Public Policy and International Affairs, Health Sciences, Law
The largest bilingual (English-French) university in the world, founded in 1848. A public research university located in Canada’s capital, with strong programs in public policy, law, health sciences, and STEM.
The University of Ottawa describes itself as the largest bilingual English-French university in the world. It has about 45,000 students and 7,000 staff, and the main campus lies in the centre of the capital, a short walk from Parliament Hill, along the Rideau Canal. Founded in 1848 as the College of Bytown, it became a university in 1866 and a public institution in 1965.
Its position determines its profile. Public policy and international affairs, law and health sciences are the main strengths, and the university has close contact with federal departments, embassies and non-governmental organisations. Many students combine study with internships or co-op placements in government. Alex Trebek, the long-time host of the quiz show Jeopardy, Paul Martin, a former prime minister, and Michaëlle Jean, a former Governor General, are among the alumni.
Engineering and science are also well developed, and the Faculty of Engineering offers co-op in most degrees. Ottawa has a large technology sector, with the Kanata North business park, one of the biggest in Canada, home to hundreds of telecommunications and software companies. Research covers brain and mind, cardiovascular health, photonics, and public policy, and the university belongs to the U15 group of Canadian research universities.
Courses are given in English or French, and students may submit most work in either language. Domestic tuition is moderate by North American standards, international undergraduate fees are higher, and students from Quebec pay different rates in some situations. Admission is based on grades, with supplementary requirements for programmes such as engineering and the health sciences.
Ottawa is smaller than Toronto or Montreal, with lower rents, a good cycling network and extensive public parks. The French-speaking city of Gatineau is just across the river. About 220,000 people have graduated from the University of Ottawa, and its alumni are well represented in the federal public service.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Chemistry, Data Analytics, Engineering, Life Sciences, Optics, Software Engineering
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma, Doctor, Master, MBA
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Member of U15. Located in the national capital, offering unique partnerships with government departments, NGOs, and international organizations. Strong links with Ottawa hospitals.
Research:
Research strengths in public policy, law, health sciences (e.g., brain and mind research, cardiovascular health), photonics, and catalysis. Growing focus on AI and cybersecurity.
Famous Alumnis:
Alex Trebek, Paul Martin, Michaëlle Jean, Richard Wagner (Chief Justice)
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
7000
Current students***:
45000
Foreign students***:
20%
Cumulative former students***:
220000
Pros
Bilingual institution offering unique cultural and academic environment, prime location in Ottawa for public policy and law, strong research in specific fields.
Cons
Large university, navigating bilingual administration can sometimes be complex, some older facilities.
Best For
Students seeking a bilingual education in Canada’s capital, with strong programs in public affairs, law, health, and STEM, offering unique co-op and research opportunities with government.
Both schools build their programmes around chemistry, life sciences and data analytics, and University of Toronto is the one to compare first within the country, since it is also a public institution and also offers graduate certificate and graduate diploma programmes.
A good alternative in the same country is Carleton University, which likewise covers life sciences, data analytics and AI and machine learning; it does not run the mba programmes found here and covers aerospace and telecommunications as well.
University of Alberta works in much the same fields, chiefly chemistry, life sciences and AI and machine learning, and it has almost the same size, at about 44,500 students, and is also a public institution.
University of Calgary overlaps with this institution on life sciences, data analytics and AI and machine learning, so the two are easy to compare, and it is slightly smaller, at about 35,000 students against roughly 45,000 here, and is also a public institution.
The comparison with University of British Columbia is straightforward on subjects, since both focus on life sciences, data analytics and AI and machine learning, and it runs the same bachelor's, master's, doctoral, certificate, diploma and mba programmes, and covers marine science and ecology and sustainability as well.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
University of California, Berkeley (the United States) works on the same fields as this institution, chiefly chemistry, life sciences and data analytics; it is also a public institution and also offers graduate diploma programmes.
Abroad, University of Wisconsin, Madison (the United States) covers chemistry, life sciences and data analytics in a comparable way, and it covers agriculture as well, and has almost the same size, at about 50,300 students.
If this institution is on your list for life sciences, data analytics and AI and machine learning, The University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom deserves a comparison, because it has almost the same size, at about 46,000 students, and is also a public institution.
For a study option in Taiwan with a comparable spread of optics, life sciences and data analytics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University is the reference point: it covers bioengineering and electrical and electronics as well, and is slightly smaller, at about 34,156 students against roughly 45,000 here.
Abroad, Shenzhen University (China) covers optics, life sciences and data analytics in a comparable way, and it does not run the certificate and diploma programmes found here and covers marine science and physics as well.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
Where is the University of Ottawa?
The main campus is at 75 Laurier Avenue East, in the centre of Ottawa, Ontario.
How large is it?
About 45,000 students and 7,000 staff.
Is it really bilingual?
Yes. It is described as the largest bilingual English-French university in the world, and students may attend courses and submit work in either language.
When was it founded?
In 1848 as the College of Bytown. It became a university in 1866.
What is it best known for?
Public policy and international affairs, law, health sciences and engineering, with strong links to federal institutions.
Does it offer co-op?
Yes. Engineering and many other programmes include co-op placements, often with federal departments or technology companies.
What research areas stand out?
Brain and mind research, cardiovascular health, photonics and public policy.
How much does tuition cost?
Domestic tuition is moderate and international undergraduate fees are higher. Check the current schedule for your programme.
Who are famous alumni?
Alex Trebek, Paul Martin and Michaëlle Jean are among the best known.
What is Ottawa like for students?
It is a medium-sized capital with lower rents than Toronto, good cycling routes, extensive parks and Gatineau just across the river.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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