Incoming Academic Exchange

As a York University student, you'll join a diverse community that will welcome your perspective and expand your point of view. You'll add your voice and ideas to lively classroom discussions and work to tackle today’s most pressing and complex challenges. Most importantly, you'll become part of a community that is committed to creating positive change. Together, we are making things right for our communities, our planet and our future.

York University has a global reputation, earning recognition from Times Higher Education (THE) in its Impact Rankings, placing an impressive 33rd out of 767 universities. York is also committed to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and has made significant contributions to this commitment, ranking Top 10 in the world for SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and No. 1 in Canada for SDG 5: Gender Equality.

Please refer to the 2024-25 Factsheet

EXPLORE

Our strength is in our diversity. Regardless of where you join us from, we have the resources and caring experts to help you succeed as a student.

2024-25 Process Overview

  • York International will contact partner universities with nomination processes and details. Only institutions that are our partners are eligible to nominate students
    • Call for nominations - January 15, 2024
  • All partner institutions must nominate students for the 2024-25 academic year during this period. No late nominations will be accepted. Note that we only have one nomination period for the academic year
    • Nomination period: January 15 – April 15, 2024
  • York International will contact nominated students during this period with application instructions. Only students nominated by partner institutions will be invited to apply:
    • Application Deadline: April 22, 2024
  • York University will review applications
    • Application Review: the application review takes approximately 6-8 weeks
    • Note: some programs may take longer to review
  • Students receive YorkU admission decision and immigration letter by:
    • Early June 
  • Preparation to travel to Canada
    • Students are responsible for all immigration related matters. Students should start their application (if required) soon after receiving admission to York University
    • June - September
    • Questions about immigration to Canada can be directed to: iadvisor@yorku.ca
  • Pre-arrival & Safety Sessions
    • Students should attend pre-arrival webinars hosted in June, July and August to prepare for their trip to York University, Toronto, and Canada.
  • Course Enrollment at York
    • Attend a workshop on how to enroll in courses at YorkU.
    • Sessions take place virtually throughout July and August.
    • Begins in Early July.
  • Welcome & Orientation Session 
    • Fall: August & September
    • Winter: January
    • All incoming exchange students are required to attend an orientation session and check-in with the Global Learning team at York International.

Information for Partners

York International will contact partner universities with nomination processes and details starting on January 15, 2025. Once we receive nominations, we will send the application link and instructions directly to your students. 

Partner institutions must nominate students for the 2024-25 academic year during this period. Note that we only have one nomination period and application deadline this academic year. This includes students coming for Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), or both semesters (September - April).

Nomination deadline: April 15, 2024 - no late nominations will be accepted.

To receive the nomination link, please email: exchange@yorku.ca

Areas of study for exchange students

Areas of Study

  • Faculty of Education (ED)
  • Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC)
  • Faculty of Graduate Studies (GS)
  • Faculty of Health (HH)
  • Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (AP)
  • Faculty of Science (SC)
  • Glendon (GL)
  • Lassonde School of Engineering (LE)
  • School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (FA)

Programs with Restrictions

Faculty  Restrictions 
Schulich School of Business  Not available to University Wide Partners 
Osgoode Law School  Not available to University Wide Partners 
School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design  Only open to the following partner institutions 

  • Bauhaus University – Weimar 
  • Bezalel Academic of Art and Design 
  • Hochschule Darmstadt 
  • Minzu University of China 
  • Sogang University (Digital Media only)
  • Singapore Management University 
  • Towson University 
  • University of Chichester 
  • University of Leeds 
  • University of Northumbria 
  • University of Trinidad and Tobago 

 

Faculty of Education  TBC 
Faculty of Environment & Urban Change  TBC 
Glendon College  Master of Conference Interpreting not available  
Faculty of Health 
  • Graduate: Psychology not available
  • Undergraduate: Psychology - upper level (3/4000) courses are only possible with special permission.
  • Nursing: Only open to exchange students from the Western Norway University of Applied Science.
Lassonde School of Engineering 
  • Graduate: Not open to exchange students.
  • Undergraduate: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science not available. 
  • Explore research opportunities through the International Visiting Research Trainee (IVRT).
Faculty of Science 
  • Graduate Level: Biology program not available 
Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies 
  • Graduate Level: 
    • Human Resource Management not available 
    • Political Science not available.
  • Undergraduate Level: 
    • Social Work - Not available 
    • ECON – Limited course availability  
    • ADMS – Limited course availability 
  •  

***Note that admission to York University and any course is the decision of the academic unit. Therefore, the above list could change.***

Can I Apply for an Exchange at YorkU?

To attend York University as an exchange student, you must be nominated by your home institution. Check here for a list of York University International partners.

Consult with the international office at your home institution to discuss your exchange options, eligibility, and how to apply.

For undergraduate students:

  • Provide an official transcript and have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least a “B” or equivalent.
    • Include an unofficial English translation if necessary
  • Provide proof of English language proficiency:

For graduate students:

  • You must be enrolled at one of York International’s partner universities at the Graduate Level.
  • Provide an official transcript and have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least a “B” or equivalent of both undergraduate and graduate studies.
    • Include an unofficial English translation if necessary
  • Letter of Reference
  • Provide proof of English language proficiency:

Funding

York University may have funding available for incoming exchange students through a variety of external funding agencies. Click here to explore Funding opportunities.

Please also discuss scholarships and awards available through your home institution that can help offset the cost of your exchange program to York University.

 

ENGAGE

Our programs, people and initiatives are recognized for their excellence. Our students graduate with the tools for long-term personal and professional success.

How to Apply

You are nominated by your home university. Nomination period: January 15 - April 15, 2024. York International sends nominated students links to the appropriate Incoming Exchange Application. Complete the York International Incoming Exchange Application process as outlined below.

UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE APPLICATION

  1. Complete the Undergraduate Incoming Exchange Application Form.
    • Deadline: April 22, 2024
  2. The online application form will ask you to upload the following documents
    • Transcript
    • English Language Proficiency
      • Only required if the language of instruction at your University is NOT English
      • A letter issued by the international office at your University confirming your English proficiency, or TOEFL/IELTS results. Universities can use York University's minimum language test scores as a guideline.
    • A list of courses you'd like to take at YorkU and summary of why you have chosen these courses
    • Note: If you require disability services, indicate the kind of assistance you require on the application form.
  3. Your application will be assessed by York International, and depending on which area of study you apply to, your application might be also assessed my the appropriate Program Department for further review. For example, Science, AMPD, Education, Environment and Urban Change.

Note: If you require disability services, indicate the kind of assistance you require on the application form.

GRADUATE EXCHANGE APPLICATION

  1. Complete the Graduate Incoming Exchange Application Form.
    • Deadline: April 22, 2024
  2. The online application form will ask you to upload the following documents: 
    • Transcripts - Undergraduate and Graduate
      • include unofficial English translation if required
    • Letter of Reference
    • English Language Proficiency 
      • Only required if the language of instruction at your University is NOT English 
      • A letter issued by the international office at your University confirming your English proficiency, or TOEFL/IELTS results. Universities can use York University's minimum language test scores as a guideline.
    • A list of courses you'd like to take at YorkU and summary of why you have chosen these courses
    • Note: If you require disability services, indicate the kind of assistance you require on the application form. 
  3. Your application will be assessed by York International, the Graduate Admissions Office, Faculty of Graduate Studies and the appropriate Graduate Program Office. 

Acceptance to York U

York International will review all exchange applications after the deadline. The review process includes discussion with relevant departments to assess if students meet York University exchange admission criteria and academic program eligibility. This process will take between 6-8 weeks depending on your area of study and the courses you are interested in. In the meantime, you will be contacted if the reviewing unit requires an additional document or information.

You will receive an email from York University once you have been admitted, which will include your Student Number.

  • You will need your student number to access your admission documents on MyFile
  • You must accept/decline your offer
  • You MUST print your documents to apply for any appropriate immigration documents and to show to Immigration upon arrival in Canada 

Once you receive your student number, you also must create a Passport York account. You will use Passport York to enroll in courses, and monitor your finances. Create your Passport York login, by going to New Student Sign Up! 

If you application is unsuccessful, York International will be in touch to discuss alternative program options for your exchange.

Please contact York International (exchange@yorku.ca) if you decide to defer or withdraw your application as soon as possible.

Enrolling in Courses

Note that enrollment in any of the courses is NOT guaranteed. We strongly encourage you to be flexible in your choices and not to rely on your exchange to complete core requirements set by your University.

You can take courses outside the Faculty or program at your home university or the York Faculty you were admitted to, however, be aware of the restricted programs.

Exchange students are NOT required to pay an enrollment deposit. If you receive this message please disregard. A few courses, however, include a supplementary fee that is not covered under the exchange agreement. See the Finances section for additional information on supplemental fees.

For more information and enrollment guide, please visit the enrollment webpage.

For the course contact directory, please click here.

Housing

York University has limited on-campus housing as an option for exchange students. On-campus housing is NOT guaranteed. Students who are nominated for the exchange will receive information about how to apply to YorkU on-campus housing.

For an overview of housing options at York University, you can visit: Housing Services at York U.

We strongly encourage students to apply for on-campus housing and accept housing placement if offered. 

Alternatively students can research off-campus housing options.

Immigration

While we strive to keep our information current, the most authoritative source of information related to immigration can be found online at the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. York International only provides general information about immigration inquiries. Individuals may have unique situations. It is always good to contact the an immigration consultant at York International for immigration inquiries: iadvisor@yorku.ca

 

EXPERIENCE

Our community of changemakers shares a deep commitment to inclusion, community engagement and social and economic justice.

Pre-Arrival Webinars

York International offers a great resource to get you prepared for life in Toronto. Check out our Pre-Arrival Webinars page for tips to get you settled. 

UHIP

University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) and charges are mandatory for all international exchange students even if you have purchased a plan from your home country. The charge will appear on your Student Account.

Resources:

Orientation

York International will organize an Orientation Event upon your arrival in Toronto. This event will aim to give you information on courses, finances, campus life, housing, and living in Toronto.

You are required to attend York International’s Orientation Event. Dates, Times, Location, and the Program of the event will be shared with you.

Visit the International Student Orientation page for more info. 

Finances

  • Exchange Students will NOT be charged for tuition
  • Some courses may have supplemental fees that are not covered by the exchange tuition waiver (e.g. registration fee, etc.). These fees are found on the course schedule with the date, time, and location
  • Registration for graduate students will include an additional $15 charge
  • Health insurance and charges are mandatory

You are REQUIRED to monitor your student financial account using Passport York. You can view all fees related to residence, meal plan, health insurance, course material fees etc.

Making Payments to York Student Account

You have two options to make payments to your student account:

  • Before Arrival – Use Western Union to make your payment. Click here for more information.
  • After Arrival – You are ONLY able to make a payment through a Canadian bank account. Click here for more information. Opening a Canadian bank account is quick, easy, and free for students.

Transcripts

After your exchange, York International will automatically send an electronic Record of Grades and Courses to the international office at your University.

Your Record of Grades can only be issued if:

Should you require an official transcript for your own records, you can order it through the Registrar's Office for a fee.

York University uses letter grades. If your University has informed you that they require a percentage grade, contact the Global Learning Coordinators through exchange@yorku.ca.

Staying Engaged

Stay engaged with us! Make sure to tag us on Instagram @yorkugoglobal so we can share your posts and live vicariously through your academic adventure! Check out some guidelines on social media while you are abroad.  If you would like to be interviewed for our new podcast, Boarding Pass, send us a direct message on Instagram