International Office Exchange Students

• Outgoing students
  • General information
  • Deadlines
• Step 1: Getting started:
  • Am I eligible?
  • Where can I study? 
  • Attend an information session
  • Financial matters
  • Language requirements
  • Other mobility opportunities: Consortia/Scholarships
• Step 2: Preparing your application
  • Choosing a host university
  • Getting faculty approval
  • Preliminary course selection
  • Required documents
  • Submit your application  
• Step 3: Before you leave
  • Pre-departure workshop
  • Passports and visas
  • Registration at uOttawa
  • Medical insurance
  • Communications with the International Office
• Step 4: When abroad
  • Registering for classes at the host institution
  • Health and safety
  • Transcripts
• Step 5: Back home
  • We welcome your feedback!
  • Re-entry
  • Course registration
  • Buddy Program
• Application forms
• Other scholarships
• Exchanges - Incoming students

Financial matters

Participants are registered at the University of Ottawa; they maintain their full-time status and continue to pay fees to the University of Ottawa, not the host institution.

Participants must budget for a number of expenses including the following:

• accommodation and living expenses abroad
• travel expenses (return airfare and transportation within host institution)
• passport and visa costs
• medical insurance
• school supplies and books
• any other incidental costs

Students are responsible for all living expenses during the exchange.

* Please note there are very few exchanges within Canada.

Download example of a budget for one and two semesters (PDF)

Scholarships, financial aid & bursaries

• Student Mobitlity Scholarship
• Embassy Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• University of Ottawa Scholarship Program
• International Mobility Bursary (IMB) 

Student Mobility Scholarship

The University of Ottawa, namely the Student Mobility Fund and the faculties, offer mobility scholarships to all students selected to take part in an exchange program.

Students who take part in a credited international mobility program receive a scholarship of $1,000 for one session or $2,000 for two sessions abroad. Students who take part in an exchange within Canada* receive a scholarship of $500 for one session or $1,000 for two sessions.

For students in the Faculty of Law (Common Law), the amounts are as follows:

• $500 for one session
• $1,000 for two sessions

If you cancel your participation in the exchange, you must reimburse the scholarship either entirely or partially within 30 days.

Embassy Scholarships

We strongly suggest that you visit diplomatic missions located in Ottawa early in the fall. In addition to providing useful information, diplomatic missions also have valuable information on several scholarships offered to Canadians wishing to study in their country. Deadlines for submitting an application are often in early January and February. Therefore, it is important to visit the missions during the fall session.

Financial Aid

Students eligible for financial aid continue to receive it during the exchange period.   Please clearly indicate your intention of taking part in an exchange program on the financial aid form.

The amount of financial aid is calculated according to the Canadian cost of living rather than that of the host country. The number of weeks however is adjusted according to the host institution’s university calendar. To find out more about financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office. It is your responsibility to ensure that all financial aid matters are resolved prior to your departure.  

• You must apply for financial aid before June 16  (approx.) in order to receive the funding on time;
• If you take part in an exchange during the academic year, you must contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office of the University of Ottawa to book an appointment with a counsellor to discuss arrangements in order to receive your funding;
• Counsellors are available all summer. However, please note that the deadline to meet a counsellor is August 1.

Contact the Financial Aid Administrator:

Financial Aid Administrator
Financial Aid and Awards Service
University Centre, 85 University Private
Room 102
Telephone: 613-562-5800 ext. 4396
Fax: 613-562-5155
E-mail the Financial Aid Administrator

University of Ottawa Scholarship Program

In general, if you are eligible for a renewable scholarship offered by the University of Ottawa Scholarship Program before going on an exchange, you will be eligible to receive it during your exchange. Since the cumulative grade point average remains the same during the exchange, you should be able to maintain the scholarship upon returning to the University of Ottawa. To ensure your eligibility, contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office.

International Mobility Bursary (IMB) 

The International Mobility Bursary (IMB) makes it easier for students in financial need to gain access to the International Student Mobility Program.

The bursary is awarded to those who are recipients of provincial financial aid. The awarded amount is added to that of the Student Mobility Scholarship.

However, if you already have the Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship (OIEOS), you cannot also receive the IMB. Visit OIEOS for more information.