Application Deadline:

For the academic year 2024-2025, the application deadline is February 24th. Applications should be submitted via uoZone under the International Exchange Application.

Mandatory Online Workshop:

The initial step involves completing the mandatory online workshop. This workshop guides applicants through the application process and provides essential information for selecting their preferred exchange destination.

Important: Completion of this workshop is mandatory before submitting the application.

Making a request to be enroled in the 2024-2025 International Exchange Information Workshop .

Choosing a Destination:

• Destinations and agreements may vary from year to year. Specific agreements for law, general agreements that may include law, and general agreements excluding the law faculty are available.
• Visit the International Office website under 'Find a Destination' to explore all exchange possibilities offered.
• Refer to the information sheet provided by the partner and visit their website to confirm the availability of the law faculty. If uncertain, directly contact the host university.
• Explore available agreements specifically for law students! Here's a list for the academic year 2024-2025:
  • Universität Mannheim (Germany)
  • Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium)
  • China University of Political Science and Law (China)
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China)
  • Université Jean Moulin (Lyon 3) (France)
  • Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne (France)

Moreover, for further information on existing agreements, please visit the following link:

https://uottawa.moveonca.com/publisher/1/eng#

Special considerations for selecting exchange destinations:

European Universities and Course Restrictions: Some universities, particularly in Europe, impose restrictions on access to specific courses, requiring students to have completed at least two years of legal studies.

Flexibility for Common Law Students: There are no restrictions for common law students regarding exchange destinations. It's also possible to choose a civil law country (France, Norway, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, etc.). In such cases, students are encouraged to select international law courses (the principles of which remain the same, regardless of the country's legal system).

Prepare your application:

• Access the online application form in uoZone under the National and International Exchange Program application.
• Gather and upload all required documents before submitting your application.
• [Verify the required documents] (International Office website).
• Submit the “Confirmation of Eligibility and Preliminary Course Selection” form and send it via email to the Common Law Student Centre for approval.

After receiving a decision:

• Inform the Common Law Student Centre of your decision to go on exchange for an update on your status.
• Any changes to your course selection must be approved by the Faculty. Always submit an updated course selection to the Common Law Student Centre.

Upon return:

Students are responsible for requesting the host university to send an official transcript to the International Office of the University of Ottawa.

Return Requirements for Terms Ending in January: Students opting for destinations where courses or exams end in January, after our regular fall term, must return in time for the start of the winter term classes, which typically begin in February (these dates may vary annually, please refer to important dates and deadlines on the website, winter section). Please note that these students will need to make up these 3 credits from the January term before going on exchange.

For students considering an exchange in Australia, it's important to consider different academic calendars. Calendars may range from February to July or from July to December.

Moreover, quick acceptance offers may require careful planning, especially if a student intends to embark on an exchange in the last term of their third year, potentially delaying graduation and affecting Bar Admission Course.

Exchange Period for Law Students:

Common law students have the flexibility to participate in international exchanges during their second or third year of studies. The exchange duration can be for a single term or an entire academic year, bearing in mind that the choice of destination may impact the exchange duration. Please note that students in the Programme de droit canadien are limited to one term on exchange or a Letter of Permission, with a maximum of 15 units.

Various events can occur while you are away. The relative importance of these events depends on your career choice. It is up to you to take these factors into account when deciding to participate in an exchange.

Events which generally take place in the fall (September to December):

• On-Campus interviews (summer jobs – Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and East Coast employers)
• LSUC Licensing Process Application Deadline
• Clerkship Application Deadlines for various courts and tribunals
• Photo shoots for the graduating class composite

Events which generally take place in the winter (January to April):

• Career Day
• On-Campus Interviews (summer jobs - Ottawa)
• Clerkship Application Deadlines for various courts and tribunals

Events which generally take place in the summer (May to August):

• LSUC Licensing Exams (May-June)
• Articling Application Deadlines and Interviews (May-August)
• On-Campus Interviews Application Deadlines (early to mid-August)

Academic Requirements:

• Must complete the equivalent of 15 credits at the University of Ottawa (equivalent to 180 hours of classes) during one (1) semester abroad, or 30 credits at the University of Ottawa (equivalent to 360 hours of classes) during two (2) semesters abroad.
• Specify the teaching hours per week and the number of teaching weeks per course, excluding holidays and exams.

Adherence to Host University Regulations:

• Comply with the regulations of the host university.
• No special arrangements are allowed to modify the schedule or exams for personal obligations (employment, internship obligations, etc.).

Transcript Information:

Credits earned during the exchange count toward annual credits, but grades from the host university will not appear on the University of Ottawa transcript and will not be included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

Course Selection and Approval Process:

Submit preliminary and final course selections, along with course descriptions, to the Common Law Student Center.

Program Requirements:

Students are responsible for ensuring that they meet the requirements of their program and that it will not be compromised by the exchange.

Enrolment:

Students are required to maintain a full course load at the University of Ottawa until the exchange is confirmed. After receiving acceptance letters from the host university, students should withdraw their enrolment from the course(s) they would have taken during the exchange semester(s). Following this, they are required to register for the course code TRF1000, indicating their exchange status, by sending an email to the Common Law Student Center.