Western University
London, Canada • Founded 1878
Updated Sep 2026
Overview
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
Location pin, postal address, phone, email, website, and social profiles for Western University. Always verify channels through the official domain to avoid third-party impersonators.
Academic Details
Western University's academic structure, enrolment numbers, and accreditation context are gathered below. Together they describe how the institution operates beyond the surface-level overview.
Academic Structures
The colleges, schools, and faculties that house Western University's degrees are below. Clinical units and teaching hospitals are often part of medical schools, with separate governance arrangements.
Unit 12 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 catalogue, searchable by name and grouped by level. Joint programmes with partner institutions appear here but carry dual-credentialing rules worth checking with both bodies.
37 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada
Bachelor's Degree 30 programmes
Showing 10 of 30.
Honours Degree 3 programmes
Master of Business Administration 1 programme
How to apply to Western University
A short guide to applying to Western University — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.
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1
Identify the right programme
Western University's catalogue includes 37 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Common questions students ask about Western University — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
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 25,000-29,999 students.
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.
Top-Ranked Universities in Canada
Selectivity at the top Canada universities sets admissions baseline expectations for students applying to Western University. The selectivity gap between Western University and the leaders below tells you about admissions context.
Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Beyond Western University, these universities also belong to Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) — useful for students who weight inter-institutional partnerships, exchange programmes, or shared accreditation frameworks. Membership networks often translate into practical student benefits.
Faculties at nearby universities
Religious and cultural amenities cluster around Western University's region, so the universities below typically draw from similar community infrastructure outside the campus itself.
Where Else to Study Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Beyond Western University, several other universities in Canada deliver focused Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences programmes worth exploring before you commit to a single application. Programme depth and elective range vary significantly between institutions.
Universities Compared with Western University
Comparable institutions to Western University — by academic scale and standing — are gathered below. Same-tier shortlists give you flexibility on admissions outcomes without compromising on institutional level.
Studying in Canada: guides and resources
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