Canadian Students

Meet Canada's need for physicians

Canada faces a growing shortage of physicians, and the problem is further compounded by capacity issues at its domestic medical schools. For example, in the 2019–2020 enrollment period alone, 13,929 students applied for just 2,597 available seats. As a result, thousands of qualified students are denied entrance to medical school each year.

If you are a Canadian citizen with the desire and dedication to become a physician, UMHS may be the right fit for you. We have an extensive track record of helping Canadian students pass their licensing exams and obtain residencies throughout Canada and the US.

Canadian students attending UMHS benefit from a significant professional advantage: They may simultaneously apply for residency programs in both Canada and the United States. This qualifies Canadian students to apply for a total of more than 36,000 residency positions (4,800 in Canada, and 31,757 in the U.S.) Whether they attain residency in the U.S. or Canada, either path allows Canadian students to become fully licensed physicians in their home country.

In terms of outcomes, our students perform exceptionally well on licensing examinations. We have a 93% pass rate on Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), with an average score of 213 for November 2019. Our students have also earned a 96% pass rate on USMLE Step 2 CK, with an average score of 231*. In addition, as reported, we have had a 100% pass rate on the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 (MCCQE1, previously MCCEE) for the last four years.

*For those who passed the Comprehensive Clinical Science Exam (CCSE)

Admissions process and requirements

Applicants from Canada must follow virtually the same admissions process and meet the same admissions requirements as applicants from the United States. However, while Canadian applicants are not required to submit MCAT scores, it is still strongly recommended. If you have taken the MCAT, all attempts are required to be reported.

You can submit a downloaded copy of your common application from:

• OMSAS - Ontario Medical School Application Service
• AMCAS - American Medical College Application Service
• AACOMAS - American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service
• TMDSAS - Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service

Once submitted we will have an admission specialist contact you for the next steps.
We will also waive your application fee.

Residency and licensure

As a Canadian student, you can choose to compete for residency placements in the U.S. National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and/or the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS).

CaRMS outlines procedures for obtaining a residency and license in Canada. Along with the national Canadian eligibility requirements, each Canadian province has its own rules regarding licensing and eligibility. We recommend that you conduct your research on the requirements for each province you are considering. Our student affairs and academic advising staff can provide you with ample guidance and support as you navigate this process.

Canadian graduates who wish to enter residency training in Canada must meet all certification and licensure testing criteria, including a passing score on the MCCQE1, the National Assessment Collaboration Objective Structured Clinical Examination (NAC OSCE), and other examinations required by Canadian residency programs. 

To qualify for licensure and residency in the United States, students must pass Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE, which are already mandatory requirements for graduation.

Visit our residency page for more details.

Financial aid

Canadian students at UMHS can fund their education through lines of credit from Canadian banks, Provincial Student Loans, or institutional loans, scholarships, and payment plans. For details, visit the Canadian loan programs page.

Additional resources

• Medical Council of Canada
• Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS)
• Health Force Ontario

Geneviève Gagné Associate Director of Admissions - Canada 819-412-4887 ggagne@umhs-sk.net Book an appointment As the Associate Director of Admissions Canada at UMHS, with effective communication and networking skills, I joined the UMHS team after six years of owning my own business. Prior to that, I worked for three years here at UMHS, six years at the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS), and four years working at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ottawa. I have extensive knowledge of the residency match process for International medical graduates and the Canadian medical education community, including how it pertains to Canadian students who have studied or are looking for a medical program abroad.  I speak French and English.