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Become a French Immersion student

A truly bilingual experience. The University of Ottawa French Immersion Stream is designed for Anglophone and Allophone students who wish to pursue part of their university studies in French.

Eligibility and how to apply

French Immersion Stream eligibility criteria

  1. Advanced courses in French as a second language in grade 11 or 12 or equivalent. International students, see below for additional criteria.
  2. Choose a program that offers French immersion (see list of programs). Apply to your program via the Ontario Universities Application Centre. Be sure to select the French immersion option on the program details screen.
  3. After you have received an offer of admission from uOttawa that includes French immersion, pass the Immersion Entry Test, an online test that assesses your competence in reading, listening, speaking and writing. This test is compulsory to confirm admission to the French Immersion Stream. 

Applying from another university or college

Students applying to transfer from another university are welcomed at uOttawa. For more information, see Canadian university transfers.

Applying from uOttawa

If you are already a student at uOttawa, you may modify your registration to enrol in the French Immersion Stream and complete your program with a French Immersion designation on your diploma. You will have to meet the eligibility criteria listed above. 

International students

Candidates must meet the university's language requirements for English-language programs. Also, you must also show proficiency in French by passing courses in French as a second language in grade 11 or 12 (or the equivalent) or meet the minimum scores for one of the following tests:

CourseRequirements
DELFLevel B1 with 16/25 in writing 
TEF, 5 épreuves350 (B1) in each of the oral and written comprehension, writing, speaking and syntax tests
TCF350 (B1) in each of the 3 compulsory tests (listening, reading, lexical and grammatical structures)
ACTFLRating of Advanced Low in both the Listening Proficiency Test (LPT) and Reading Proficiency Test (RPT)
International Baccalaureate courses5 in Français B
Advanced Placement courses5/5 in French Language and Culture

To obtain information about studying at uOttawa, first contact the International Office. To get information about university fees for international students enrolled in a program of study with the French Immersion Stream: Differential tuition fee exemption.

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Book a virtual meeting with a FI student to ask about their experience and how to apply.
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Student testimonials

Sophie Renaud

@soph.renaud

Studying in French, indeed French itself, is very important for me because it gives me a sense of identity. I’m proud to be Franco-Ontarian and proud of all the challenges we’ve overcome as Franco-Ontarians (especially Regulation 17!).

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@itshns

Learning French is important to me because as a Canadian I want to be able to know and speak both official languages of my country. In addition, learning French would help me in my career and when I travel to countries such as France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and even to Quebec I will be able to communicate with the locals.

Immersion student headshot

@michdolla

Hi! I’m a grad student in ergothérapie – I grew up in Montreal and came to uOttawa to challenge myself (as my mother tongue is English) and I wanted to make sure I can one day treat my clients in their language of choice J Whether I end up working in Montreal or Ottawa, bilingualism is not only important to keep my doors open – but to always make sure I am communicating with my clients in the language they are most comfortable in.

@Tristanlamonica

@Tristanlamonica

Studying at uOttawa in French not only gives me a competitive edge in the workplace, but helps further improve my reading and writing skills in both official languages. Additionally - studying in French means that I can continue to build my sense of belonging in the francophone community!

Student on Tabaret Hall steps.

@rxseyyy

I’m from Montreal, and my mother tongue is French.  Being bilingual is what I’m most proud of. I’ve always wanted to study in a city other than my hometown, and knowing that at the University of Ottawa I could study in my two languages, my choice was made right away. Especially since my program (nutrition sciences) is only offered in French. I love living in an English-speaking (mainly bilingual) milieu.

Saif

@saif_elh

Learning French, especially for non-French speakers opens up more opportunities career-wise and you can also make a whole set of new friends who speak the language!

What if French immersion isn't right for you?

If you are interested in a program not on this list—or if you like the idea of studying partially in French but the immersion option doesn’t seem right for you—don’t worry: we have many opportunities for students to learn in both official languages.

Any student may take:

For guidance in choosing alternatives to French immersion, please contact us.