For more information about the requirements for the Francophone Admission Stream in French, visit the NOSM University website [French link].
About NOSM University
April 1, 2022, marked history as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) became NOSM University, Canada’s first independent medical university.
Founded in 2002 as a strategy to address the critical physician shortage in Northern Ontario, NOSM has much to show for its short history. The University’s unique distributed, community-engaged learning (DCEL) model has grown into something extraordinary. This model includes strong ties and engagement with remote, rural, Indigenous and francophone communities.
NOSM University is purpose-built to respond to the emerging challenges of a complex and fragile health care system in Northern Ontario. We strive to transform the system and reach underserved communities to deliver true and sustainable health equity to the 800,000 people in the region.
Our aim is to have class profiles that reflect the demographics of the Northern Ontario population by recruiting students who have lived in Northern Ontario and/or students who have demonstrated a strong interest in, commitment to and aptitude for practicing medicine in northern urban, rural and remote communities.
We are committed to recruiting medical students with diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQI+ and francophone students. Competitive applicants will demonstrate a high level of self-motivation, be self-directed, and thrive in a small-group, case-based and distributed-learning environment.
With campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury, NOSM University collaborates with more than 100 organizations, in more than 90 communities, and with more than 1,800 clinical, human and medical sciences faculty dispersed across all of Northern Ontario.
Program Information
The 4-year Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) program at NOSM University provides students with a unique mix of learning opportunities in a diverse range of sites, including Indigenous and francophone communities.
Graduates of the UME program have earned a Medical Doctor (MD) degree and are ready and able to undertake post-graduate training anywhere in Canada. We are proud that, historically, based on the strength of the UME program and their hard work, our graduates have been successful in matching to residency programs.
More information about the UME program curriculum, including clinical learning experiences and Integrated Community Experience (ICE) placements.
Admission Requirements
Admission Categories
Admission Policies and Procedures
We reserve the right to review and change the admission requirements at any time without notice.
We strictly observe all application deadlines. This applies to receiving the application and all relevant documentation. We advise you to follow the application instructions precisely.
If you fail to meet the deadlines or to follow the application instructions, your application will be disqualified.
We do not hold applications from one year to the next. Unsuccessful applicants will be required to re-apply through OMSAS with a new application for the following admission cycle.
Selection Process
Falsification of Application Information
We reserve the right to determine the veracity of any and all statements in the application.
If any application information is found to be false or misleading, concealed or withheld, your application will be disqualified. If this is discovered after your offer of admission is sent, your offer will be withdrawn.
If these circumstances are discovered after you are admitted into the medical program, you will be required to withdraw from the program and be barred from applying to NOSM University for 5 years.
Deferral Policy
We do not generally grant deferrals of admission, though we will consider deferrals in exceptional circumstances.
Requests are received through the Office of Admissions and are forwarded to the Deferrals Committee for consideration. The Committee’s decisions are final and not open to appeal.
During the admission process, if you require accommodation:
If you receive an offer of admission and have inquiries about accommodations, or need clarification on how to get an accommodation, contact the Learner Affairs Officer or the Accessibility Advisor.
Information for Successful Applicants
Contact Information
NOSM University
Medical School Building, Rm 2003
Office of Admissions & Learner Recruitment
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay ON P7B 5E1
Toll-free (Canada-wide): 1-800-461-8777, ext. 7454
Fax: 807-766-7368
Email: admissions@nosm.ca