QS World University Rankings 2027 #801-850Times Higher Education 2026 #501-600ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #501-600CWTS Leiden 2025 #696SCImago 2026 #659
Motto: Ours the Task Eternal
Colours: Red and black
Mascot: Rodney the Raven
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Carleton University is a public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, on a self-contained campus between the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, roughly five kilometres from Parliament Hill.
It was established in 1942 as Carleton College, a non-denominational institution created by the Ottawa Association for the Advancement of Learning to serve returning service personnel and working students, and it received full university status in 1957. Teaching is organised across five academic faculties plus the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, including the Sprott School of Business, the Faculty of Engineering and Design and the Faculty of Public Affairs.
Carleton reports 30,675 students, of whom 24,847 are undergraduates and 5,828 are graduate students, with 2,935 international students drawn from more than 160 countries. Its location in the national capital shapes several of its best-known offerings: the Bachelor of Journalism and the Master of Journalism, the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management, the School of Public Policy and Administration, and the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs.
The Faculty of Engineering and Design houses Canada's first undergraduate aerospace engineering degree, launched in 1988, alongside architecture and industrial design.
Co-operative education, paid work terms and internships are available across a large share of programs, and the university reported $155.4 million in sponsored research funding in 2024-2025.
Location & Contact
Carleton University's campus location, postal address, and admissions contact channels are below.
The figures below cover Carleton University's scale, staffing levels, and academic standing.
Academic Year: Fall (September–December) and Winter (January–April) terms, plus a Summer term (May–August)
Recognition: Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities of Ontario
Admission Requirements: Ontario secondary school applicants apply through OUAC with the OSSD plus six 4U/M courses including program prerequisites; admission is competitive and based on the average of the required courses, and program-specific prerequisites and supplementary materials are listed on each program page. International applicants apply directly through Carleton360 or OUAC 105, submit transcripts equivalent to an Ontario secondary school diploma with the required subject prerequisites, and must meet the English language proficiency standard unless exempt (IELTS Academic 6.5 with minimum 6.0 per band, TOEFL 4.5 with minimum 4.0 per band on the revised scale (86 for tests taken before 21 January 2026), Duolingo 120, PTE Academic 55, CAEL 70, or Cambridge C1/C2 176). For Fall entry, documents from outside Canada and the US are due by April 1; the general deadline for Canada/US transcripts is June 1, and Ontario secondary school students apply via OUAC by January 15.
Total Students: 30,675
Academic Staff Range: 900-999
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
Universities Canada (UC)
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL)
Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA)
Academic Structures
The faculties, schools, and constituent units that make up Carleton University are listed below.
Unit13 items
Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Faculty of Engineering and Design
Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs
Faculty of Public Affairs
Faculty of Science
Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
School of Computer Science
School of Industrial Design
School of Journalism and Communication
School of Public Policy and Administration
Sprott School of Business
Programs Offered
Below are Carleton University's active programmes, grouped by degree level, with search.
International tuition:CAD 45,000/yearMin. GPA:70.00 / %
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses, which must include English (or anglais), Advanced Functions, and either Calculus and Vectors or Mathematics of Data Ma...
International tuition:CAD 45,000/yearLocal tuition:CAD 11,920/yearMin. GPA:70.00 / %
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses, which must include English (or anglais), Advanced Functions, and either Calculus and Vectors or Mathematics of Data Ma...
Aerospace & Automotive Engineering · 4 years · On-campus
International tuition:CAD 57,806/yearLocal tuition:CAD 12,290/yearStart:September
Ontario secondary school applicants to the Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering apply through OUAC with an OSSD plus six 4U/M courses at the 4U level with no individual grade below 60%. Carleton's BEng admission chart requi...
International tuition:CAD 39,000/yearMin. GPA:70.00 / %
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses, which must include a 4U course in English (or anglais); a FIF4U course is also required for applicants to the Speciali...
International tuition:CAD 39,000/yearLocal tuition:CAD 7,624/yearMin. GPA:70.00 / %
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses. The six 4U or M courses must include a 4U course in English (or anglais). An overall average of at least 70% is normal...
International tuition:CAD 39,000/yearLocal tuition:CAD 7,624/yearMin. GPA:70.00 / %
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses. The six 4U or M courses must include a 4U course in English (or anglais). An overall average of at least 70% is normal...
International tuition:CAD 39,000/yearLocal tuition:CAD 7,624/yearMin. GPA:70.00 / %
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses. The six 4U or M courses must include a 4U course in English (or anglais). An overall average of at least 70% is normal...
International tuition:CAD 39,000/yearMin. GPA:70.00 / %
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses. For the Honours programs in Physics and Applied Physics, Calculus and Vectors is required in addition to Advanced Func...
International tuition:CAD 55,000/yearLocal tuition:CAD 12,290/yearMin. GPA:70.00 / %
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses, which must include four prerequisite 4U courses: Advanced Functions, Chemistry, Physics, and one of Calculus and Vecto...
International tuition:CAD 46,374/yearStart:Fall, Winter, and Summer (Online MBA only)
Carleton's Sprott School of Business sets a common minimum for its MBA programs: a four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline with a cumulative GPA of a 'B' over all four years, or equivalent. Applicants must submi...
Admission requires a four-year (honours) bachelor's degree, with a minimum B+ average in the major subject area and a B- average or better overall, per Carleton University's general graduate admission requirements.
Local tuition:CAD 20,500/totalStart:SummerMin. GPA:70.00 / %
Applicants must hold an Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent, with a minimum overall average of B- (70%). Applicants must also complete seven prerequisite courses matching the CPA Competency Map (Intermediate Financia...
Aerospace & Automotive Engineering · 2 years · On-campus
Local tuition:CAD 19,000/totalStart:Fall, Winter, and Summer (by arrangement)
Carleton's master's programs in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MASc/MEng) normally require a bachelor's degree with at least high honours standing in mechanical or aerospace engineering or a related discipline. Ca...
Applicants must hold a four-year honours bachelor's degree. Carleton's minimum graduate admission standard for master's programs is a B+ average or better in the major subject, with a B- average or better overall.
International tuition:CAD 21,478/yearLocal tuition:CAD 8,629/yearStart:Fall
Applicants to Carleton's Architectural Studies master's program must hold a four-year honours bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, with a grade of at least B+ in their major subjects and at least B- overall; individual...
International tuition:CAD 21,478/yearLocal tuition:CAD 8,629/yearStart:Fall
Applicants to Carleton's Architecture master's program must hold a four-year honours bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, with a grade of at least B+ in their major subjects and at least B- overall; individual departmen...
International tuition:CAD 20,402/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,999/yearStart:Fall
Applicants to Carleton's Art and Architectural History master's program must hold a four-year honours bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, with a grade of at least B+ in their major subjects and at least B- overall; ind...
International tuition:CAD 20,402/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,999/yearStart:Fall, Winter and Summer
Applicants to Carleton's Biology master's program must hold a four-year honours bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, with a grade of at least B+ in their major subjects and at least B- overall; individual departments ma...
Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences · 2 years · On-campus
Start:Fall, Winter and Summer
Applicants to Carleton's Biomedical Engineering master's program must hold a four-year honours bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, with a grade of at least B+ in their major subjects and at least B- overall; individual...
International tuition:CAD 20,402/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,999/yearStart:Fall
Applicants to Carleton's Biotechnology master's program must hold a four-year honours bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, with a grade of at least B+ in their major subjects and at least B- overall; individual departme...
Civil Engineering & Construction · 2 years · On-campus
Start:Fall, Winter and Summer
Applicants to Carleton's Building Engineering master's program must hold a four-year honours bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, with a grade of at least B+ in their major subjects and at least B- overall; individual d...
International tuition:CAD 15,936/yearStart:Fall and Winter
Carleton's institution-wide doctoral guideline (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/minimum-requirements/) applies: "Doctoral: Master's degree; B+ or better in your courses (including your thesis); No grade below a...
Carleton's institution-wide doctoral guideline (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/minimum-requirements/) applies: "Doctoral: Master's degree; B+ or better in your courses (including your thesis); No grade below a...
Carleton's institution-wide doctoral guideline (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/minimum-requirements/) applies: "Doctoral: Master's degree; B+ or better in your courses (including your thesis); No grade below a...
International tuition:CAD 15,936/yearStart:Fall, Winter and Summer
Carleton's institution-wide doctoral guideline (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/minimum-requirements/) applies: "Doctoral: Master's degree; B+ or better in your courses (including your thesis); No grade below a...
International tuition:CAD 15,936/yearStart:Fall and Winter
Carleton's institution-wide doctoral guideline (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/minimum-requirements/) applies: "Doctoral: Master's degree; B+ or better in your courses (including your thesis); No grade below a...
International tuition:CAD 15,936/yearStart:Fall, Winter and Summer
Carleton's institution-wide doctoral guideline (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/minimum-requirements/) applies: "Doctoral: Master's degree; B+ or better in your courses (including your thesis); No grade below a...
International tuition:CAD 15,936/yearStart:Fall and Summer
Carleton's institution-wide doctoral guideline (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/minimum-requirements/) applies: "Doctoral: Master's degree; B+ or better in your courses (including your thesis); No grade below a...
International tuition:CAD 15,936/yearStart:Fall, Winter and Summer
Carleton's institution-wide doctoral guideline (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/minimum-requirements/) applies: "Doctoral: Master's degree; B+ or better in your courses (including your thesis); No grade below a...
Carleton's institution-wide doctoral guideline (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/minimum-requirements/) applies: "Doctoral: Master's degree; B+ or better in your courses (including your thesis); No grade below a...
Students pursuing a Type 2 Diploma must also fulfill the admission requirements of their degree program. Professionals interested in the Type 3 Diploma, who do not satisfy this degree requirement, must demonstrate releva...
Local tuition:CAD 9,500/totalStart:FallMin. GPA:80.00 / %
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Ethics and Public Affairs requires an average of A- or above in honours or graduate-level courses, together with evidence of proficiency in both analytical ethics or political philoso...
The diploma is only open to students currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at Carleton University and is intended to provide an additional qualification to the student's main degree.
Local tuition:CAD 8,400/totalStart:Fall and WinterMin. GPA:77.00 / %
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent); normally an average of B+ or higher is required for admission. A university-level course in statistics is also required for admission. Applicants with at least th...
The stated entry requirement for Carleton's Infrastructure Protection and International Security programs is a B.A. Honours degree in a discipline related to International Affairs, or a Bachelor's degree in Science or En...
The GDip is open to both PhD and master's students from disciplines other than Linguistics and will allow them to incorporate the study of Linguistics into their primary program. At this time, it is designed primarily fo...
Local tuition:CAD 6,500/totalStart:Fall and Winter
Applicants may enter through one of two routes: the Type 2 (Concurrent) diploma, open to students already enrolled in a Master's or Doctoral program at Carleton University, or the Type 3 (Direct Entry) diploma, which req...
Local tuition:CAD 9,000/totalStart:SummerMin. GPA:77.00 / %
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent); normally an average of B+ or higher is required for admission. Two reference letters are required from people who can comment on the applicant's academic preparat...
The Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation (DPPE), offered by the School of Public Policy and Administration, does not publish a fixed minimum GPA on its own program pages; Carleton's graduate regulatio...
Applicants may enter through one of two routes: the Type 2 (Concurrent) diploma, open to students already enrolled in a Master's or Doctoral program at Carleton University, or the Type 3 (Direct-entry) diploma, which req...
A five-step guide to applying to Carleton University.
1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Carleton University's catalogue includes 243 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Carleton University's admissions process.
3
Assemble your application package
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
4
Submit your application
Submit your completed application through Carleton University's official website at carleton.ca. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
5
Contact admissions and follow up
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. You can reach the institution by email at admissions@carleton.ca or by phone at +1 (613) 520 2600. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Carleton University
A short Q&A covering Carleton University's essentials — founding, location, and structure.
How old is Carleton University?
The institution opened in 1942 (approximately 84 years ago).
Where can I find Carleton University?
The institution is located in Ottawa, Canada.
What is Carleton University's control type?
Carleton University is a public institution.
How many students does Carleton University have?
The institution has a student body of 30,675.
How is Carleton University ranked?
Carleton University holds rank QS 2027 #801-850.
How is Carleton University organised academically?
Carleton University is organised into 13 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Carleton University accredited?
The institution holds recognition from Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities of Ontario.
How do I find Carleton University online?
The institution's website is carleton.ca.
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