The University of Ottawa reviews the information in this document annually and reserves the right to change these requirements, without notice, when circumstances dictate.
For updated information, consult the Faculty of Medicine.
About the Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) Program at the University of Ottawa
Established in 1945, the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine is the first medical school in North America that offers its program in both English and French. Our highly regarded curriculum focuses on developing the key competencies necessary for our students to become leaders in health care delivery.
Program Information
The program leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) includes 147 weeks of instruction (72 weeks of which are devoted to clinical work) scheduled over 4 years.
Pre-clerkship is devoted to the teaching and learning of biomedical sciences, whereas clerkship is devoted to clinical work. During their medical studies, students must demonstrate the intelligence, integrity and personal and emotional characteristics deemed necessary to become competent physicians. Their behaviour must be consistent with the Faculty’s standards of ethical and professional behaviour.
Applicants select their language of study during the application process.
On average, 184 students are enrolled each new academic year, roughly 128 in the anglophone stream and 56 in the francophone stream.
In view of the increasing use of information technology, students admitted to the program are expected to be computer literate and are required to bring a laptop to class from day one. They must ensure that their laptop meets the requirements mandated by our medical eCurriculum.
We will provide further information in the offer of admission package.
Admission Requirements
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is not an admission requirement for the medical program at the University of Ottawa.
Academic Requirements
Full-time Requirement
To be eligible for our MD Program, you must successfully complete at least 3 years of full-time studies (equivalent to 5 courses per term each year) in any undergraduate program leading to a university bachelor’s degree. This requirement must be fulfilled, with final grades available on an official transcript, by June 30, 2026, prior to admission to the MD Program.
- An academic year comprised of 4 courses per term will be recognized as full-time, provided that the missing courses (units) to fulfill the full-time (5 courses per term) requirement are completed within another academic year or as summer course(s).
- An academic year consists of 2 regular terms – fall and winter (September to April).
- Any academic year with fewer than 4 courses per term will not count as a full-time year of study.
- A full-time spring-summer term does not replace a term of studies within an academic year (except for co-op programs).
- Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and transfer credits cannot be used to satisfy the full-time studies requirement.
- We do not recognize full-time remote studies (e.g., online). The full-time studies requirement is designed to assess how applicants s\ucceed in an in-person, full-time course load and to predict their performance and ability to cope with the rigorous demands of the medical program.
- We generally consider professional degrees earned at Canadian institutions as undergraduate degrees.
- Studies leading to a diploma, a certificate or a degree of Doctor of Medicine are not considered equivalent to an undergraduate program leading to a university bachelor’s degree.
Furthermore, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to assess:
- the level of difficulty of the courses,
- the relevance of the courses for future medical studies at the University of Ottawa and
- the performance you achieve in these courses.
We do not pre-assess files; we will assess applications individually during the evaluation process once you submit your application to OMSAS.
Do I Qualify?
I am applying as a third-year student
You can apply if you have completed 2 years of full-time studies in a program leading to a university bachelor’s degree and are currently enrolled as a third-year, full-time undergraduate student.
You must complete all admission requirements, with final grades available on the official transcript, by June 30, 2026, prior to admission to the MD Program.
I am applying with 3 years of undergraduate studies (or more)
You are eligible to apply if you have completed at least 3 years of full-time studies in an undergraduate program leading to a university bachelor’s degree.
The 3 years of full-time studies do not necessarily need to be consecutive nor be in the same bachelor’s degree program.
For example, if at the time of application, you have completed an undergraduate degree plus 2 years toward a second undergraduate bachelor’s degree, you are eligible to apply, provided that:
- At least 3 of your undergraduate years of study were completed as full-time.
- You have completed all admission requirements, with final grades available on the official transcript, by June 30, 2026, prior to admission to the MD Program.
I am applying as a co-operative education (co-op) program student
If you are registered in a co-op program, you are eligible to apply if you meet the admission requirements.
To satisfy the 3 years of full-time studies requirement, each completed year of study must have at least 2 academic terms per trimester (fall, winter and spring-summer).
Any academic year where you completed 2 work terms will not count as part of the 3 required years of full-time studies and, therefore, the grades obtained during the academic term will not be used in the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) calculation.
I am applying as a student from a CEGEP or a community college
Candidates coming directly from CEGEP or community college are not eligible.
College diplomas (CEGEP or community college) are recognized as equivalent to 1 year of postsecondary university studies. To satisfy the full-time requirement, you must also have completed 2 years of full-time studies (5 courses per term each year) in an undergraduate program leading to a university bachelor’s degree.
I am applying with international studies
If you are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a convention refugee in Canada and have completed postsecondary studies outside of Canada and the United States (US), you must have your international transcripts assessed by World Education Services (WES).
If you have completed 3 years of full-time studies in an undergraduate program leading to a university bachelor’s degree in Canada or the US after your international studies, the international grades will not be used in calculating the CGPA. In this case, a WES evaluation is not required; however, your transcript must be sent directly from the foreign university to OMSAS by the application deadline.
We will consider your application only if the WES course-by-course evaluation is provided.
The WES evaluation greatly facilitates the consideration of your application; however, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to apply its own conversion.
Note: A WES evaluation is not required for studies completed as an exchange program.
I am applying as a graduate applicant (master’s and/or PhD)
If you are a graduate candidate who is currently registered in, or has recently completed, a master’s or doctoral degree, you are eligible to apply to the MD Program provided you meet the admission requirements.
Your application will be assessed on the same basis as all other applications, namely:
- Eligibility criteria (citizenship, full-time study and prerequisite courses)
- Academic parameters (CGPA)
- Non-academic parameters (Confidential Assessment Forms [CAFs], Casper, Autobiographical Sketch [ABS] and interview)
Note: The CGPA is calculated based on the last 3 years of full-time undergraduate studies. Although the CGPA does not include grades from graduate studies (master’s and doctoral degree), they will be considered as part of the final comprehensive file review to ensure academic excellence is maintained.
As a graduate applicant, you must have completed all requirements of your graduate program prior to the start of the MD Program, as being enrolled simultaneously in 2 academic programs is not permitted.
You are required to submit an official transcript to OMSAS, no later than June 30, 2026, that reflects your academic performance for the current year, followed by a final transcript that confirms the conferral of your graduate degree.
Other Academic Requirements
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
The required minimum CGPA is 3.50 on the 4.0 scale, according to the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
While this meets the minimum criterion for admission consideration, be aware that, given the rising level of competition for a limited number of positions, a significantly higher CGPA will improve your chances of admission.
Admission to the MD program is competitive; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
When assessing excellence in marks for admission to the MD Program, we will use the CGPA based on your most recent 3 years of full-time undergraduate studies (5 courses per term per year) completed toward a university bachelor’s degree. The CGPA will include all full-time courses taken during the regular academic year (fall and winter terms) and individual courses taken during the spring-summer term during that period (unless they are completed abroad).
A year with fewer than 4 courses per term is not considered full-time and will not be included in the calculation of the CGPA.
Marks obtained in an academic year where you completed a term (or full year) abroad as part of an exchange program will not be included in the CGPA calculation.
We will not include individual grades received for coursework taken as part of a graduate degree in the CGPA calculation.
Any additional university courses or studies outside that period will be considered during the final comprehensive file review, despite not being included in the CGPA calculation, to ensure academic excellence is maintained.
For an academic year to count toward the CGPA calculation, a maximum of 1 pass/fail graded course per term may have been completed in accordance with the full-time requirement. Therefore, an academic year with more than 1 pass/fail graded course in a single term will not be considered in the CGPA calculation.
Prerequisite Courses
Each specific prerequisite course must be completed with a minimum grade of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale, according to the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
You may complete missing prerequisite courses during the academic year preceding admission to the MD Program. However, all courses must be completed and final grades must be available on the official transcript by June 30, 2026, prior to admission to the MD Program.
Course Requirements
- 6 units in Humanities/Social Sciences
- You may fulfill the Humanities/Social Sciences requirements with any courses that are not science-based. These include, but are not limited to: Sociology, Psychology, Math, Religion, Administration, English Literature and English Writing.
- We will not accept any second language courses toward the Humanities/Social Sciences requirements.
- 6 units in Biology (We also accept Anatomy and Physiology courses.)
- 3 units in Organic Chemistry
- Examples of topics covered in the course may include: Classification, identification and structural characterization of organic compounds, mechanisms of organic reactions, basic principles of organic stereochemistry, properties and preparation of hydrocarbons, halogen derivatives, alcohols, ethers and selected polymers.
- 3 units in General Chemistry
- Examples of topics covered in the course may include: Chemical bonding, molecular geometry, chemical equations and quantitative relations, kinetics and equilibrium, redox reactions, electrochemistry, ionic equilibria, acids and bases in solution.
- 3 units in Biochemistry
- Examples of topics covered in the course may include: The chemistry and biological properties of amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates and vitamins.
- 3 units in Statistics
- Examples of topics covered in the course may include: A concise survey of probability, theory of statistical inference, point and interval estimation, tests of hypotheses, introduction to analysis of continuous variables, sampling distribution, quantitative analysis, regression analysis, use of statistical software.
Notes:
- Units are equivalent to credits.
- 3 units are equivalent to a 1-term course, and 6 units are equivalent to either 1 full-year course or 2 term-long courses.
- We will accept courses where the course title or course content includes topics related to the category required. For example, we will accept any Introduction to Chemistry or General Chemistry for the 3 units of General Chemistry.
- Having more courses in 1 category does not compensate for missing courses in other categories. For example: Having 6 units of Organic Chemistry does not compensate for the missing units in General Chemistry or vice versa.
- An exclusive laboratory course does not replace a prerequisite course for which you did not obtain the minimum grade of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale.
- Prerequisite courses will not be validated in advance; they will be assessed as part of the application evaluation process. Refer to the previous topic examples to determine whether your courses align with the requirements. If most topics are covered, the course will be accepted.
Laboratory Requirement
You must have a laboratory component in 2 of the science courses from the previously listed categories or have obtained 6 credits from laboratory-based courses.
Prerequisite courses with the minimum grade of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale completed outside of the most recent 3 years of studies will count toward fulfilling the prerequisite units; however, the grades will not count toward the CGPA.
You must complete 3 years of full-time undergraduate study and all prerequisite courses, with final grades available on the official transcript, by June 30, 2026, prior to admission to the MD Program.
Non-academic Requirements
Citizenship
To be eligible for our MD Program, you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant) or convention refugee in Canada at the time of submitting your application. Status in Canada must be approved (i.e., a Notice of Decision is required to show approved of refugee status in Canada). We will make an exception only for eligible children of University of Ottawa alumni who have completed studies at the Faculty of Medicine.
If you are a permanent resident (landed immigrant) or convention refugee in Canada, you must provide proof of status to OMSAS at the time you submit your application.
Autobiographical Sketch (ABS)
As part of your application, you must complete the ABS, which provides information that allows assessors to evaluate the scope of your activities since age 16.
It is in your best interest to be complete, yet concise, and to specify the time of completion (academic or non-academic) and number of hours for each activity. Answers in point form are easier to review. You are not writing a personal letter.
We want to know:
- what you have done in your life so far,
- why you did it and
- what you have gained from it as a person and as a future physician.
We are unable to advise you on the ABS, as we want to see how you choose to present your information. It is your responsibility to use your best judgment.
You will be asked to identify the top 3 activities in each category (maximum of 18 in total) that you feel have best prepared you to apply to medicine.
Verifiers
You must provide a verifier for each activity listed on your ABS. We are unable to guide you in selecting your verifiers. Whenever possible, avoid using a friend, family member or co-applicant as a verifier.
We randomly contact verifiers. If you submit false, misleading or fraudulent information on your ABS, such as inaccurate verifier information, your application will be disqualified.
Confidential Assessment Forms (CAFs)
To ensure referees provide the specific information that the Admissions Committee is seeking, each of your referees will be asked to fill out a CAF. It is your responsibility to inform your referees that they must fill out the CAF. Additional letters of reference will not be accepted.
Selecting Your Referees
You must ask 3 people to provide a reference on your behalf:
- 1 academic- or employment-related referee,
- 1 non-academic referee and
- 1 referee of your choosing.
Select referees who have extensive personal knowledge of you and can accurately answer the CAF questions.
Note: We will not accept CAFs from family members or co-applicants.
CAFs Deadline
References are due by the OMSAS application deadline along with the rest of your application.
You should send reference requests to your referees by September 15 to allow them enough time to complete the online reference by the deadline.
We will not accept late references.
Casper
All applicants are required to complete Casper through the Acuity Insights platform to be eligible for admission.
Exception: We will make an exception only for candidates who qualify for the Indigenous Program and Government of Nunavut Applicants pathways.
Casper assesses the non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. It also complements our other applicant screening tools.
To take Casper, you must have access to a computer with audio capabilities, equipped with a webcam and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. Casper can be taken anywhere that you can satisfy these requirements.
You do not need to study for Casper, although you may want to familiarize yourself with Casper structure and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test in.
Casper Registration and Test Dates
- Sign up for a Casper account.
- Register for the CSP-10211 – Canadian Professional Health Sciences version of Casper using a piece of government-issued photo ID.
- Select a testing date and time. You will be provided with a limited number of dates and times based on the admission timeline and requirements. There will be no additional tests scheduled.
Notes:
- You must complete Casper in the language of instruction you selected when submitting your application to the University of Ottawa. If you fail to complete Casper in the correct language, your application will be disqualified.
- Casper scores are valid for only 1 application cycle. Applicants who have taken the test in previous years must retake it.
- Visit Acuity Insights’ test date and school information to find available test dates.
- If you have already written Casper for other MD Programs in Canada, you are not required to retake it unless you are applying for a different language stream.
- If you take Casper but do not yet have your OMSAS Reference Number, you may reserve your Casper with a temporary reference number of 800000.
- After you submit your application and receive your OMSAS Reference Number, you must log into your Acuity Insights account to update your reference number and request that your results be sent to the University of Ottawa by the distribution deadline. Failure to update your OMSAS Reference Number may affect the distribution of your results.
- Exceptions will not be made for applicants who are unable to take Casper during one of the available test dates.
- There is a separate fee for Casper, which you must pay directly to Acuity Insights. This fee is not included in the OMSAS/Ottawa’s application fees.
Direct any inquiries about your Casper to the Acuity Insights Support Team using the chat bubble located on the Acuity Insights website.
If you require testing accommodations, you must submit all necessary forms and supporting documentation 4 weeks before your scheduled test.
Language Proficiency
The University of Ottawa offers its MD Program in both official languages (English and French) in a faculty where both the francophone and anglophone teaching activities correlate. These teaching activities enhance the development of linguistic skills in both languages.
Choice of Language of Instruction
When applying for admission to the MD Program, you must select a language stream. You can apply to the English or French stream regardless of your mother tongue or the first language you learned.
- Interviews will be conducted in the language of instruction you selected in your application.
- Your proficiency in your chosen language will be carefully assessed during the interview, as the goal of this policy is to ensure you can complete your medical studies in the language of your choice.
- The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request a language proficiency test if necessary.
Once you submit your application and/or are admitted, you cannot switch from one language stream to the other.
You must be able to function in the language of instruction you have chosen, both orally and in writing.
French stream applicants: Refer to the language requirements in the French version of the Application Guide [French link].
Bilingualism
A bilingual applicant is someone who speaks both of Canada’s official languages: English and French.
If you claim bilingual status, we will assess your ability to have a functional conversation in both languages at the time of the interview.
Transcripts
Admission Categories
These pathways are in addition to our regular English and French streams.
Black Student Application Program (BSAP)
The BSAP is an optional application pathway for applicants who self-identify as Black and belong to one of the following groups:
- African,
- Caribbean,
- North American or
- multiracial students with Black ancestry.
The BSAP aims to increase and support the representation of Black medical students at the University of Ottawa. It reflects the Faculty of Medicine’s strong commitment to diversity.
The BSAP does not have a designated quota for admission.
To apply through this pathway, you must:
- Self-identify as Black.
- Meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program.
- Follow the general application process.
- Select the BSAP pathway in your OMSAS application.
- Provide a letter of intent highlighting why you have chosen to apply through this program.
- Your letter must be 4,000 characters (or less) and must be submitted via the OMSAS application.
Canadian Armed Forces Candidates
If you are a current member of the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force and interested in the Military Medical Training Program (MMTP), you can find more information by consulting the Specialist Officer Training Plans page on the Director Military Careers Policy and Grievances’ intranet website.
To apply through this pathway, you must:
- Be a current member of the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force.
- Meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program.
- The Admissions Committee may grant flexibility for prerequisites if your combination of training and occupational experience justifies it.
- Follow the general application process.
- Select the MMTP pathway in your OMSAS application.
You must email the Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) Attraction Cell to provide notice of intent to apply to the MMTP and to keep the Attraction staff officer informed of the status of your medical school application.
Additional information regarding medical officer recruitment, roles, responsibilities and prospective military service in the CFHS may also be obtained by emailing the CFHS Attraction Cell.
Family Medicine Focus (MD/FM)
We reserve up to 8 seats for eligible applicants each year, with 4 seats for anglophone applicants and 4 seats for francophone applicants.
Students admitted to this pathway have a strong interest in a career in family medicine. In addition to the core curriculum, they will complete an enhanced program designed to prepare them for family medicine practice.
Eligible candidates may bypass the CaRMS residency matching process and secure a residency position at the University of Ottawa Family Medicine Postgraduate Program, provided they meet the program’s established benchmarks.
To apply through this pathway, you must:
- Meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program.
- Follow the general application process.
- Select MD-FM in your OMSAS application.
- Submit a letter of intent (LOI) via the OMSAS application that focuses on the reasons for pursuing the Family Medicine — Undergraduate MD program.
- The letter must be 2,000 characters (or less) and focus on the question: What experiences demonstrate your commitment to family medicine?
Members of the Department of Family Medicine will collaborate with the Admissions Committee in the file review process, specifically for the LOI and in the interviews.
Francophone Candidates Outside Ontario and Quebec – The Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS)
Note: This pathway is only available to candidates who apply to the francophone stream.
We reserve 8 seats for eligible French-speaking candidates from outside of Ontario and Quebec each year.
Through the mandate of the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) [French link], francophone minority students in Canada who originate from provinces other than Ontario and Quebec have access to postsecondary studies leading to practice in the health care field. We admit these students over and above the quota set by the Government of Ontario for our Faculty.
To apply through this pathway, you must:
- Be a student whose home province (permanent address for more than 5 years) is not Ontario or Quebec.
- Meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program.
- Follow the general admission process.
- Choose French as your language of instruction. Once you submit your application and/or are admitted, you cannot switch language stream.
- Select the CNFS pathway in your OMSAS application.
- Submit a letter of intent in SAM (by selecting the “Other” document type) to indicate that you applied for admission through the CNFS.
Indigenous Program (First Nations, Inuit and Métis Candidates)
We have a dedicated selection process for candidates of Indigenous identity as part of our mission to improve access to better health care for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and to better serve society’s needs.
We reserve up to 7 seats for eligible applicants each year.
To apply through this pathway, you must:
- Meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program with the following 2 exceptions:
- Casper is not required for candidates who qualify under the Indigenous Program pathway.
- The CGPA will be calculated based on the candidate’s best 3 years of full-time university studies (both undergraduate and graduate studies).
- Follow the general application process.
- Select the Indigenous Program pathway in your OMSAS application.
- Submit the additional required documents.
Required Documents for Indigenous Candidates
The following additional documents must be submitted directly to OMSAS, along with transcripts and academic documents by the OMSAS deadline:
- Proof of Indigenous identity, as per the University of Ottawa Eligibility for Focused Admissions, Scholarships and Bursaries for First Nations, Inuit and Métis People academic regulation.
- A letter that includes the following:
- A declaration of Indigenous identity with specific information about your First Nation, Treaty, community or organizational affiliation.
- A request for consideration under the alternative admissions process.
- Details on your academic and personal background.
- An explanation of your reasons and motivation for wishing to become a physician.
- A letter of recommendation from your First Nation, Band Council, Tribal Council, Treaty organization, or your community or organizational affiliation.
We highly recommend that you email the Indigenous Program Coordinator prior to submitting your application to confirm the validity of your proof of Indigenous identity. You will not be considered for admission if you do not have valid proof of Indigenous identity and did not write Casper.
MD/Master’s Program
We reserve up to 4 seats for eligible applicants each year. Students admitted to this program will complete a 1- to 2-year master’s degree followed by the 4-year MD Program.
To apply through the MD/Master’s Program, you must:
- Hold or expect to hold by the time of enrollment a BSc honours or BA honours in a field related to the Master’s Program to which you are applying, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of A- or higher.
- Meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program.
- Follow the general application process.
- Select MD-Master’s in your OMSAS application.
- Submit the following supplemental documents:
- A letter of interest focused on the reasons for pursuing the MD/Master’s Program. The letter must clearly state which Master’s Program you are applying to and whether you have contacted potential graduate supervisors.
- 2 CAFs, specifically for the MD/Master’s Program. These should specifically attest to your graduate research potential (in addition to the 3 CAFs required for the MD Program).
- Your curriculum vitae (CV).
- Any additional documents required for application to the master’s degree of interest.
Consult the graduate programs available before submitting your application.
MD/PhD Program
We reserve up to 4 seats for eligible applicants each year. Students admitted to this program will complete a 3- to 4-year PhD followed by the 4-year MD Program.
To apply through the MD/PhD Program, you must:
- Hold, or expect to hold by the time of enrollment, a master’s degree in a field related to the PhD program to which you are applying, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of A- or higher.
- Meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program.
- Follow the general application process.
- Select MD-PhD in your OMSAS application.
- Submit the following supplemental documents:
- A letter of interest focused on the reasons for pursuing the MD/PhD Program. The letter must clearly state which PhD program you are applying to and whether you have contacted potential graduate supervisors.
- 2 CAFs specifically for the MD/PhD program. These should specifically attest to your graduate research potential (in addition to the 3 CAFs required for the MD Program).
- Your CV.
- Any additional documents required for application to the PhD degree or PhD program of interest.
Consult the graduate programs available before submitting your application.
Social Accountability Initiative
In the spirit of social accountability and responsibility, and to establish strategic objectives that address socio-economic disparities in medical school admission, we have created 2 reserved seats for applicants from low socio-economic status (LSES) backgrounds.
This initiative is a first step toward reducing barriers, promoting fairness and ensuring equal access opportunities for all candidates.
To apply through this pathway, you must:
- Have had a yearly total parental or legal guardian pre-tax income (when you were in Grade 11 and Grade 12) equal to or less than $60,000 as per Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) data (line 150 on the income tax return).
- Each parent’s or legal guardian’s notice of assessment issued by the CRA for that period needs to be provided at the time of OMSAS application submission. These notices of assessment may be obtained through the CRA.
- Meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program.
- Follow the general application process.
- Select the Social Accountability Initiative pathway in your OMSAS application.
- Submit the Social Accountability Initiative Form via SAM.
Regional Initiative
To better respond to the needs of the population we serve, we reserve approximately 70% of the seats for regional candidates (from Ottawa and surrounding areas).
The postal code of your home address when you attended high school will be used to determine your residency status.
If you did not attend high school in Ottawa and the surrounding areas but wish to be considered as a regional candidate, submit a letter providing your rationale. This document must be uploaded through SAM when submitting your application through OMSAS.
Admission Policies and Procedures
Non-eligible Candidates
You are not eligible if you previously registered in, and withdrew or were excluded from, a medical program leading to an MD degree.
We may consider exceptions for exceptional or medical circumstances.
False Admission Information
We reserve the right to refuse future applications to the MD Program from any candidates who have previously submitted a false, misleading or fraudulent application to any medical school.
Applicants submitting fraudulent applications may be subject to prosecution.
Transfers Within the Faculty of Medicine
- Francophone and anglophone streams: Transfers between streams are not permitted.
- Once you accept an offer of admission, it is not possible to transfer from one program to another.
Incomplete Applications
The OMSAS Application Guide refers to the importance of OMSAS receiving the application materials and required documentation by the published deadlines.
You must ensure that OMSAS receives your transcripts by the stated deadline so that the file can be reviewed in sufficient time to allow any errors or omissions to be addressed.
If your transcript issues are not resolved before our selection process begins, it will not be possible to insert the file into our process and we may disqualify your application.
Due to the nature of selection procedures, deadlines are strictly enforced. You must submit all required documentation by the specified deadlines.
If you fail to comply with the instructions or meet the deadlines, your application will be disqualified.
Selection Process
Overview
The initial application review is based on the following criteria:
- Eligibility requirements (citizenship, full-time study and prerequisite courses)
- Academic requirements (CGPA)
- Non-academic requirements (Casper)
These criteria are further defined in the Admission Requirements.
Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements do not advance in the process.
Following this review, the Admissions Committee will assess the ABS and verify CAFs of candidates who meet the minimum requirements.
To determine which candidates are invited to an interview, a rank order list is generated. This list is based on three components: the CGPA, the Casper score, and the ABS.
Approximately 70% of the seats are reserved for regional candidates.
As long as the eligibility criteria are met, we do not give preference to the academic discipline of a candidate’s university program.
Age, gender, race, religion and socio-economic status do not influence the selection process, except where specified for designated seats.
Other factors being equal, we will give preference to candidates who have an active knowledge of both official languages (English and French).
Interview
You will not be admitted without an interview. We usually hold interviews from February to March. We base invitations for interviews on the file assessment process of academic and non-academic criteria.
If you require accommodations for your interview, you must email the Admissions Office immediately upon receiving your invitation to allow sufficient time to review and assess your request. Failure to do so may result in accommodation not being put in place. Consultation with the Academic Accommodation Service will be organized to discuss your request and you will be required to provide supporting documentation.
Given the important weight attached to the interview performance for our MD Program, your application will be rejected if you have been interviewed 3 times.
This policy applies to all applications regardless of the language stream or pathway applied for.
Unsuccessful Applications
No feedback will be provided to applicants regarding the assessment of their file. Our decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Information for Successful Applicants
Offers of Admission
Following the interview, we prepare a rank order list based on the interview performance (a poor interview may not be ranked).
The Admissions Committee may take other factors into consideration when ranking each candidate on the excellence list for the offers.
All offers of admission are conditional and are subject to the following conditions:
- The success of the current academic year, including having maintained your average (this applies to all levels of study, undergraduate, graduate or professional studies, whether full-time or part-time).
- The cumulative grade point average (CGPA) will be recalculated for applicants who are currently completing their undergraduate studies to ensure that their CGPA is not below the required minimum CGPA of 3.50 on the 4.0 scale, according to the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
- Although the CGPA only includes grades from undergraduate studies, grades from higher levels of education will be taken into consideration during the final evaluation to ensure that academic excellence has been maintained.
- Submission of an official transcript of your grades for the current academic year to OMSAS no later than June 30, 2026. The transcript must show proof of completion of all admission requirements.
- If you are enrolled in a graduate program, you can complete the thesis requirement (or clinical component) during the summer before starting the MD Program. However, you cannot be enrolled in 2 programs at the same time. Therefore, all requirements of your graduate program must be completed before the MD Program begins.
- Satisfactory completion of all clinical placement requirements.
- Submission of proof of citizenship (copy only).
- Ability to meet the standards as stated in the document Essential Skills and Abilities Required for Entry to a Medical Degree Program.
The University may revoke the offer of admission if you fail to meet any admission requirements or any one of the conditions mentioned.
Institutional Fees
The institutional fee for the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine is $135 and is deductible from tuition fees when you are admitted.
Deposit
A deposit fee of $1,000 must accompany an offer of admission acceptance. The deposit is deducted from your tuition fees when you are admitted.
Requirements for Registration
An instruction package will accompany your offer letter with information on the clinical placement requirements. These include:
Police Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)
The VSC is mandatory for student placements. It includes a record check by the Canadian Police Information Centre plus a check to see if a person has a record suspension (pardon) for sexual offences. The University reserves the right to revoke admission offers and/or registration at any time based on the results of the VSC.
Immunization
Clinical placements are an essential component of the MD Program. As a health care professional, you have an obligation to protect your patients, colleagues and yourself from infections that can be transmitted in health care practice settings. Immunization requirements are mandatory and must be fulfilled before entering a clinical setting.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
BLS certification is an annual requirement for the MD Program. Your BLS certification must remain valid at all times. Annual renewal is required regardless of the expiry date listed on your certification card.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation BLS training course is the only certification accepted.
More about clinical placement requirements (BLS certification, immunization record and vulnerable sector check).
Blood-borne Pathogens
All undergraduate medical students should know their HIV and hepatitis C status. Like hepatitis B, these are blood-borne pathogens for which there are strict policies and restrictions for risk-prone activities you may have to perform as a student during your various rotations.
Everyone should know their status and some universities and hospitals where you may rotate have listed these requirements as mandatory, in which case you will be required to provide serological results.
Upon acceptance, undergraduate medical students are required to inform the Vice-Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME), if they are positive for a blood-borne virus. The Vice-Dean may consult with the Expert Board and/or Board of Medical Assessors or other experts, as appropriate. Confidentiality concerning the applicant’s state of health will be maintained to the greatest extent possible.
You should discuss this with your health care provider and are encouraged to include testing and results in your record of immunization at the University of Ottawa.
A positive result for any blood-borne virus will not cause your faculty or institution to decline you; rather, it will result in special accommodations that will exempt you from risk-prone procedures that could put patients at risk.
Deferred Registration
Request for deferred registration is only considered under extenuating circumstances. The Admissions Office, in consultation with the Vice-Dean, may grant or refuse requests for deferral.
If you wish to submit a request for deferral, you must accept the offer of admission and send us a detailed letter explaining the reasons for your request. The letter must be received no later than June 30, 2026.
Requests for deferral will only be considered if the candidate satisfies all the admission requirements for the initial intended year of entry into the MD Program.
If another medical school admits you and allows you to defer your registration, you will not be considered for admission to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ottawa, as long as you maintain your deferred registration.
Contact Information
Admissions
Faculty of Medicine
University of Ottawa
451 Smyth Road
Ottawa ON K1H 8M5
Canada
Email: admissmd@uottawa.ca