NOSM U is currently NOT open for International visiting elective learners. 

1. Eligibility 

• Students must be enrolled in a school listed on FAIMER/IMED. The program duration must be stated on FAIMER/IMED.
• NOSM University does not allow a visiting elective to occur if any academic or program extension period has been granted by the student’s home school based on the program duration as stated on the World Directory.
• Students must not be attending an Osteopathic school.
• Students must be in the penultimate or final year of undergraduate medical degree program at the time of the requested elective.
• The placement must be a mandatory and for credit elective as deemed by the student’s home school. Applications for core placements are not accepted.

2. Application Instructions 

• All applications must be submitted through the Portal
• NOSM University holds yearly blackout periods during the summer months (July and August) and the 2 week period between December and January. The specific blackout dates are provided above.

Preceptor Search

Learners are discouraged from contacting their own preceptor. NOSM University will match you to a preceptor in your preferred area of specialty or community. If you do reach out to preceptors, or if you know some clinical faculty and would like to explore a placement opportunity

Application window

International Students

Applications are accepted between 40 weeks and 28 weeks, learners are encouraged to apply 40 weeks prior to the placement start date.

Canadians Studying Abroad

Applications are accepted between 28 weeks and 16 weeks, learners are encouraged to apply 28 weeks prior to the placement start date.

Submitting multiple applications

• International Students are limited to one NOSM University application per lifetime (Up to eight weeks).
• Canadians Studying abroad are limited to two NOSM University applications per lifetime (Up to sixteen weeks).
• NOSM University allows both student types a maximum of 16 weeks of confirmed elective weeks across Canada.

Number of electives that can be ranked in one application

• Each NOSM University applications allows for the following:
• One elective start date
• One elective duration between two and eight weeks
• Up to three disciplines and/or subspecialty choices
• Up to three site locations/communities
• Only one placement is to be requested per application and may not be split in any way. If you select “Any” as your site location, NOSM University will search for a preceptor in all available communities.

Capacity/Elective availability

NOSM University is unable to advise as to capacity/elective availability prior to an application being submitted.

Processing times

NOSM University will advise once a submitted application has been vetted and will be moving to the processing phase. Learners should receive this notification thought the portal within 4 weeks of submission, pending any delays in the vetting process (i.e. home school clarification required, missing/outdated documentation, etc) Learners will be advised should more information be required. An application does not move to the processing phase until all application and document requirements are met, this includes clarification required by the learner’s home school.

Student Assessments

Students are responsible to have their evaluations/assessments filled out either by bringing a paper copy with them on placement or having their home school contact the preceptor directly by email.

Please Note: NOSM University staff, preceptors and affiliates do not complete or sign any forms, letters, agreements and other related documentation, other than the medical student’s Home School Clinical Assessment Form.

Please Note: An application is not deemed submitted until the Home School Verification has been completed.

The processing phase will be in effect until 8 weeks prior to the placement start date or an elective is secured, offered and accepted or declined by the learner, whichever comes first.

Once your elective is confirmed, check your portal messages for additional placement instructions

Contact internationalelective@nosm.ca if you have not received any information 7 weeks before your placement start date

3. Document Requirements 

Acceptable file formats (unless otherwise specified): PDF, PNG, JPEG

WITH APPLICATION SUBMISSION

• A recent and clear photo of yourself (Registrant Account) (JPEG)
  • Colour photo only. Black and white photos are not accepted.
• Letter of Good Standing (PDF)
  • The letter must include the following information:
    • Current standing as a student
    • Enrolment dates (started mm/yy and anticipated graduation date mm/yy) and must include the students next promotion date
    • Registration status at the time of the placement (student will be in year x of the x year program)
    • Language of instruction of the program the student is registered in
• AFMC Student Portal Immunization and Testing Form
• Mask Fit testing certificate
  • If the student has a valid certificate, it must be uploaded
• Colour copy of passport or Permanent Residency card
  • Copy must include the photo and information page.
• Police record check with vulnerable sector check (or country equivalent)
  • Must be valid within 12 months of the end date of the placement.
  • Should a police certificate be current, however set to expire prior or during the placement, students must upload the current document at time of application and must upload a new police certificate valid for the placement period no later than 8 weeks prior to the placement start date. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the placement.
  • For Toronto Police Service record requests, please contact internationalelectives@nosm.ca to receive the form required.
• Proof of English language proficiency
  • This is required for all International students where the Home School’s language of instruction is not listed as English on the World Directory of Medical Schools.
  • Both TOEFL iBT (internet based testing) and IELTS are accepted. Language proficiency tests must be graded no earlier than 104 weeks (2 years) from the placement end date.
  • TOEFL iBT must have an overall score of 93, which includes a writing and speaking score with a minimum score of 22.
    or alternately,
  • IELTS tests must have an overall score equal to 6.5 or higher with no individual band below 6.0.
  • Please Note: this requirement does not apply to Canadians Studying Abroad

CLOSER TO ELECTIVE START DATE

• WHMIS certificate

  • Students will be provided a link to obtain this certification.

• Proof of UHIP coverage

  • Students will be provided with the purchasing information. Proof of coverage must include the coverage dates. Transaction receipts are not accepted.

• Canadian Visa

  • Some students may require a Canadian Visa. If a Visa is required, a coy of the Visa is to be uploaded to the portal.
• Completion of Learner Mistreatment Training Module
  • Students will be provided a link to complete the mandatory module
  • Learner Mistreatment Orientation Module

Applications are considered submitted once all documents required with application are received. Applications submitted without the proper documentation will be placed on hold until all documents are received and are vetted by NOSM University. Students will be advised by NOSM University if a submitted document does not meet the requirements or is missing.