Outgoing Exchange
The International Centre for Students (ICS) Exchange Program allows current students to study at one of UVic's partner universities, while earning UVic units and paying UVic tuition fees.
The ICS Exchange Team coordinates outgoing exchange opportunities for students in the following faculties:
📖 Humanities
🔬 Science
🖼️ Fine Arts
🧠 Social Sciences
🖥️ Computer Science
Students in the following faculties may be able to participate in the ICS Exchange Program. They must first consult with their undergraduate or graduate adviser to see if an international exchange is compatible with their degree requirements:
- Education
- Health
- Graduate Studies
- *Law
- *Business
*A separate, dedicated exchange program is available for both LAW & BCOM students.- Please contact the LAW academic services officer or the BCOM exchange adviser for more information about exchange with their program.
Why Go On Exchange?
🌍 Learn from international perspectives in your field of study
🏛️ Immerse yourself in a new culture
✈️ Travel to far-off places and make new connections
📄 Enhance your résumé and employability
💬 Develop communication skills in a second language
📜 Enroll in the SDGs-in-Action challenge during your exchange to receive a Certificate of Completion co-signed by UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) and CIFAL Victoria
Study Options
- Fall exchange term
- Spring exchange term
- Fall-Spring exchange (two terms)
*Maximum: two exchange terms
Two options:
- Part-time* exchange: 4.5 UVic units/term
- Full-time exchange: 7.5 UVic units/term
*Not all partner universities support the part-time exchange option, please see full list of partners for details.
- Earliest: 2nd term of 2nd year of study
- Latest: Final term of study (will likely delay graduation timeline)
- Recommended: 3rd year of study
Requirements
Students interested in the ICS Exchange Program must meet the following criteria before they can apply:
✅ Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in the Faculty of Humanities, Science, Fine Arts, Social Sciences, or Computer Science at UVic.
- Fine Arts students: Please connect with the FA undergraduate adviser to discuss the exchange program and your degree requirements.
- Economics students: Please refer to the ECON department website for additional exchange requirements specific to your program.
- Graduate students: Please consult with your department and supervisor before you apply.
✅ Be registered as a full-time UVic student.
- Students must be considered full-time, as defined by the UVic Academic calendar.
- Any student registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning who have an accommodation to take a reduced course load can still be considered a full-time and meet this eligibility requirement.
✅ Have completed at least one year of study at UVic (12.0 units) before departing on exchange.
✅ Be in good academic standing as outlined by the current UVic Undergraduate Calendar
Partner Universities
UVic students can attend one of over 80 partner universities in various countries around the world, from Japan to Sweden.
- Check out the full list of partner universities, with more details regarding study dates, areas of study, credits, housing, and arrival information:
Connect with the ICS Exchange Adviser
- One-on-one advising appointments provide the opportunity for students to ask questions and learn more about the ICS Exchange Program.
- It is highly recommended that students meet with Christian, the ICS Exchange Adviser, to discuss planning for an exchange opportunity.
- Formats:
- In-person: International Centre for Students in the Jamie Cassels Centre (JCC B202d)
- Online: via Microsoft Teams
- Group information sessions, called Exchange 101, are hosted by the Exchange Adviser and provide an overview of the program, as well as Q&A.
- These one-hour sessions are held monthly in The Welcome Centre of the Jamie Cassels Centre (first floor of JCC).
- Registration required:
Academic Advising
- After meeting with the ICS Exchange Adviser, students are strongly encouraged to book an appointment with a UVic Academic Adviser to discuss their degree requirements.
- Students should ask about:
- Declaring their program
- Reviewing their Degree Evaluation report
- Calculating available elective credits that might be used during the exchange term(s)
- Learn more about how an academic adviser can assist in preparing for an exchange opportunity.
Credits on Exchange
Each partner university has a different credit and course system than UVic. Exchange students will need to determine the value of the credits at the host university, as well as the course equivalency.
It is each students' responsibility to ensure the credits they earn on exchange add up to 4.5 UVic units (part-time exchange) or 7.5 UVic units (full-time exchange). To do this, students will need to submit exchange course evaluations.
Exchange course evaluations at UVic:
- Once accepted into the ICS Exchange Program, UVic students will be able to submit host university courses to UVic for evaluation.
- The evaluation results will indicate how many UVic units each host university course is worth, as well as the course equivalency.
- Students must use the evaluation results to ensure their host university courses credits add up to the equivalent UVic units they are registered for - either 4.5 units or 7.5 units.
- This online evaluation process opens in late September for Spring exchange terms and in late March for Fall exchange terms. Evaluations take 4-6 weeks for results to be made available via email.
- Course evaluations results are tentative until the end of the exchange term, when a final evaluation is conducted by OREM, using students' official host university transcript, and the results are applied to the students' UVic record.
Funding
Office of Global Engagement
Several funding opportunities are available to exchange students, via the Office of Global Engagement (OGE):
- Student International Activities Fund (SIAF)
- One World International Scholarship
- Premier's International Scholarship
- BC Study Abroad Scholarship
Students can apply for funding after they have been accepted into the ICS Exchange Program. Most funding opportunities have several deadlines throughout the year.
- Questions? Please email OGE at world@uvic.ca to learn more.
Student Awards & Financial Aid
Undergraduate scholarships at UVic are posted by the Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA) office. Please apply the filter travel awards for continuing students when searching. These travel scholarships have multiple deadlines and requirements.
- For more information, please contact the SAFA Scholarship Officer at awards1@uvic.ca
Application
Application Deadline
February 1st
- Fall semester or two-term (Fall & Spring) exchanges
August 1st
- Spring semester exchange
Once you have reviewed the eligibility requirements, met with your Exchange Adviser and Academic Adviser, and selected a host university, you will be ready to start the application process:
Pre-Departure Information
After you have been selected to participate in the ICS Exchange Program, you'll work closely with the Exchange Team to prepare for your departure. You can expect to:
- Receive guidance from the ICS Exchange Adviser on applying to your host university.
- Attend pre-departure sessions host by the ICS Exchange Team, which take an in-depth look at travel safety, courses/credits, funding, and cultural intelligence.
- Be enrolled in the Global Experience Course on BrightSpace, which provides additional exchange information and resources, along with quizzes and assignments.
- Get connected with the exchange team at your host university to receive local support.
Returning to Canada
Once the study period has concluded at your host university, your exchange is not quite finished!
There will be a number of administrative tasks you will need to complete, like obtaining your transcript, as well as moving out of your accommodations, making travel arrangements, and attending farewell parties.
Read more about finishing up your exchange and returning to Canada:
Identities Abroad
International exchange is an exciting opportunity to explore the world, and every journey is shaped by who you are. Factors like your cultural background, gender identity, race, or disabilities can influence your experiences in new environments. At the ICS, we are committed to supporting you as you navigate these unique opportunities and challenges.
Our Identities Abroad pages are designed to help you plan for your international experience with tailored resources, reflective questions, and practical advice. International exchange is a chance to connect with the world, grow as an individual, and broaden your perspective and the ICS Exchange Team is here to help you make the most of it.
These resources are not exhaustive and we strive to keep them updated. If you have any feedback or have a resource to share, please email goglobal@uvic.ca
SDGs-in-Action
Upgrade your exchange! Add a United Nations CIFAL qualification to your international experience (and your CV!) by taking the SDGs-In-Action challenge:
- Learn how to advance a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal in your host community with our brand new, self-paced pre-departure course.
- Design and run your own community engagement activity. You could coordinate a beach clean-up, mobilize a food bank service, host an upskilling workshop, or develop a health awareness campaign. There are many ways to make a difference!
StoryMap Project - Student Experiences
The Journey Across Borders StoryMap is a project by students, for students. Check out the preview below or go directly to the site.
StoryMaps is an online storytelling tool that allows you to easily create compelling interactive content that combines maps, multimedia and text.
It can be used to share stories about your exchange, capture memories, and inspire future student to explore international opportunities.
Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- The Beginnings: Reflect on your initial feelings, expectations, and the moment you set foot in your host country. What were your first impressions, and how did they evolve over time?
- Cultural Connections: Share stories of cultural encounters, whether it's a local tradition, a favorite dish, or a festival that left a lasting impression.
- Academic Insights: Describe the courses, professors, or projects that stood out to you during your exchange program. How did this experience contribute to your academic growth?
- Unexpected Discoveries: Highlight any surprises or unexpected adventures that you stumbled upon during your time abroad. What did you learn from these experiences?
- Friendships and Connections: Introduce us to the people who made your exchange memorable. Share anecdotes about the friendships you formed and the connections you'll cherish forever.
- Personal Growth: Reflect on the ways in which this exchange program has influenced your personal development. Did it challenge you, inspire you, or lead you to newfound passions?
- A Glimpse into the Future: Share your aspirations and how this exchange program has shaped your future goals, both personally and professionally.
We’re excited to hear your story! Please share it with us by completing this form.
With your permission, we will highlight your story on our UVic International StoryMap and on social media!
If you have used an alternative mode to capture your experience such as a blog, vlog, padlet or photo diary, let us know! We are happy to link it to our map to inspire prospective students!
Exchange Photo Contest
Please note that the 2025 Photo Contest is now closed. Check out the winners by clicking the button below. The 2026 Photo Contest will launch in September 2026!
Events
Explore upcoming events tailored for both current and prospective outbound exchange students, as well as informative sessions on other international opportunities.
Don't forget to follow the ICS Exchange Program on Instagram for upcoming opportunities, events, student stories, and deadlines: @uvicinternational