Telfer Summer Academies
The program
Are you an undergraduate student eager to gain cutting-edge business knowledge and practical skills? The Telfer Summer Academies offer an opportunity to deepen your understanding of trending business topics through immersive six-week programs at the University of Ottawa. Tailored for international students and domestic learners in Ottawa for the summer, these academies combine scholarly excellence with real-world insight and practical application to prepare you for the future of business.
Enrol in one of four academies to experience hands-on learning in two or three courses that address global business challenges and opportunities in today’s competitive landscape. Expand your knowledge of artificial intelligence and smart data, marketing and consumer behaviour, finance, or global business. Earn academic credits from the Telfer School of Management and a certificate to add to your resumé.
The application deadline for the summer 2026 term is April 1, 2026.
Join an internationally-recognized university and a prestigious business school ranked among the top 1% worldwide, distinguished by its triple-crown accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
Why enrol in a Telfer Summer Academy
Immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural and social life of Ottawa, the capital of a G7 country. With a population of 1.5 million, Ottawa is the heart of Canada’s federal government and a thriving technology hub, providing a unique environment to explore diverse industries.
Located in the city’s downtown core, the University of Ottawa combines rich history with modern energy. Discover iconic landmarks, engage in exciting local events and create unforgettable memories while connecting with a global community. Your summer in Ottawa promises to be as enriching as it is inspiring.
The Academies
Each academy offers two mandatory courses plus one optional course. The courses are taught by some of Telfer’s most well-regarded, experienced professors. These intensive courses are highly experiential and apply to today’s relevant business topics. All academies are offered in English only.
Once your admission is confirmed, you can indicate whether you wish to take two or three courses. Final exams will be held from August 5 to 7. On completion of the program, you’ll receive a digital certificate from the academy.
There are three academies available this summer :
- Future of Finance Academy
- AI & Analytics for Business Innovation Academy
- Managing Global Business Academy
Future of Finance Academy
- Units:
- 6 or 9 units in one term
- Duration:
- 6 weeks
- Class experience:
- 50 to 60 students per class
- Schedule:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Language of instruction:
- English
- Timeframe:
- June 23 to August 1
Courses
Two mandatory courses:
ADM 3354: Financial Modelling (3 units - 36 credit hours)
This course will explore applications in MS Excel in corporate finance and investments and the use of spreadsheets and functions problems to configure and solve topics such as Time value of money, NPV analysis, Valuation, Cost of capital, Corporate Financial Planning, Risk and Return, CAPM, Optimization, Option pricing. An econometric software (e.g. Stata) will be used to learn multiple regression techniques in finance, multi-factor models, and event study methodology.
ADM 4396: AI for Business & Finance (3 units - 36 credit hours)
The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the development and adoption of AI in strategic decision-making. The course will focus on business practice by drawing on examples and case studies from banking and FinTech and also explain how the practices apply to other industries. Broadly, the course will expose students to the data generation processes as well as prevalent data science models applicable to various banking functions and products, including financial performance analytics, customer analytics, risk analytics, robo-advising, and text analytics. It will discuss several data science models that help solve business problems imperative for large incumbent organizations as well as startups and the challenges the organizations face in developing and implementing these models. The key focus will be less on learning technical skills and more on envisioning various real-life scenarios in which students can employ their technical skills.
One optional course:
ADM 4904: Connexions ‘Experiential Learning’ Opportunity (3 units - 36 credit hours)
This opportunity can take different forms depending on the student’s interest and the offerings during a summer term: internship, a case competition, a research project, a hack-a-thon, etc. The activity will be highly immersive and hands-on and will allow students to develop skills that are needed in the business world. Students will receive a grade of S (satisfactory) or NS (non-satisfactory) for this activity.
Students will receive a digital certificate from the Academy upon completion of the program.
AI & Analytics for Business Innovation Academy
- Units:
- 6 or 9 units in one term
- Duration:
- 6 weeks
- Class experience:
- 50 to 60 students per class
- Schedule:
- Monday and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Language of instruction:
- English
- Timeframe:
- June 23 to August 1
Courses
Two mandatory courses:
ADM 3308: Business Data Mining (3 units - 36 credit hours)
Introduction to the data mining process, data mining tasks including classification, clustering and association rules, as well as data mining modelling techniques such as decision trees, neural networks, and regression analysis. Introduction to the management of Big Data and Big Data Analytics. Examples in various managerial applications including Customer Relationship Management, marketing, sales, credit scoring, churn, and survival analysis.
ADM 4396: AI for Business & Finance (3 units - 36 credit hours)
The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the development and adoption of AI in strategic decision-making. The course will focus on business practice by drawing on examples and case studies from banking and FinTech and also explain how the practices apply to other industries. Broadly, the course will expose students to the data generation processes as well as prevalent data science models applicable to various banking functions and products, including financial performance analytics, customer analytics, risk analytics, robo-advising, and text analytics. It will discuss several data science models that help solve business problems imperative for large incumbent organizations as well as startups and the challenges the organizations face in developing and implementing these models. The key focus will be less on learning technical skills and more on envisioning various real-life scenarios in which students can employ their technical skills.
One optional course:
ADM 4904: Connexions ‘Experiential Learning’ Opportunity (3 units - 36 credit hours)
This opportunity can take different forms depending on the student’s interest and the offerings during a summer term: and internship, a case competition, a research project, a hack-a-thon, etc. The activity will be highly immersive and hands-on and will allow students to develop skills that are needed in the business world. Students will receive a grade of S (satisfactory) or NS (non satisfactory) for this activity.
Students will receive a digital certificate from the Academy upon completion of the program.
Managing Global Business Academy
- Units:
- 6 or 9 units in one term
- Duration:
- 6 weeks
- Class experience:
- 50 to 60 students per class
- Schedule:
- Monday and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Language of instruction:
- English
- Timeframe:
- June 23 to August 1
Courses
Two mandatory courses:
ADM 3319: Cross-Cultural Management (3 units - 36 credit hours)
Diagnostic of intercultural situations in international contexts. Theoretical aspects of various disciplines linked to comparative management. Concepts of culture, values, behaviour, intercultural communication and their relation to the dynamics of management, organizational structure, human resources, technology transfer, ethics in an intercultural context. The intercultural team and synergy. Profile of the interculturally effective person. The feminine entrepreneurship in international management. Monograph on the socio-political situation and the business culture of various countries. Enterprise and Canadian diversity, Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, legislation and policies on multiculturalism. Acculturation.
ADM 4318: Multinational Business Policy (3 units - 36 credit hours)
Stages of multinational organization: exports, foreign direct investment, joint ventures and licensing agreements, mergers and acquisitions. Managing multinational corporations, regional and global strategies: organization and structures, adjusting to cultural differences and political risk assessment. Governments and multinational corporations (MNCs) relations: benefits of MNCs for host countries and national investment policies. Corporate responsibility: ethics, environment and labour standards.
One optional course:
ADM 4904: Connexions ‘Experiential Learning’ Opportunity (3 units - 36 credit hours)
This opportunity can take different forms depending on the student’s interest and the offerings during a summer term: and internship, a case competition, a research project, a hack-a-thon, etc. The activity will be highly immersive and hands-on and will allow students to develop skills that are needed in the business world. Students will receive a grade of S (satisfactory) or NS (non-satisfactory) for this activity.
Students will receive a digital certificate from the Academy upon completion of the program.
Admission
Admission process
Complete the Summer Academy Application Form to submit your information, including a transcript.
Applications will be processed within one week. Preference will be given to top-performing students who demonstrate an interest in the subject matter.
Note: Telfer undergraduate students are already eligible to take these courses in the Bachelor of Commerce using the uOttawa enrolment portal.
Admission criteria
Academic standing
You must be in good academic standing at your home institution, typically with a minimum average of 70%. Preference will be given to applicants with high academic achievement.
Prerequisites
You must have completed courses equivalent to the prerequisite(s) for each Summer Academy, as outlined below:
- Future of Finance: Introduction to Financial Management + Management Information Systems
- AI & Analytics for Business Innovation: Management Information Systems + Statistics
- Managing Global Business: International Business
Application deadline
Submit your application by:
of the year of the summer term
Fees
Fees for the program (listed in Canadian dollars) cover tuition, a double occupancy room in an on-campus residence, credits for eating on campus, incidental fees and access to experiential learning opportunities. You can choose to opt out of housing and meals.
Domestic students
Two courses
$6,000
Two courses + housing and eating on campus + associated experience fees
$3,500
Two courses + associated experience fees
Three courses
$7,500
Three courses + housing and eating on campus + associated experience fees
$5,000
Three courses + associated experience fees
International students
Two courses
$10,000
Two courses + housing and eating on campus + associated experience fees
$7,500
Two courses + associated experience fees
Three courses
$13,500
Three courses + housing and eating on campus + associated experience fees
$11,000
Three courses + associated experience fees
Summer in Ottawa
Ottawa offers a unique opportunity for students to bridge academic theory with the practical realities of major business sectors. The city’s diverse, vibrant cultural scene rivals that of any major city in North America, with over 50 festivals and cultural events each summer. With more than 11 million visitors annually, Ottawa’s successful events are driven by innovative marketing strategies, making the city the ideal real-world classroom for aspiring marketers.
The Telfer School of Management has designed a program that blends academic rigour with cultural immersion. Participants can experience a range of iconic Ottawa summer highlights, including:
- Canada Day celebrations, marking the nation’s birthday with festivities across the city
- The HOPE Volleyball SummerFest, combining sport, charity and community engagement
- Ottawa Bluesfest, one of the largest music festivals in North America
- The Dragon Boat Festival, which showcases competitive boat races and cultural festivities
- The Escapade Music Festival, a must-attend event for electronic music enthusiasts
- The Ottawa Jazz Festival, featuring world-renowned artists and captivating performances
Beyond these events, Ottawa offers numerous opportunities to explore national museums, sprawling parks and ongoing celebrations of art and culture.
Have any questions?For any questions about the Summer Academies, talk to someone at the Telfer Undergraduate Office.
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