Lakehead University

Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

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Overview
Finances
Eligibility
Campus and facilities

Overview

About Lakehead University

Lakehead University has been ranked the #1 university in North America with under 10,000 students by Times Higher Education Global Impact Rankings 2026.

Lakehead is based out of two campuses in Canada: Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ontario, as well as a new and innovative STEM Hub in Barrie, Ontario. Students study and thrive within vibrant communities that are rich with urban and cultural offerings, not to mention unparalleled outdoor recreational opportunities in the heart of Canada.

The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs covering over 85 fields of study, including computer science, business, engineering, biology, applied life sciences, environment, humanities, and education.

Housing 21 Research Chairs and 14 revolutionary research centres and institutes, Lakehead University was ranked the top 3 in Canada for Research and #1 in cross-sector Artificial Intelligence Publications (Research Infosource 2025, Undergraduate tier).

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 27:1, students at Lakehead can benefit from a personalized learning experience. 97.9 % of Lakehead University graduates are employed within two years of graduation, which is above the Ontario average of 92.6%. Within within six months of graduation, 96.5% are employed compared to the Ontario Average of 89.6%.

On-campus residence gives students a safe and convenient home away from home with additional supports and engaging social activities in addition to the many student academic, cultural, recreational and special-interest clubs to join.

Welcoming over 1,490 international students from 94 countries, the university is truly international. The university also offers support through airport pick-up services, academic advising, visa and immigration advising, health & counselling, and academic tutoring.

With one of Canada’s most generous scholarship programs, international students with excellent academic standing will be considered for renewable scholarships worth up to CAD 40,000 for undergraduate programs.

Graduate outcomes

Lakehead University’s graduates go on to become successful in the professional world. Its employment rate is 97.9 percent within two years of graduation, above the Ontario average of 92.6 percent, and several programs also boast a 100 percent employment rate.

To help students prepare for the workplace, the university offers several careers services. These include:

Job & employment fairs
Career exploration resources and workshops
Online job bank
Resume workshops
Tips for resumes, cover letters, and interviews
On-campus job opportunities

The university strives to create more than just an invaluable educational experience. Almost 78,000 students from 116 countries have graduated from Lakehead University. Lakehead alumni have succeeded in a diverse range of exciting career roles. Graduates have gone onto become CEOs, company founders, postdoctoral fellows, managers and much more.

What’s new

Lakehead University’s brand new Barrie STEM Hub offers a next-generation learning environment focused on engineering and computer science. Located in the heart of Barrie’s waterfront district, the STEM Hub delivers education in a purpose-built setting focused on what matters most: innovation, mentorship, and real-world experience.

With mentorship from expert instructors, deeper engagement and stronger peer-to-peer collaborations, and a co-location with a Regional Innovation Centre, academic learning experiences will be fully aligned with current and emerging industry needs, ensuring students are employment-ready for careers in the computer science and engineering sectors.

The Barrie STEM Hub offers Lakehead University technology and engineering degrees at the bachelor, masters and doctoral levels, including Electrical Engineering (BEng), Mechatronics Engineering (BEng with diploma in Engineering Technology), Software Engineering (BEng with diploma in Engineering Technology), Computer Science (HBSc) (MSc), and Electrical & Computer Engineering (MSc) (PhD). For additional information, visit the Barrie STEM Hub website.

Lakehead University has representatives in many parts of the world to talk to students and parents both in person, at education events, or online. Find a Lakehead advisor by region.

In addition to this, Lakehead International Live webinars take place regularly. This offers prospective students the opportunity to ask questions to current students, professors, and other Lakehead experts in real time.

Finances

How much will it cost?

Average tuition fees per year

17,98,132 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

14,67,401 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

23,54,065 Vocational Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

Scholarships & funding

Lakehead University is ranked #1 in Ontario for student awards among primarily undergraduate universities (Maclean’s 2026). Lakehead is proud to offer one of Canada’s most generous scholarship programs for international students. By providing this extra financial support, Lakehead makes it easier for students to focus on their studies.

Students who apply to an undergraduate program are automatically considered for the entrance scholarships, so no additional scholarship application is required.

International Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship 2027-2028

The university offers international undergraduate students an award of up to CAD 40,000 towards their tuition fees. Non-Canadian applicants who are applying from high school or equivalent, or who are transferring from an international college or university will be automatically considered for the scholarship. The amount of scholarship available is dependent on the student’s academic average. The award amounts are split into the following scores:

Scores of 90 percent or above can receive up to CAD 40,000 (CAD 10,000 over four years).

Scores between 80 percent to 89.9 percent can receive up to CAD 30,000 (CAD 7,500 over four years).
Scores between 75 percent to 79.9 percent can receive up to CAD 6,000 (CAD 6,000 for the first year only).

All entrance scholarship averages are awarded based on the Canadian equivalent of a student’s grade used for admission. International students considering Lakehead University are encouraged to apply to the university early so that they are considered for both rounds of scholarship entrance.

For terms and conditions of the scholarships and their renewability, please visit Lakehead’s International Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship page.

Discover scholarships

Lakehead University provides scholarship for students enrolling for the courses offered by them
View all scholarships available

Eligibility

Undergraduate entry requirements

To be considered for a place at Lakehead University, international students need to meet specific entry requirements.

Academic requirements

As well as meeting the specific course requirements, applicants need to have graduated from a secondary school (or equivalent) and have a minimum of 70 percent overall Canadian average (or equivalent) or higher for selected programs.

Depending on the program applied for, students may also need to meet program-specific pre-requisites.

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English, or who have not studied in a school where English is the main language used, will need to prove their English language proficiency through an English language exam.
For most undergraduate programs, applicants need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 (with no individual score lower than 6.0) or equivalent.
Students who do not meet the English language requirements of their course but satisfy other entry criteria may be conditionally admitted onto their chosen program after completing the Lakehead University’s Academic English Program.

New document submission procedure

Lakehead is now accepting electronically submitted official documents provided they are received directly from the issuing institution via email.

Campus and facilities

Campuses

Barrie STEM Hub

Barrie STEM Hub

Facilities

All of Lakehead University’s 3 locations offer students unique learning environments and opportunities.

The Thunder Bay campus–with central buildings clustered around a beautiful river and lake–is complete with libraries, lecture halls, seminar-style classrooms, research labs, cafés, cafeterias, a bookstore, residences, and a full suite of student support services. The Thunder Bay campus houses 10,000+ m² of recreational facilities, with gyms, 50m pool, weight & cardio areas, 200m indoor track & field. In the centre of campus is the International Centre that holds regular activities throughout the year. Take a video tour of the Thunder Bay campus.

Lakehead’s Orillia campus is designed to LEED standards for environmental sustainability. With residence just minutes from the cafeteria, bookstore, and main academic area with full student supports, the Orillia campus features a beautiful Learning Commons, science lab, light-filled classrooms and small-group learning spaces as well as a Telepresence Room. Students have access to the world-class Orillia Recreation Centre with an aquatic centre, gym, & fitness centre. Take a video tour of the Orillia campus.

Lakehead’s Barrie STEM Hub is in the heart of downtown Barrie (one of Canada’s safest cities) and near the shores of Lake Simcoe. Built in consultation with local industrial partners, the Hub is designed to offer students hands-on, impactful learning with smaller class sizes, close mentorship in a high-tech environment. Students may choose to live in the supportive Georgian Green residences, just a short bus ride away, and will enjoy all of the urban amenities that the city has to offer.

On the shores of the world’s largest freshwater lake and surrounding boreal forest, Thunder Bay is a vibrant city hub for northern Ontario, offering unparalleled recreational opportunities. Orillia and Barrie, only 60-90 minutes from Toronto, are in Lake Country, with plenty of recreational and cultural activities for any season.

Student safety

The safety of the university community is a priority to Lakehead University. To ensure all students are safe and comfortable on both campuses, the university has several safety initiatives in place. Led by its 24-hour security services team, safety initiatives include:

Emergency Poles

Located throughout our Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses, these visible emergency poles give students a direct communication line to Lakehead’s 24-hour security team.

K.I.T. (Keep In Touch)

The security team can be notified by staff and students if they are planning on working late in the evening or the weekend on campus. The patrol staff will then regularly check in on them and ensure they are safe and secure.

Lakehead University Security App

Downloadable to smartphones, students and staff can receive security information and alerts as and when they happen from the university.

Safe Walk

Anyone on campus can request a member of the security team to escort them around campus if they feel uncomfortable being alone. It is available at all times of the day, every day.