Prior to registering to most FLS or ESL courses, you are required to complete the online Placement Test.

Exemptions from the Online ESL Placement Test (Advanced-level ESL Courses Only)

While students are normally required to complete the Online ESL Placement test prior to registering to an ESL course, you may be exempt from the Online ESL Placement Test if you meet ALL of the following conditions:

1. You are enrolled in an English-language program and your first language is not English.
2. At the time of your admission to the University of Ottawa, you submitted a language test score (e.g., IELTS, CanTEST, CAEL or TOEFL) which granted you unconditional admission to your program of studies (i.e., you were not required to take any ESL credit courses as part of your offer of admission); and,
3. You are interested in taking an advanced-level credit course in the English language, at the ESL 2300 level or above.

If you meet ALL THREE of these conditions, please complete the form to have your information verified and to request an exemption from the Online ESL Placement Test.  You will receive an email with your exemption status for the Online ESL Placement Test.

ESL and FLS course descriptions on this page will help you familiarize with available options. If you are interested in taking an ESL or FLS course, we invite you to contact OLBI to personalize your learning pathway and determine the level that will best suit your needs.

1. Identify the course or courses you are eligible to register for, based on your test result. 

• Choose your next French course (PDF, 64.8KB)
• Choose your next English course (PDF, 70.5KB)

2. To enrol in courses at the University of Ottawa, go to uoZone (under Applications, click Enrol).

In order to help you better understand how enrolment works at uOttawa, we have a number of resources available for you on the Enrolment support page. For further assistance, book an appointment with the OLBI Secretariate. 

Graduate Students:

For graduate students, make sure you have the approval of your program or Thesis Director. It is usually the case that the final grades in these courses do not count in a graduate student’s grade point average.  It is important to confirm this detail with the Office of Graduate Studies in one’s Faculty.

Interested in the FLS or ESL Microprograms at the undergraduate level?

Complete a Microprogram by taking any 4 French or English courses at your level. 

• Students already admitted to a University of Ottawa program may add the Microprogram to their program of study through the online tool. It will contribute to the degree requirements at the elective course level.

• Individuals interested in the Microprogram who are not previously admitted to earn a University of Ottawa degree must apply for registration as a special student.

The registration system, uoCampus, will not allow you to register online.

1. Contact your Faculty to register in the course.

OR 

2. Visit OLBI's reception located in room 130 at Hamelin Hall to register in person.

ESL and FLS course descriptions on this page will help you familiarize with available options. If you are interested in taking an ESL or FLS course, we invite you to contact OLBI to personalize your learning pathway and determine the level that will best suit your needs.

Program description

• English as a Second Language
• French as a Second Language

Course descriptions

• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• French as a Second Language (FLS)

Choose your next official language course

• Choose your next French course (PDF, 64.8KB)
• Choose your next English course (PDF, 70.5KB)

The courses of interest to you may not be offered every semester. To view the schedule for an ESL or FLS course, visit the University’s timetable page.