The University of Ottawa | Everything you need to know

About the University of Ottawa

It is a well-known public research institution that ranks among the top ten in Canada. There are three campuses in Ottawa, Toronto, and Windsor, with the main campus in Ottawa having more than 100 acres of land. The university’s advances in social sciences, health, engineering, science, and humanities make Ottawa a one-of-a-kind place to learn. Let’s find out more about the University of Ottawa.

Why study at the University of Ottawa?

Here’s why you should study at the prestigious university

• Choose from 550 undergraduate and graduate programs to create a degree that is as unique as you.
• A high-quality education entails much more than simply absorbing vital information in a lecture hall.
• The city consistently ranks as one of the best in Canada for its quality of life.
• Their beautiful downtown campus features five new cutting-edge facilities and 1,086 teaching and research laboratories.
• There is never a dull moment, and there are numerous ways to have fun when you need a break from studying.
• They provide various services, programs, scholarships, and financial assistance to help you succeed in your studies.
• A diverse range of workshops for improving skills and increasing employability, as well as numerous clubs and cultural opportunities
• Extensive research opportunities are available at the university.

University of Ottawa ranking

The University of Ottawa ranks 237 in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Some of the other rankings that the university has received are as follows-

• 162 World University Rankings 2022 by THE
• Ranks 101–200th Impact Rankings 2022 by THE
• Ranks 99 in Best Global Universities by US News 2022
• Ranks 8 in Best Global Universities in Canada by US News 2022
• Ranks 213 world rank by CWUR 2023
• Ranks 10 National Rank by CWUR 2023

University of Ottawa programs

Many of the programs rank among Canada’s top ten. The university will help you find the winning combination, whether you’re a computer whiz interested in entrepreneurship or an aspiring sports therapist looking to gain business savvy. The programs include- 

• Arts
• Engineering
• Social Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Common Law
• Education
• Science
• Management
• Droit civil (French program)
• Medicine

University of Ottawa graduate programs

Under the graduate programs, you have to choose among the following categories-

• Programs overview
• Microprograms
• Graduate diplomas (GD)
• Short-duration master’s
• Master’s
• Ph.D. programs
• Visiting student researcher (VSR)
• Cotutelle

Dual fast-track degrees

Specialize in two fields and earn two degrees up to one year sooner (5+ years). Some of the dual fast-track degrees are as follows-

Music + Science

• Graduate with a Bachelor of Music (BMus) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• Arts and science
• 5 years fast-track in comparison to 6 years of regular degree

Political Science + Juris Doctor

• Graduate with a Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) and a Juris Doctor (JD)
• Social Sciences and Common Law
• 6 years fast-track in comparison to 7 years regular
• French immersion/JD courses offered in French only

Commerce + Juris Doctor

• Graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and a Juris Doctor (JD)
• Telfer School of Management and Common Law
• 6 years fast-track in comparison to 7 years regular
• French immersion/JD courses offered in French only

Admission

Here’s how to apply at the University of Ottawa

• Choose the university program that you want to pursue.
• Check the application dates and deadlines and submit your application before the deadline. International students should apply as soon as possible because receiving study permits may take more than 6 months, depending on their country.
• Check if you meet the program’s requirements and eligibility criteria.
• Collect the necessary documents and have letters of recommendation on hand on time, as almost all programs require them.
• Upload the documents.
• If you are applying for a master’s or doctoral program at a university, select a thesis supervisor.

Documents

Submit the below necessary documents

For undergraduate

• Transcripts of official proceedings (in English or French according to the program chosen)
• Recommendation letter
• SAT scores
• English proficiency scores
• Statement of purpose
• Audition tapes for music and art programs
• Portfolio

For postgraduate

• Official transcripts with a minimum score of 70%
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letter
• English proficiency score
• Interview (by invitation)

Campus

Here are some of the best facilities offered by the University of Ottawa

Eat on campus

Get the most out of your bucks by purchasing an unlimited meal plan that allows you to use the dining hall at all times.

Meal plan

Ten unlimited food stations are available, including a salad bar, soft-serve ice cream, Starbucks lattes, and more. They will charge the meal plan to your uOttawa card-

7-day meal plan (best value)

• Dining dollars- $0
• Flex dollars- $0
• Total cost- $6,250

5-day meal plan

• Dining dollars- $0
• Flex dollars- $0
• Total cost- $5,675

Pay-as-you-go

• Dining dollars- $3,700
• Flex dollars- $500
• Total cost- $4,200

Transportation

The University of Ottawa is committed to environmental sustainability and protection. Numerous public transportation options are available, including shuttle buses and carpooling services. There are also passes and student discounts available.

Housing

For university students, there are numerous options for on-campus housing. 45 Mann, Annex, Hyman-Soloway, 90U, Stanton, Marchand, Henderson, LeBlanc, Friel, Rideau, and Thompson are the addresses for housing. They accept accommodation applications on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The university guarantees a residence for first-year students enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course during the fall semester who submit their residency application and the University of Ottawa fee by the deadline. Students who enter the second year directly are also guaranteed to house.

Campus services

The University of Ottawa provides various services

• On-campus bookstore
• Carpooling and bus services, and bike parking spaces are available.
•  Resources for sexual assault victims seeking support and prevention.
• Counseling and coaching services
• Various food services are available.
• Sporting facilities for recreation
• Colossal libraries
• Student clubs and organizations

Research

Research is encouraged at the University of Ottawa. The International Research and Experiential Learning (IREX) program assist university researchers in addressing and studying global challenges with the assistance of leading national and international partners. Various research programs, such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, provide part-time opportunities to senior undergraduate students, are available. 

Funding is also available through the France Canada research fund, which supports collaborations between France and Canada. The Ottawa-Mitacs international research training award supports graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and senior undergraduate students for research projects lasting 12 to 24 weeks.

Placement

The university has an excellent career center that helps students find appropriate placements. Career coaching, mock interviews, resumes and CV writing are all practiced here, as well as information on job postings and volunteer opportunities. The institution has a 97% employment rate for graduates, with an MBA degree being the highest paying.

Key takeaways

• The University of Ottawa is the world’s largest bilingual university.
• The university ranks 8 in Best Global Universities in Canada by US News 2022.
• The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and dual degree programs.
• The campus offers exceptional services like on-campus food, housing, accessible transportation, and more.

Did you find this blog helpful? Do share your thoughts and perspectives in the comments section below. For more information on the University of Ottawa, please contact us by clicking here. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

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FAQs

Q1. What is the University of Ottawa’s acceptance rate?

Answer- The acceptance rate for the University of Ottawa is 35%.

Q2. How much is the University of Ottawa’s MBA cost for international students?

Answer- The University of Ottawa MBA cost for an Intensive MBA is $65,000, a Professional MBA is $68,000, and an Executive MBA is $75,000.

Q3. What is a good GPA Ottawa?

Answer- At Ottawa University, the average GPA is 3.11. It places Ottawa University in the moderately competitive category for GPAs.