International Programs Office

International Programs Office

International Programs Office

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All exchange applications are now closed. 2021-22 Arts and Science exchange applications were due by 4:00pm EST on Friday, January 15, 2021. We are now in the process of reviewing applications and anticipate that students will receive a communication from the International Programs Office containing their results prior to Reading Week via Queen's email.

Did you transfer to Queen's University from another university and now are considering applying for exchange? Make sure to upload a copy of your previous institution's transcript to your application. This is the only additional application step for you.

The University of Geneva is no longer participating in the TASSEP consortium. Please take this into account if you were researching it as an option for your 2021-22 exchange application.

Additionally, the following partner universities are not available for placement for the 2021-22 academic year: 
Aarhus University (TASSEP)
Universite Jean Moulin (Lyon III)
Tohoku University
University of Canterbury
Nanyang Technological University
Universidad de Navarra
Vanderbilt University (Killam)

Application Guidelines

We recommend that all students review our Helpful Exchange Applications Guide (PDF, 98KB) before beginning their application. 

Students applying to any of the exchange partners in the Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange Program (TASSEP) follow the same application process as for the bilateral exchange program.

COVID 19 Application Guidance
  • The bilateral Arts and Science exchange reading committee will be prioritizing the placement of applicants who had previously participated in the 2020-21 exchange program and had experienced a cancellation. These applicants will be placed first.
  • The bilateral Arts and Science exchange reading committee recognizes that students were able to convert grades into ‘P’ and ‘Fs’ in the Winter 2020 term due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption. Students will not be penalized for these converted grades.
  • We are optimistic that exchanges will resume in the 2021-22 academic year but cannot guarantee this as the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to impact student mobility globally. The International Programs Office will always provide as timely and updated information as possible.
  • IPO staff are working remotely; applications and supporting documents may not be submitted in person.
Bilateral and TASSEP Exchange Application

Eligibility Criteria

Bilateral Arts and Science Exchange Program:

  • Enrolled full-time in the second year of an Honours (four-year) degree program in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen's and is returning to Queen's to complete Honours degree after exchange.
  • In good academic standing, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.6 or higher at the time of the application deadline (January 2021). 
  • Meet the requirements of the exchange partner university regarding level of entry, 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 on our Find a University webpage. 

Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange Program:

  • Enrolled full-time in the second year of an Honours (four-year) science degree program, typically physical or life sciences, in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen's and is returning to Queen's to complete Honours degree after exchange.
  • In good academic standing, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.6 or higher at the time of the application deadline (January 2021).
  • Meet the requirements of the exchange partner university regarding level of entry, 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 on our Find a University webpage. 

Application

This application is for both the bilateral Arts and Science exchange program and the Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange Program (TASSEP). Please note that only students in science degree programs are eligible to apply to the TASSEP, typically the physical and life sciences.

Select up to six institutions on the application form.

  • Selected institutions do not have to be in the same region or country.
  • Some locations and universities can be heavily subscribed. We encourage you to diversify your selection. Please review the Exchange Capacity document (PDF, 533 KB) to see which universities were most heavily subscribed to in 2020-21 applications.
  • 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.
  • 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 on our Find a University webpage to be certain to meet eligibility requirements for a university before listing it on your application.

We have made changes to the bilateral exchange application since the 2020-21 academic year. We encourage you to carefully review the below instructions to ensure you can correctly complete your application.

Please remember:

  • Completed applications must be submitted to the IPO using the online form.
  • Applicants will receive a confirmation of submission message from the application system.
  • Only one application per student will be accepted. Please be certain before you submit your application.

Application for the Bilateral Exchange Program is now closed.

Application Deadline

Application deadline for bilateral exchange programs: 4:00pm EST on Friday, January 15, 2021.

Supporting Documentation

The Statement of Interest Essay and Exchange Decision Matrix are both required supporting documents for all bilateral exchange applications. There are additional supporting documents both for upper-year students and students requesting placement at universities that teach in a language other than English. Please review the following section for specific information on each supporting document. Here are some important supporting document reminders:

  • Submit all supporting documents through the online application by the published deadlines to ensure a complete application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Include your name and student number on all supporting documents.
  • Rigorously check all supporting documents for spelling and grammatical errors as they will be read by the selection committee.

Statement of Interest Essay

Submit a 500-word maximum statement of interest essay as a PDF, providing a well-researched answer to the following two questions:

  • Why do you want to go on exchange?
  • Discuss a past experience you had adjusting to one or more cultural differences. Cultural difference can happen in an international setting or your hometown – it entails encountering different norms, customs and ways of living than you are used to. What did you learn that will help with adjustment on the exchange program?

We encourage students to use the resource on culture (PDF, 512KB) included in our Helpful Guide for Exchange Applications (PDF, 142KB) when answering the second question.

Please note: The 500-word limit is cumulative; it is not 500 words for each question.

Exchange Decision Matrix

The Exchange Decision Matrix is a tool that will help you focus your research and determine which universities are most suitable for your needs and expectations.

You must fully complete the Exchange Decision Matrix and submit it with your online application: Click Here to Download a Copy of the Matrix (Excel, 50KB)

Review our brief Exchange Decision Matrix video tutorial for instructions on completing this supporting document.

Each host university listed on your online application should also be included in your Exchange Decision Matrix.

Language Competency Assessment

Students requesting placement at a host university that teaches in a language other than English must demonstrate their language proficiency. 

Students should refer to our Find a University webpage to determine whether a host university teaches in a language other than English. 

Find full information below:

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 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 Find a University 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:

  1. Courses on the Queen’s transcript: If a student has completed the required courses, as per our Find a University 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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. 

Third and Fourth Year Additional Supporting Documents

Applications may also be accepted from third-year students who wish to spend a term abroad during their fourth year and from fourth-year students who wish to spend a term abroad during a fifth year of their program. Applicants currently in their third or fourth year 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 would normally not be permitted during the final term of their degree program at Queen's.
  • Second-year applicants will normally* be given priority. 

*Please be advised that in the 2021-22 program upper-year applicants who had previously participated in the 2020-21 exchange program and experienced a cancellation will be given priority and placed first.

Selection Process

The criteria for selection are based on a combination of grades and academic preparation, research, and motivation as assessed from the essay.

Specifically, the reading committee assesses applications with the following considerations:

  • Academic Performance - 25%
  • Statement of Interest Essay Question #1 - 25%
  • Statement of Interest Essay Question #2 - 25%
  • Exchange Decision Matrix - 25%

Read the detailed description of each criteria in our official rubric: 2021-2022 Bilateral Exchange Application Rubric (PDF, 528 KB)

Applications are assigned a score using the Bilateral Exchange Application Rubric. Application scores determine the placement order used to fill spaces at partner universities. 

The bilateral Arts and Science exchange reading committee will be prioritizing the placement of applicants who had previously participated in the 2020-21 exchange program and had experienced a cancellation. These applicants will be placed first.

All students will receive a communication from the International Programs Office containing their results prior to Reading Week via Queen's email.

Ontario Universities International (OUI) Exchange

Eligibility Criteria

  • Student must satisfy the eligibility requirements specified by home faculty/school of study at Queen's University.
  • Student must have your faculty/school approval.
  • Student must meet requirements of the exchange partner university regarding GPA, level of entry, term of attendance, and language competence where applicable.

Application

Each OUI exchange program is a multifaculty exchange with its own application requirements, which are listed on the respective exchange program website:

Students applying to these programs are required to submit an online application through either the OBW or ORA webpages listed above. 

After submitting an online application, students will receive a PDF application summary. Students are required to submit this PDF application summary and supporting documents to the International Programs Office’s online OBW or ORA exchange program application by the below deadline. These mandatory application forms ensure we can align your application data with our database, securing your application.

To complete the International Programs Office's online OBW exchange application please click on this link: This application is now closed.

To complete the International Programs Office's online ORA exchange application please click on this link: This application is now closed.

Application Deadline

Application deadline for OBW and ORA exchange programs is: 4:00pm EST on Friday, January 15, 2021.

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documents must be submitted along with the PDF application summary to the International Programs Office’s online OBW or ORA exchange program application by the stated deadline to ensure a complete application. Students should include name and student number on all supporting documents.

Each OUI exchange application contains its own set of supporting documents. Students should review and acquire these by accessing the above webpages.

Selection Process

Once received, the exchange program applications are forwarded to the appropriate faculty exchange coordinator for review and nomination. All successful candidates are forwarded to the IPO for final review and nomination to the appropriate OUI exchange program.

Killam Fellowships Program (USA)

Eligibility Criteria

  • Undergraduate Arts and Science and Engineering and Applied Science students enrolled full-time in the second year of their program and planning to return to Queen's for Honours in fourth year.
  • Students must satisfy the eligibility requirements to study on an exchange as specified by their faculty/school of study at Queen's.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Hold Canadian citizenship.

Application

Please follow the instructions for the Direct Exchange Program on the Killam Fellowships Program website.

Killam requires you to submit your application with the relevant supporting documents through the online application form on their website by our institution's internal date, which is listed below. 

The final step in the application process is to complete the International Programs Office online Killam Fellowships Exchange Program Application form. This mandatory application form ensures we can align your application data with our database, securing your application.

To complete the International Programs Office's online Killam Fellowships exchange application please click on this link: This application is now closed.

Application Deadline

Application deadline for the Killam Fellowships exchange program is: 4:00pm EST on Friday, January 15, 2021.

Supporting Documentation

Please make sure you are reading the application instructions on Killam’s website in full to ensure you are submitting all required supporting documents. 

You only need to submit your supporting documents via the online Killam application, not the online International Programs Office application. Killam will forward your supporting documents to the International Programs Office in January.

Selection Process

Once received, the Killam program applications are forwarded to the appropriate faculty exchange coordinator. Applications are then forwarded to the Office of Student Awards, which reviews and adjudicates applications before they are returned to Fulbright Canada for a final review.

St Andrews Exchange

Eligibility Criteria

  • Undergraduate Arts and Science and Engineering and Applied Science students enrolled full-time in the second year of their program and planning to return to Queen's for Honours in fourth year.
  • Students must satisfy the eligibility requirements to study on an exchange as specified by their faculty/school of study at Queen's.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Application

Completed St Andrews applications must be submitted to the IPO using the online form. Applicants will receive a confirmation of submission message from the application system. Only one application per student will be accepted. Please be certain before you submit your application.
 
Supporting documents outlined below must be submitted to the IPO through the online St Andrews application by the published deadlines to ensure a complete application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Students should include their name and student number on all supporting documents.
 
To complete the St. Andrews exchange application please click on this link: This application is now closed.
 
Application Deadline

Application deadline for the University of St Andrews exchange program: 4:00pm EST on Friday, January 15, 2021.

Selection Process

Applications for the University of St Andrews exchange program are forwarded to the appropriate faculty for review and successful candidates are put forward to the selection committee for consideration. Select applicants will be contacted for an interview with the selection committee in the final stage of the application process.

A selection committee composed of university academic staff will adjudicate the applications and will, in cooperation with the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Robert T. Jones, Jr. Scholarship Foundation, select the award winners.

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documents must be attached to the online application by the published deadlines to ensure a complete application. Students should include their name and student number on all supporting documents.

Essay

An essay on how the life of Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. relates to your life, experiences, and goals. The essay must be typed, double spaced and no longer than two pages in length.

Canadian Robert T. Jones Scholarship Application

This application (PDF, 454 KB) must be printed, signed in full and submitted online to the International Programs Office along with other supporting documents..

Explanatory Letter

A letter explaining why the student wishes to attend the University of St Andrews and the program of study. The letter must contain the student's signature.

Résumé

Résumés should be a maximum of two pages. The selection committee is interested in the experiences that show the student to be someone who is engaged, well-rounded, mature, and capable of taking on a new challenge. Include information about evidenced intercultural experiences, work experience, volunteer experience, training, participating in sports teams, or clubs, etc. all during post-secondary studies at Queen's (or at the BISC for students who were in the BISC First-Year Program). Consult with Career Services if uncertain about how to prepare a résumé or if you want a second pair of eyes to go over it one-on-one with you.

Academic Transcripts 

Applicants are not required to obtain an official transcript from the Registrar's Office as the IPO office is able to access academic records for the application.

Letter of Reference

Students are required to obtain an academic letter of reference from a faculty member at Queen's University. This letter should be printed on departmental letterhead. Students should select a Faculty member who has had an opportunity to observe their academic strengths through coursework. (Note: Professors are able to submit their letters of reference to the IPO directly at ipo@queensu.ca if they do not wish to release it to the student.)

Tri-SEP: Dual Placement Exchange

Tri-SEP Information Sheet (PDF, 915KB)

Eligibility Criteria

  • Undergraduate students enrolled full-time in the second year of their program and planning to return to Queen's for Honours in fourth year.
  • Students studying global environmental challenges and issues in one of the following degree programs: Global Development Studies, Geology, Geography, Environmental Studies, and Political Studies.
  • Students must satisfy the eligibility requirements to study on an exchange as specified by the Faculty of Arts and Science.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Application

Completed applications must be submitted to the IPO using the online form. Applicants will receive a confirmation of submission message from the application system. Only one application per student will be accepted. Please be certain before you submit your application.

Supporting documents outlined below must be submitted to the IPO through the online form by the published deadlines to ensure a complete application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Students should include their name and student number on all supporting documents.

To complete the online Tri-SEP dual placement exchange application please click on this link: This application is now closed.

Application Deadline

Application deadline for the Tri-SEP exchange program: 4:00pm EST on Friday, January 15, 2021. 

Selection Process

Applications for the Tri-SEP exchange program are reviewed by a selection committee. Select applicants will be contacted for an interview with the selection committee in the final stage of the application process.

A selection committee composed of university staff and faculty will adjudicate the applications and will select three Tri-SEP participants. 

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documents must be attached to the online application by the published deadlines to ensure a complete application. Students should include their name and student number on all supporting documents.

Essay

An essay that answers the following question: Identify a global environmental challenge in the twenty-first century. What interdisciplinary skills are important to develop among students to effectively address this challenge? The essay must be typed, double spaced and no longer than 1000 words.

Statement of Interest

A 500-word statement of interest essay, which should include the word count at the top of the document, that answer the following questions:

  • Why do you want to study abroad on the Tri-SEP exchange program?
  • Why do you think you will succeed on a dual placement exchange program?

The statement should be rigorously checked for spelling and grammatical errors as it will be read by the selection committee and may be viewed by partner institutions.

Résumé

Résumés should be a maximum of two pages. The selection committee is interested in the experiences which show the student to be someone who is engaged, well-rounded, mature, and capable of taking on a new challenge. Include information about evidenced intercultural experiences, work experience, volunteer experience, training, participating in sports teams, or clubs, etc. all during post-secondary studies at Queen's (or at the BISC for students who were in the BISC First-Year Program). Consult with Career Services if uncertain about how to prepare a résumé or if you want a second pair of eyes to go over it one-on-one with you.

Letter of Reference

Students are required to obtain an academic letter of reference from a Faculty member at Queen's University. This letter should be printed on departmental letterhead. Students should select a Faculty member who has had an opportunity to observe their academic strengths through coursework. (Note: Professors are able to submit their letters of reference to ipo@queensu.ca if they do not wish to release it to the student to upload themselves.)