Carleton University is a public research university in Ottawa, Canada's capital. It is best known for journalism, public affairs, engineering, computer science and business, with co-op placements in federal government and the city's tech sector. Choose it for a policy or technology degree in a bilingual capital with lower rent than Toronto.
Ottawa, Canada
Official website: carleton.ca
#741
Canada's oldest and best-known journalism school
Home to Canada's largest school of public policy
AACSB-accredited
CA$18,000 – CA$38,000
International students, undergraduate and master's programmes
CA$15,000 – CA$20,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on carleton.ca before you apply.
MEng Electrical and Computer Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 86
MCS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 86
Master of Public Policy and Administration
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MBA (Sprott School of Business)
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MEng Infrastructure Protection and International Security
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 86
BEng Software Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 86
School of Journalism — Canada's oldest, with alumni across the CBC and national media.
Ottawa — the federal government and hundreds of tech firms are co-op employers.
Underground tunnels — connect most campus buildings through the winter.
Riverside campus between the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO site.
Engineering and computer science graduates join Shopify, Nokia, Ciena, IBM and Ottawa's tech sector.
Graduates can work anywhere in Canada for up to three years on a post-graduation work permit.
Public affairs alumni enter federal departments, Parliament and international organisations.
Journalism graduates work at the CBC, Globe and Mail and digital media outlets.
Undergrad
Varies by programme
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Varies by programme
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The campus sits between the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, a compact site with an O-Train station, residence halls and tunnels linking most buildings, 15 minutes from downtown.
Ottawa is a clean, bilingual capital with museums, canal skating in winter and rent below Toronto and Vancouver. Winters are cold, and Montreal is two hours away.
Letter of acceptance from Carleton
Provincial attestation letter, if required
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
Undergraduate deadlines vary by programme: most accept international applications for September until spring, with engineering, computer science and journalism closing earlier, around 1 April 2027. Graduate deadlines are set by each department, typically between January and March for fall. Check your programme's admissions page.
September is the main intake for all programmes. Many undergraduate programmes and course-based master's degrees in engineering and computer science also admit for January, and some for May. The MBA admits for September and January. Check your programme's page to confirm.
You need a Canadian study permit. After you accept your offer, Carleton issues a letter of acceptance and, where required, a provincial attestation letter. You then apply online to IRCC with proof of funds and give biometrics. Allow three to four months for processing.
Electrical and computer engineering, computer science, public policy, the Sprott MBA and infrastructure security attract the most international applicants. Master's entry needs a four-year bachelor's degree with a B average (around 70% for Indian degrees), TOEFL 86-100 or IELTS 6.5-7.0. The MBA requires the GMAT or GRE.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for entrance scholarships based on their admission average, with larger awards for top applicants. Research master's students usually receive funding from their department, and course-based programmes offer some merit awards. Check Carleton's awards office pages for current amounts.
