NCUK University Partner
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa sits in the heart of Canada's capital and G7 city, making it the only university located in downtown Ottawa. Founded in 1848, it is the world's largest bilingual (English-French) university, with study available in English, French, or both.
It has nine faculties (Arts, Law, Education, Engineering, Medicine, Science, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, and the Telfer School of Management) serving around 48,000 students from 155 countries, over 10,600 of whom are international students from more than 150 countries. Its research focuses on health, e-society, Canada and the world, and molecular and environmental sciences.
The university ranks among the top 1% of universities worldwide, places in the top 10 in Canada in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and is ranked in the top 100 globally for sustainability.
Top 10
in Canada, QS World University Rankings 2027
Top 1%
of universities worldwide
Top 100
global sustainability ranking
9 in 10
students take part in hands-on learning
International English Scholarship
A renewable scholarship for eligible students from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Vietnam or any African country, reducing tuition by $5,000–$15,000 per year depending on country and faculty, awarded automatically on full-time enrolment in an eligible English-taught undergraduate programme.
International English Excellence Scholarship
A competitive scholarship for students with an admission average of 90% or higher, with the same number of scholarships awarded by each faculty; recipients must start in September.
Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship
A tuition fee exemption for international Francophone and Francophile students in French-taught or French Immersion bachelor's or master's programmes.
Student life and clubs
More than 350 student clubs are sponsored through the University of Ottawa Students' Union, and the student calendar includes festivals such as Pride Week, Winter Festival, Mois de la Francophonie, Poutine Festival, and Comfort Food Festival.
Sport and facilities
Students can join intramural leagues and fitness classes across three sports centres (Montpetit Hall, the Minto Sports Complex, and the Lees campus) and varsity teams compete in basketball, football, ice hockey, rugby, soccer, swimming and women's volleyball.
Five new facilities have opened in the past eight years, including the STEM Complex and the Advanced Research Complex, and most classrooms have wireless internet and LCD screens.
Careers and support
Co-op, internship and work-study programmes are available alongside Career Development Centre support, and nine in ten students take part in hands-on learning.
International student mentors, a Regional Mentoring Centre, and a free Counselling and Coaching Service support students, who can choose from 11 residences on or off campus.
City life
Students have access to Rideau Canal skating, ByWard Market, Gatineau Park trails, and national museums.
Sustainability
The Office of Campus Sustainability works across campus operations. The Social Sciences Building has a six-storey living wall of 2,000 plants from 12 species, and about 80% of its heating comes from heat redistribution. The university has also joined 15 other Canadian universities in a responsible investment charter.
Veritas Pathways students on the International Foundation Year may progress to University of Ottawa, subject to meeting its academic, English language, attendance and non-academic entry requirements.