Participating in an exchange program with Saint Paul University allows you to continue your studies, for a term or two, in Ottawa, Canada’s national capital.
If you would like to complete an entire university program at our institution, see Studying at Saint Paul University.
1. Visit your international office Visit your international office
In order to participate in an exchange program, you must first meet with the staff in the international office of your home university.
See the list of Saint Paul University’s (SPU) international partners to check whether your home university is one of them.
Your university’s international office will communicate with SPU on your behalf throughout the exchange application process.
2. Eligibility requirements
You must have completed at least one year of university to be able to study at Saint Paul University as part of an exchange.
Also make sure that you are respecting the conditions for participation issued by your home institution.
Language requirements
At Saint Paul University, courses are offered in French and English. You must be proficient in one of these two languages.
To study in French, you must prove your fluency in the language by providing the official results of a recognized test of language proficiency, such as DELF, DALF.
You can be exempted from the English language test if you have completed your studies in one of the locations where English is an official language listed on the University of Ottawa Language Requirement webpage, as long you have completed three years of full-time studies in an institution where English is the only language of instruction. Please note that the admissions office reserves the right to request a language test from any applicant following the analysis of their file. If you are not sure whether you must take a language test, contact the admissions office.
DELF or DALF test centres outside France
To study in English, you must prove your fluency in the language by providing the official results of a recognized test of language proficiency, such as TOEFL, le IELTS, CAEL, MELAB, CPE or PTE Academic.
You can be exempted from the English language test if you have completed your studies in one of the locations where English is an official language listed on the University of Ottawa Language Requirement webpage, as long you have completed three years of full-time studies in an institution where English is the only language of instruction. Please note that the admissions office reserves the right to request a language test from any applicant following the analysis of their file. If you are not sure whether you must take a language test, contact the admissions office.
3. Application form
To choose your courses, consult the courses offered page according the program you have chosen.
Apply for an exchange at Saint Paul University by completing this form.
4. Required documents
The international services office of your home university will send your application file to the International Office at Saint Paul University.
Your file should include the following documents:
- The application form for Saint Paul University international exchange programs (incoming student);
- Study Contract approved by home institution;
- Most recent official transcript;
- International students who wish to study in English: TOELF or IELTS results (if required).
5. Deadlines
The deadline to receive the institutions nomination is May 1st.
The deadline to receive the registration form (fully completed) and list of courses is June 1.
6. Prepare for your exchange
The cost of an exchange
You must pay the tuition fees and general expenses of your home institution before arriving in Canada.
Health insurance and other expenses
You must pay for expenses related to housing, food, travel and other required expenses, including a transit pass (U-Pass) and enrolment in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). This plan is mandatory, without exception, for all students who participate in an exchange program, even if you have already taken out insurance in your home country.
Study permit
You must get a study permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to study in Canada, in most cases.
Before applying for a study permit, you must have been accepted by Saint Paul University.
- Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements to obtain a study permit.
- Collect the required documents to apply for your study permit.
- Request your permit online or on paper. A fee of $150 CDN is required to evaluate your file.
- Consult the application processing times tool from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for more information.