Undergraduate Medical Education
If you are planning to do an International Elective (clinical or research) you must keep in mind the time frame required to set up the elective.You must apply a minimum of 3 months prior to the start date of your elective.
Pre-departure training is a mandatory requirement to be approved for an international elective with the exception of the USA.
Travel dates for first and second year UGME students are during the summer, and upper year UGME students from September to February.
Notice to 4th year students
- If you wish to do an international research elective, you must first complete and submit (to your Liaison Office Year 4) a research elective application form (pdf, 327.87 KB) to obtain approval.
- You may not select international elective dates that include the CaRMS match day.
Step 1: Application Procedure
After finding an International Elective, you must submit a request for pre-approval by the Medical Education Office and the International and Global Health Office (IGHO). You must be in good standing and your name should not appear on the Academic Concern List. Please see Student Guide for definition.
Once approved, the Global Health Coordinator at the IGHO will be contacting you to confirm the approval status of your international elective.
The following must be completed:
- Application Form for an International Elective and Release of Liability (Username and Password Required)
You are required to provide as much information as possible on where you are planning to do your elective (Country, Title of Elective, Supervisor's Name, Name & Address of Hospital, Dates of Elective, etc.).
- A risk assessment is required. Visit the Global Affairs Canada Travel Advice and Advisories website to get information about country's risk factors, i.e. political instability, infectious diseases, crime, etc. Global Affairs Canada provides travel updates regarding health and safety around the world.
- Identify your learning objectives on your application.
The application form with all required information must be submitted to the Electives Coordinator at the Medical Education Office by email (elective@uOttawa.ca) or in person in Room 2046 for approval at least 3 months prior to the start of the elective.
NoteIt is expected that all 4th year students will be in Canada and continental USA on CaRMS Match Day. Electives abroad are not permitted during that period to ensure that students' can easily be contacted and urgently return to Ottawa should the need arise.
Step 2: Planning Your Travel
- Follow all instructions on the Travel Abroad page to plan for your elective abroad.
- Complete a mandatory Pre-departure Training (unless otherwise instructed).
It is the student's responsibility to:
- Have a Valid Passport (with an expiry date greater than 6 months after the start date of the elective)
- Obtain a Visa, if applicable (applicants should consult the Government of Canada website for the latest visa requirements)
- Visit a Pre-travel Clinic (uO offers one)
- Have appropriate insurance (health, evacuation and malpractice, if applicable)
UGME Electives to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM)
Please note that this elective application is a two-step process involving application approval by both the University of Ottawa as well as Shanghai Jiao Tong.
Once approved by the UGME office, your application will be forwarded to the Global Health program for final approval and they will send your SJTUSM application will be sent to Shanghai for coordination of your elective.
A call for applications is put out in December for summer electives. For more information, please contact globalhealth@uottawa.ca