The ORA Student Exchange Program is a collaborative initiative that supports student mobility between the province of Ontario in Canada and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France. The program is coordinated by a central office based at York University in Ontario.
1. How many places are available?
There is a pre-determined number of semester-based places in Ontario for students from each university in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Please check with your home university.
2. Who can apply?
Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the following universities, in all fields except dentistry and medicine, can apply: Lyon 1, Lyon 2, Lyon 3, Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble INP – UGA, École Centrale de Lyon, École normale supérieure, Savoie Mont Blanc, and Jean Monnet Saint-Étienne. To be eligible, you must be at least in your second year, have a strong academic record and possess a sufficient level of English at the time of your departure.
3. What level of English should I have?
The majority of courses are taught in English, so you should be able to study in English. Please check with your home university regarding English language requirements at specific Ontario universities.
4. Where is Ontario?
Ontario is one of the 10 provinces of Canada. Toronto is the capital of Ontario, and Ottawa, Canada’s capital, is also located in Ontario. Ontario is bordered by Quebec to the east, Manitoba to the west and the United States to the south.
5. Where can I study?
The following Ontario universities participate in ORA:
- Toronto: York University and Toronto Metropolitan University
- Ottawa: University of Ottawa (Carleton University is not accepting applications for 2026-27)
- Guelph: University of Guelph
- St. Catharines: Brock University
- Hamilton: McMaster University
- London: Western University
- Windsor: University of Windsor
- Kingston: Queen’s University
- North Bay: Nipissing University
- Thunder Bay: Lakehead University
All Ontario partner universities have very good reputations and maintain excellent relationships with the universities in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. In your application, you will select three prospective host universities in order of preference. The ORA Program Office is ready to help you make the right choices to suit your needs.
6. How much does it cost?
- Tuition fees are paid to your home university in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
- Scholarships: Regional scholarships are available. You can get information from your institution’s International Offices.
- The round-trip costs about 900€.
- To live in Ontario, you should budget a minimum of 1000€ per month.
- You can work part-time only on campus.
- Remember that the exchange rate fluctuates.
7. How long will I stay in Canada?
While we accept students for a single semester, we strongly recommend that undergraduate students remain for the entire academic year. The school year is divided into two semesters. In most universities, the first semester runs from early September to late December, while the second semester runs from early January to late April. Be sure not to miss the orientation sessions for international students, as well as the course information sessions that are held before classes start. Also, if you decide to rent an apartment, remember that it is best to arrive early. Examinations are over at the end of April.
8. Where will I live?
You may choose to live in a student residence, rent a private apartment, or share accommodation with other students as roommates.
9. What are the benefits of studying in Ontario?
- You will receive credits for your courses when you return to your university in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, but you will not receive an Ontario diploma.
- You’ll add value to your degree by gaining international experience and qualifications.
- You’ll enjoy a remarkable year.
10. Where can I get more information?
- Contact your university’s Office of International Relations.
- Get in touch with Ontario students currently studying at your university.
- Contact students at your university who participated in the exchange in the past, or who are participating this year.
- Finally, please feel free to contact us.