Study Abroad

Who is eligible to go on a GSC exchange?

• Any full-time student who is entering 3rd or 4th year in a FOS program

Why is it beneficial?

• Recognition of international best practice in learning
• Experience a new culture while learning and studying abroad
• Great for résumé
• Experience a new and different way of learning
• Opportunity to travel within the region and even further
• Develop new interests

When can you go?

• Fall or winter semester
• Full year exchange, if courses permit
• Summer research experience (4 months in the summer)

What should you consider when choosing a university and exchange term?

• Courses available to exchange students and their relevance to your program and/or minor
• Exchange university term dates (in light of your program, co-op work terms, convocation application deadlines, job commitments, etc.)
• Transferability of courses while studying or learning abroad (i.e. discussed ahead of time with academic coordinator
• Cost of living
• Personal interests (e.g. campus location, language of the host country)
• Exchange University's CGPA requirements (if any)

Tuition

Exchange students pay the usual Faculty of Science Toronto Metropolitan tuition fees for a full course load to Toronto Metropolitan University, subject to the established methods, payment deadlines and service charges, as would be normal if the student was spending the academic session at the Faculty of Science. Similarly, summer based research experiences with institutional agreements in place require no tuition fees to be paid to host university. Students are responsible for all other expenses such as books, stationery, laboratory equipment, etc.

Accommodations

The majority of exchange agreements require students to be responsible for finding their own accommodations. Some of the partner universities have their own residence hall accommodations with associated costs that exchange students can access.

Travel

Students are responsible for their own health insurance, travel expenses and all other arrangements. Travel bursaries may be awarded through the Dean's office.

Visa

Students are responsible for covering the cost of their student visa, if a visa is required for the exchange by the host country.

Food

Students are responsible for their own food costs.

Exchange Application Expenses

Students are responsible for expenses related to their exchange applications, e.g. obtaining supporting documents (such as the Toronto Metropolitan official transcripts), photocopying material, application fees to the exchange university (if required), etc.

Exchange University Transcript

Students do not need to purchase a transcript from the exchange university, for the purpose of this exchange program. If students need additional transcripts for other purposes, they may need to order these directly from the exchange university.

Important Financial Considerations

If you receive student loans, check with the Financial Aid and Awards Office before applying for exchange. While all exchanges are approved by the Financial Aid Office, the difference in start and end dates can sometimes result in a reduction in student loans in a given academic year.

Travel bursaries might be available through the Office of the Dean - Faculty of Science and/or Toronto Metropolitan's International Office (opens in new window) . Contact your International Engagement Coordinator for details.

Likewise, if you receive a scholarship or bursary, check with the Financial Aid and Awards Office before applying for exchange to make sure your payment amount will not be affected.

Some awards and bursaries are available for students who study abroad. However, none of these will finance your entire year abroad. Ensure that you have proper financing in place before seriously pursuing an international experience.

Full exchange cost varies by country but ranges from $6000 to $10000 per semester Cost includes tuition, living, travel, visa, food and incidentals.

Courses may be called subjects, units or modules depending on the host university. Exchange partner universities may permit you to choose courses from various faculties whereas others provide a specific course list. The host universities may also have a minimum and maximum number of courses or ECTS that you can take. Some courses are taught over one semester, other courses may be taught over one year.

Important: Review the university’s exchange website to see course selection guidelines.

Workload while on exchange

The number of courses equivalent to five Toronto Metropolitan courses varies by university. For example:

European universities (most) – 30 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) points (external link, opens in new window)  = 5 Toronto Metropolitan transfer credits

UK & Australia - four courses = five Toronto Metropolitan courses

China – course for course (five courses = five courses)

Singapore - four courses = five Toronto Metropolitan courses

Approval Process

Students are required to prepare a Study Plan with your academic coordinator/program director well before the exchange university’s application deadline. This details all of the courses students would like to study and apply towards transfer credits for their program which will be discussed and approved. The study plan is submitted to the FOS International Engagement Coordinator prior to departure.

Important: Prepare and submit the Study Plan form in a timely manner.

Grades

Credits are transferred through the transfer credit application process after the final exchange university transcripts are received by Toronto Metropolitan. Students must pass the approved courses and have the required ECTS workload (when required) to have the credits transferred.

The credits from an exchange do not affect GPA at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Research based exchanges provide the opportunity to those students interested in developing their critical thinking skills in practical, skills based international lab settings. Typically there is no course credit awarded for these learning experiences and students will be enrolled as non-credit students with the host university. The international engagement coordinator will identify suitable research projects and supervisors at host universities and match students with identified projects and supervisors. Typical placements occur over the summer months (4 months).

Workload while on exchange

Students will be expected to work full-time with an identified supervisor while abroad. Post reflective activities will be required as part of the Global Science Citizen Ambassador program at Toronto Metropolitan upon your return. These activities may include the delivery of presentations, blogs, poster presentations delivered to staff, students and student groups.

Approval

Students will be nominated based on their cGPA, interview and motivational letter illustrating how their interests and experiences will align with the research activities of the host institution and supervisor. Upon proper matching of the student with a supervisor an offer letter will be provided to nominated student by the host institution.

Grades

No grades will be awarded for research based exchanges.

Faculty of Science Exchange Program Eligibility Requirements

• Clear academic standing
• Cumulative cGPA 2.7 except for UCL which requires a 3.0
  
• Full-time status
• Signed Participation Agreement (when nominated)

Initial Application

1. Apply online (external link) 
2. You will be initially screened for suitability for the exchange. If suitable you will be asked to

• Prepare a motivational letter - Why I want to study abroad (course based exchange) (well-written and personal, maximum of two pages, double-spaced).
  OR
• Prepare a motivational letter - Why I want to study abroad and how do my career interests/experiences or post graduate interests align with research projects offered at the host institution (research based exchanges)
  AND
• Prepare a comprehensive résume.

Deadline

Students interested in a summer 2025 research exchange with University College London (UCL) will have a deadline date of December 1, 2024 at 4:30pm. Interviews will take place shortly after and nominations will be made in early January 2025.

The Toronto Metropolitan University deadline for Fall 2025 and/or Winter 2026 course based exchanges is Friday January 31, 2025 at 4:30pm. Late submissions will only be considered on a case by case basis.

Approval Process

• Eligible applicants will be interviewed in February.
• Successful applicants will be notified by the end of March.
• Successful applicants will be nominated to the exchange universities approximately in late March (for fall/full year exchanges) or late August (for winter exchanges).
• Students select courses to study overseas and submit a Study Plan for review.
• Students apply to the host universities.
• Students attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation session approximately in April (for fall/full year exchanges) or October (for winter exchanges).

Need more information?

Please watch the following exchange presentation (external link)   or contact TMU Global at global.learning@torontomu.ca