University of Ottawa

Overview: a bilingual university

The University of Ottawa is a public university in downtown Ottawa and describes itself as the largest English-French bilingual university in the world. Its roots go back to the College of Bytown, founded in 1848 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as a bilingual Catholic college; it received university status by royal charter in 1866 and became a publicly funded, non-religious institution in 1965. Most programs can be taken in English, in French or in a mix, and under its Regulation on Bilingualism students can write assignments and exams in English or French in nearly any course (language courses are the exception).

Being in the capital puts Parliament, federal departments, embassies and national museums within reach, which matters for students in political science, public administration, law and translation. The university also has a campus in Kanata North, next to what it describes as the country's largest technology park.

How to apply

All first-year applications go through OUAC, using the 101 if you are in an Ontario high school and the 105 otherwise (our OUAC 101 vs 105 guide explains both). Most programs start in September; some Arts, Social Sciences, Science and Telfer programs also admit in January.

For September 2027, uOttawa's application deadlines page says it began accepting applications on September 17, 2026 and recommends applying before January 15, 2027. Most programs close in June for Canadian applicants and in May for international applicants, but any program can close once it is full, and competitive programs such as Acting, Visual Arts, Music, Social Work and most Engineering and Health Sciences programs may fill sooner.

French, immersion and grades

For English-language programs your French does not decide admission, while French-language programs expect you to be proficient enough in French to follow university study. If you went to high school in a language other than French and took French as a second language, the French Immersion Stream lets you take about a third of your courses in French with language support and finish with a French Immersion mention on your diploma. Immersion has its own assessment, but not passing it only removes the immersion option, not your admission to the regular program.

Current Ontario students need at least six 4U/M or DU courses, including program prerequisites; students from other provinces present the courses their province requires for a diploma. Applicants to English programs send official English test scores unless they have completed at least three years of full-time study in English, as set out on uOttawa's language requirements page.

Costs and funding

Tuition depends on your program and status. uOttawa publishes current fees on its official fees and financial support pages. International undergraduates who take a French-language program, or the French Immersion Stream, with at least three French-taught courses per term can be eligible for the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship, so read the conditions closely. For study permits, start at the Government of Canada page on studying in Canada.

Getting ready with StudyBrix

• Keep your French active before immersion courses with our French learning guide.
• Political science and public policy students can preview Canadian government and politics.
• History and arts students: try the Canadian history survey deck.

Our guide to universities in Canada explains where else you can study in French.