- Who: Undergraduate students in the Faculties of Smith Engineering, Health Sciences, and Arts & Science (Honours program)
- Where: over 30 countries worldwide
- When: Fall and/or Winter
- How long: Varies by exchange partner
- For academic credit? Yes
- GPA requirement: Typically 2.8 cGPA, some partners require up to 3.2
- Application fee: $75 (proof of payment required at the time of application submission)
- Program fee: $275 (payable at time of acceptance)
- Costs borne by student: Travel documentation, flights, insurance, accommodation
- Tuition: Payable to Queen's University
- Financial assistance: Yes - Exchange bursary for eligible students
- OSAP eligible: Yes
What is Bilateral Exchange?
Bilateral exchanges are formal partnership agreements between Queen's and another university whereby students have the opportunity to study at a partner university while still paying their tuition and ancillary fees to Queen's. In other words, Queen's sends nominated students to our partner institutions, and they send their nominated students to Queen's. The Faculty of Arts and Science, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and Smith Engineering maintain partnerships with more than 100 universities in over 30 countries.
Not sure where to go? Search our partners to find out where they are located, term dates, GPA requirement, resources, and more! Make sure you are looking at partner schools that have "Bilateral" in the "Exchange Program" column.
How to Apply for Bilateral Exchange
1. Check Eligibility
To apply for bilateral exchange, you must:
- Be enrolled in a full-time Honours degree program (four-year) program in the Faculties of Smith Engineering, Health Sciences, and Arts & Science
- Be in your second* year of study and planning to return to Queen’s to complete your Honours degree.
* Please note that Health Sciences students can apply in their first year of study.
* Please note that Smith Engineering students can apply in their second, third of fourth year - Be in good academic standing, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 or higher at the time of the application deadline (January).
- Meet the requirements of the exchange partner university regarding level of entry, GPA, term(s) of attendance and language competence (typically a 200-level university-level language or its equivalent for partner institutions where the language of instruction is not English) where applicable. Language requirements are listed on the partner profiles.
Please note:
- Third year Arts and Science students may apply for a Fall term exchange in their fourth year and fourth year students for a Fall term exchange in their fifth year but should note that second year applicants will be given priority. Requests for a Winter term exchange will not be accommodated.
- Because of the high demand for exchanges at Queen's, the application process is competitive, and placements cannot be guaranteed for all qualified applicants. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee you will be nominated for exchange, or that you will be accepted by your host university.
2. Prepare Your Responses to the Application Questions
The application consists of 3 questions that will allow the Selection Committee to assess your academic preparation, planning, and readiness for exchange. You should prepare the answer to each of the questions prior to submitting the application. Additionally:
- you must adhere to the word limits for each section.
- reviewing the scoring rubric beforehand will help you understand how each question will be evaluated and how to strengthen your application.
- Each element of the application (3 questions and cGPA) is worth 25% and is scored by two independent reviewers.
Tip: Save a backup copy of your responses. We've seen students lose their documents just before the application deadline and miss the opportunity to submit a complete application. Please note that your application will not be considered unless your completed response document is uploaded as part of your application.
Application Questions
What subjects or academic areas do you plan to study while on exchange?
In your response:
indicate whether you intend to take core/option/elective courses or a combination,
provide 2-4 examples of courses you have identified at your top choice institution,
briefly explain how these courses support your academic progress,
note any academic system differences at your top choice institution (e.g., course load, term structure, or grading) that may affect your course planning,
if applicable, briefly comment on whether the exchange may impact your academic timeline (e.g., time to degree completion) or your post-graduation plans (e.g., graduate or professional studies).
(Note: Course selections are not binding. This question helps us understand your academic preparation.)
What research have you done to prepare for studying at your top choice institution?
In your response, describe 2-3 practical considerations you have explored (e.g., cost of living, housing, transportation, safety, administrative processes), and identify one challenge you anticipate during your exchange and how you would manage it.
What do you hope to learn from your experience while on exchange?
In your response, identify one specific cultural difference you expect to encounter, explain how you would respond to it in practice, and describe what you hope to learn from this experience. Where relevant, you may draw on a past experience that has shaped your ability to adapt to new environments or perspectives.
3. Pay the Bilateral Exchange Application Fee
The Bilateral Exchange application fee is $75, and must be paid through our application fee portal at the time of application. Applications for 2027/2028 will open in December 2026.
4. Submit an Online Bilateral Exchange Application
Applications for 2027/2028 will open in December 2026.
Once applications open, the link to the application will be updated here.2027/2028 Bilateral Exchange Applications will Open in December 2026
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents will vary by Faculty. Please review the supporting documents and make sure you understand which ones are mandatory for you. If you have any questions regarding the documents, please email ipo@queensu.ca
Study Proposal Form and Statement of Understanding are mandatory forms for Smith Engineering Students.
Study Proposal Form
Statement of Understanding
Advisor Meeting Confirmation is a mandatory document for Health Science students.
Before submitting your bilateral application, you must consult your Academic Advisor on how an exchange term may impact your academic progression and eligibility to graduate on time.
You will be required to submit a proof of a meeting with an advisor (email, a statement etc.). This document must be uploaded as a PDF file with your bilateral application.
Academic Plan Form is only mandatory for Arts and Science students who apply for exchange in their 3rd and 4th year.
You should be aware, however, that:
- An additional required supporting document is a detailed plan of proposed study (please use this Academic Plan Form (PDF, 134 KB) for each host university listed on the application, recognizing that entry to fourth-year courses in their area(s) of concentration may not be possible. The student's Undergraduate Chair(s) must review the completed the Form and approve the plan by signing the Form. The signed Form must be submitted with the application by the deadline for the application to be considered complete.
- An exchange term abroad will not be permitted during the final term of their degree program at Queen's.
- Second-year applicants will be given priority.
Students requesting placement at a host university that teaches in a language other than English must demonstrate their language proficiency.
Students determine prior to applying whether a host university teaches in a language other than English.
If a host university teaches in both English and another language, then students only need to provide proof of language proficiency if they intend to study in the additional language. Students should take care to thoroughly research such universities to ensure they offer enough courses in the language(s) in which students are proficient.
If the IPO requires students to demonstrate language proficiency, even if the host university teaches some courses in English, then students must meet this requirement in order to be considered for placement. For instance, Keio University in Japan teaches in English and Japanese but the IPO requires students to have the equivalent of JAPN 100A/B in order to be placed there. Any IPO requirements can be found under partner profiles on our Programs webpage.
The International Programs Office cannot place students at host universities with language requirements if there is no evidence that the requirement is met.
Proof of language proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
- Courses on the Queen’s transcript: If a student has completed the required courses, as per our Programs webpage, they will be eligible for placement. For instance, students must have completed SPAN 204/205 to be placed at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. There is no requirement for the student to upload their transcript as the International Programs Office can access this.
- French Language Proficiency Test: If a student is applying to a host university that teaches in French and they do not have evidence of proficiency on their Queen’s transcript they are required to complete the Department of French Studies’ Placement Test and upload their results to the online application.
- Language Assessment: If a student is applying to a host university that teaches in another language (not English or French) and they do not have evidence of proficiency on their Queen’s transcript they are required to complete the Language Assessment form (PDF, 103 KB). Students must download the form and email llcu@queensu.ca to determine which professor will perform the assessment. The completed assessment form must be submitted with the application by the deadline.
- You do not need to select institutions all in the same region or country.
- Some locations and universities can be heavily subscribed. We encourage you to diversify your selection.
- Ensure the institutions listed on the application will be suitable for your academic program. The selection committee will assume that students have fully researched the universities selected by the applicant for program and course compatibility. Where to go on Exchange based on Academic Plan document can help you with narrowing your choices.
- Make sure that you know the term dates for the schools you are looking at - even if it is just which months the term runs from and to.
- Be advised that each university has its own eligibility requirements. For instance, some universities require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.6 whereas others require a 3.0 or 3.2. Review the partner profiles to be certain to meet eligibility requirements for a university before listing it on your application.
- Research, research, and research again!
(Not all students will need all resources)
Selection Process
The exchange application process is currently under review. Please stay tuned for updates as we finalize the new process for 2027/2028.
Events
Want to learn more about exchange? While most students will start their research in 2nd year, it's never too early to begin! Come to one of our Fall info sessions such as Exchange 101, Get an A+ in Exchange, Funding Exchange, Meet the Partners, and more!
See upcoming eventsResources
Look at our resources covering safety, funding and budgeting, as well as identity-based resources to help you research and plan your exchange.
Start by looking at our budgeting tipsAdvising
Looking for more individualised advice? Stop by to visit one of our Peer Advisors
Peer Advisor Schedule