Université Laval
Québec, Canada • Founded 1852 • World Rank #359
Updated Sep 2026
Overview
Université Laval is a French-language public research university in Québec City, Québec, and the first French-language university in North America, tracing its origins to the Séminaire de Québec founded in 1663 and receiving its royal charter as a university in 1852.
Its main campus sits on a 1.8 km² site of which more than 60% is green and wooded space, connected by an extensive underground tunnel network that links most pavilions. The university is organised into 17 faculties and more than 60 departments, schools and institutes, offering some 600 programs across undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels.
Enrolment exceeded 56,000 students across all sessions in 2024-2025, including more than 6,000 students from outside Canada, and the alumni network numbers over 374,000 graduates worldwide. Research and creation funding surpassed $470 million, supported by 830 partnership agreements with roughly 545 institutions in 61 countries.
Instruction is delivered mainly in French, and applicants who did not complete their primary or secondary schooling in French must demonstrate French proficiency through the TCF tout public.
Laval holds several distinctive mandates in Québec: it is the only university in the province whose forestry degree gives access to the Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec, and it maintains long-established strengths in forestry and geomatics, engineering, business administration, agriculture and food sciences, and health sciences.
Location & Contact
Where Université Laval sits geographically, plus the contact channels students use during admissions. Alumni-office inquiries are separate from admissions and have their own contact page.
Academic Details
The academic indicators below give context on how Université Laval operates at scale. A lower staff-to-student ratio generally signals more faculty access, though research-heavy institutions skew the read.
Academic Structures
Université Laval's teaching architecture in the units below. New faculties (formed in the last decade) signal where the institution is investing for the future.
Unit 17 items
- Faculty of Administrative Sciences
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food sciences
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Literature
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Music
- Faculty of Nursing
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Philosophy
- Faculty of Postgraduate Studies
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Faculty of Social Science
- Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
- Faculty of Urban planning, Architecture and Visual arts
Programs Offered
Each programme at Université Laval is grouped by the degree it leads to. New programmes can take 6–12 months to propagate through search engines, so the live catalogue here is the authoritative list.
16 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada
Bachelor's Degree 12 programmes
Showing 10 of 12.
How to apply to Université Laval
Below is a five-step path through the application process at Université Laval, useful for first-time applicants and international students.
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1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Université Laval offers 16 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Each programme at Université Laval has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Assemble your application package
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Submit your application
Apply directly via Université Laval's online portal at www.ulaval.ca. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
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5
Contact admissions and follow up
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (418) 656 2131. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Université Laval
Common questions students ask about Université Laval — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
In what year was Université Laval established?
Université Laval was founded in 1852 (approximately 174 years ago).
Where is Université Laval located?
Université Laval is located in Québec, Canada.
Is Université Laval a public or private institution?
Université Laval is a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at Université Laval?
Student enrolment at Université Laval is around 25,000-29,999.
Where does Université Laval stand in university rankings?
It ranks #359 globally and #10 in Canada.
How is Université Laval organised academically?
Université Laval is organised into 17 academic units across its disciplines.
Who recognises Université Laval?
Université Laval is accredited by Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur, Québec.
How do I find Université Laval online?
You can find Université Laval online at www.ulaval.ca.
Top-Ranked Universities in Canada
Some Canada systems publish government rating frameworks (NIRF, QS Stars, regulatory grading) alongside rankings. These add independent signals beyond commercial ranking tables.
Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Student exchange agreements within Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) formalise mobility opportunities. The universities below typically have dedicated exchange slots reserved for students from Université Laval.
Faculties at nearby universities
Public transport hubs near Université Laval affect access to all the universities below similarly. Major transit nodes often correlate with where the cluster of institutions is densest.
Where Else to Study Civil Engineering & Construction
If Université Laval is on your shortlist for studying Civil Engineering & Construction, these peer institutions in Canada offer comparable academic depth, industry links, and graduate outcomes. Cross-applying to multiple is common practice in this discipline.
Universities Compared with Université Laval
Application tier strategy benefits from including peer institutions to Université Laval: safety, target, and reach picks within a comparable academic band keep your outcomes diversified.
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