canadian fees. A valid Canadian passport constitutes proof. In most cases, photo ID and a social insurance number not starting with the number 9 are also enough to confirm your legal status. If you’re in the process of receiving permanent residency, we require a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirming that it has received your application for permanent residency.
- Members of the diplomatic corps and their dependants1
- Visitors admitted to Canada for work and their dependants2
- Refugees accepted by the Government of Canada and their dependants1,3
Students in categories B, C or D must show their supporting documentation to InfoService to pay Canadian fees.
Notes
- The term dependant includes your partner (married or common-law) and your or your partner’s unmarried children. Dependant status must be fully documented.
- Marriage: A marriage license is required to confirm spousal status.
- Common law union: A common law union must be confirmed through an affidavit signed by the two partners, as well as by a legal authority (lawyer, notary or commissioner. This relationship must have lasted at least three years unless the partners live with one or more children of which they are the birth or adoptive parents.
- Unmarried children: Dependants must be under age 22 and not be in a conjugal relationship (married or common law) when they begin their studies. Unmarried children can also be persons with a disability who have been financially supported substantially by their parents and are unable to be self-supporting because of the disability.
- The following persons are excluded from the category “Visitors admitted to Canada for work and their dependants”:
- Visitors holding a graduate teaching or research assistantship
- International students with a work permit to complete an internship or medical studies (residents, clinical associates, research associates)
- International students with a post-graduation work permit (for up to three years after graduation)
- International students with a valid study permit whose spouse or common law partner has received a work permit for this reason
- International students with a work permit allowing them to work off campus
- Canada only recognizes UN convention refugees after the second phase of the refugee claim assessment. You must present a letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada confirming that it has received your application for permanent residency.
University fees for Canadian citizens or permanent residents vary according to whether or not you reside in Ontario. Ontario residence criteria
Ontario must be the most recent province in which you’ve resided for 12 consecutive months as of your first day of study at the University of Ottawa, not including time as a full-time postsecondary student.
- For high school students: the province of the last school you attended
- For all other students: the province of your home address when you apply
If you don’t meet the usual Ontario residency criteria, you might still be considered an Ontario resident based on your particular circumstances. This applies if you’re:
- Married and Ontario is the most recent province in which your spouse has resided for 12 consecutive months, not including time as a full-time postsecondary student.
- A single dependent student; to be a dependent student, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- You have never been married or in a common-law relationship.
- You have never been a single parent with legal custody of and financial responsibility for children.
- You’re pursuing postsecondary education within six years of leaving secondary school.
- You haven’t worked full time for 24 months in a row by the start of your study period.
- Ontario is the most recent province in which your parents, step-parents or official sponsors have resided for at least 12 consecutive months. If your parents or step-parents are separated or divorced, this residency requirement applies to the parent, step-parent or guardian with whom you normally reside or who financially supports you
- A student who meets the requirements for status in Canada but not the Ontario residency requirements (or a “stateless Canadian”).
- If neither you nor your expected contributors have lived in any Canadian province or territory for 12 consecutive months (excluding time as a full-time student), you must provide supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the Ontario residency requirements.
Fees for international students apply to the following persons:
- Persons who don’t belong to categories A, B, C or D
- Persons who, despite belonging to categories A, B, C or D, have not submitted documents supporting their legal status in Canada by the enrolment deadline. If you fail to meet the deadlines, you must pay international student fees. You can’t change your status retroactively. These are the deadlines:
- Fall term: October 31
- Winter term: January 31
- Graduate students enrolled for the Spring-Summer term (May to August): June 30
- Graduate students enrolled for the Summer term (July to August) and undergraduate students enrolled for the Spring-Summer or Summer terms: July 31
How far you have progressed in your program can influence your tuition fees for a given term. Your progress is calculated in intervals of roughly one year of studies for a student progressing normally as a full-time student.
Your progress is posted with your statement of account in uoZone in one month before each term. In the meantime, see this information.
Undergraduate
For undergraduate programs, the total number of units you’ve completed and that you are registered to by the end of a term determines your tuition fees for the term.
There are six tuition brackets for undergraduate programs. For some programs, tuition fees for each bracket are the same, while for others they vary.
|
Same: Canadian student enrolled in the Faculty of Arts for the Fall 2021 term. |
Vary: International student enrolled in Chemical Engineering for the Fall 2021 term. |
|---|---|
|
|
Graduate
For graduate programs, the total number of terms you’ve completed by the end of a term determines your tuition fees for the term.
There are four tuition brackets for graduate programs. For some programs, the fees for each bracket are the same, while for others they vary.
|
Same: Canadian student enrolled in the Faculty of Arts for the Fall 2021 term. |
Vary: International student enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering for the Fall 2021 term. |
|---|---|
|
|
Note: A student moving from an undergraduate to a graduate program starts at the first bracket.
Calculating your tuition for future years
Do note use the progress you're making in your program (i.e. number of terms) to calculate your tuition for future years.
Using the graduate program table above (international student column), you can see here what a 2% tuition increase would mean.
|
Progression |
20XX-20YY |
Following year (2% increase) |
|---|---|---|
|
2 terms or less |
$11,290.52 |
$11,516.00 |
|
3 to 5 terms |
$11,290.52 |
$11,516.00 |
|
6 to 8 terms |
$10,357.82 |
$10,564.98 |
|
9 terms or more |
$9,502.18 |
$9,692.22 |
Applying to pay Ontario tuition fees if you've been billed as a non-Ontario resident
If you’ve been billed non-Ontario resident tuition fees but are eligible to pay Ontario resident tuition fees due to your residency status, you can request a tuition fee billing change. Submit your request with the required documentation by the following deadlines:
|
Term |
Deadline |
|---|---|
|
Fall 2023 |
September 29, 2023 |
|
Winter 2024 |
February 3, 2024 |
|
Spring-Summer 2023 |
July 21, 2023 |
Notes
- The adjustment will be made during the study period when the fee change has been approved. We don’t make fee changes for prior study periods.
- No exceptions to these deadlines can be made.
Eligibility for Ontario resident tuition fees
Submit the required documentation based on which of the eligibility scenarios below applies to you by the Fall-Winter or Summer term deadline.
Required documentation:
1. Your parent’s most recent Notice of Assessment confirming residency in Ontario and proof of dependent relationship.
OR
2. (a) Proof of dependent relationship AND (b) your parent’s property tax bill or residential lease agreement AND (c) one of the following documents from your parents:
- Utility bill (e.g., hydro, gas, water, cable, cellphone)
- Valid provincially-issued photo identification (e.g., Ontario driver’s licence, Ontario Photo Card)
- Child Tax Benefit statement
- Home insurance policy
- Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid (T4E)
- Statement of Old Age Security (T4A) (OAS) or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits (T4A) (P)
- Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
- Employment confirmation (e.g., pay stub or letter from employer)
Suggested supporting documentation demonstrating the dependent relationship between you and your parents:
- A Canadian long-form birth certificate with parental information
- A foreign birth certificate officially translated into English or French with parental information
- Parent’s Record of Landing document (IMM1000/IMM5292/IMM5688) with list of accompanying family members
- Parent’s Confirmation of Permanent Residence visa with list of accompanying family members
- Notice of Decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada with list of accompanying family members
- Proof of adoption documents with parental information
Notes: Documents demonstrating the dependent relationship with your parents must include your full legal name. The name(s) and address on the property tax statement or lease agreement requested in 2(b) must match the documents provided to meet the 2(c) requirements.
As a dependent student, you don’t have to live with your parents during your study period.
Required documentation:
1. Your most recent Notice of Assessment confirming residency in Ontario.
OR
2. (a) Your property tax bill or residential lease agreement covering the last 12 months prior to being a postsecondary student AND (b) any one of the following documents:
- Utility bill (e.g., hydro, gas, water, cable, cellphone)
- Valid provincially-issued photo identification (e.g., Ontario driver’s licence, Ontario Photo Card)
- Child Tax Benefit statement
- Home insurance policy
- Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid (T4E)
- Statement of Old Age Security (T4A) (OAS) or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits (T4A) (P)
- Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
- Employment confirmation (e.g., pay stub or letter from employer)
Notes: Your name and address on the property tax statement or lease agreement requested in 2(a) must match the document provided to meet the 2(b) requirements.
Required documentation:
1. (a) Proof of marriage or proof of common law status for a period of three years
Suggested supporting documentation: a Canadian marriage certificate or foreign marriage certificate translated into English, declaration of a common law union (IMM 5409), a notarized affidavit of common law status, any one document with both partners’ or spouses’ names providing evidence of co-habitation for the last three years, such as a tax statement, mortgage statement, property tax bill or lease agreement.
OR
2. (b) Proof of cohabitation for any period and proof of dependent children (natural or adoptive)
Suggested supporting documentation: proof of a dependent child AND any one document with both spouses’ or partners’ names providing evidence of cohabitation, such as a tax statement, mortgage statement, property tax bill or lease agreement.
AND
1. Your spouse’s or partner’s most recent Notice of Assessment confirming residency in Ontario.
OR
2. (a) Your spouse’s or partner’s property tax bill or residential lease agreement covering the last 12 months AND (b) any one of the following documents (re-use any applicable documents from 1(a) and 1(b):
- Utility bill (e.g., hydro, gas, water, cable, cellphone)
- Valid provincially-issued photo identification (e.g., Ontario driver’s licence, Ontario Photo Card)
- Child Tax Benefit statement
- Home insurance policy
- Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid (T4E)
- Statement of Old Age Security (T4A) (OAS) or Statement of Canada PensionPlan Benefits (T4A) (P)
- Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
- Employment confirmation (e.g., pay stub or letter from employer)
Notes: Documents demonstrating marriage or a common law relationship must include your full legal name. Your spouse’s or partner’s name and address on the property tax statement or lease agreement requested in 3(a) must match the document provided to satisfy 3(b).
Required documentation:
- A Confirmation of Nomination letter from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration attesting to your participation in the program.
- Proof of Permanent Resident (PR) status or approval in principle status (AIP) such as a valid PR card, Confirmation of Permanent Residence visa, approval in principle letter or acknowledgement of receipt letter from the IRCC.
Notes: To qualify as an Ontario resident for tuition fee purposes, you must be a permanent resident or, if you’re awaiting approval of your permanent resident status and are in Canada on a study visa, you must have had an international fee exemption approved by the Office of the Registrar through InfoService.
Required documentation:
The University will determine your OSAP funding status. There’s no need to submit documentation to prove you meet this requirement.
Definitions
To help you determine if you fit one of the eligibility scenarios above, here’s a list of definitions. They should help you understand Ontario resident tuition billing. However, they don’t show whether you’re eligible for other University of Ottawa services.
Parent
“Parent” or “parents” refers to one or both birth parents, adoptive parents, step-parents, legal guardians or official sponsors.
Approved in Principle (AIP) and Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)
According to the Government of Canada glossary, permanent residence applicants have been “approved in principle” when they’ve received a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stating that they meet the permanent residence eligibility requirements, but they have to pass the medical, security and background checks. Students can present their Approval in Principle or official Acknowledgment of Receipt letter as proof of this status.
Independent student
You’re an independent student if one of the following is true:
-
You’re married or in a common law relationship
-
You’re a parent
-
You’ve been out of high school for six years or more at the start of your study period
-
You’ve worked full time for at least 24 months in a row
-
Both your parents are deceased
Dependent student
You’re a dependent student if all of the following are true:
-
You’re not married or in a common-law relationship
-
You’re not separated, divorced or widowed
-
You’re not a parent
-
You’ve been out of high school for less than six years before the start of your study period
-
You haven’t worked full time for at least 24 months in a row
Common-law relationship
As defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), you are living in a common-law relationship if you and your spouse:
-
have cohabitated continuously for a period of at least three years or;
-
are in a relationship of some permanence and are the natural or adoptive parents of a child.
Requesting Ontario resident tuition fee billing
-
To request Ontario resident tuition fee billing, complete and submit the form along with the required documentation.
-
If your request is approved, your enrolment records will be revised to show you’re billed Ontario resident tuition fees.
-
We’ll send our decision on your request to your @uOttawa.ca email address.
University fee changes for 2022–2023
Starting in fall 2022, the following changes will apply to university fees.
For all students
Most incidental, ancillary and administrative fees will increase according to the consumer price index, at a rate of 2.4%.
For Canadian students
Starting in the Fall 2022 term, the University will apply differential tuition fees for students residing in and outside Ontario, respectively.
- Tuition fees for Canadian students residing in Ontario will remain unchanged for the coming academic year.
- Tuition fees for Canadian students residing outside Ontario will increase by 5% over 2021–2022 fees.
For international students
Tuition fees for international students will increase by 5.5% to 7%.
In general:
- International students enrolling in first year will pay tuition fees about 7% higher than in 2021–2022.
- International students returning to the University will pay tuition fees about 5.5% higher than what they paid in 2021–2022.
We took several criteria and rules into account in setting the 2022–2023 tuition fees. To know which fees apply to your situation and program of study, see the detailed tuition fee tables (first select the category you belong to).
International students who started their studies prior to fall 2021 and can receive a differential tuition fee exemption allowing them to pay Canadian tuition fees will now pay the fees that apply to Canadians residing outside Ontario.
Please read the new “Explanation of annual tuition fee increase” section below closely, as well as the “Factors that influence tuition fees” section.
Annual university fee increases
Tuition fees are approved each year by the University, usually in May or June, and come into effect in September.
The province of Ontario regulates changes to Canadians’ tuition fees for universities in the province, whether they’re in Ontario or elsewhere in the country. This framework sets out the maximum increases allowed and the rules for applying them, which can vary depending on several criteria.
For international students, the University has the power to determine tuition fees, increases and the rules to apply them. Given this, to allow you to predict your tuition fees for the duration of your studies, the University adopted a tuition fee predictability commitment, which limits increases for returning students.
Here are two of many possible situations showing how tuition fees can increase in different ways and by different percentages from one year to the next.
Table 1: Hypothetical increase of 5% by level for new students and 2% for returning students
In this example, tuition fees for each level of progress through a program of study are calculated based on the amount for the equivalent level the previous year (A is based on A the previous year, B on B, etc.).
|
Progress |
Tuition per term |
Increase by level |
Tuition per term the following year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
33 or fewer units (around 11 or fewer courses) |
(A) CA$3,500 |
(A) + 5% |
CA$3,675 |
|
33.01 to 66 units (around 12 to 22 courses) |
(B) CA$$3,400 |
(B) + 2% |
CA$3,468 |
|
66.01 to 99 units (around 23 to 33 courses) |
(C) CA$3,300 |
(C) + 2% |
CA$3,366 |
|
99.01 to 132 units (around 34 to 44 courses) |
(D) CA$3,200 |
(D) + 2% |
CA$3,264 |
|
132.01 to 165 units (around 45 to 55 courses) |
(E) CA$3,100 |
(E) + 2% |
CA$3,162 |
|
165.01 or more units (around 56 or more courses) |
(F) CA$3,000 |
(F) + 2% |
CA$3,060 |
Note: For details on progress, see the “Factors affecting tuition fees” section above.
Table 2: Hypothetical increase of 5% by cohort for new students and 2% for returning students
In this example, starting with 33.01 units, tuition fees associated with each level of progress in your program of study are calculated based on the prior level for the previous year (B is based on A for the previous year, C on B, etc.).
|
Progress |
Tuition per term |
Increase by cohort |
Tuition per term the following year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
33 or fewer units (around 11 or fewer courses) |
(A) CA$3,500 |
(A) + 5% |
CA$3,675 |
|
33.01 to 66 units (around 12 to 22 courses) |
(B) CA$3,400 |
(A) + 2% |
CA$3,570 |
|
66.01 to 99 units (around 23 to 33 courses) |
(C) CA$3,300 |
(B) + 2% |
CA$3,366 |
|
99.01 to 132 units (around 34 to 44 courses) |
(D) CA$3,200 |
(C) + 2% |
CA$3,264 |
|
132.01 to 165 units (around 45 to 55 courses) |
(E) CA$3,100 |
(D) + 2% |
CA$3,162 |
|
165.01 or more units (around 56 or more courses) |
(F) CA$3,000 |
(E) + 2% |
CA$3,060 |
Note: For details on progress, see the “Factors affecting tuition fees” section above.
Guidelines on digital learning material used in courses
The University of Ottawa follows guidelines on digital learning material used in courses. These guidelines are in line with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ (MTCU) Tuition Fee Framework and Ancillary Fee Guidelines for Publicly-Assisted Universities 2013-14 to 2016-17. In this framework, MTCU permits, under certain conditions, the universities to ask students to purchase digital learning material.
Digital learning material can include access to databases, access to online learning resources and access to mobile clickers. Digital test/assessment tools can include simulation tools, online quizzes and online exercises.
Below are the University of Ottawa’s guidelines with regard to fees for digital learning materials.
The University of Ottawa recognizes that digital learning material can enhance the academic experience of students. At the same time, the University is conscious of the potential financial impact of such costs for students.
Therefore, and in accordance with MTCU guidelines, the University has developed the following guidelines for the fees related to digital learning materials.
- The instructors should use digital learning material that is already available to students at the University. When such digital learning material is not appropriate, the instructor may ask students to purchase digital learning material that become the property of the students, which can include test/assessment tools.
- Instructors may use digital test/assessment tools to assess student performance, if the weight of the total course grade associated to its use does not exceed 25%. Exceptionally, the instructor can obtain written approval from the Dean of the faculty offering the course should the weight exceed 25%.
- The total cost of the digital learning material for a course of 3 units or less should not exceed $60. Exceptionally, the instructor can obtain written approval from the Dean of the faculty offering the course should the total cost exceed $60.
- When the test/assessment tools are bundled with other learning material (such as a textbook), the instructor must provide an option for students to purchase the test/assessment tool separately. The above threshold of $60 applies to the stand-alone digital learning material only.
- If the above provisions are not satisfied, the use of digital learning material can be proposed to students, but the instructor must also offer a no-fee alternative to students.
- It is expected that the course syllabus will indicate, if relevant:
- the digital learning material (required or optional), including test/assessment tools,
- the cost of such material,
- the weight of the total course grade associated with the use of the test/assessment tools,
- the details on how to obtain such material, and
- the details on the no-fee alternative