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About this University

Carleton University, with its beautiful riverside campus, is a higher education provider based in Ottawa, Canada. Ottawa is a G7 capital city offering students unique opportunities, being home to more than 1,900 companies in the tech industry and to a large percentage of the country’s clinical, medical, and life science research centres.

The city is also one of the world’s most beautiful capitals with its tranquil green spaces, parks, architectural and historical landmarks. The university’s proximity to government institutions, libraries, and a flourishing knowledge economy make it a great place for student life.

Carleton focuses on immersive learning, gaining work experience, hands-on research, and community engagement. Carleton students learn through paid real-world experience alongside the taught theory from inside classrooms and are equipped for employment on completion of their study.

Students benefit from its interactive and small classes, exceptional student support services, state-of-the-art laboratory, research and athletic facilities.

Carleton enjoys an inclusive learning environment that welcomes international students from all across the globe. It is home to more than 30,000 students, with nearly 4,500 international students from 150 countries, and a network of 125,000 alumni.

Why Carleton?

Carleton is committed to giving back through education while pursuing contributions to the common good. These founding values are at the heart of the university’s focus on research, community partnerships and teaching excellence.

• A large percentage of Canada’s major medical, clinical and life science research centres are located in the Ottawa area, as well as a growing technology industry with over 1,900 companies. Carleton’s connections have helped create many valuable opportunities for students.
• The majority of programs feature work-study opportunities (known as “co-op”), that allow students to gain full-time, paid employment related to their academic program.
• Qualified applicants are automatically offered entrance scholarships ranging from CAD 4,000 to CAD 16,000 over four years, and a place in one of Carleton’s on-campus residences.
• Carleton is a close-knit, supportive and diverse community. This includes academic support, help with jobs and career, health and counselling, student life, athletics, and 300 plus student-run clubs and societies. Students come from 140 plus countries and have many opportunities to get involved in community-building activities both on and off-campus.
• Campus is a green oasis, nestled between the Rideau River, Rideau Canal and Dow’s Lake. A self-contained campus and focus on community encourage student interaction, which can provide both valuable communication skills and lasting friendships.

In the classroom, Carleton challenges student thinking and teaches the skills students need to succeed. Outside the classroom, Carleton prepares students to apply their knowledge and skills to real world situations.

Programs

There are 22 undergraduate programs including:

Commerce (Business) or International Business

The Bachelor of Commerce provides a complete business education, with eight specializations, and options for co-op (a paid work-study opportunity), study abroad and/or a minor in another subject. The Bachelor of International Business is also a unique degree that spans the study of business, language, and builds cross-cultural skills.

Communication and Media Studies, Journalism, or Media Production and Design

Carleton offers programs focusing on understanding the ever-changing media landscape. These programs prepare students for the exciting challenges facing journalists and communications professionals.

Computer Science

Computers and computer systems play a central role in business, communication, science, entertainment and medicine. This ever-changing discipline studies the theory, design and implementation of computer applications and systems.

Engineering

Carleton prepares students for a career as engineers by combining rigorous programs and a highly supportive learning environment with practical, hands-on experience. The 13 streams offered cover a broad range of engineering specializations.

Science and Health Science

Labs, tutorials, field courses and seminars are conducted in small classes, resulting in personalized interactions with professors. An early emphasis on experimenting is a key component of science at Carleton. Carleton’s Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) is a wide-ranging and career-focused program.

Built-in work experience

The majority of Carleton’s undergraduate programs include a cooperative education option (known as “co-op”) that provides students with the opportunity to gain full-time, paid employment related to an academic program. Study terms are alternated with paid periods of work in real job situations.

Students have the option of selecting from more than 100 programs, pathways and specializations at the graduate level.

Graduate outcomes

In the QS World University Rankings 2021 the university was placed in the top 20 in Canada with a well-recognized reputation amongst employers. The university boasts excellent partnerships with employers, encourages employer-student connections and has high rates of graduate employment. With the hands-on learning approach and co-op program at the university students are well placed to enter the world of work.

Career services are available for all students at Carleton and can help students to identify and achieve their goals after leaving university. The career services office runs a range of events, provides tips and resources, and offers job search support to help students transition from students to alumni.

In addition to helping students transition from school to work, the career services office helps facilitate volunteer opportunities, on campus jobs, or chances to work abroad so that students can leave university with a diverse range of life and work experiences.

What’s new

Covid-19 update: Disruption as opportunity

Carleton University’s strategic plan emphasizes the power of higher education and innovation, community and collaboration, and the importance of sustainability and wellness. Carleton was named the second most sustainable university in Canada and the 33^rd most sustainable in the world.

These priority areas became particularly relevant during the Covid-19 pandemic. Students organized to support local non-profits and alumni used their platforms and influence to help local businesses, fundraise, design PPE for emergency service workers, support seniors, and much more.

Professors dove into research addressing various aspects of the pandemic including e-health, technology, AI and autonomous systems and epidemiology, testing, tracing, mental health, wellness and social adaptation.

Carleton is also committed to listening and learning as the university community participates in a wider social conversation about racism. The hope is to build on and continue initiatives already underway to ensure human rights, equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism on campus.

Current global challenges have also led Carleton to examine and improve how the university is engaging with students. Whether students are looking for virtual support to assist with their transition to university, take virtual tours of campus, or test run the online university experience, Carleton has it covered.

Students can find out more about the impact of COVID on their admissions as well as additional information on changes to learning. The university continues to review on a case by case basis students whose admission process has been affected by school closures or exam delays. International students can find additional support through many channels, including one-on-one appointments with international admissions officers.