York University

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

York University, established in 1959 in Toronto, Ontario, is Canada's third-largest university, with around 53,500 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and over 375,000 alumni. Initially affiliated with the University of Toronto, it became independent in 1965. Its first classes were held at U of T’s Falconer Hall before moving to Glendon College in 1961 and then expanding to the Keele Campus in North York in 1965. York has 11 faculties, including the Lassonde School of Engineering, Schulich School of Business, and Osgoode Hall Law School, and it operates 32 research centres. Known for its bilingual liberal arts mandate at Glendon and its leadership in areas like dance and women’s studies, York has contributed significantly to Canadian higher education. The university has faced labour disruptions, including Canada’s longest university strike in 2018, and has dealt with controversies around campus antisemitism. Despite these challenges, York has grown its infrastructure, adding new buildings and a Markham Campus that opened in Fall 2024. Initially defunded by the province in 2018, the Markham project later resumed, supported through alternative funding. Today, York is centrally located in the Greater Toronto Area and continues to evolve with a focus on accessibility, innovation, and community engagement.