- Important Information
- International Exchange Video Presentation
- Important Links
- FAQs
- Universities and Courses
- Fees
- Logistical Questions
- Credits and Grading
- Student Documents
- Course Equivalencies Database
- Downloads
Important Information
- International Exchange is administered through the International Student Services Office (ISSO). The FAQ below is for how participating in an International Exchange affects your courses, graduation, grading, etc.
- Not all courses offered by your host university will be listed on the International Exchange Database since courses are only added to the database as students register for them. Some courses listed may not be available for registration during your exchange terms.
- Courses may need to be bundled together to obtain 0.5 Carleton credits or 6 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). For example, 3 Political Science courses valued at 2 ECTS each can be bundled together, upon approval of the Registrar’s Office .to satisfy the equivalency of one 0.5 Carleton credit.
- Students are encouraged to meet with their departmental advisor to ensure they take courses relevant to their program and to remain on track when they return to their studies at Carleton.
International Exchange Video Presentation
This video series will guide you through the Registrar’s Office side of the international exchange. You will learn how to register in courses, plan your exchange, and much more.
Part 1: Pre Application | Registrar's Office International Exchange Presentation (YouTube)
Part 2: Application Process | Registrar's Office International Exchange Presentation (YouTube)
Part 3: Registration Information | Registrar's Office International Exchange Presentation (YouTube)
Part 4: What to Do Before You Return | Registrar's Office International Exchange Presentation (YouTube)
Important Links
FAQs
Universities and Courses
- I am thinking of going on exchange. What universities can I study at?
View the International Student Services Office’s list of partners, or contact the office at isso@carleton.ca for brochures and help selecting host universities that suit your needs.
- What courses are available for me to take at my host university?
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- See the Course Equivalencies Database for a list of courses that former exchange students have taken.
- This is not a complete or current list of all available courses at your host university, but you can use it as a guide to determine what kinds of courses you can take.
- What do I do if I can’t find my host university’s course offerings?
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- You can look at university calendars on the host university’s website to see what was previously offered.
- You can also view the Course Equivalencies Database to see what courses have been offered and approved in the past.
- You can email exchange@carleton.ca to request contact information for your host university if you cannot find it.
- What happens if the courses I pre-registered for are not available when I get to the university?
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- It is not unusual to find that you can’t register for some of the courses you planned on taking. The list of courses you provided to your host university is only a preliminary list.
- If this happens, you should submit the new courses via the “Outgoing International Exchange Application” in Carleton Central.
- Your Registrar Specialist will review the courses to determine the Carleton course equivalency and if the courses are appropriate for your program.
- What kind of courses can I take on exchange?
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You may take courses that correspond to a discipline taught at Carleton (e.g. English, Law, History, Business). You should avoid taking course that do not directly correspond to one of our departments because it is unlikely that another department will grant you credit for it (e.g. Jewelry Making, Introduction to Acting, etc.).
Fees
- What tuition fees are associated with studying on exchange?
- Tuition fees will be paid the same amount as usual to Carleton University.
- Fee payment to Carleton must be made before you leave on exchange.
- Residence and other such fees must be paid to your host university. Please consult your host university’s website for details as fees will vary.
Logistical Questions
- Can I complete my final year while on exchange?
You are strongly advised to meet with your departmental advisor to ensure your remaining courses requirements can be completed while on exchange.
- Will I graduate on time if I finish my last year while on exchange?
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We cannot transfer exchange credits until we receive an official transcript directly from your host university. Transcripts may arrive too late from your host to allow you to graduate. In these cases, you will be required to postpone your graduation until the following term.
- Can I study on exchange even if I don’t have any electives left?
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You can still study on exchange if you have no electives left, however you must consult with your departmental advisor to be sure your remaining courses can be completed at another university.
- Will I lose my scholarship if I go on exchange?
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Please contact the Awards Office to determine eligibility criteria for maintaining your scholarship.
- How can I be sure that a course I take while on exchange will fit into my major?
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- Meet with your departmental advisor as soon as possible after you have accepted the offer to participate in the exchange program.
- During this meeting you can discuss whether the courses you plan on taking will fit into your major, and what courses you should either take or avoid to meet your program requirements.
Credits and Grading
- How do the credits for my host university convert to Carleton’s credit values?
- Credit value systems vary from university to university.
- A good rule of thumb for European universities is that 6 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) would count as 0.5 Carleton Credits. Courses valued less than 6 ECTS will be required to be bundled together in a given faculty to obtain 0.5 Carleton credits.
- Please consult with your Registrar Specialist before you leave to be sure that you understand how your host university’s credits will transfer.
- How will my grades transfer?
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- The letter grade you receive in your exchange courses will not appear on your Carleton student record and will not be factored into the calculation of your CGPA.
- Passing grades will appear as “SAT” on your record.
- Failing grades will appear as “UNS” on your record, and will not be calculated in you CGPA.
- I have been given an equivalency, but it doesn’t have a Carleton course number. What does something like LAWS 2XXX mean?
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- Many courses at exchange partners do not have an exact match at Carleton. You will still be given credit for these courses even if we cannot directly match it to a Carleton course.
- For example, you may be given the equivalency of LAWS 2XXX if you take a 2000-level law course that cannot be matched.
- If I take a 3rd year level course at my host university, will that guarantee that I will get a 3000-level equivalency?
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- Credit levels vary across universities. It is extremely important that you have all of your courses evaluated for an equivalency to make sure you receive the equivalency you anticipate.
- There are some cases where a course offered to 3rd year students at the host university will only be given a 2000-level Carleton equivalency.
Student Documents
- Will you arrange to get my transcript?
- You will need to arrange with your host university to have an official transcript sent to the International Student Services Office (ISSO) before you leave.
- We strongly recommend that you request multiple copies for your own purposes because they can sometimes be difficult to request and are often required for graduate school applications.
- We are unable to provide certified copies of the transcript that is sent to ISSO.
- I have returned to Canada and need a copy of my exchange transcript. Where can I get one?
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Please contact the host institution directly for any inquiries regarding official transcripts. Prior to your departure from the host institution, we strongly advise requesting extra copies for your personal records. If you intend to apply to graduate schools or pursue future opportunities, it’s important to secure additional transcripts from the host institution, as obtaining them at a later date may prove challenging. Please note that the official transcript provided to the Registrar’s Office is solely for internal use during the credit transfer process.
- When can I expect to see my exchange courses on my audit?
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Your exchange courses will appear on your audit (with a grade of “EXC”) as soon as your courses have been evaluated and you confirm your registration via the “Exchange Application” page in Carleton Central. Your credits will be transferred as soon as we receive an official transcript from the host university.
Course Equivalencies Database
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