3 Best Public Universities in Ottawa for International Students

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Ottawa is one of the cities in Canada you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Ottawa can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.

In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Ottawa, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!

Public Universities in Ottawa

1. University of Ottawa

  • University of Ottawa Page
  • The University of Ottawa is the world’s largest bilingual university; its bilingual tradition can be traced back to its origin more than 150 years ago. It was established as a bilingual Catholic college, with students studying in both English and French. The university became a publicly funded secular institute in 1965. It is one of the top research universities in the country, with more than 90 Canada Research Chairs. The university has four main strategic areas for research: advancing sustainability, fostering just societies, understanding different aspects of digital technologies, and promoting health and wellness. The University of Ottawa has several research centers and laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities to contribute towards cutting-edge research.

    2. Carleton University

  • Carleton University Page
  • Carleton University was established by the community in Ottawa to meet the needs of veterans coming back from World War II and to provide the opportunity to pursue higher education for those forced to join the workforce to deal with the economic depression. The university’s strengths are its programs in journalism, technology, architecture, and international and public affairs. More than 24,000 full-time students study at its sprawling 100-acre campus located next to the historic Rideau Canal.

    3. Algonquin College

  • Algonquin College Page
  • Algonquin College is an applied arts and technology college offering numerous degree, diploma and certificate courses in diverse disciplines. The college places great emphasis on research and collaborates with various sponsors on numerous applied research topics. It has three campuses: a main campus in Ottawa and two branch campuses in Perth and Pembroke.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Ottawa?

    Absolutely! International students in public universities in Ottawa can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.

    As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in Ottawa, Ontario charge up to 53,400 CAD for bachelor’s and 64,900 CAD for master’s studies.


    I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Ottawa, Ontario. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.