University Of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa holds the distinction of being the world's largest bilingual university.  Situated in the heart of Canada's capital city, it boasts a wealth of exceptional facilities, creating an attractive environment for international students.  Recognizing the potential financial challenges of student life in Canada, the University offers opportunities for on-campus research assistantships, allowing students to gain valuable experience while mitigating living expenses.

Founded in 1848 as the College of Bytown, the institution embarked on a path of evolution.  Following the city's name change in 1861, it became Ottawa College, and in 1866, it achieved the landmark status of becoming the first university to be chartered in Ottawa.

As a public university, the University of Ottawa is renowned for its status as the world's largest bilingual (English-French) institution.  This unique characteristic allows students the flexibility to pursue their studies in either English, French, or even both languages.  In recent years, the University has embraced a global vision, actively recruiting talented students from around the world.  Combined with its dedicated faculty, this commitment fosters the elimination of knowledge boundaries while promoting the advancement and excellence of human societies.

The University of Ottawa boasts a distinguished record, educating over 40,000 students and employing a staff of 5,000.  With more than 210,000 alumni, the University fosters a strong sense of community and tradition.  A compelling reason to consider the University of Ottawa is its exceptional graduate employability rate, consistently hovering around 97%.  This statistic alone speaks volumes about the quality of education and career preparation offered by the institution.

The University's commitment to accessibility is further evidenced by its 2018 acceptance rate of 85.1% for secondary school applicants.  It's noteworthy that the University of Ottawa consistently ranks among Canada's top 5 universities for combined education and work-study programs.  Additionally, it houses the largest law school in Canada.

The University of Ottawa stands out as a premier destination for international students.  With a vibrant international community of approximately 7,000 students hailing from 150 countries, international students comprise a significant 17% of the student body.  The University fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment that values diversity.

A hallmark of the University of Ottawa is its research-intensive approach to education.  This dedication to scholarly pursuits is reflected in its membership within U15, a prestigious group of Canada's top research universities.  This research focus translates into cutting-edge learning experiences for students.

Recognizing the importance of practical experience, the University of Ottawa has established robust work-study programs in collaboration with various faculties.  These programs, in existence for over 40 years, offer students the opportunity to gain valuable job skills while earning income to support their studies.  

In 2019 alone, the University facilitated over 3,760 job placements for students through more than 80 work-study programs across 6 faculties.  This commitment to experiential learning positions graduates for future career success.

Tuition Fees at the University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa's tuition structure categorizes students as either full-time or part-time based on their course load.  For undergraduate programs, students enrolled in 12 units or more are considered full-time, while those enrolled in fewer than 12 units are considered part-time.

Undergraduate Tuition:  Full-time international undergraduate students can expect average tuition fees to range from CAD$36,000 to CAD$53,000 for a two-semester academic year.  This range varies depending on the chosen field of study:

• Arts, Health Sciences, Sciences, Social Sciences, and Telfer School of Management: CAD$36,000 - CAD$47,000
• Civil Law: CAD$41,000
• Engineering: CAD$53,000
• Graduate Tuition:  Full-time international Master's students can expect tuition fees to fall between CAD$25,000 and CAD$62,000 per year,  while Doctoral program tuition typically ranges from CAD$6,000 to CAD$8,000 annually.

University of Ottawa Ranking

Several organizations and institutions around the world rank universities based on various criteria.  One prominent ranking system is QS World University Rankings.  According to their latest ranking released in early 2023, the University of Ottawa is positioned at number 237 globally.  The University is also consistently recognized as one of Canada's top 10 universities for research strength.

University of Ottawa Admission Requirements

The University of Ottawa welcomes applications from international students seeking a world-class education.  To ensure a smooth application process, here's a breakdown of the key requirements:

Academic Standing:

The University assesses applicants' academic records and calculates an average percentage for each individual.  Meeting or exceeding the established minimum average is crucial for admission consideration.

Program-Specific Requirements:

Undergraduate Programs: Iranian students applying for undergraduate programs must possess a pre-university degree.

Language Proficiency:

All programs require proof of English or French language proficiency, with minimum scores varying depending on the chosen language and your previous educational background.

English Language:

Previous English-Language Education: If you haven't completed the past three years of your studies in an English-speaking institution or don't reside in a country with English as an official language, you'll need to submit valid test scores from one of the University-approved English proficiency exams. These include:

• IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.5 in both the reading and writing sections.
• TOEFL (iBT): Minimum score of 86 overall, with a minimum of 22 in the writing section and at least 20 in each of the listening and reading sections.
• University of Ottawa CanTEST: Minimum score of 4 in writing and 4.5 in both listening and reading.
• CAEL: Minimum score of 70 overall and 60 in the writing section.
• PTE: Minimum score of 60 in both general and written sections.
• CAE: Minimum grade of C1.

French Language:

Applicants aiming to study in French and who haven't completed the past three years of study in a French-speaking institution or aren't from a country with French as an official language must submit valid test scores from one of the University-approved French proficiency exams.  These include:

• DALF: Minimum grade of C1 or C2.
• DELF: Minimum grade of B2.
• TEF: Minimum level of B2.
• TCF: Minimum level of B2.
• TESTCan: Minimum score of 4.

Graduate Programs (Master's and Doctoral):

Academic Resume: Provide a detailed academic resume encompassing your report card and transcripts.

Letters of Recommendation: While not mandatory, including letters of recommendation from academic sources can strengthen your application.