University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada • Founded 1848 • World Rank #231
Updated Sep 2026
Overview
The University of Ottawa is a public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, occupying an urban campus in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood immediately east of the downtown core and within walking distance of Parliament Hill and Canada's federal institutions.
It traces its origins to the College of Bytown, founded in 1848 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, received a royal charter as the University of Ottawa in 1866, and was reorganised as a secular, provincially funded corporation in 1965. The institution is officially bilingual and describes itself as the largest English-French bilingual university in the world: programs are offered in English, in French, or in both, and students may complete coursework and assessments in either language, with a French Immersion Stream available across many undergraduate prograMs. Teaching and research are organised into ten faculties and schools — Arts, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Law (with distinct Common Law and Civil Law sections), Medicine, Science, Social Sciences, the Telfer School of Management, and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Several graduate programs in computing and engineering are delivered jointly with Carleton University through the Ottawa-Carleton Institutes. Cooperative education and internship options are attached to most professional and applied programs, and the capital location underpins concentrations in public policy, international affairs, law and health research.
Location & Contact
Need to mail, call, or visit University of Ottawa? Address, phone, and digital contact options below. Religious and cultural accommodation queries route through specific student services.
Academic Details
The academic indicators below give context on how University of Ottawa operates at scale. A lower staff-to-student ratio generally signals more faculty access, though research-heavy institutions skew the read.
Academic Structures
The institutional units housing University of Ottawa's programmes. Subject overlap across faculties is normal — interdisciplinary fields like data science or environmental studies often span multiple units.
Unit 10 items
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Graduate Studies
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Management
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Programs Offered
University of Ottawa's programme catalogue is grouped by level below — use the filter to narrow your shortlist. Programme entry windows and admissions criteria typically appear on each programme's dedicated page.
12 programmes on record. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada
Bachelor's Degree 2 programmes
Honours Degree 6 programmes
Master of Business Administration 1 programme
How to apply to University of Ottawa
A short guide to applying to University of Ottawa — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.
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1
Research programmes at University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa's catalogue includes 12 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
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2
Review admissions criteria
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for University of Ottawa's admissions process.
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3
Gather supporting documents
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.
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4
Lodge your application
Submit your completed application through University of Ottawa's official website at www.uottawa.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.
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5
Confirm receipt and track progress
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (613) 562 5800. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Ottawa
Frequently asked questions about University of Ottawa, covering the institutional basics most prospective applicants want to confirm first.
How old is University of Ottawa?
The institution opened in 1848 (approximately 178 years ago).
What city is University of Ottawa in?
University of Ottawa operates from Ottawa, Canada.
Is University of Ottawa public or private?
University of Ottawa operates as a public institution.
How big is University of Ottawa's student body?
University of Ottawa serves approximately 35,000-39,999 students.
What is University of Ottawa's ranking?
University of Ottawa holds rank #231 globally and #8 in Canada.
How is University of Ottawa organised academically?
The institution comprises 10 academic units.
Who recognises University of Ottawa?
The institution holds recognition from Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities of Ontario.
How do I find University of Ottawa online?
The institution's website is www.uottawa.ca.
Top-Ranked Universities in Canada
Canada's leading universities appear below, useful for benchmarking University of Ottawa's academic standing. Use this list as the upper-bound reference for academic prestige within Canada.
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 University of Ottawa.
Faculties at nearby universities
Universities near University of Ottawa often have cross-enrolment or visiting-student arrangements that let students take modules at the partner institution. Worth checking if subject coverage at University of Ottawa is narrow in your area.
Where Else to Study Computer Sciences
Alumni outcomes data publication varies across Computer Sciences programmes in Canada. Where available, post-grad employment and salary data is the best signal of programme quality beyond marketing claims.
Universities Compared with University of Ottawa
Mid-career outcome data (5–10 year post-graduation) is harder to source but more revealing than starting-salary data. Where available for peer institutions, it is worth comparing.
Studying in Canada: guides and resources
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