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 was the first medical school in North America to offer its MD Program in both English and French. Our ability to develop in our students the essential skills that make them leaders in health care sets us apart.
Program Information
Our 4-year program is divided into 2 phases:
- Pre-clerkship (64 weeks)
- Study of essential biomedical and biopsychosocial principles.
- Consists of 6 multidisciplinary units.
- Clerkship (2 years)
- Core rotations in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, family medicine and acute care, and mandatory selective rotations.
- Mandatory 1-month rotation in a rural setting.
- 18 weeks of elective rotations in fourth year.
The University of Ottawa offers its MD Program in English and French in a faculty where both the anglophone and francophone teaching activities correlate. These teaching activities enhance the development of linguistics skills in both languages.
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.
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 program leading to a university bachelor’s degree. This requirement must be met, with final grades available on an official transcript, by June 30, 2027, 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). Any school year with fewer than 4 courses per term will not count as a full-time year of study.
Do I Qualify?
I am applying during my third year of studies in a university bachelor’s program
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, 2027, prior to admission to the MD Program.
I am applying after completing more than 3 years of studies in a university bachelor’s program
You are eligible to apply if you have completed at least 3 years of full-time studies in a 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 a university bachelor’s degree plus 2 years toward a second university 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, 2027, 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 after studies at a CEGEP or a community college
Candidates coming directly from CEGEP or community college are not eligible for admission.
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 a program leading to a university bachelor’s degree.
I am applying with international studies
If you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant) or 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).
You are exempt from submitting a WES evaluation if you have completed at least 3 years of full-time studies in a university bachelor’s program in Canada or the United States after completing your international studies. Grades from your international studies will not be included in the CGPA calculation.
In this case, an official transcript from your international institution must still be sent directly to OMSAS by the application deadline.
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:
- Academic requirements (full-time study, prerequisite courses, CGPA)
- Non-academic requirements (citizenship, Confidential Assessment Forms [CAFs], early-phase multiple mini interview [MMI], Autobiographical Sketch [ABS] and interview)
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.
Admission to the MD Program is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. A substantially higher CGPA will improve your chances in the selection process.
To assess academic excellence, the CGPA is calculated using the most recent 3 years of full-time undergraduate studies (5 courses per term per year) completed toward a university bachelor’s degree.
The calculation includes all full-time courses taken during the regular academic year (fall and winter terms) and individual spring and summer courses completed during that period (unless they are completed abroad).
Prerequisite Courses
You must complete prerequisite courses in all of the following subject areas with a minimum grade of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale, according to the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
Course Requirements
- 6 units in Humanities/Social Sciences
- 6 units in Biology (We also accept Anatomy and Physiology courses.)
- 3 units in Organic Chemistry
- 3 units in General Chemistry
- 3 units in Biochemistry
- 3 units in Statistics
Laboratory Requirements
- 6 units from the listed science course categories must include a laboratory component
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, 2027, prior to admission to the MD Program.
Non-academic Requirements
Language Proficiency
The University of Ottawa offers its MD Program in 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.
You must be able to function in the language of instruction you have chosen, both orally and in writing.
Bilingualism
Applicants for the francophone stream are expected to have proficiency in both French and English, as patient care in the National Capital Region involves interactions in both official languages. English proficiency will be assessed during the interview.
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 approval 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. The ABS is used to provide information about your non‑academic experiences and achievements, and allows us to assess the breadth and nature of your activities.
When completing the ABS, you will be prompted to provide more specific details for all categories (employment, volunteer and extracurricular activities, awards and accomplishments, research and other).
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.
You will also 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.
When selecting your top 3 activities, priority should be given to experiences from your postsecondary education. High school activities may be included if they were continued beyond high school.
Notes:
- The Admissions Committee does not assess activities completed solely during high school. If an activity was started in high school and continued into postsecondary education, only the portion completed during postsecondary studies will be considered.
- The form allows you to enter up to 32 activities. You are not required to complete all available fields.
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 (CAF)
You must ask 3 different individuals (referred as referees) to provide a reference on your behalf:
- 1 academic- or employment-related referee,
- 1 non-academic referee and
- 1 referee of your choosing.
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.
Note: We will not accept CAF from family members or co-applicants. Select referees who have extensive personal knowledge of you and can accurately answer the CAF questions.
Early-phase Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
All applicants are required to complete an early-phase MMI through the Acuity Insights platform to be considered for admission.
This asynchronous assessment is collaboratively developed by several Ontario medical schools and evaluates skills essential for success in the MD Program, including critical thinking, decision making, communication, interpersonal skills, compassion and teamwork.
Applicants will respond to prompts by recording video responses directly on the platform.
All applicants who successfully submit an application to the University of Ottawa MD Program will be contacted in early October, shortly after the OMSAS application deadline, with instructions to schedule their early-phase MMI.
Only applicants who have successfully submitted an application to the MD Program will be eligible to select a testing date.
To take the early-phase MMI, you must use a computer with a webcam, audio capabilities and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date.
You may complete the early-phase MMI from any location, as long as you have a quiet, private space that is free from disruptions and meet the required technical specifications.
If you require testing accommodations, consult the Early-phase MMI Accommodations page on the Acuity Insight website.
Transcripts
You must submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you currently attend, have previously attended or withdrew from. This includes universities, colleges, CEGEPs, junior colleges, graduate schools and IB or AP programs.
A separate transcript is required for each institution, even if exchange or transfer courses appear on your home institution’s transcript.
Admission Categories
These programs and pathways are in addition to our regular English and French streams.
Candidates may apply to 1 program only; however, they will also be considered through any applicable pathways for which they select and meet the eligibility criteria.
As each program may lead to different training experiences and outcomes, applicants are encouraged to select the program that best aligns with their career goals and aspirations.
Candidates should ensure that they select only the pathways for which they are eligible. We encourage candidates to carefully review the eligibility criteria for each pathway before making their selection.
Programs
Family Medicine Focus (MD/FM)
The MD/FM is intended for candidates with a strong interest in pursuing a career in family medicine.
In addition to the core curriculum, candidates 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.
We reserve up to 8 seats for eligible candidates each year, with 4 seats in the anglophone stream and 4 seats in the francophone stream.
MD/Master’s Program
The MD/Master’s is intended for candidates who wish to complete a master’s degree (1 to 2 years) in one of the available disciplines before completing the 4-year MD Program.
We reserve up to 4 seats for eligible applicants each year.
MD/PhD Program
The MD/PhD is intended for candidates who wish to complete a PhD (3-4 years) in one of the available disciplines before completing the 4-year MD Program.
We reserve up to 4 seats for eligible applicants each year.
Pathways
Black Student Application Program (BSAP)
This pathway is intended 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.
This pathway does not have a designated quota for admission.
Canadian Armed Forces Candidates
This pathway is available exclusively to current Regular Force members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
If you are 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.
Francophone Candidates Outside Ontario and Quebec – The Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS)
Note: This pathway is available exclusively to candidates applying to the francophone stream.
Offered under the mandate of the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) [French link], it aims to increase access to health‑related postsecondary education for francophone students from minority language communities across Canada.
This pathway is reserved for francophone candidates from provinces other than Ontario and Quebec who wish to pursue their medical training in French. Its mission is to support the training of future physicians who are committed to serving francophone minority communities.
Students admitted through this pathway are expected to complete clinical placements in their home or target communities, with the objective of returning to practice medicine in their province, and contribute to improved access to care for francophone populations.
We reserve 8 seats for eligible applicants each year.
Applicants admitted through this pathway are counted outside of the Government of Ontario admission quota.
Government of Nunavut
The Government of Nunavut (GN) pathway aims to increase the number of Inuit and Nunavummiut physicians in response to their underrepresentation in the Nunavut health care workforce.
The GN pathway funds a minimum of 1 seat for a qualified student each year.
This pathway does not have a designated quota for admission.
Applicants supported through the Government of Nunavut may apply through 1 of the following 2 pathways:
- Nunavut Inuit Applicants
- Nunavummiut (non-Inuit) Applicants
A Return of Service Agreement is required for Nunavut Inuit and Nunavut non‑Inuit applicants admitted through this pathway. Candidates who wish to be considered for this pathway must email Dr. François de Wet to confirm their eligibility.
Indigenous Program (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Candidates)
This pathway is intended for candidates who self-identify as Indigenous. It reflects our commitment to enhance access to equitable health care for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and to better meet the needs of our communities. Candidates applying through this pathway must provide proof of Indigenous identity.
We reserve up to 7 seats for eligible applicants each year.
Social Accountability Initiative
This pathway is intended for candidates from low socio-economic backgrounds, with the goal of reducing barriers and promoting equitable access to medical education.
We reserve 2 seats for eligible candidates each year. If there are more qualified candidates than available reserved seats, they will also be considered competitively for admission through the regular admission process.
Regional Initiative
To support the health needs of our local communities, approximately 70% of our seats are reserved for applicants from Ottawa and surrounding areas.
You are considered a regional candidate if:
- you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant) or convention refugee in Canada and
- you completed high school in Ottawa or the surrounding areas.
Regional status is determined by the postal code of your home address at the time you attended high school.
If you did not attend high school in Ottawa and the surrounding areas but wish to be considered as a regional candidate, you may submit a brief letter explaining your rationale. Upload this letter through SAM when completing your OMSAS application.
Admission Policies and Procedures
Non-eligible Candidates
You are not eligible if you:
- have previously been enrolled in a medical program leading to an MD degree and withdrew or were excluded, or
- are currently enrolled in, have accepted an offer to, or will begin another MD program prior to the start of our MD Program.
In rare cases, we may consider exceptions for applicants with documented exceptional or medical circumstances.
False Admission Information
We reserve the right to refuse future applications to the MD Program from candidates who have previously submitted false, misleading or fraudulent information to any medical school.
Any applicant found to have submitted fraudulent documentation or information will be disqualified from the admission process and may be subject to legal consequences.
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 emphasizes that all application materials and required documents must be received by OMSAS 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 and for you to correct any errors or missing information, if needed.
Transcript-related issues must be resolved before our selection process begins. Files with outstanding transcript issues cannot be included in the evaluation process and your application may be disqualified.
Deadlines are strictly enforced. All required documents must be submitted by the specified dates. Failure to follow instructions or meet the deadlines will result in the disqualification of your application.
Selection Process
Initial Application Review
The initial application review is based on the following criteria.
Academic requirements:
- Full-time study status
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- CGPA
Non-academic requirements:
- Citizenship eligibility
- Early-phase MMI
These requirements are further defined in the Admission Requirements section.
Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements at this stage do not advance in the admission process.
For those who meet the minimum eligibility requirements, the Admissions Committee proceeds with an evaluation of the ABS and verification of the CAF.
Interview Selection
Interview invitations are determined using a rank-order list based on the following components:
- CGPA
- Early-phase MMI score
- ABS score
Approximately 70% of seats are reserved for regional candidates.
Provided that eligibility criteria are met, no preference is given to the academic discipline of a candidate’s undergraduate university program.
Age, gender, race, religion and socio-economic status do not influence the selection process, except where specified for designated pathways.
Interview
You will not be admitted without an interview. Interviews are typically held between February and March, and invitations are issued based on a comprehensive assessment of both the academic and non-academic components of your application.
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 process your request. Failure to do so may result in accommodation not being implemented. Once received, accommodation requests are forwarded to the Academic Accommodation Service, who will contact you to review your needs and inform you of any supporting documentation required.
Given the significant weight assigned to interview performance in our MD Program selection process, candidates who have previously completed 3 interviews for the University of Ottawa MD program are no longer eligible for consideration.
This policy applies to all applicants, regardless of language stream or admission pathway.
Unsuccessful Applications
Feedback on the evaluation of applications is not provided. Admission decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Information for Successful Applicants
Offers of Admission
Following the interview process, applicants are placed on a rank-order list based primarily on interview performance. Applicants who do not meet interview performance standards may not be ranked.
The Admissions Committee may also consider additional factors when determining a candidate’s position on the excellence list for offers of admission.
All offers of admission are conditional and subject to the following academic requirements:
- 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).
- For applicants currently completing an undergraduate degree, the CGPA will be recalculated to confirm it meets the required minimum CGPA of 3.50 on the 4.0 scale, according to the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
- While the CGPA includes only undergraduate grades, academic performance in graduate or doctoral studies will also be reviewed during the final evaluation to ensure that academic excellence has been maintained.
- Submission of an official transcript for the current academic year to OMSAS no later than June 30, 2027. The transcript must show proof of completion of all admission requirements.
- Applicants enrolled in a graduate program may complete their thesis requirement (or clinical component) during the summer before starting the MD Program. However, you cannot be enrolled in 2 programs simultaneously. All graduate program requirements must be completed before the MD Program begins.
Other Conditions
- 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 application fee for the University of Ottawa MD Program is $135. This amount is applied as a credit toward tuition for students who are admitted.
Deposit
A deposit of $1,000 is required when accepting an offer of admission. This deposit is applied toward your tuition fees once you are enrolled.
Clinical Placement Requirements
An information package, outlining clinical placement requirements, will accompany your offer of admission. These requirements include:
- Police Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)
- Immunization records
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
- Blood-borne Virus Serology
Deferred Registration
Requests for deferred registration are considered only in cases of extenuating circumstances. The Admissions Office, in consultation with the Vice-Dean, will review all requests and may grant or deny a deferral.
To request a deferral, you must first accept your offer of admission and then submit a detailed letter explaining your circumstances. Your request must be received no later than June 30, 2027.
Deferral requests will be considered only if you have met all admission requirements for the original year of entry into the MD Program.
Applicants who hold a deferred admission at another medical school are not eligible for consideration by the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine during the period of that deferral.
Contact Information
Admissions
Faculty of Medicine
University of Ottawa
451 Smyth Road
Ottawa ON K1H 8M5
Email: [email protected]