To be eligible for an exchange, you must meet the following requirements:

Your faculty

You must be an undergraduate or master’s student in one of the following faculties:

• Arts
• Engineering
• Law (Common Law or Civil Law)
• Science
• Social Sciences
• Health Sciences

Note: If you're a student in the Telfer School of Management, Faculty of Medicine or Faculty of Education (undergraduate), contact your faculty directly for information about its mobility programs.

Program and status requirements

• Be enrolled in a regular program at the time of application and before your exchange.
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or international student admitted to a regular undergraduate or graduate program at the University of Ottawa.

Academic requirements

• Have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 5.0 (C+).
  • Some destinations require a CGPA of 6.0 (B) and above.
• Be in good academic standing and maintain your CGPA until departure. If not, your exchange will be cancelled.

Financial standing

• No financial holds on your student account.

Academic progress

• Undergraduate students: Must have completed or received advanced standing for 24 units by the November 25 application deadline.
• Graduate students (Master's course based): Can apply starting in first year and must follow the same application process as undergraduates.
• Civil Law and Common Law students: Contact your faculty to confirm when you can apply.
• All students: Must have enough credits remaining in your uOttawa program of study to be enrolled full-time during your exchange.

This workshop will help you:

• Understand what the exchange program involves
• Plan for and prepare your application
• Choose your preferred exchange destination

Register for the mandatory Exchange Information Workshop. You must complete the 2027–2028 Exchange Information Workshop and pass the quiz with a minimum score of 7/10 by November 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. No exceptions will be made.

Please note that access to the workshop will be granted 24 to 72 hours after registration. To ensure you have enough time to complete the requirements by the deadline, please register as early as possible.

Choose your exchange destination

The University of Ottawa has more than 100 agreements with universities all around the world, where you can spend one or two terms as an exchange student. 

Application requirements:

1. Confirmation of Eligibility form and preliminary course selection information

• Complete and submit the Confirmation of Eligibility form. Once submitted, the form will be sent automatically to your faculty.
• Once you have submitted the Confirmation of Eligibility form, you will be invited to provide your preliminary course selection information by email (via your @uottawa.ca address).
• Once your faculty approves your exchange eligibility, you'll receive an email with the link to the online application form.

Program-specific instructions

• Regular Exchange: Complete the Confirmation of Eligibility form to indicate your 3 destination choices. Once your form is received, you will be asked to submit your preliminary course selection information for your 1st choice destination only.
• Consortium Exchange: Complete the Confirmation of Eligibility form to indicate your 3 destination choices. Once your form is received, you will be asked to submit your preliminary course selection information for all 3 destination choices.

Note:  You may select a maximum of one competitive destination when applying for an exchange. Any additional destination selections must be non-competitive. For information on which destinations are considered competitive, please consult the Find a Destination tool.

Please follow the steps in the email confirmation you receive.

Important: We don’t guarantee placement at your first-choice destination.

What to include in your course selection form

• Course titles and descriptions (in French or English, and in the host institution’s language if applicable)
• Course codes
• Number of credits per course
• Total course hours
• Number of labs or discussion groups per course
• Term start and end dates

Course load requirements at your host institution

• You must be enrolled in the equivalent of a full-time uOttawa load. The number of courses you take will vary depending on the system of course hours and credits at your host institution.

2. Online application form

We’ll email you the link to the online application form and all necessary instructions to your @uOttawa address once your Confirmation of Eligibility form and your preliminary course selection information are received and approved by your faculty exchange advisor.

Supporting documents required:

• Letter of motivation (for your first choice of university only)

Guidelines:

• Answer these three questions:
  • What are the academic and personal goals you wish to achieve by participating in this exchange program and how does your chosen destination help you achieve them?
  • How do you plan to adapt to and engage with a new cultural environment and what strategies will you use to overcome potential challenges?
  • In what ways do you anticipate this exchange experience will contribute to your future career path and personal development?
  • 500 words maximum
  • Write the letter in English or in French.
  • Address the letter to the members of the selection committee.

• Proof of co-op office approval (if required)

If you’re enrolled in the co-op program, your co-op adviser must approve your participation in the exchange program. Submit the mobility application form in the Co-op Navigator. Upload your adviser’s approval email (as a PDF) as part of your exchange application.

• University of Ottawa transcript

Available through uoZone. Select Applications and then Unofficial transcript. 

• Proof of administrative fees (credit card)

A one-time file evaluation fee applies to your application, even if you submit multiple applications. You must pay the file evaluation fee to be able to submit your application for the exchange program.

Make sure you’ve uploaded all required documents before submitting the form. No exceptions will be made for missing documents or incomplete applications.

3. Waiver

Complete and sign electronically as part of your online application.

Competitive destinations

Some destinations receive more applications than available spots. For these destinations, a selection committee will evaluate applications based on:

• CGPA — 25%
• Letter of motivation — 75%

You may select a maximum of one competitive destination when applying for an exchange. Any additional destination selections must be non-competitive. For information on which destinations are currently considered competitive, please consult the Find a Destination tool.

Note: Destinations classified as competitive may change from year to year based on the number of applications received. As a result, a destination currently listed on our website as "competitive" or "non-competitive" may be categorized differently in a future application cycle.

If you’re accepted into the exchange program, you must first accept the exchange offer by the deadline. The next step is to be nominated to and apply to the host university.

Nomination to the host university

The University of Ottawa Student Mobility team will nominate you to your host university (before the deadline set by the host institution).

Nomination periods:

• Fall and academic year exchanges: February to June
• Winter exchanges: August to December

Application to the host university

The University of Ottawa Student Mobility team or your host university will contact you directly to send you an invitation to apply and application instructions. Once you’ve been contacted, apply and submit all required documents by the host institution’s deadline. Each university has different deadlines and procedures. You must ensure you meet the eligibility requirements of your exchange destination (GPA, citizenship, prerequisites, etc.).

Wait for the invitation to apply. You can’t take any steps without this invitation.

Note: Your exchange is only confirmed once you have an official letter of acceptance from your host university. Don’t make any purchases or official plans before receiving your official letter.

Before your exchange

You must:

• Attend mandatory pre-departure and travel safety workshops organized by the University of Ottawa.
• Plan your courses to ensure they will count towards your University of Ottawa program.

This is also the time to think about turning your exchange experience into a self-directed course. Online information sessions designed specifically for students going on exchange are scheduled in May (the link to the registration form will be posted once available). You'll learn how you can design your own learning experience, earn academic credits and how to complete the selection process for a self-directed course.

Has your exchange been confirmed? See our pre-departure information. It includes everything you need to prepare for your time abroad.

Planning to go on exchange? Follow this step-by-step checklist to stay on track and be informed of each stage of the program, from application to return. Complete each step in time to meet all deadlines.

September to January

• Attend your faculty’s exchange information session and the embassy visits you’re interested in, to learn more about the exchange program.
• Complete the mandatory Exchange Information Workshop via Brightspace.
• Choose your preferred exchange destination(s).
• Complete the Confirmation of Eligibility form and submit your preliminary course selection form to your faculty.
• Receive approval of your exchange eligibility and preliminary course selection from your faculty.
• Submit your online application.

February

• Exchange applications are assessed by the Student Mobility team.

Early March

• Receive and accept your offer of an exchange from uOttawa.

March to June (fall and academic year exchanges) or August to November (winter exchanges)

• The University of Ottawa nominates you to your host university.
• Apply to your host university.
• Receive your letter of acceptance from your host university.
• Apply for your visa or travel authorization.
• Apply for accommodation in your host country.
• Make travel arrangements for your exchange.
• Complete the mandatory travel safety and pre-departure training.
• Secure travel insurance that meets exchange requirements.
• Apply to enrol in TRF 1000 (exchange course code) through your faculty.
• Register your trip with International SOS.
• Attend an information session on self-directed courses and find out how to turn your exchange experience into academic credits.

During your exchange

You must:

• Be enrolled as a full-time student at your host university.
• Take courses recognized and approved as part of your University of Ottawa program.
• Submit your final course selection to your faculty (on arrival at host university).

After your exchange

• Complete the mandatory return questionnaire.