Introducing Wilfrid Laurier University

Exchange Programs

Wilfrid Laurier University provides opportunities for international study exchanges where students may apply credits to their Laurier degree.

1. Laurier students pay tuition fees to Wilfrid Laurier University and will be invoiced for 2.5 credits per semester through the Business Office of Wilfrid Laurier University. Students who are accepted on exchange will therefore be allowed to take the equivalent of a full course load at the host institution. Exception to these fees will occur during the Spring term, when students may be invoiced for 1.5 credits (dependent upon their course load). Other expenses are payable to the host institution while abroad, including incidental fees.
2. Students may apply for OSAP funding through the Student Awards Office at Laurier when participating in the International Exchange Program. Students are advised to contact the Student Awards Office for specific instructions pertaining to studying abroad.
3. Students must be in good academic standing and have adequate linguistic competency, where applicable.
4. Exchange periods are either for one or two terms. Term start and end dates vary (e.g., Germany begins in October, Australia begins in July or February).
5. Exchange programs are open to undergraduate students during their third or fourth year of study in most disciplines. BBA students are eligible to participate in exchanges during their fourth year of study. Students taking the Administration Option may apply for "Business" exchanges.
6. Students spending a term or a year abroad in a recognized exchange program who satisfactorily complete a normal course load (one or two terms) will be credited with the equivalent of a normal course load at Laurier (one or two terms). Specific course equivalents will be assigned where possible, but students will normally receive a non-specific credit in the appropriate curriculum division. For progression and graduation, grade calculations will follow the procedures used in awarding In-Course Scholarships (i.e., foreign grades are not used in the calculation of GPA).
7. Application deadlines vary, but are usually in January of the academic year preceding the exchange. Information on deadlines for application, and application forms are available at the office of Laurier International for all exchanges listed below (unless otherwise specified).