Admissions from the United States of America

Our programs

We have 550 undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from, of which more than 350 are open to direct entry by undergraduates. 

Customize a degree that’s as unique as you. Our flexible approach allows you to combine programs and create the right academic path to achieve your goals. 

Find a program that suits you.

See what programs you are eligible for

Your eligibility for University of Ottawa programs depends on the level of education you have completed or are completing, as well as the program. Click on your level of education below to find out which programs you can apply for.

Apply online

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.

The University of Ottawa will not pre-assess or review your application prior to you submitting it. Your application will be evaluated only after submitted and all the necessary documents have been received. Note that admission is not guaranteed even if you meet all the requirements.

Track your application

You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application within one week of applying through OUAC (see step 3). If you do not receive this email, look in your junk folder. If after two weeks you still have not received it, email us at [email protected].

Save the acknowledgement of receipt email. It contains important information on how to log into the uoZone student portal to track the progress of your application. It also includes your student number, user ID and password.

Prepare your documents

If you are currently in your senior year (Grade 12), please submit the following documents in uoZone:

• Transcripts for Grade 10 and 11
• Transcripts for your first term of Grade 12

If you have already received your high school diploma, please submit the following documents in uoZone:

• Results for your last three years of high school

If you have taken postsecondary courses (whether or not you have received a degree), submit the following documents through uoZone:

• Transcripts for your postsecondary studies
• Results for the last three years of high school

Submit your documents

• Watch this video on how to submit your documents.
• Log into uoZone and check your Admission file for the list of supporting documents you need to submit to complete your application. Send your documents to the admissions office by uploading them to uoDoc, via uoZone. We will assess your application when we have received all required documents.
• Submit your documents on time. Learn more about deadlines and available programs.
• All documents submitted in support of an application for admission in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Remember:

• Copies of transcripts submitted through uoDoc are not considered official. If you are admitted, you must submit your official transcripts with final grades.
• Official transcripts must be printed and stamped with an official seal and sent by the issuing institution. We also accept copies certified by a notary, lawyer or commissioner of oaths.
• Depending on your academic background and intended program, you might have to submit other documents to complete your application, such as a resumé or cover letter.
• As part of the admission process, Ontario universities sometimes ask undergraduate applicants who were educated outside Canada to submit their official transcripts directly to World Education Services (WES) in order to determine the Canadian equivalencies of their academic credentials. If this is the case for you, we will notify you of the steps you need to take.

The University of Ottawa may request any other document necessary to evaluate your file. All documents become property of the University and will not be returned to applicants. You are responsible for ensuring that we receive all the requested documents by the deadline.

Learn more about transfer credits 

If you have taken Advanced Placement courses, we might grant you transfer credits for courses where you have achieved a score of at least 4 on your Advanced Placement exam. We can grant you up to 30 units (credits), depending on the requirements of your chosen university program. You must ensure that your results are sent electronically to the College Board.

If you are applying for an undergraduate program and you have completed some university studies, you will be evaluated based on them.

We might grant you transfer credits, depending on the program to which you apply. Faculties that grant transfer credits will base their decision on the discipline, the courses you have completed and the length of your studies.