QS World University Rankings 2027 #142 =Times Higher Education 2026 #201-250ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #201-300CWTS Leiden 2025 #486SCImago 2017 #882
Motto: Veritas et Utilitas
Colours: Purple and white
Mascot: JW the Mustang
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Western University is a public research university in London, Ontario, roughly two hours southwest of Toronto.
It was founded in 1878 as The Western University of London, Ontario, and its legal name remains The University of Western Ontario. The main campus covers 495.7 hectares on the banks of the Thames River and enrolled 37,875 full-time students in 2024-25, of whom 30,647 were undergraduates and 7,221 were master's or doctoral students.
International students numbered 5,445, about 14 per cent of the full-time body, drawn from 134 countries. Teaching is organised into twelve faculties and schools, among them the Ivey Business School, the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Faculty of Engineering, the Don Wright Faculty of Music, the Faculty of Information and Media Studies and the Faculty of Law, with graduate work coordinated by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Ivey is the university's best-known unit: its Honours Business Administration degree uses a two-plus-two structure in which students spend two years in any faculty before entering the business programme in third year, and it teaches almost entirely by the case method.
Other distinctive offerings include the Bachelor of Medical Sciences, the Media, Information and Technoculture programme in FIMS, and a common-first-year engineering entry. Research income was $283.74 million in 2024-25 across 1,433 faculty members, and the alumni body numbers more than 382,000 people in 160 countries.
Undergraduate applications from Ontario are made through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre.
Location & Contact
Western University's campus location, postal address, and admissions contact channels are below.
Enrolment, faculty headcount, and accreditation data for Western University are listed below.
Academic Year: September to April over two terms (Fall and Winter), with a Summer term running May to August; graduate tuition is billed per term across three terms a year
Recognition: Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities of Ontario
Admission Requirements: Ontario applicants apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M courses covering the chosen programme's prerequisites; English (ENG4U) is required almost everywhere, with Advanced Functions and Calculus and Vectors added for Computer Science, Engineering and science-based programmes. Admission is competitive on the top-six average and Western publishes an indicative admission-average guideline per programme (e.g. low-to-mid 80s for Computer Science) rather than a fixed cut-off. International applicants present an equivalent secondary credential covering the same subject prerequisites plus proof of English proficiency unless exempt: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 83 with no section below 20 (tests before January 21, 2026) or 4.5 overall with minimum 4.0 in reading, speaking and writing and 4.5 in listening on the new 1-6 scale thereafter; PTE Academic 58 with no section below 56; Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 176 with no section below 169. Tests must be written before March 2026 for fall 2026 entry and scores from before January 1, 2024 are not accepted. Applicants below the direct-entry minimum can enter via the English Boost Program pathway. New international undergraduates pay a non-refundable CAD 2,500 admission deposit on accepting an offer. Nursing has its own English requirements published on the Nursing site.
Total Students: 37,875
Academic Staff Range: 1,000-1,499
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Universities Canada (UC)
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Council of Ontario Universities (COU)
Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)
Canadian University Press (CUP)
Academic Structures
The academic units of Western University are listed below.
Unit12 items
Don Wright Faculty of Music
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Information and Media Studies
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Social Science
Richard Ivey School of Business
School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
Programs Offered
Western University's programme catalogue is grouped by level below.
Entry to the Major in Applied Statistics requires completion of first-year requirements including Calculus 1000A/B or Calculus 1500A/B plus Calculus 1501A/B, and Mathematics 1600A/B or Mathematics 1700A/B, plus one cours...
International tuition:CAD 64,310/yearLocal tuition:CAD 12,539/year
Western's Artificial Intelligence Systems Engineering (AISE) page states this is a combined degree completed alongside one of five base engineering disciplines rather than a stand-alone admission stream: applicants gain...
International tuition:CAD 46,110/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,050/year
Admission requires acceptance into the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities (SASAH) and completion of first-year requirements with no failures, including a minimum 70% average in 3.0 principal courses,...
Students entering the programme must have completed the entire first year program in Engineering, with no outstanding credits to be taken, and have a Year Weighted Average (YWA) of at least 60%.
International tuition:CAD 47,493/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,171/yearMin. GPA:75.00 / %
Biochemistry is not entered directly from high school: students first complete Medical Sciences First Entry / Medical Sciences 1-2 in the Faculty of Science, then apply to this Honours Specialization module for year thre...
International tuition:CAD 64,310/yearLocal tuition:CAD 12,539/yearMin. GPA:60.00 / %
Western's Biomedical Engineering page states no separate Grade 12 entry requirements of its own: students first gain admission to Western Engineering's shared Common First Year and choose this option for year three. Onta...
International tuition:CAD 46,110/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,050/year
Entry to the Major in Black Studies requires completion of first-year requirements with an average of at least 60% in 3.0 courses, including Black Studies 1030F/G (or the former Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies 103...
International tuition:CAD 64,310/yearLocal tuition:CAD 12,539/yearMin. GPA:60.00 / %
Western's Chemical Engineering page states no separate Grade 12 entry requirements of its own: students first gain admission to Western Engineering's shared Common First Year and choose this option for year three. Ontari...
International tuition:CAD 64,310/yearLocal tuition:CAD 12,539/yearMin. GPA:60.00 / %
Western's Civil Engineering page states no separate Grade 12 entry requirements of its own: students first gain admission to Western Engineering's shared Common First Year and choose this option for year three. Ontario a...
International tuition:CAD 47,493/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,171/yearMin. GPA:70.00 / %
The Classical Studies page has no admission section; Classical Studies is delivered as a module within the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts & Humanities (SASAH), and admission follows SASAH's own requirements. Ont...
International tuition:CAD 46,110/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,050/yearMin. GPA:73.00 / %
Admission to the Honours Specialization in Accounting requires completion of first-year requirements, including 5.0 courses with no failures, and an average of at least 73 percent with no grade less than 60 percent in 3....
Admission to the Honours Specialization in Actuarial Science requires completion of first-year requirements with no failures and an average of at least 70 percent, with no mark below 60 percent, in 3.0 principal courses...
Admission to the Honours Specialization in Animal Behaviour (BSc) requires completion of first-year requirements with no failures and an average of at least 70 percent, with no mark below 60 percent, in 3.0 principal cou...
International tuition:CAD 46,110/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,050/yearMin. GPA:70.00 / %
Admission to the Honours Specialization in Anthropology requires completion of first-year requirements with no failures and an average of at least 70 percent, with a minimum of 60 percent in each, across 3.0 principal co...
Admission to the Honours Specialization in Applied Mathematics requires completion of first-year requirements with no failures and an average of at least 70 percent, with no mark below 60 percent, in 3.0 principal course...
Admission to the Honours Specialization in Astrophysics requires completion of first-year requirements with no failures and an average of at least 70 percent, with no mark below 60 percent, in 3.5 principal courses compr...
Completion of Western's first-year requirements with no failures, with an average of at least 70% across 3.0 principal courses -- Biology 1001A and Biology 1002B, Chemistry 1301A/B and Chemistry 1302A/B, plus 1.0 additio...
Completion of first-year requirements with no failures, including Biology 1001A, Biology 1002B, Chemistry 1301A/B, Chemistry 1302A/B (2.0 courses), Computer Science 1020A/B (minimum 60%), one of Computer Science 1025A/B,...
Completion of Western's first-year requirements with no failures, with an average of at least 70% across 3.0 principal courses -- Biology 1001A and Biology 1002B, Chemistry 1301A/B and Chemistry 1302A/B, plus 1.0 additio...
Completion of Western's first-year requirements with no failures, with an average of at least 70% across 3.0 principal courses -- including Chemistry 1301A/B and Chemistry 1302A/B -- and no mark below 60% in any of those...
International tuition:CAD 136,310/totalLocal tuition:CAD 84,915/totalStart:January
Admission requires a prior university degree (three-year degrees and existing MBA degrees are accepted), assessed mainly on the last two years of undergraduate grades; Ivey publishes no fixed minimum average. Applicants...
Applicants require a minimum baccalaureate degree from a recognized university with at least B standing (or equivalent grade point average) over the final two years, comfort using computers, and, for select fields, Canad...
Applicants require a bachelor's degree with at least B standing (or equivalent) over the final two years of study, advanced computer skills, two references (one academic and one professional), and completion of a supplem...
Applicants require a four-year honours degree, or equivalent, in a life or allied health science, or a degree in dentistry, medicine, or veterinary science, with a minimum 80% (A-) average over the most recent two years...
Applicants require a four-year honours degree in anthropology, or an equivalent academic background in the social sciences relevant to their intended specialty, with at least a 78% (B+) average across all available third...
Applicants require a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in astronomy, physics, or a related field, with a minimum 70% (B) average in upper-level physical science and mathematics courses. International applicants are en...
Start:September, January and MayMin. GPA:78.00 / %
Applicants require a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, biology, genetics, chemistry, cell biology, microbiology, physiology, or a closely related discipline, with a minimum 78% GPA in the undergraduate degree. Applica...
Applicants require a Bachelor of Science degree, or equivalent, from a recognized institution, having achieved at least a 78% overall average in the last two full-time years of undergraduate study. Applicants whose first...
Applicants require a minimum 80% (A-) average in their undergraduate degree. Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency through an accepted English test.
International tuition:CAD 15,260/semesterMin. GPA:70.00 / %
Applicants need a minimum 70% average in a four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university or college, based on the last two years of the degree. Work experience is not mandatory, though applicants...
Applicants require a four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized institution, with a minimum 78% average based on the final two years of study. Prior relevant work experience is not mandatory but is given...
An MSc degree or equivalent from a recognized university or college is normally required, with research experience required; a minimum overall average of 80% (A-) applies for MSc entrants, or 85% for direct entry followi...
A Master's degree in Anthropology or a related field relevant to the applicant's proposed research is required, with an average of at least 78% (B+) across all graduate-level courses. International applicants must apply...
An MSc degree or equivalent in Physics or Astronomy is required, with a minimum average of at least 70% (B) taken over all graduate courses. International applicants are encouraged to take the GRE-Physics exam to strengt...
A BSc in biochemistry, biology, genetics, chemistry, cell biology, microbiology, physiology, or a closely related discipline is normally required, with a minimum GPA of 78% in the undergraduate and master's degree; direc...
Successful completion of a thesis-based Master's degree in Biology or a related discipline is required, with a minimum overall average of at least 78% in the master's degree.
Admission requires superior academic credentials and demonstrated motivation to excel at scholarly research in a chosen field, with alignment between the applicant's research interests and faculty expertise in Finance, G...
A Master's degree is required for admission. Applicants must have a minimum 78% average in a four-year honours degree or equivalent from a recognized university or college, calculated on the last two years of the degree.
Admission normally requires a thesis-based MSc degree in chemistry or a related discipline from a recognized university, college, or institute, with an overall academic standing of at least B+ (75%). Applicants with an o...
Applicants require a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a similar program and a Master's degree in a related field, with a minimum admission average of 78% (North American A-). Acceptance into the PhD program is depende...
Applicants must hold a master's degree in education and/or a related field, and have three years of full-time work experience in education and/or a related field.
Students must achieve an average of at least 70% across 3.0 specific courses: one of Health Sciences 1001A/B or 1002A/B; one of Biology 1001A/B or 1002A/B; and one mathematics or quantitative course from Applied Mathemat...
Admission requires a 65% average across 5.0 first-year courses for the Certificate program, or an undergraduate degree for the related Diploma program. Students must use a laptop to complete coursework. Admission is not...
Admission requires either enrolment in the third or fourth year of an Honours program, or a minimum modular average of 70% in a Major module. Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in Family Studies are ineligible to...
Admission requires a weighted year average (YWA) of 70% in the student's previous year of Engineering study, with no failures. The Certificate is open to Engineering students in their second or third year, and applicants...
The Certificate is open to all Western University and Affiliated University College students who have completed their first-year requirements with a minimum average of 65%. Applicants must submit an application form thro...
Any student pursuing an undergraduate degree at Western is eligible to apply, and no prior background in Philosophy is required. Students must complete all program requirements with no individual course grade below 60%.
Admission requires completion of first-year requirements, including French 1900E, French 1910, or French 1999 with a mark of at least 60%, or permission of the Department of French Studies based on a placement test with...
Admission requires completion of first-year requirements, including German 1030 with a mark of at least 60%. Students entering with Grade 12 U German instead begin directly with German 2200. Students may not pursue both...
Admission requires completion of first-year requirements, including one course from Italian 1030, Italian 1033, or both Italian 1045A/B and Italian 1046A/B, with a mark of at least 60%. Students entering with Grade 12 U...
Open to Western University and Affiliated University College students who have completed first-year study with a minimum average of 70%. Applicants must submit an application through the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for L...
Ivey-stream applicants must be current Ivey HBA students; DAN-stream applicants must meet the requirements set out by the DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies and may come from DAN, King's, Huron or othe...
Applicants require an undergraduate degree, or equivalent, in the area of health sciences from a recognized university or college, with a minimum B average based on the last two years or 20 half credits of study. Learner...
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Business and Sustainability is restricted to students already enrolled in Ivey's Master of Science in Management program; applicants must meet the MSc in Management program's own admi...
Applicants require a four-year bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in Engineering or a related discipline from a recognized university or college, with at least a 70% average (North American equivalent) across courses take...
Applicants require a four-year degree from a recognized university, or equivalent, with at least a 70% average across courses taken in the last two full-time years of the undergraduate degree; equivalent qualifications m...
Applicants require completion of a bachelor's degree in nursing (BScN, BSN or BN) and a master's degree in nursing or a related health care field, with a GPA of 78% (B+) or higher based on the last two years of full-time...
Applicants must hold a four-year undergraduate degree, preferably with a science background, from an accredited university, with a minimum academic average of 80% over the final two years of study. Applicants must identi...
Applicants must hold a completed master's degree in nursing or a field related to health care, with an admission average of 78% (B+) or higher based on the last two years of full-time study or the last 10 part-time credi...
Applicants should have at least five years of Canadian local government employment experience. Applicants who lack formal academic qualifications for the program may explain in their Letter of Intent how their profession...
What applying to Western University involves, in five steps.
1
Identify the right programme
Western University's catalogue includes 271 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
2
Check entry requirements
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Western University's admissions process.
3
Prepare your application 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.
4
Submit via the institution
Submit your completed application through Western University's official website at www.uwo.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
Get in touch with admissions
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (519) 661 2111. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Western University
Quick reference for Western University: founding, control type, and recognition status.
How old is Western University?
The institution opened in 1878 (approximately 148 years ago).
What city is Western University in?
Western University operates from London, Canada.
What is Western University's control type?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How big is Western University's student body?
Western University serves approximately 37,875 students.
How is Western University ranked?
It ranks QS 2027 #142 =.
How many faculties does Western University have?
Western University is organised into 12 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Western University officially recognised?
The institution holds recognition from Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities of Ontario.
What is Western University's official website?
Western University's official website is www.uwo.ca.
Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Western University and the universities below are both members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
