Visiting Students - School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Study at Western as a Visiting Student

Western accepts several visiting graduate students each year from all over the world to conduct research or take courses at the University. Students may choose to become a visiting student for several reasons:

to broaden their research knowledge and skills under the mentorship of an expert within a particular subject
to take part in a collaborative research project currently taking place at Western
to take advantage of research facilities, centres, laboratories and academic resources not available at their home institution
to take advantage of a specific course(s) not available at their home institution

Which option applies to you?

I want to take graduate courses at Western.

Use the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Program if you are registered at another Ontario university.

I want to conduct research only.

Use the Visiting Graduate Student Research Only application if you are coming to Western for research, not courses.

I am from a CAGS member university.

Use the Canadian Universities Graduate Transfer Agreement if your home institution is part of CAGS.

Choose your visiting student pathway

Review the options below to find the visiting student pathway that best matches your situation. For more information, please open the appropriate application form.

Courses

Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Program

For currently registered graduate students at Western who want to take a graduate course at another Ontario university.

If you are registered at another Ontario university and wish to take a course at Western, you must initiate this process through your home institution.

What to know:

• The student remains registered at their home university.

• The student is classified as a visiting student at the host institution.

• Fees are paid to the home university.

• The completed application should be returned to the home department for approval.

Application Form for Western Students

Research Only

Visiting Graduate Students

For students who want to conduct research at Western but are not registered under an approved exchange program.

What to know:

• Students are registered as full-time visiting graduate students.

• Students cannot take courses at Western under this pathway.

• A processing fee and Western Student ID card fee apply.

• International students are also charged for the University Health Insurance Plan.

Domestic Application International Application

Research Transfer

Canadian Universities Graduate Transfer Agreement

For students from CAGS member universities who have approval from their program and faculty.

What to know:

• Western is a member of the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies.

• Approval is required from the student’s program and faculty.

• A single-page request form must be completed by the appropriate Deans and Graduate Chairs.

• For course-based programs, no more than two half-courses can be taken at another institution.

Application Form