South Africa

South African students have a guaranteed place in residence for their first year. Most of our residences are centrally located on campus, close to over 1,100 teaching and research laboratories featuring cutting-edge technology.

If you’re a South African citizen, you could be eligible for an international scholarship for African students studying in English.
 

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Beware of fraud

The services of an agency are not mandatory to apply at the University of Ottawa. If you use the services of an agency, we recommend that you choose one from our list of approved partners. Make sure you have access to your account information and the e-mail address used for your application at all times.
Discover our recruitment partners

If you are an applicant originally from South Africa currently studying in a Canadian institution, please select your current or last school system for information specific to your profile.

Minimum admission requirements

If you’re applying from a secondary school, you must meet the following conditions to be considered for admission to an undergraduate program:

  • Have obtained, or be in the process of obtaining, your National Senior Certificate
  • Have a minimum average of 75% (requirements may be higher depending on the program you select).
  • Have completed, or be in the process of completing, the prerequisites (scroll to “Prepare to apply”) for the program you select. Unless otherwise indicated, you must complete all prerequisites at the secondary school senior level.

Space is limited. Admission is competitive and not guaranteed. We reserve the right to deny admission even if you meet all requirements.

If applicable, see the page specific to your study situation: 

Required documents

If you’re currently studying for your West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE), submit the following documents through our uoZone portal:

  • Transcript of the past three years of secondary studies
  • Transcript of results from the first term of your final year 

If you’ve already graduated, submit the following documents through uoZone:

  • Your National Senior Certificate results
  • Proof of diploma

Eligibility

Determine whether you're eligible for admission to our undergraduate programs.
Programs you can be accepted intoBenefits and requirements
Bachelor's
  • 3 years
  • Direct entry after secondary school
  • General education giving grounding in a field of study in arts or social sciences
  • Does not allow access to co-operative education programs
  • Can lead to admission into honours bachelor’s programs
  • Can lead to admission into law or education programs
Honours bachelor’s
Honours bachelor’s with major
Joint honours bachelor’s
Integrated honours bachelor’s
  • 4 years
  • Direct entry after secondary school
  • Option to study more than one discipline in certain programs by adding a major or minor
  • Access to co-operative education programs
  • Can lead to admission into law or education programs
  • Can lead to admission to graduate diploma or master’s programs
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Prerequisite courses

Before applying, make sure you meet the admission requirements. Check the minimum averages and prerequisite courses you need for your chosen program.
Check minimum averages and prerequisite courses.

Transfer credits

If you’ve completed some postsecondary studies, you’ll be evaluated on them, even if you’re applying for an undergraduate program.

We may grant you transfer credits, depending on the program to which you apply. Faculties that grant transfer credits will base their decision on the discipline, the courses you have completed, and the length of your studies.

Your uOttawa representative

Hi! My name is Thierno and I’m the University of Ottawa international representative for your region.

My team works with world-renowned student recruitment partners in multiple locations around the globe, to guide students from their application through their transition to Canada, Ottawa and the University of Ottawa. 

Contact us
Thierno Bah
uOttawa students in front of Tabaret building

Continue your application process

Review the steps and watch our videos.
Continue reading the application steps for international students

Contact information

InfoAdmission

Tabaret Hall  (map)
75 Laurier Avenue East, Room 109
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
Canada

See wait times and secure a spot in our virtual line for all services or send us a request.

Stay connected

Continue to learn more about uOttawa by joining our mailing list and connect with other future students online.

Helpful links

For admission to Common Law or Medicine, contact the faculties offering these programs. For graduate studies, contact the academic unit of the faculty offering the program you are applying to.