Exchange programs offer University of Guelph students the opportunity to take courses at another institution (the host institution) for a defined period of time and receive credit toward their undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph (their home institution). These programs operate under formal agreements between the University of Guelph (the home institution) and the host institution.
While registered at the host institution as part of an exchange program University of Guelph students pay tuition fees at their home institution (the University of Guelph). Exchange students normally take regularly scheduled courses at the host institution and are subject to the policies and regulations of the host institution. At the end of the study period at the host institution the student must ensure that her/his official academic record from the host institution is forwarded to her/his home institution. University of Guelph courses completed on exchange appear on the University of Guelph official transcript with generic subject titles and are assigned a grade from the alternate grade scheme, not a numerical grade. The alternate grade assigned to each course is one of Pass, Outstanding Pass, or Fail.
General information about Exchange Programs offered by the University of Guelph at the undergraduate degree program level is available in Section V—International Study [1] of the current Undergraduate Calendar. Additional specific information about Exchange Programs [2] offered by the University of Guelph is available through the Centre for International Programs (CIP) (Level 3 University Centre SOUTH END).
In order to be considered for participation in an exchange program sanctioned by the University of Guelph students must formally apply to CIP and must normally have a minimum cumulative average of 70.00%. Detailed information about a specific exchange program, including the correct application form and the current application deadline date, is available from CIP.
All applicants will be interviewed and those selected for participation in an exchange program will be nominated to the host institution for final approval. Once a student is accepted for an exchange program s/he will be required to participate in a pre-departure orientation session and pay an administration fee. Courses to be taken on exchange must be requested using the Exchange Program Course Selection form prior to leaving for exchange. This form is available through the appropriate program counseling office, CIP, or from Undergraduate Program Services in the Office of Registrarial Services (University Centre, Level 3). Once completed by the student, the Exchange Program Course Selection form must be submitted to the student’s program counsellor for a signature of approval. Once the form has been signed by the program counsellor it is submitted to the Centre for International Programs by the student to obtain the signature of the Study Abroad Manager. A student going on an exchange program pays full-time tuition fees to the University of Guelph regardless of the number of credits taken on exchange.
Students who are interested in attending an institution abroad where a formal exchange agreement does not exist with the University of Guelph should consider the Letter of Permission process. For further information please see the UAIC QuickFact sheet for Letter of Permission.
