UCalgary Global Online Exchange
UCalgary Global Online: UGo Exchange!
Virtual exchange opportunities for UCalgary students
The UGo Exchange program allows UCalgary students to study online at partner universities around the world. As a virtual exchange student, you will be able to choose from your host university's selection of online courses, participate in virtual events, and remotely interact with the local community.
You will also become a member of UCalgary's Global Online cohort, engaging not only with other UCalgary students participating in UGo programs but also international students from partner universities "attending" UCalgary on their own virtual programs. This will go on your co-curricular record.
The main difference is that virtual exchanges do not include physical travel to another country. (As long as UCalgary travel restrictions remain in place, travel is not permitted.) There will still be opportunities for you to connect with local students, professors, etc. at your host university through online platforms.
You will not have to pay for travel insurance, student visas, or any other travel-related expenses. As a virtual exchange student, the only cost is your tuition, which will be paid to UCalgary at your normal tuition rate. You also remain eligible for all of your usual awards & scholarships.
Virtual exchanges are only available through select UCalgary partner universities who offer this unique opportunity. These universities are listed below. The UCalgary Study Abroad advisors will add more universities to this list if any others become available for virtual exchanges.
It is also possible to do 2 or more virtual exchanges simultaneously, "mixing and matching" courses from multiple universities!
If you are a student who was previously nominated to a standard exchange program in the 2020/21 year, and your host university is not on this list, we encourage you to reach out to your exchange advisor to check whether you can complete your exchange virtually.
Please check the program page before applying and ensure that you meet all eligibility and application requirements. You can then fill out the online application for your desired program.
In the "Course List" section of the application, please indicate whether you are seeking individual courses or a full semester courseload. Some universities may already publish a listing of their offered online courses, while others may not announce which courses they will offer until closer to the start of the semester. We encourage having some flexibility or back-up courses in mind.
Note: Reference letters are not required to apply for UGo exchange programs.
UGo Exchange Programs for Spring/Summer 2021
Application deadline: April 30
LMU Munich Summer Online
Join an online European Studies program at LMU, Germany's #1 university! Running from July 5-23, 2021, "Crisis and Power Shifts inside and outside of Europe" includes interactive lectures, debates, and group projects. It offers 6 ECTS (equivalent to 1 UCalgary course - 3 units) and a German language course for beginners is offered before the start of the program.
Application deadline: April 30
Sciences Po Lille Summer Online
Sciences Po Lille's summer school looks into challenges faced by the EU, encouraging student-led solutions to real-world issues, while offering a French language and cultural immersion program. The online summer program 2021 offers 12 ECTS (equivalent to 2 UCalgary courses - 6 units).
Application deadline: April 30
Leeds Online International Summer School
Leeds offers courses in Arts and Humanities; Business; Engineering and Science; and Social Sciences. Take one course in each block and get credit for 1 UCalgary course. July 5-30, 2021
Application deadline: April 30
Exeter International Summer school
Choose 1-2 courses from 10 offerings this summer during the program dates July 5-16, 2021.
Application deadline: April 30
ITESM Virtual summer program
Choose from multiple courses taught in English or Spanish this summer including Spanish as a second language. June 30 - July 30, 2021
Application deadline: April 30
Liverpool Virtual Summer school
There are two 3 week sessions on the online program, with 1 interdisciplinary course in each session. Students can choose to take one or both courses. June 14-July 2 and July 5-23, 2021.
Application deadline: April 30
TU Berlin Summer School
Join the TU Berlin Online Summer School and take courses like Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Desalination and Renewable Energies, Startup Crash Course, Space Mission Design, Foundations of Sustainable Thinking and many more. Three terms are offered over July and August. Students can get credit for 1-2 UCalgary courses. No reference letter required.
Application deadline: May 1
CUHK International Summer School (August session)
Study online with one of the top universities in Hong Kong! This is the last chance to apply for the 3-week August session at CUHK - an intensive Mandarin language program which will earn you credit for 2 UCalgary courses. CUHK also offers virtual cultural immersion activities throughout the summer.
Application deadline passed
Hong Kong Polytechnic Summer School
HKPU's summer school is held from July 15 to August 20. Choose up to two classes in topics such as ethical leadership, light in the built environment, or Chinese pop culture. All students are welcome to apply, and Schulich students may be able to use some of the offered classes towards COST options.
Application deadline passed
Universidad de San Francisco de Quito
Virtual exchange students at UFSQ can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. Course instruction is available in both English & Spanish; wide range of subjects - culture studies, biodiversity, sustainability, etc. UFSQ's "Spring 2" term is from mid-March to May 2021. *First year students are eligible!*
Application deadline passed
Stuttgart Summer University
The University of Stuttgart in Germany is offering their Summer program online this year from May-June (7 weeks). Students can take a beginners German class and chose one additional subject course taught in English (either Cross-Cultural Communication or International Business) and get credit for 2 UCalgary courses.
Application deadline passed
Freie Uni Berlin Summer Online
The program runs from May 29 - July 10 and offers German intensive and semi-intensive language courses at all levels as well as other courses across various subject areas, such as Europe, Migration, Refugees; Intercultural Competencies, History of European Art and more! Get credit for 1 UCalgary course. The program is free (full scholarship from FUB covering one subject course or one semi-intensive German course) and no tuition will be charged at UCalgary.
Application deadline passed
CUHK International Summer School (July session)
Study online with one of the top universities in Hong Kong! The 5-week July session offers courses in international business, politics, Chinese medicine, digital communications, Cantonese, and more. Students can take 1 or 2 courses. CUHK also offers virtual cultural immersion activities throughout the summer.
Application deadline passed
Hamburg International Summer School
Hamburg offers 3 summer schools in July 2021: Health Economics (evaluation/modeling, European health care system), Particles, Strings and Cosmology (incl. general relativity, quantum field theory), and Language Diversity (multilingualism, language diversity and development). Senior undergraduate and Master's students can participate and get credit for 1 UCalgary course.
Application deadline passed
LMU Munich Quantum Science & Technology Summer Program
The program runs from July 11-16 and offers an introduction to Quantum Science and Technology (QST) for selected bachelor students from all around the globe. Discuss cutting edge research in virtual 1:1 meetings with MCQST experts and at a student conference! This program is free, no course credit is offered and no tuition is charged at UCalgary. Students receive a certificate after successful participation.
UGo Exchange Programs for Fall 2021
Application deadline: March 15
Massey University
Virtual exchange students at Massey must take a full-time courseload (4 courses at Massey transfers back as credit for 5 at UCalgary). Massey offers a range of topics in arts, science, business, and engineering, with unique options like Maori history, science fiction, aviation studies, etc. The semester runs from July to October 2021.
More coming soon!
Check back for updates on participating partner universities.
More coming soon!
Check back for updates on participating partner universities.
Are you interested in doing a virtual exchange program?
View program page
The program page provides more details about your prospective host university, including important information such as available course subjects, language of instruction, and eligibility criteria. UGo-specific information is found at the bottom of the "Program details" drop-down menu.
Contact the Study Abroad advisor
Please contact study.abroad@ucalgary.ca (or the specific advisor, which you can find listed on each program page) to let us know that you are interested in applying. Space may be limited on some programs, so it is best to reach out early!
Submit your online application
When filling out your online application, please write in the "Course List" section that you are applying for a virtual exchange, and whether you are seeking individual courses or a full semester courseload. This will help us properly evaluate your application.
Past UGo Exchange Programs for Fall 2020/Winter 2021
Please note that the deadlines for these programs have all passed.
However, we expect some of these universities may offer virtual exchanges again in future semesters!
Deadline passed
Università di Verona
Virtual exchange students at Verona can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. Course instruction is primarily in Italian. (Apply by Dec 20.)
Deadline passed
Kansai Gaidai University
Virtual exchange students at Kansai Gaidai can take one or two courses only. (Apply by Dec 3.)
Deadline passed
University of Leeds
Virtual exchange students at Leeds may take between 20-60 UK credits. Flexibility is important as online course availability is checked with each instructor.
Deadline passed
University of Manchester
Faculty of Humanities courses, Psychology courses are all online and many in Biology too. (Apply by Dec 10.)
Deadline passed
Macquarie University
Virtual exchange students at Macquarie can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. (Apply by Dec 10.)
Deadline passed
Tec de Monterrey / ITESM
Virtual exchange students at ITESM can take individual courses or a full courseload. Course instruction is available in both English & Spanish. (Apply by Dec 7.)
Deadline passed
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich
Virtual exchange students at LMU take 1 course in a special European Studies program. (Apply by Nov 30.) *First year students eligible to apply!
Deadline passed
Université François-Rabelais Tours
Virtual exchange students at Tours can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. Course instruction is available in both English & French. (Apply by Nov 30.)
Deadline passed
University of Western Australia
Virtual exchange students at UWA can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. (Apply by Nov 30.)
Deadline passed
Universidad del Salvador
Virtual exchange students at USAL must take 4 courses. Course instruction is available in both Spanish & English. (Deadline extended to Nov 25.) *First year students eligible to apply!
Deadline passed
University of Leeds
Virtual exchange students at Leeds can take individual courses or a full semester course load. (Apply by Nov 20.)
Deadline passed
University of Kent
Virtual exchange students at Kent can take individual or a full semester course load. (Apply by Nov 20)
Deadline passed
Massey University
Virtual exchange students at Massey must take a full semester courseload. (Apply by Nov 15.) *First year students eligible to apply!
Deadline passed
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Virtual exchange students at EU Rotterdam can take minimum 2 courses. Course instruction is in English. (Apply by Nov 15.)
Deadline passed
University of Groningen
Virtual exchange students at Groningen can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. Course instruction is in English. (Apply by Nov 15.)
Deadline passed
Western Sydney University
Virtual exchange students at WSU can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. (Apply by Oct 28.) *First year students eligible to apply!
Deadline passed
Sciences Po
Virtual exchange students at Sciences Po may be able to take individual courses or a full semester courseload. Course instruction is available in both English & French. (Apply by Oct 28.)
Deadline passed
Korea University
Virtual exchange students at Korea University's International Winter Campus can take 1-3 courses. (Apply by Oct 29.)
Deadline passed
Universidad de Guadalajara
Virtual exchange students at Guadalajara can choose one or more from over 100 virtual courses. Course instruction is in Spanish. (Apply by Nov 11.)
Deadline passed
Beijing Normal University
Virtual exchange students at BNU can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. Course instruction is available in English and Chinese. (Apply by Oct 28.)
Deadline passed
Arizona State University
Virtual exchange students at ASU can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. (Apply by Oct 14.) *First year students eligible to apply!
Deadline Passed
Universidad de San Francisco de Quito
Virtual exchange students at UFSQ can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. Course instruction is available both in Spanish and English. (Apply by Aug. 17 for "Fall 1" term & Oct. 1 for "Fall 2" term.)
Deadline Passed
Université François-Rabelais Tours
Virtual exchange students at Tours can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. Course instruction is primarily in French. (Apply by Sept 8.)
Deadline Passed
Technische Universität Dresden
Virtual exchange students at TU Dresden take one German language learning course. (Space is limited! Apply by Sept. 20.)
Deadline Passed
University of Cologne - Haskayne only
Virtual exchange students at Cologne must take a full semester courseload. (Note: The semester at Cologne runs from November to January, so this program is best suited to students who do not plan to attend UCalgary Winter 2021. Apply ASAP.)
Deadline Passed
University of Manchester
Virtual exchange students at Manchester must take a full semester course load. There may still be synchronous teaching elements in some courses. (Deadline extended! Apply by July 29.)
Deadline Passed
University of East Anglia
Virtual exchange students at East Anglia may be able to take individual courses or a full semester courseload.
Deadline Passed
Pontifícia Universidad Católica del Perú
Virtual exchange students at PUCP can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. Course instruction is primarily in Spanish. (Apply by July 14.)
Deadline Passed
Newcastle University
Virtual exchange students at Newcastle will complete the full semester online. Course details are noted on the program page under "Academic information". (Apply by Aug 5.)
Deadline Passed
University of Adelaide
Virtual exchange students at Adelaide can take individual courses or a full semester courseload. (Note: The semester at Adelaide runs from mid-July to late November. Apply by July 8.)