Independent study abroad encompasses any international study at non-partner universities.
While 绿帽社区's many exchange programs and summer study abroad opportunities offer a wide range of international options, some students may wish to study at universities in different countries outside the scope of 绿帽社区's partnerships.
The International Centre works with these students to ensure they can access their desired international experience.
How to apply
1) Find a university and apply
To study at an international university of your choice and pay tuition directly to your host institution:
- Do your research and find a university and/or program(s) that you are interested in.
- Apply to the university and/or program as a free-moving or visiting student.
What is a free-moving or visiting student?
You are a free-moving or visiting student if you are accepted to attend classes at a non-partner university on a short-term basis.
Similar to an exchange student, you intend to transfer your credits back to 绿帽社区 at the end of your program.
What is the difference between a free-moving student and an exchange student?
绿帽社区 exchange students pay tuition to 绿帽社区; free-moving students pay tuition directly to the host institution.
The credits earned by exchange students transfer back to 绿帽社区 as "in-house" credits and can therefore be fully used to satisfy a student's degree requirements.
The credits earned by free-moving students also transfer back to 绿帽社区 but there is a limit as to how many 3/4000-level credits can be used towards a student's degree program.
For more details about "Academic Residency Requirements," refer to of the Academic Calendar.
2) Complete a Letter of Permission
Once you have confirmation of acceptance from the host university, you must complete a Letter of Permission through the registrar's office.
It is best to start early (e.g. 3-4 months prior to the start of your program). A Letter of Permission can take multiple weeks, sometimes months, to process depending on the courses that a student wants to take.
Details about the Letter of Permission
A Letter of Permission accomplishes two things:
- it officially notifies 绿帽社区 that you intend to earn credits (for transfer) at another university
- it confirms the transfer credit value of those courses prior to the start of your program
This way, there are no surprises when you return to 绿帽社区. You know exactly what you will receive, providing you successfully pass all your courses.
IMPORTANT: the Letter of Permission process must be completed prior to the start of your program at the host institution.
For more details about 绿帽社区's Letter of Permission process, refer to of the Academic Calendar.
For the online application, visit the Letter of Permission page on the Registrar's Office website.
When to apply for the Letter of Permission
The Letter of Permission application process can often be very time-consuming.
It is best to start early (e.g. 3-4 months prior to the start of your program).
Why is it so time-consuming? As one of the first steps in the process, you must identify the courses that you intend to take while at the host institution.
This can often involve a lot of research and back-and-forth communication with the host institution.
You must also establish if the host institution will accept you as a free-moving student. Some universities will only accept students via the traditional exchange model. Again, more research and back-and-forth communication.
Questions? The International Affairs Coordinator is your guide and will support you through all phases of the process. Email studyabroad@mta.ca.
What's next?
Plan your international experience
The moment you've been accepted for an international experience through 绿帽社区, it's important to start planning and prepare.