Welcome to our candidate support page!
Avoid the waiting by reading the answers to the top frequently asked questions by our prospective students and candidates for all our graduate programs.
Applicants for the Master in Public Health
What is the application deadline for the master's of public health?
The application deadline is February 28 with classes starting in September. The MPH is offered once a year.
With the CoviD-19 situation, are you flexible for the application deadline?
Unfortunately, no. The application deadline remains the same even with the COVID-19 situation.
I do not meet the language requirements can I still apply?
If you believe that you meet the requirements you can apply.
The Admission Committee considers the complete package from each applicant individually and in comparison to the entire pool of candidates who apply.
The admissions committee will evaluate your application by considering not only your past educational experience, but also your work experience and the quality of your letters of recommendation.
I studied in English do I still have to submit a language test?
When evaluating your application, we will verify your transcripts in order to determine if the language proficiency test requirement can be waived.
For the language proficiency test to get waived, we require an attestation letter from your previous post-secondary institution confirming that the language of instruction was English.
Also, we will accept an official transcript from your previous post-secondary institution which indicates that the language of instruction was English.
All applicants must have completed a minimum of two full-time years of university studies in English or French in order to be eligible to apply to our graduate programs.
If you are applying for the MPH+ the language testing will be administered after admittance to the program so that language level can be established.
I do not meet the education requirements can I still apply?
If your first language is neither English nor French, you may have to provide the results of a certified language test such as the TOEFL or IELTS as proof of your ability in your program’s language of instruction (English or French).
Learn more about required language test results.
If you are applying for the MPH+ the language testing will be administered after admittance to the program so that language level can be established.
Can you check my resume and transcript prior to applying and confirm if I qualify?
Our office does not conduct pre-evaluations on applications for admission.
If you believe that the minimum requirements of the program of choice are met, please submit an application.
The admissions committee will evaluate your application by considering not only your past educational experience, but also your work experience and the quality of your letters of recommendation.
Do I need a supervisor to apply for the Master’s in Public Health?
No, the master’s in public health does not require you to have a supervisor to apply.
If admitted, you would have an academic advisor to assist you with decisions about courses and stream and then later, a practicum supervisor would be identified depending on the location of your practicum (to occur in spring/summer term).
What are the tuition fees?
If you are a Canadian student, the tuition fees are $7,372 per term.
If you are an international student, exempt international students (francophone) the tuition fees are $7,372 per term.
If you are an international student, non-exempt international students (Anglophone) the tuition fees are $10,000 per term.
Are there any scholarships/financial support available?
Yes for Canadian candidates and they are as follows:
$2,000 scholarship per term per student (admission average is 8.0/10 or more)
$1,000 scholarship per term per student (based on financial needs)
$1,000 scholarship per term per student (for indigenous student)Unfortunately, there are no scholarship or financial support available for international candidates.
When will the classes start?
Classes will start in September.
Is the master’s in public health offered part-time?
No. The MPH is a full-time course-based program. See important academic dates and deadlines for the start date of the fall term.
I do not have official transcripts available. Do you accept copies of my transcript?
As per the program's specific requirements, “the submission of all official transcripts of universities attended is mandatory. This applies to all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a special student or visiting student, etc.”
If the transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, a certified translation (signed and stamped/sealed) must be submitted.
A scanned copy of the transcripts can be submitted for the evaluation of the admission application. Please note that we do not accept unofficial transcripts printed from a student’s portal. The scanned document must be the actual transcript issued by the registrar’s office of the institution concerned.
Should you be admitted into the program, you will be required to submit all the official transcripts (in a signed and sealed envelope from the institution(s) concerned) and proof(s) of diploma(s).
With the CoviD-19 situation, I cannot provide you with my language test what should I do?
Submit your application with the documents you have available on or before the application deadline. You can submit your language test later when it becomes available.
With the CovidD-19 situation I cannot provide you with my official transcript, what should I do?
A scanned copy of the transcripts can be submitted for the evaluation of the admission application.
Please note that we do not accept unofficial transcripts printed from a student’s portal.
The scanned document must be the actual transcript issued by the registrar’s office of the institution concerned.
Should you be admitted into the program, you will be required to submit all the official transcripts (in a signed and sealed envelope from the institution(s) concerned) and proof(s) of diploma(s).
How do I submit my MPH letter of intent?
You must upload the MPH Letter of Intent (PDF) through your UoZone portal.
This form is the only Letter of Intent needed for your MPH application. Within the form, you will be asked to specify if you are interested to the MPH+ program.Please note that any other submitted document will not be evaluated by the MPH Admission Committee.
Applicants in Epidemiology
What is the minimum average to be eligible for the master in epidemiology
To be eligible, you must have obtained a minimum average of B+ (75%) in one of the following:
- An honours Bachelor of Science degree with specialization with a minimum average of B+.
- An honours Bachelor of Science degree with a major in a discipline relevant to epidemiology (life science or behavioural science) with a minimum average of B+.
- A four-year degree in a health profession (medicine, nursing, rehabilitation therapy etc.) with a minimum average of B+.
International candidates must check the admission equivalencies for the diploma they received in their country of origin.
For the complete list of admission requirements for the MSc in epidemiology.
The admission committee will review all completed applications and will inform you of their decision once their review is completed.
I am applying to the master in epidemiology and do not have all the documents I need to complete my file (i.e. reference letters). Will I still be considered for admission to this program?
Unfortunately, no. We will only consider complete applications submitted by the prescribed deadline. No exceptions will be made.
I am on a waiting list. When will I know if a spot becomes available?
It will not be before mid-July. We will notify you if a place becomes available.
Can I know my rank on the waiting list?
The ranking on the waiting list cannot be divulged.
Do I need a supervisor to be accepted in the MSc in epidemiology?
You do not need a supervisor to be accepted in the MSc in epidemiology. You will secure a supervisor later with the help of the Department.
Program Information
Do I have to find a thesis supervisor before applying for admission?
We strongly recommend that you find a thesis supervisor before submitting your application.
To help you in your search for a thesis supervisor, please consult the guideline on How to find a supervisor.
Before your admission can be finalized, you have to confirm the name of your confirmed supervisor by submitting the form Registration of thesis topic/Appointment of thesis supervisor (PDF) by email to grad.med@uottawa.ca.
Although most of our programs require to find a supervisor before being admitted to the program, the following programs are the exception.
These programs do not require to find a supervisor prior to admission:
- Master in Epidemiology
- Master in Public Health
- Graduate Diploma in Population Health Risk Assessment and Management
Can I do a program part time?
Our masters and PhD programs are only available full-time.
The Graduate Diploma in Population Health Risk Assessment and Management is the only program offered on a part-time basis.
New MSc program with research project
The new MSc program with research project is a one-year program in biochemistry, cellular and molecular medicine, microbiology, and immunology or in neuroscience.
It has been designed to prepare candidates for careers in the biomedical sciences by enhancing competency in biomedical research, including the technology and techniques, specialized knowledge, critical thinking skills, communication skills, and professional skills through course work and participation in biomedical research in a laboratory setting.
In short, students will have to successfully complete 15 units of courses, a professionalism and professional skills course and an 8-month research project to meet the requirements of the program. Student must identify a supervisor prior to enrolling.
Language Proficiency
Do I need to submit a language proficiency test at time of application? / Do I need to submit a language proficiency test score to have the item checked off? Or is my transcript enough to show that I studied in English in Canada?
If your first language is neither English nor French, you may have to provide the results of a certified language test such as the TOEFL or IELTS as proof of your ability in your program’s language of instruction (English or French).
Learn more about required language requirements.
When evaluating your application, we will verify your transcripts to determine if the language proficiency test requirement can be waived.
For the language proficiency test to get waived, we require an attestation letter from your previous post-secondary institution confirming that the language of instruction was English.
Also, we will accept an official transcript from your previous post-secondary institution which indicates that the language of instruction was English.
All applicants must have completed a minimum of two full-time years of university studies in English or French to be eligible to apply to our graduate programs.
Do you need an official copy of the TOEFL or IELTS?
Yes, if a language proficiency test is required, we need an official copy of your language test.
Admission Requirements
Do I need to take the GRE test to apply to a graduate program at the Faculty of Medicine?
No, we do not take the GRE score into consideration for admission to our programs; therefore, you do not need to take the GRE test.
What are the English tests accepted by the University of Ottawa and what is the minimum score required?
Please refer to the language requirements page for accepted tests and the minimum required score.
Do I need to pass an English test to be admitted to the program?
If your first language is neither English nor French, you may have to provide the results of a certified language test such as the TOEFL or IELTS as proof of your ability in your program’s language of instruction (English or French).
What is the minimum diploma required to be accepted in the program?
For MSc: Honour bachelor of 4 years with minimum grade required of approximately 75%.
For PhD: Master’s or doctorate degree with minimum grade of approximately 75%.
What is the minimum grade required?
For an MSc: Honour bachelor of 4 years with minimum grade required of approximately 75%.
For PhD: Master’s or doctorate degree with minimum grade of approximately 75%.
Can you confirm if I meet the education requirement? I have a GPA of (number) are you going to accept my application?
Our office does not conduct pre-evaluations on applications for admission.
If you believe that the minimum requirements of the program of choice are met, please apply.
The admissions committee will evaluate your application by considering not only your past educational experience but also your work experience and the quality of your letters of recommendation.
International candidates: We recommend verifying your admission equivalencies to find out the degree equivalent you will need to be eligible for admission to one of our programs.
Can courses that I have previously taken at the graduate level be counted as units towards my graduate degree at uOttawa?
To learn more about the equivalencies and the transfer of units, refer to the Academic Regulations for Graduate Studies at the University of Ottawa.
What are the English tests accepted by the University of Ottawa and what is the minimum score required?
You can find all the information concerning the language tests recognized by the University of Ottawa on the page Language Requirements.
Documents Required for Admission
I already provided documents when applying for admission last year, do I need to resubmit them?
You are not required to submit new transcripts if you apply within the same Faculty. However, please ensure that we have the most recent transcripts on file.
We do recommend submitting new letters of reference, a new letter of intent and an updated resume.
I filed an application and it is showing incomplete because it is missing the University of Ottawa transcripts. Do I have to upload the transcripts?
Previous or current University of Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa.
If your application is showing incomplete because the University of Ottawa transcript is missing, send an email to the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office of the Faculty of Medicine and your application will be updated accordingly.
My application is showing “incomplete” do I have to upload my U of Ottawa Official Transcripts?
No, previous or current University of Ottawa student do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa.
We will add your uOttawa transcript to your file after we receive your application.
You must declare all university diplomas you have completed.
I filed my application in OUAC, how do I upload my documents?
It may take up to 7-10 days following your online submission and payment of the application fees to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) for your file to be transferred to the (University).
Upon receipt, an automatic email will be sent out to you by the University. This email will contain your student number, uoAccessID and password to access your uoZone account.
In your uoZone account, you will be able to submit the documents required for the evaluation of your application. To do so, you will need to go to the section ‘‘Admission file’’ and then click on your program. This will bring you to the list of required documents.
To upload documents
Click on the uoDoc application within uoZone to upload the documents (including a copy of your transcripts). See the guidelines (step 7).I took a postsecondary course. Do I need to submit the transcript?
As per the program’s specific requirements, the submission of all official transcripts of universities attended is mandatory.
This applies to all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a special student or visiting student, etc.
If the transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, a certified translation (signed and stamped/sealed) must be submitted.
Can I get a copy of the official transcript that was provided to you for my evaluation, I need it for another program application?
Unfortunately, all official documents submitted for evaluation become the property of the University and as such cannot be released, reproduced, or returned to you.
Can I send you my reference letters for my application?
We do not accept reference letters from the applicants.
Once you receive the acknowledgement from the university, you will have to add your referee’s information to your admission file in your uoZone student portal.
In your student portal go to “admission file” and click on your program. You will find a link to add your referees. Make sure to add all the information on your referees including their email address.
Your referees will receive an email from the University within 1 to 3 business days with the procedures on how to fill out the electronic recommendation form.
How long will my referees have to complete my reference?
Your referee will have 10 days to complete the electronic recommendation form.
My referee does not have access to fill out the electronic recommendation form
Your referee should have received an email from the University within 1 to 3 business days with the procedures on how to fill out the electronic recommendation form.
Ensure that you have uploaded their correct email address and ask your referee to search their “junk” emails.
If they are still having difficulty accessing their account, ask them to send a service request to the Information technology office.
My referee is asking if they will have to write a letter of recommendation or fill out a questionnaire?
It is an electronic recommendation form. Your referee will have to fill out the electronic form and answer a few questions.
Once you have entered your referee’s information,they will receive an email from the University within 1 to 3 business days with the procedure on how to fill out the electronic recommendation form.
They will have 10 business days to complete the form.
The MD/PhD program requires additional documents such as letter of interest, references, and CV. How do I submit the documents?
The additional documentation (Letter of interest, and CV) can be mailed or sent electronically from the applicant to grad.med@uottawa.ca.
The letter of reference must be sent directly from the referees either by mail to the address below my signature or email to grad.med@uottawa.ca. Reference letters sent by the applicant are not acceptable.University of Ottawa
451 Smyth Road; Room 2016
Ottawa, ON, Canada
K1H 8M5MD/PhD only: Does the required documents have to be received by the deadline or can they be postdated?
The additional documents for the PhD portion must be received by the deadline.
MD/PhD only: What is the deadline to submit the additional documents for the PhD portion of the application?
The deadline is December 1.
Application Process
How do I apply to a collaborative program?
To gain admission into the collaborative program, you must first apply to a main program (MSc or PhD) program. Once admitted to the main program, you will need to find a supervisor who is part of the collaborative program requested.
For a list of potential supervisors and more detailed information on admission to the program, please see the following pages:
I submitted my application within the deadline, but I only received the automatic email from the University with my uO Access ID, password, and access to uoZone after the deadline; will my application be declined?
We will accept your documents provided you have submitted your application online on or before the deadline.
I started or completed a master’s/ doctorate in another university, is it possible to be credited with courses or apply for equivalences?
You might be eligible to receive a maximum of two graduate three-credit courses. The decision will be taken by the admission’s committee.
To learn more about the equivalencies and the transfer of units, refer to the Academic Regulations for Graduate Studies at the University of Ottawa.
Can courses that I have previously taken at the graduate level be counted as units towards my graduate degree at uOttawa?
You might be eligible to receive a maximum of two graduate three-credit courses. The decision will be taken by the admission’s committee.
To learn more about the equivalencies and the transfer of units, refer to the Academic Regulations for Graduate Studies at the University of Ottawa.
I have submitted my application on OUAC but I do not see where to submit my documents.
It may take up to 7-10 days following your online submission and payment of the application fees to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) for your file to be transferred to the (University). Upon receipt, an automatic email will be sent out to you by the University. This email will contain your student number, uoAccessID and password to access your uoZone account.
In your uoZone account, you will be able to submit the documents required for the evaluation of your
application. To do so, you will need to go to the section ‘‘Admission file’’ and then click on your program. This will bring you to the list of required documents.
To upload documents
Click on the uoDoc application within uoZone to upload the documents (including a copy of your transcripts). See the guidelines (step 7).I already provided documents when applying for admission last year, do I need to resubmit them?
You are not required to submit new transcripts if you apply within the same Faculty. However, please ensure that we have the most recent transcripts on file.
We do recommend submitting new letters of reference, a new letter of intent and an updated resume.
What are the fees related to the study of my admission file? How can I pay these fees?
Application fees ($110 CND) are required for all admission applications and are payable to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).
Learn how to submit your payment and the methods of payment.
After submitting my application for admission, how long do I have to send my documents?
We recommend submitting your documents within a week of receiving the automated message from the university which will provide you with your student number, uoAccessID and password to access your uoZone account (your student services portal).
Note that it may take approximately 7-10 days following your online submission and payment of the application fees to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) for the University of Ottawa to receive your application.
How can I access my uoZone?
Follow these steps to access your uoZone account:
Go to the Students page.
- In the uoZone box, click Login.
- Type your uoAccess ID and password.
- Click Login.
If you have difficulty accessing your account, you must communicate with the Information Technology Team.
The email I provided in the application form is incorrect. How can I change it?
Once the application is submitted in OUAC, you must send us an email to grad.med@uottawa.ca if you wish to modify something to it.
How do I get my uOttawa email?
A uOttawa email address is activated for you when you enroll for the first time. You can access your email account through your uoZone.
I want to cancel my request for admission. Can I be reimbursed?
Reimbursement is not possible.
Can I change my program choice once I have applied?
You may direct your request to the Graduate Studies Office at grad.med@uottawa.ca for review.
Additional documents may be required.
How many applications can I submit? Is the order of priority important?
There is no set limit for submitting applications. However, you will be required to pay the application fee for each application submitted.
The order of priority is not important as all completed applications will be reviewed, and a decision will be rendered.
My uOttawa email does not work. What can I do?
You must communicate with the Information Technology Team.
Finding a Thesis Supervisor
What do I do if I have difficulty finding a thesis supervisor?
We have gathered a few tips on how to find a thesis supervisor.
I cannot find a Thesis Supervisor can I still submit my application?
Although you may be able to apply without a supervisor’s name, we strongly recommend that you find a thesis supervisor before submitting your application.
It is important to note that your application will be considered incomplete and cannot be finalized until you find a professor who is willing to act as your thesis supervisor.
The onus is upon you to contact potential thesis supervisors as soon as possible.
To guide you in your search, please consult How to find a supervisor.
Do you have a list of potential thesis supervisors?
Yes, here are the lists of professors by program with their research areas:
Evaluation Process
How long does the admission evaluation process take once I uploaded all the required documents in uoZone?
The process usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks but may take longer.
- MSc in Epidemiology candidates will be informed of the admission decision approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the application deadline.
- Master’s in Public Health usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks after the application deadline but may take longer.
- PhD Epidemiology process usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks after the application deadline but may take longer.
- Graduate Diploma in Population Health Risk Assessment and Management candidates will be informed of the admission decision approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the application deadline.
Technical Problems While Filling Out My Application
I was filling out my application and had to log out before submitting it. Unfortunately, I did not record my user ID and password. How can I recover this information?
When you logged in for the first time, an email was automatically sent to you indicating your user ID. Check your emails to recover this information.
Using your user ID, go back to the home page of the on-line application and follow instructions to recover your password or to change it.
After I Have Submitted My Application
How do I find out the status of my application?
You need to open a session in uoZone and enter your uoAccess ID and password, which were provided in the acknowledgement of receipt that we emailed you when we received your application.
While you are waiting for our decision, you can open a session in uoZone to find out if you need to send the University any other documents or results to complete your file.
Follow these steps to access your admission file:
- Go to the Students page.
- In the uoZone box, click Login.
- Type your uoAccess ID and password.
- Click Login
If you have difficulty accessing your account, send a request to the Information technology office.
You can find all the information about your application status in your admission file.
You are responsible for checking it regularly to track your application and ensure that your file is complete.
Important note: There may be a delay of up to two weeks between when we receive a document and when your admission file is updated in uoZone.
My application was denied for the MSc in epidemiology could you give me feedback and why I was refused
The Admission Committee considers the complete package from each applicant individually and in comparison to the entire pool of candidates who apply.
Each year there are many more strong students applying than we have spaces.
How can I be sure that you have received my documents?
While you are waiting for our decision, you can open a session in uoZone to find out if you need to send the University any other documents or results to complete your file.
Follow these steps to access your admission file:
- Go to the Students page.
- In the uoZone box, click Login.
- Type your uoAccess ID and password.
- Click Login.
I have already submitted my application and I realized I need to modify it. Can I modify my application once I have submitted it to OUAC?
No. Once the request has been submitted, it cannot be modified.
- However, you can include a note with the documents you will submit to the Faculty of Medicine Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office explaining what changes should be made to your file.
Scholarship and Financial Aid
How do I apply for the admission scholarship?
When you apply for admission, the Faculty of Medicine Graduate Studies Office will automatically evaluate your file for eligibility for the admission scholarship. No additional application forms are required.
The offer of admission will include details of the admission scholarship if one is awarded.
What are the scholarships for an international student?
The Faculty of Medicine has a minimum stipend policy for graduate students in the basic sciences programs (except for epidemiology).
If you are admitted to a master’s or a PhD program you may also be considered for an international admission scholarship. This scholarship is limited by number and held by competition. It is based on specific criteria including minimum admission average of 8.0/10.
International scholarships are awarded in accordance with the faculty’s priorities and until the funds are depleted.
You may also be eligible for External and other Awards.
I cannot afford to pay the tuition fees; what kind of scholarships are available for international students?
Please consult our awards and financial support web page to find out all the scholarship opportunities.
I Have Been Admitted
How do I obtain/access my @uOttawa.ca email address?
An email address is activated for you when you enroll to your courses for the first time. You can access your email account through your uoZone account.
How do I obtain a study permit?
You can find useful information concerning study permits on the International Office website.
Can I defer my offer of admission to next term/year?
Offers of admission are valid for one term only. If you wish to enter the program after this time, you must re-apply to the program.
I would like to defer my application what should I do?
If you wish to defer your application, you must send a request to grad.med@uOttawa.ca. Your request will be reviewed, and you will be informed accordingly.
I am an international student who has been admitted in your program and I need to provide official transcripts from my institution; What is the deadline?
Normally, international students have one term to provide with their official transcripts.
Please refer to the condition of admission outlined in your letter of offer.
I cannot register for my courses. Why?
Verify the admission checklist in uoZone to ensure that all the required documents have been submitted.
You can send an email to the Graduate Studies Office at grad.med@uOttawa.ca for assistance.
Can I live in university residences? Where can I find accommodation
Please consult the Client Services – Housing Service at residence@uOttawa.ca.
For International students, we recommend that you also contact the International Office at uointl@uOttawa.ca.
I would like to know the different services offered to students. Do you have a list that I can consult?
To learn more about the resources offered to graduate students.
For international students: Find out what you need to know about the international student experience at the University of Ottawa.
Tuitions fees
How much money do the University fees cost?
Use the Fee calculator to know what would be the estimated cost for your tuition fees.
The estimated amount for the University fees includes:
- Tuition fees (International students studying in French can be eligible for a differential tuition fee exemption)
- Ancillary fees (Incidental fees are related to student activities, services and associations)
- Administrative fees (Administrative fees are charged for specific administration–related services)