Graduate studies FAQ

You do not need to be bilingual to apply to the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Language requirements for different programs vary. Students admitted to the Masters program in Security and Defence Studies or Environmental Sustainability, do not need to demonstrate knowledge of the second official language.

Students admitted to the program of Public and International Affairs (MA) must have a passive knowledge of the second official language, as described in the essential program information. Students are expected to be able to attend meetings in either English or in French and understand most of what is said but are free to contribute to the discussion in the language of their choice. Work can also be handed in either language, regardless of the language used to teach the course. Public and International Affairs MA students must also successfully complete a course in their second official language. See the website of the University of Ottawa for more information on language requirements.

The School encourages all of its students to learn a second official language and invites them to explore the vibrant intellectual heritage of Canada’s two principal linguistic communities. Language courses are offered during the fall and winter by the Institute of Official Languages and Bilingualism. The courses are offered from a beginner level to an advanced level. There is no additional charge for students enrolled full-time. The credits obtained in these courses do not count towards the program requirements and cannot satisfy the language requirement.

The GSPIA is a fantastic place for francophones, anglophones, and allophones to improve their second language skills, not only through their studies, but also through social interactions within and without the School. 

The December 1^st deadlines for international students and February 1^st for permanent residents and Canadian citizens are only for the completion of the application for admission through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) and not for the receipt of documents.
However, your file will be submitted for evaluation to the Admissions Committee only when it is complete. You can check the status of your admission request at any time in your uoZone account.

Your letter of intent should be a one-page typed description (approximately 250-300 words, single-spaced, 12 font) that describes your research interests by specifying your fields of interest and more specifically, by specifying the questions that interest you in these fields. It is good to demonstrate that you are able to communicate information in a clear and precise manner.

The selection committee likes statements that have the following elements:

• Who you are, and where you’re going;
• Your academic and/or professional background (specific degrees you hold; classes you have taken; professors/mentors you have had);
• Any major honours & awards; key extracurricular activities;
• A mention of your publications and/or professional accomplishments (e.g., conference presentations);
• Explanations about problems/gaps in education/professional experience, if any;
• Your field of concentration (in the domains of international affairs, public policy, international development as well as in conflict studies and human rights); as an indication of your research interest (this will not restrain you in the choice of your courses, and your interests may also change during your program, the question is for informational purposes only);
• Explanation of why you have chosen our program as opposed some other program (identify specific features of/specific faculty in the program);
• A concluding sentence summarizing what makes you unique and/or why you think you will prosper in our program.

Admission applications are submitted to the selection committee only when they are complete (that is, when all required documents have been received at the Graduate Studies Office). The offers are accessible through the students’ uoZone account from mid-February to August.

No, the subject and name of the MRP supervisor must be submitted during the first winter semester in the program, in early March.

The program in which you were admitted determines the registration status, either the full-time or the part-time program (please note that the admission criteria differ for the part-time program).

Once admitted it is not possible for a full-time student to enroll part-time in his or her courses, and vice versa. The number of courses (credits) you are registered to does not determine the Status of your registration.

Yes, with the permission of the program coordinator, a maximum of two courses other than the API program classes can be credited towards your elective specialized seminars only. Some departments also require the permission of the professor who teaches the course. The school’s academic assistants can advise you about this.

An email with all the necessary information for all new admitted students is sent in June, before the beginning of the registration, including the sequence of compulsory courses that you will have to follow for the first two semesters of the program. A second email including the guide describing the seminars that will be offered during the winter session will allow you to prepare your registration for two of these courses.

You can consult the profiles of the GSPIA’s professors to learn about their research interests. This will help you to choose a research supervisor when you will start preparing for your MRP (you will have to submit a subject and a MRP supervisor during the first winter term).

The collaborative program in Environmental Sustainability and the collaborative program in Science, Society and Policy. The registration to a specialization is done after the admission and the beginning of the program.

Registration for the fall and winter courses begins at the same time, usually in the third week of June. Students can register for the spring / summer semester at the end of March.

The university calendar is available on this page of the University of Ottawa website.

Please note that according to the Academic Regulations for Graduate Enrolment, students must register each term until the end of their program, including the spring / summer terms.

Syllabuses are available to students once they are enrolled in a course on the campus virtual ; if the professor teaching each class downloads the latter.

Fall Session

API 5105 Concepts and Issues in International Affairs (3cr.)
API 5116 Democratic Governance and Public Policy (3cr.)

* API 5125 Macroeconomic Policy (3cr.)
OR
* API 5100 Economics for Public Management and Policy (for Students with this Admission Requirement)

Winter session

API 5126 Microeconomics for Public Policy (3cr.)
API 5135 Ethics and Moral Reasoning for Public and International Affairs (3cr.)
API 5136 Research Methods for Public Policy (3cr.)

During the Major Research Paper (MRP), the student must show the ability to work independently in a scholarly manner. The MRP does not have to make a significant original contribution to academic knowledge of the subject, but it must display extensive research and independent analysis. Students must demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the literature relating to the topic. Use of original data or primary sources is not required, but may be done where necessary. The subject of the MRP must fit within the parameters of public and international affairs.

The Major Research Paper will usually be about 50 pages in length, double-spaced, including footnotes, endnotes, tables and figures, but excluding bibliography and appendices.

Additional information about the MRP is available in the Major Research Paper Guidelines and Deadlines - Fall 2024.

Newly admitted students in the full-time program must complete the majority of their compulsory courses (API 5XXX) before they are eligible for international experience. For the majority of them these courses are completed after the winter session or at the third semester, ie in the summer.

However, if as required in the course sequence of your program, you need to complete API 5525: “Macroeconomic Policy” course during the first summer session, and have been selected for an international opportunity, this is possible. However, you must ensure that you take this course in the following fall semester if you do not want to delay the end of your program.

Reflecting the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs’ approach to fostering a deeper understanding of a field of study through practical hands-on experience, we encourage students to pursue experiential learning opportunities during their studies. Explore the options listed here and find meaningful ways to build a professional network, strengthen your professional skillset and gain real-world experience that align with your career goals.

Please note that international experience opportunities are available to students in the full-time program only, who have completed all the mandatory courses (API 5XXX) of the program.

The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) offers students the chance to gain valuable, real-world work experience through three-month internships, either in Canada or abroad. 

These internships and Directed Research Placements are open to MA students in public and international affairs or security and defense studies who are not participating in cooperative education programs (co-op). The Internships and Directed Research Placement replace an elective seminar for three (3) credits.

Yes, you can find your own placement, but the CO-OP Office must approve the job description. In addition, the employer must provide a written confirmation that they wish to hire you. In order for the placement to be admissible, it must be a paid position, be related to your field of study and involve a minimum of 16 weeks of full-time employment.

Yes, it is possible to attend a maximum of one course during a CO-OP placement, but this course must be offered after work in the evening (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.). No exception to these rules will be granted.

During a work term, you must pay the CO-OP fees, and the Part-time tuition fees will be charged for the course. Your registration for this semester will maintain a full-time status.

Located in the heart of the nation’s capital, the University of Ottawa is close to many government departments and several non-governmental organizations and industry associations involved in public and international affairs. This situation is ideal for students seeking work experience as part of their graduate studies. Most of the CO-OP placements in this program take place in Ottawa, particularly within the federal government. However, placements with NGOs, private companies and international organizations overseas are also possible.

With the assistance of the CO-OP Office at the University of Ottawa, the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs offers the CO-OP option to a select number of students. The number of places varies between twenty-five (25) and thirty (30) per cohort. The number of spaces available in the CO-OP option is not guaranteed and can vary from year to year, depending on the needs of prospective employers. Please note that the co-op program is available only to those admitted to the full-time program.

Only the student’s admission grade average (GPA) is considered during the selection process for the CO-OP option. Students must have a minimum GPA of 7.0/10 to be considered. However, due to the competitive nature of this program, not all eligible students will be accepted into CO-OP. Students may require a GPA above 7.0/10 in order to gain admission, depending on the number of applicants, positions, and the academic record of the students applying.

The school offers teaching assistant positions for its undergraduate program in Conflict Studies and Human Rights (ECH) during the Fall and Winter semesters. Priority is given to scholarship students when these positions are awarded. Research assistant positions are also available every semester on campus. All the available positions are posted on this web page:

In addition, the Student Experience and the University of Ottawa Work-Study Program (WSP) gives you a chance to work on campus part-time during the academic year, and to work full-time during the summer. 

We have several networking events such as luncheon seminars that allow for discussion of current topics between faculty members, Senior Fellows and students or alumni. We also offer series of conferences led by ambassadors from different missions. All students can also attend informative presentations, practical workshops, and bespoke recruitment events in French and in English organized as part of the GSPIA’s Senior Fellow program. A reception for newly graduated students (open to all) and an annual GSPIA celebration also facilitate networking. For more information visit the GSPIA’s Senior Fellow page. 

A differential tuition fee exemption for new international students enrolled full time in a French-language program means that their tuition fees can be reduced to those paid by Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Consult the eligibility criteria.

Scholarship students must maintain an average of 8.0 / 10 (A -); while other students must have the minimum grade to pass a class at the graduate studies, 65% (C +) in all courses.

Students who fail two (2) courses (equivalent to 6 credits) will automatically be withdrawn from the program.