The University of Ottawa is a U15 research university in Canada's capital and the largest bilingual English-French university in the world. It is best known for law, medicine, engineering, computer science, public policy and the Telfer School of Management, with one of Canada's largest co-op programmes. Choose it for a top-200 degree steps from Parliament and the federal government's job market.
Ottawa, Canada
Official website: uottawa.ca
#189
Member of Canada's 15 leading research universities
The largest English-French bilingual university in the world
One of the largest co-op programmes in Canada, with over 80 programmes
CA$24,000 – CA$60,000
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 uottawa.ca before you apply.
MCS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MEng Electrical and Computer Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, May
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA (Telfer School of Management)
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MSc Digital Transformation and Innovation
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Public and International Affairs
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BASc Software Engineering (co-op)
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 86
Bilingual — study in English, French or both, with fee reductions for French-stream students.
Faculty of Law — Canada's largest, with common law and civil law sections.
Co-op — paid work terms with federal departments and Ottawa's tech firms.
Downtown campus beside the Rideau Canal, a 15-minute walk from Parliament Hill.
Graduates join the Government of Canada, Shopify, Nokia, Ciena, IBM and Ottawa's public service and tech sector.
Graduates can work anywhere in Canada for up to three years on a post-graduation work permit.
Public policy and law alumni move into federal departments, embassies and international organisations.
Engineering and computing graduates report co-op placement rates above 90%.
Undergrad
1 Apr 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Limited programmes
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The main campus sits in Sandy Hill beside the Rideau Canal, with the Learning Crossroads, Tabaret Hall and the engineering and science buildings within a ten-minute walk and an O-Train station on campus.
Ottawa is Canada's capital, a safe, bilingual city of about one million with museums, the ByWard Market and skating on the canal in winter. Rent is lower than Toronto or Vancouver, and Montreal is two hours away.
Letter of acceptance from the University of Ottawa
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 close on 1 April 2027 for most programmes, though applying by January improves your chances of scholarships and residence. Graduate deadlines are set by each programme, with most master's closing between 1 December and 1 March for September entry.
September is the main intake for all undergraduate and graduate programmes. Many course-based engineering master's degrees also admit for January and May, and computer science admits for January. Telfer's MBA, public affairs and most research master's are September only.
You need a Canadian study permit. After you accept your offer, the university issues a letter of acceptance and Ontario's provincial attestation letter. You then apply online to IRCC with proof of funds and give biometrics. Allow three to four months for processing.
Computer science, electrical and computer engineering, the Telfer MBA, digital transformation and public and international affairs attract the most international applicants. Master's entry needs a four-year bachelor's degree with a B average (70%) or better, TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.5, and the GMAT or GRE for the MBA.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for admission scholarships based on their average, and students who take most of their courses in French pay a reduced tuition rate close to the Canadian fee. Graduate students receive admission scholarships in many programmes, plus teaching and research assistantships.
