The uOttawa French Immersion Stream offers a unique experience. It gives students the opportunity to pursue part of their university studies in French while receiving individualized support in order to develop competencies in their field and in their second language, French. Graduates from the French Immersion Stream are able to function in both official languages and are able to hold a bilingual job or pursue graduate studies in French.
About French Immersion
Located in the heart of Ottawa, which is the national capital and an officially bilingual city, the University of Ottawa has been a bilingual institution for more than 150 years. Immersion students have multiple opportunities to learn French in a wonderful cultural context and an innovative learning environment whose efficiency and successfulness has been proven.
Our vision
Our stream
Established in 2006, the University of Ottawa French Immersion Stream is designed for Anglophone and Allophone students who wish to pursue part of their university studies in French. Students who have attended high school in a language other than French and have followed a French-as-a-second-language program are eligible. The program is offered in more than 75 programs in the six direct-entry faculties: Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Science and Telfer School of Management.
Students who meet the French Immersion requirements receive the designation “French Immersion” on their diploma.
Profile of French immersion graduates
At graduation, students who enrolled in the French Immersion Stream will have developed skills, knowledge, attitudes and values in three areas:
Bilingualism
French Immersion Stream graduates will be able to:
- communicate confidently and effectively in French, both orally and in writing, in social, university and professional settings
- work in French in their field of study
- pursue graduate studies in French in their field
Openness (a broader perspective)
French Immersion Stream graduates will be able to:
- better understand other people
- recognize the cultural references – values, beliefs, judgments – that are tied to a language and its uses
- facilitate cross-cultural communication and understanding
Giving back
French Immersion Stream graduates will be able to:
- adjust their actions and values to include linguistic diversity
- adapt to various social, cultural and professional linguistic environments
- adopt a positive attitude to problem-solving while considering the critical factors in a given setting
Resources and services
Resources that support you
French Immersion Stream offer a diversity of support services to students:
- Unique immersion classes to help you learn French in a way that is suited to your field of study.
- An Immersion mentoring centre
- Academic writing help
- Conversation workshops
- Scholarships for studying in French
- Support services in almost all of your classes
- A special grading system that protects your GPA
- An Immersion Club that organises social and cultural activities
Other opportunities
The University of Ottawa offers loads of opportunities to use your French outside of the classroom:
- Work placements in Francophone environments as part of the Co-operative Education Program
- The opportunity to study in a Francophone country as part of an international exchange
- The possibility of volunteering in a Francophone environment
- A lounge dedicated to francophone activities and culture: le Carrefour francophone
