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Université Laval brand mark

Université Laval

Québec, Canada • Founded 1852 • QS 2027 #526 =

Updated Sep 2026 · Source: ulaval.ca

Overview

Local Name: Laval University
Acronyms: UL
Founded: 1852
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #526 = Times Higher Education 2026 #401-500 ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #501-600 CWTS Leiden 2025 #775 SCImago 2026 #359
Motto: Deo favente haud pluribus impar
Colours: Red and gold
Daily life at Université Laval
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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

Mailing address, phone, email, and social channels for Université Laval are listed below.

Address: 2305 Rue de l'Université
Postal Code: G1V O6A
Phone: +1 (418) 656 2131
Fax: +1 (418) 656 5216
Social Media:

Academic Details

Université Laval's key academic numbers — student body size, staffing, and accreditation context.

Academic Year: Three sessions: Automne (September–December), Hiver (January–April) and Été (May–August); full-time enrolment is normally 12 or more credits per session.
Recognition: Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur, Québec
Admission Requirements: Instruction at Université Laval is delivered mainly in French. Québec applicants normally enter undergraduate programs with a Diplôme d'études collégiales (DEC) from a CEGEP, plus any program-specific prerequisite courses — typically mathematics, physics and chemistry for engineering, sciences and agronomy. International applicants need a secondary or post-secondary qualification judged equivalent to the Québec DEC for undergraduate entry, plus program prerequisites; graduate entry requires a recognised bachelor's degree. Applicants who did not complete their primary or secondary education in French must demonstrate French proficiency through the TCF tout public, covering listening comprehension, grammar, reading comprehension and written expression and taken no more than two years before applying; depending on the program, passing it may be a condition of admission or of graduation. Francophone applicants may instead be subject to the Test de français Laval-Montréal (TFLM). Non-native French speakers may be required to take French-as-a-second-language courses at the School of Languages, which do not count toward degree credits. Applications are submitted directly to Université Laval.
Total Students: 56,000
Academic Staff Range: 1,500-1,999
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Universities Canada (UC) Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities (U15) Association of Universities of the Canadian Francophonie (AUFC) University of the Arctic (UArctic) Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)

Academic Structures

Université Laval's faculties, schools, and constituent units are listed below.

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

Every programme Université Laval currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable.

543 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada

Bachelor's Degree 110 programmes

Showing 10 of 110.

Master's Degree 220 programmes

Showing 10 of 220.

Doctorate 93 programmes

Showing 10 of 93.

Certificate 83 programmes

Showing 10 of 83.

Postgraduate Diploma 37 programmes

Showing 10 of 37.

Scholarships in Canada

Financial-aid options for studying in Canada, applicable across institutions including Université Laval.

How to apply to Université Laval

A five-step guide to applying to Université Laval.

  1. 1
    Find a programme that fits your goals

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Université Laval offers 543 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

Concise answers to common questions about Université Laval.

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 56,000.

Where does Université Laval stand in university rankings?

It ranks QS 2027 #526 =.

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)

Below: other Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) member institutions, alongside Université Laval.

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