Advanced standing
Exemptions
Course enrolment
Start and end of classes
Syllabus or course outline
Changing your program of studies
Maximum course load per term/year
Re-enrolment in a course
Courses in another faculty
Courses taken at other universities
Can I take courses at another university while I'm studying at the University of Ottawa?
Yes, it’s possible to do so.
If you’re an undergraduate student:
The University of Ottawa has agreements with Carleton University, Saint Paul University and Dominican University College allowing students to take courses at these institutions without having to pay additional tuition fees. However, if the course you want to take at one of these institutions is also offered at uOttawa during the same term, your request will not be approved. Other rules may also apply. Please contact your faculty for more information.
If you wish to take a course at a university for which no such agreement is in place, you must submit a letter of permission form (administrative fees apply) to your faculty and receive approval before enrolling in the course. Tuition fees are paid directly to the institution in question.
If you're a graduate student:
If the university is in Ontario, first check whether it is part of the Ontario Visiting Graduate Students (OVGS) Program. If so, please complete and submit the student application form found on the OVGS website.
If the institution is not part of the OVGS program or is outside Ontario, you must submit a letter of permission form (administrative fees apply) to your faculty and receive approval before enrolling in the course. Tuition fees are paid directly to the institution in question.
What is the difference between a letter of permission and an agreement?
A letter of permission allows you to make a request to take courses at a university with which the University of Ottawa doesn’t have an agreement.
When there is an agreement between the University of Ottawa and another institution, you don’t need a letter of permission to take courses. You just need to have your request approved by your faculty and by the institution where you will be taking courses. The procedure is different for each institution.
How can I take courses at Carleton University?
To take courses at Carleton University, you must:
- Complete the Exchange Program University of Ottawa-Carleton University (Undergraduate) form.
- Have the form approved by your faculty.
- Have the form approved by the Carleton University Registrar’s Office and meet the Carleton enrolment requirements.
- Bring the approved form to InfoService to complete your enrolment and to pay the fees for your courses at both universities.
It is important that you complete this process before the enrolment deadlines.
How can I take courses at Saint Paul University?
To take courses at Saint Paul University, enrol in person at your faculty.
How can I take courses at Dominican University College?
- Complete the exchange form (which you can get from your faculty).
- Have the form approved by your faculty.
- Have the form approved by the Dominican University College Office of the Registrar and meet the college’s enrolment requirements.
- Bring the approved form to InfoService to complete your enrolment and pay the fees for your courses at both universities.
It’s important to complete this process before the enrolment deadlines.
Can I take any course at another institution?
You can only take courses that meet your program requirements.
How do I get a letter of permission to take a course at another university?
To get a letter of permission, you must first meet your faculty’s academic standing requirements. Your faculty must receive your request for a letter of permission before April 15 for the Spring-Summer term, before August 15 for the Fall term and before December 15 for the Winter term.
If you take a course at another university without receiving a letter of permission, the course will not be recognized, except in exceptional circumstances.
Are there other requirements or limitations?
Please be aware that grades you receive from Carleton University, Saint Paul University, Dominican University College, and courses taken in partnership with the Ontario Visiting Graduate Students (OVGS) program are included in your University of Ottawa cumulative grade point average. Grades you receive from other universities aren’t included in your grade point average. You receive a CR (credited course) or NC (no credit) grade on your transcript.
Furthermore, in order for these courses to be credited, you must obtain a minimum grade of 60% (all courses in Nursing and Nutrition Sciences require 65%). At the graduate level, the minimum grade required is 65% or more, depending on the program.
If the required minimum grade is not obtained, an NC grade will appear on your transcript.
You must have an official transcript sent to your University of Ottawa faculty at the end of the term. Otherwise, you will receive an NC grade on your transcript. This does not apply if you are taking courses at Carleton University, Saint Paul University or Dominican University College.
Your official transcript of the results obtained in courses for which a letter of permission was issued must be received by your faculty before May 15 if you are registered for spring convocation and before September 15 if you are registered for fall convocation.
If you drop your course(s) or decide not to enrol in one or more of them, you must inform your University of Ottawa faculty in writing by the stipulated deadline. Otherwise, you will receive an NC grade on your transcript.
Courses you take at another university with a letter of permission don’t count towards the University of Ottawa residency requirements, that is, the number of units you’ve received for courses taken at the University of Ottawa.