Trent University is a public university in Peterborough, Ontario, with a second campus in Durham, east of Toronto. It is best known for environmental and resource science, Indigenous studies, business, psychology, forensic science and nursing, with a collegiate system and small classes. Choose it for a close-knit Ontario degree on a riverside campus at lower cost than Toronto.
Peterborough, Canada
Official website: trentu.ca
Consistently ranked among Canada's top small universities (Maclean's)
1964 in Peterborough
A 1,400-acre campus on the Otonabee River with a nature area
CA$26,000 – CA$34,000
International students, undergraduate and master's programmes
CA$14,000 – CA$18,000
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 trentu.ca before you apply.
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
BSc Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
BSc Forensic Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
MSc Environmental and Life Sciences
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
Master of Management
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
Environmental science — research across a large campus nature area.
Collegiate system — every student belongs to one of five colleges.
Indigenous studies — Canada's first Indigenous studies department.
Durham campus — an option east of Toronto for business and social science.
Graduates join Ontario's public service, environmental consultancies and business employers.
Graduates can work anywhere in Canada for up to three years on a post-graduation work permit.
Forensic science alumni move into labs and policing services.
Undergrad
1 Mar 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The Symons campus spans both banks of the Otonabee River, with modernist college buildings, residences and trails through the Trent Nature Areas.
Peterborough is a lakeside city of about 85,000 with low rent compared with Toronto, which is about 90 minutes away by car or bus.
Letter of acceptance from Trent University
Ontario provincial attestation letter
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
International undergraduate applications for September 2027 should be submitted by 1 March 2027, though Trent accepts later applications while places remain. Graduate deadlines are set by each programme, usually between January and April.
September is the main intake. Business administration and computer science also admit for January, as do some research master's. Forensic science and the Master of Management start in September.
You need a Canadian study permit. After you accept your offer, Trent issues a letter of acceptance and Ontario's provincial attestation letter. You then apply online to IRCC with proof of funds and give biometrics.
Business administration, computer science, forensic science, environmental and life sciences and the Master of Management are popular. Undergraduate entry is based on final-year grades with IELTS 6.5; master's entry needs a four-year degree with a B average.
Yes. Trent offers international entrance scholarships based on admission average, including renewable awards, assessed automatically. Graduate students receive funding packages in research programmes.
