Exchange Programs
Exchanges
Additional Information
The School of Graduate Studies and the Centre for International Experience encourage you to consider an international study opportunity.
Consider the benefits studying abroad may yield: international research collaboration, conducting research abroad, gaining access to archives, networking for future degrees and projects, completing language proficiency requirements, and more. You can choose to go on exchange for a session, year or summer. Depending on your graduate unit, you may be approved to go on exchange for up to three sessions.
Eligibility
The program is open to degree-seeking students registered with the School of Graduate Studies. Learn more about your eligibility. Students registered in professional faculties (such as MBA, PT/OT, Medicine, Dentistry) should consult their faculty for abroad opportunities.
Costs
Students are responsible for the entire costs of an abroad experience.
Destinations
Universities designated "open to all students" and "open to St. George Arts & Science, UTM, UTSC & SGS" are available to you. Consult the full list of exchange institutions or visit selecting an international program for advice on narrowing down your choices.
Advice on Selecting a Destination
It is unlikely that many of the partner institutions will match your interests or research area, so it is important to discuss this decision with your supervisor or graduate unit. Often, U of T professors will have colleagues at a partner institution and this can be a great advantage to your coursework or research.
Course Pre-Authorisation Prior to an Opportunity Abroad
Graduate course(s) and language proficiency requirements for exchange program participants must be approved in advance by the student’s supervisor (if applicable) and home graduate unit. Submit the Course Pre-Authorisation (PDF) form to your home graduate unit. If your course(s) and/or language requirements are approved, SGS will notify the Centre for International Experience who will process your graduate exchange application.
Transfer Credit
Graduate students participating in an approved exchange program on the recommendation of their graduate unit, and approval by SGS, may receive transfer credit (PDF) for up to 50% of the course requirements for their degree. You may even be able to satisfy your language requirements. Approval of transfer credits and exemptions must be recommended by your graduate unit and authorised by SGS. It is your responsibility to discuss credit for coursework and language proficiency requirements with your supervisor (if applicable) and graduate unit, prior to applying for an opportunity abroad.
Be aware that it is not the grading scale at the host institution that determines transfer credit but the grading scale at U of T. A minimum grade equivalent to the U of T grade of “B-” must be obtained at your Host University in order for a course to be considered for graduate credit transfer.
For students studying in Europe, note that 6 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits is equivalent to 0.5 FCEs. SGS makes the decision on how to apply the ECTS transfer credit system and other foreign grading scales to the U of T system.
Special Considerations: Coursework vs. Research
Depending on your degree, you may choose to go abroad during the coursework portion of your degree or while you are engaged in the research/writing of your thesis or dissertation. Both periods are acceptable for study abroad, but in either case your plan must be approved by your supervisor (if applicable) and graduate unit.
Language study
Many graduate degrees have a language proficiency requirement that may be achieved through a summer abroad experience. Currently, the Centre for International Experience offers options to study German, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Norwegian during the summer months. The advantage for you as a graduate student is that no additional U of T tuition or incidental fees are required, since your registration lasts through the summer already.
Graduate Funding Packages
During most programs abroad you will remain registered as a U of T student. This means that much of your graduate funding package will also remain intact — with the obvious exception of TAships. For more information about this, discuss your situation with your graduate unit.
Approvals
Graduate students must be approved by their graduate unit, supervisor (if applicable), and the School of Graduate Studies before applying for studies abroad. Include the Graduate Student Authorisation (Word) form with your application to the Centre for International Experience.
Graduate students must also complete the Course Pre-Authorisation (PDF) form, which will be sent directly by your home graduate unit to the School of Graduate Studies. If your course(s) and/or language requirements are approved, SGS will notify the Centre for International Experience who will process your graduate exchange application.
Applying
Intrigued by the exchange opportunities available to you? It is time to start thinking about applying.
Contacts
For questions related to going abroad, contact the Centre for International Experience at student.exchange@utoronto.ca. If you have degree program questions, contact your graduate unit.
Student from Abroad (Incoming)
Students from a partner institution, learn more about an exchange opportunity at the University of Toronto.