University of Ottawa

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

The University of Ottawa, established in 1848 as the College of Bytown, is a bilingual public research university located in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded by Bishop Joseph-Bruno Guigues and originally administered by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, it gained university status in 1866 and was later granted a pontifical charter in 1889. The university moved to its current Sandy Hill campus in 1856, thanks to a land donation. It is now the largest English-French bilingual university worldwide, offering a wide range of programs through ten faculties, including Arts, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Science, Social Sciences, and Management. The university serves nearly 40,000 undergraduate and over 6,000 graduate students, with about 26% being international students. Its library holds over 4.5 million titles, and it is part of the Canadian U15 research-intensive universities. Significant historical moments include the rebuilding of Tabaret Hall after a 1903 fire, the introduction of women students in 1919, and contributions during World War II with military training programs on campus. The university became publicly funded and independent from religious control in 1965. It continues to promote bilingualism and cultural preservation, reflecting its location in Canada’s capital. The university remains an influential institution with a strong commitment to research, education, and community engagement.