The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) is Canada's largest bilingual university, teaching in both English and French in the heart of the national capital. For international students, its appeal is practical: a comprehensive research university in a safe, government-centred city, with strong programmes in social sciences, health, engineering, law and business, and co-op options that put students into workplaces — including federal departments, hospitals and technology firms — before they graduate. This profile covers what uOttawa offers, what it costs in 2026-27, and how to apply.
At a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada — downtown campus beside the Rideau Canal |
| Type | Public research university, bilingual (English and French) |
| Students | More than 40,000 students, including a large international community |
| Faculties | Arts, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Law (Common Law and Civil Law), Medicine, Science, Social Sciences, and the Telfer School of Management |
| Language of study | English, French, or bilingual — many programmes are offered in English |
| Co-op | Available in many undergraduate programmes, with paid work terms |
Programmes
Undergraduate applicants choose from more than 400 programmes. Popular choices for international students include computer science, software engineering, mechanical and civil engineering, biomedical science, health sciences, psychology, political science, international development and globalization, economics, and commerce at the Telfer School of Management. Graduate study spans master's and doctoral degrees across the same faculties, including professional programmes in law and medicine. Students who want a French-language or bilingual credential can combine English and French courses; English-only applicants are not required to study in French, though French is an advantage for federal government work in Ottawa.
Fees for 2026-27: what is verified
International undergraduate tuition at uOttawa is unchanged compared with 2025-26 for 2026-27. Programme-dependent international undergraduate tuition falls roughly in the range of CAD 35,485 to CAD 63,164 per year, and the exact figure depends on the programme. The university's published example for a first-year international undergraduate shows a total of CAD 65,165.81 for two terms, including tuition of CAD 31,582.15 per term in that example programme, plus compulsory and programme-related charges. Treat that example as an illustration of one programme, not as a universal price: your own programme's tuition may be higher or lower within the range above.
Budget beyond tuition as well. Ottawa is cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver, but international students should still plan for housing, food, health insurance (including the University Health Insurance Plan for international students), books, transport and personal costs. Residence and off-campus housing costs vary sharply by choice, so compare residence fees with shared off-campus rents before deciding. 2027-28 fees are to be confirmed — do not budget a later year on 2026-27 figures without checking the university's updated fee schedule.
Admission
Admission is competitive and programme-specific. In general, undergraduate applicants need a secondary-school qualification equivalent to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, with the prerequisite subjects for their programme — for example, advanced mathematics and science for engineering and computer science. English proficiency is normally shown through an approved test such as IELTS or TOEFL, unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption, and the required scores vary by programme. Some programmes ask for a portfolio, audition, statement or supplementary application. Graduate applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree, and research programmes normally require a supervisor and a research proposal.
Apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) for most undergraduate programmes, or directly where the university directs international applicants. Deadlines vary by programme and by term, so confirm the current deadline for your programme on uottawa.ca before you start — missing a programme deadline is the most common avoidable reason for a delayed application. After an offer, international students need a study permit; apply as soon as you have your letter of acceptance, because permit processing times vary by country.
Scholarships and funding
uOttawa offers entrance scholarships based on academic merit, including renewable awards for students who maintain the required average, plus programme-specific and international-student awards. Some scholarships are automatic on admission; others require a separate application. Check the university's scholarship pages at the time you apply, because award values, averages and deadlines change each year and are not quoted here as fixed figures. Graduate funding often combines scholarships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships, and research applicants should discuss funding with a prospective supervisor before accepting an offer.
Student life in Ottawa
Ottawa offers a calmer student experience than Canada's largest cities: a compact downtown, a major public-transit system, winter sports on the Rideau Canal Skateway, and summer festivals. The campus sits within walking distance of Parliament Hill, national museums and the ByWard Market. International students join clubs, societies and language-exchange activities, and the bilingual setting gives students a daily chance to practise a second language. Winters are cold and long, so budget for warm clothing and plan housing close to campus or on a direct transit route.
FAQs
Is uOttawa taught in English? Yes — many programmes are offered entirely in English, and the university is bilingual, not French-only.
How much is international tuition in 2026-27? Roughly CAD 35,485-63,164 per year depending on programme; a published first-year example totals CAD 65,165.81 for two terms. Confirm your programme's exact figure before applying.
Does uOttawa offer co-op? Yes, in many undergraduate programmes, with paid work terms.
Do I need French to study at uOttawa? No, for English-language programmes, though French helps for some Ottawa jobs.
Are 2027-28 fees confirmed? No — 2027-28 fees are to be confirmed on the university's official fee pages.
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Sources and verification: University of Ottawa official 2026-27 international undergraduate fee information: international undergraduate tuition unchanged vs 2025-26; programme-dependent range roughly CAD 35,485-63,164/year; published first-year example total CAD 65,165.81 for two terms (tuition CAD 31,582.15 per term in that example programme). 2027-28 fees to be confirmed. Programme, admission and co-op details from uottawa.ca; verify deadlines and exact programme fees on the university's official pages before applying.