Every year, we welcome hundreds of foreign students through exchange programs. We’d be pleased to have you join us for one or two terms while you remain enrolled at your home university. To be eligible, your institution must have signed an agreement with uOttawa.
Are you interested in studying one or two terms at the University of Ottawa? Learn more about the process, deadlines and important information by consulting our 2025-2026 exchange fact sheet.
uOttawa must receive the complete application file (nomination must have been completed by home institution firstly).
For a full academic year or the Fall term or Winter term: March 31.
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the uOttawa exchange programs.
**NEW** Virtual sessions for incoming exchange students (Q&A format).
We will be answering general questions about incoming mobility (learning agreements, confirmation certificates, student card, course attendance, etc.).
Choose one of the following dates and join us:
Thursday 5 September 2024:
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday 10 September 2024:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Important
Please note that these sessions are for the University of Ottawa students only. You must have a University of Ottawa student number to access them.
All questions related to your courses must be addressed to your host faculty.
You must be nominated by your own international relations office to go on an exchange.
The Telfer School of Management and the Faculty of Medicine have established restricted bilateral agreements with specific partner institutions abroad and administer their own exchange programs. If you wish to participate in an exchange with either one, contact it directly.
You can enroll in courses in different disciplines. See the course timetable . However, courses in the following faculties aren’t open to visiting international students (students whose home university doesn’t have a partnership agreement with uOttawa):
Faculties may also restrict access to certain courses. See “Course access restrictions” under Step 2.
You can’t do an internship during your stay at uOttawa while participating in the exchange program.
To be eligible, you must:
Important: All applications INCOMPLETE at the time of submission will not be analyzed or considered for exchange at uOttawa. We will not make any follow-ups with the student or partner. To avoid any deception, make sure you submit all the necessary documents for evaluation purposes.
Courses offered at the University of Ottawa are given in English or French.
You must submit a language proficiency test (with results that will be no more than two years’ old at the time of application) in the language you wish to study in, if that language is not your mother tongue.
You must submit a preliminary course selection approved by your home institution. Here is information to help you. Your letter of acceptance will reflect the faculty in which you chose to partake most of your courses. It is imperative that you select courses that are relevant to your study background.
| Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|
| Submit a list of five courses per term and enroll in four or five courses per term. | Submit a list of three courses per term and enroll in three graduate courses per term |
| Undergraduate courses are those offered at the 1000 to 4000 level. | Graduate courses are those offered at the 5000 level or higher. |
All faculties evaluate exchange applications on a case-by-case basis.
Note: Submitting your preliminary course selection doesn’t mean you’re enrolled in these courses. You enroll once you’re accepted to the University of Ottawa.
We can’t guarantee your place in the courses you select. Some have limited enrolment or prerequisites. Enroll in your courses as soon as possible.
As an exchange student, you have the status of a special student. You are exempt from paying tuition and incidental fees. However, you may have to pay fees for some learning materials (e.g. visual arts material).
Plan a budget that includes your rent or residence fees, books, travel and other living expenses. See our estimated university costs .
You’re responsible for all other costs related to your stay in Canada. UHIP health insurance is mandatory for all exchange students without exception.
As a full-time exchange student, you have the option of purchasing a U-Pass, which entitles you to ride public transit for free anywhere in Ottawa or Gatineau. This pass is optional: if you wish to opt in, you must submit a request online in uoZone. Learn more about the fees for this pass and how to opt in .
See our uOInternational immigration services . You can review their Frequently Asked Questions to find answers to your immigration related doubts.
To ensure you can be on campus for the beginning of the term, start your immigration procedures as soon as you receive your acceptance letter.
In your letter of admission, we will provide you with all the information regarding course enrollment. The letter will indicate how to proceed with enrollment and any course specification you should keep in mind.
Once you are accepted, the main point of contact for you regarding all academic matters is your faculty. They will be able to assist you with enrolling, equivalences, course descriptions etc. See contact information for your faculty.
Only after your faculty enrolls you, will you have access to the student services like Student Card and your student email.
Once you have enrolled in your courses, the University of Ottawa will automatically enroll you in UHIP. This insurance plan is mandatory for all incoming international exchange students. See what UHIP covers .
Your UHIP fees will appear on your statement of account, which you can see by logging into uoZone . You can pay your fees using any of the methods of payment . Once the University receives your fee payment, which includes your UHIP fees, the insurance provider (Cowan) will send a PDF copy of your UHIP coverage card to your uOttawa email account within 10 business days. Remember to check your spam folder for this important document
You may live off-campus or on-campus during your stay in Ottawa.
