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🇨🇦 Canada · Public

University of Ottawa

📍 Ottawa, ON, Canada · QS World Rank #189 · #7 nationally · uottawa.ca
55%
Acceptance rate
~$17k
Tuition / yr
6.5
IELTS required
30%
Intl students
1848
Founded
#189
QS World rank

Bilingual capital-city university. This guide covers University of Ottawa's courses, fees, English & academic requirements, scholarships, the step-by-step admission process, student-visa and post-study-work rules, and tips to get in — everything in one place.

▶ Predict my admission chances (free)

📚 Courses & programs at University of Ottawa

University of Ottawa is best known for CS, Engineering, Public Admin. Popular programs for international students include:

Class profile: Moderately selective.

✅ Entry requirements

IELTS (Academic)6.5
TOEFL iBT85
PTE Academic58
Duolingo English Test110
GREOptional
GMAT (MBA)550
Min GPA / grade3.0/4.0 (B)
Work experience2–4 yrs (MBA only)
💡
Below the English score? Don't pay to find out — take a free full-length IELTS mock (or PTE / TOEFL) and see your gap instantly. Full breakdown: IELTS score for University of Ottawa.

💰 Fees & cost of studying

Tuition (international)CAD 23k/yr
Application fee$50–100
Living costs (est.)CAD 12,000–18,000/yr (CAD 22,895 for visa)
ScholarshipsAdmission scholarships

Plan your budget for tuition + living + health insurance + the visa fee. Compare funding with the free scholarship finder.

📝 Step-by-step admission process

  1. Shortlist programs & check GRE policy
  2. IELTS 6.5–7.0; prepare SOP, LORs, transcripts
  3. Apply online (Fall deadlines Dec–Feb)
  4. Receive offer letter
  5. Pay tuition deposit → get acceptance
  6. Apply for study permit (GIC)

📄 Documents checklist

🛂 Student visa & post-study work · Canada

🎯 Tips & tricks to get admission

📅 Intakes & deadlines

IntakesFall (Sep), Winter (Jan)
Typical deadlineRolling
Acceptance rate55% (moderately selective)

All figures are indicative and change year to year — always confirm on the official site (uottawa.ca) before applying.

How University of Ottawa compares in Canada

The figures on this page mean little on their own. Set against the 30 other Canada universities in our dataset, they say something more useful about where an application to University of Ottawa is likely to be won or lost.

Programme areas: MSc Computer Science · MEng · MBA (Telfer) · MSc Data Science · MSc Eng Mgmt. Entry requirements are set per programme, not per university, so the figures above are the institutional baseline — a competitive department inside an accessible university can run far tighter than the headline rate suggests.

Practical order of work for University of Ottawa: clear the English requirement first, because it gates everything and is the only part of the application you fully control; then confirm which of the Fall (Sep) and Winter (Jan) intakes you are targeting, since the typical deadline is Rolling and funding decisions usually close before admission decisions; then build the application around one specific programme rather than the institution. Budget the application fee of $50–100 per programme, and living costs of CAD 12,000–18,000/yr (CAD 22,895 for visa) on top of tuition of CAD 23k/yr.

Figures here are indicative and compiled for comparison. Acceptance rates in particular are institution-level estimates and move year to year — confirm anything you are deciding on against the university's official pages.

Frequently asked questions

What IELTS score do I need for University of Ottawa?
University of Ottawa typically requires IELTS 6.5 (TOEFL 85, PTE 58). GRE: Optional.
How much does University of Ottawa cost?
International tuition is approximately CAD 23k/yr, plus living costs of CAD 12,000–18,000/yr (CAD 22,895 for visa). Application fee: $50–100.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Ottawa?
University of Ottawa has an indicative acceptance rate of about 55% (Moderately selective).
What are the intakes and deadlines at University of Ottawa?
Intakes: Fall (Sep), Winter (Jan). Typical deadline: Rolling.
Is University of Ottawa hard to get into?
University of Ottawa is moderately selective, with an indicative acceptance rate of about 55%. A complete application that clearly meets the requirements has a strong chance.
Does University of Ottawa require GRE or GMAT?
GRE: Optional. GMAT (for MBA): 550. Always confirm the exact policy for your specific program on the official site.
Can I work after studying at University of Ottawa?
PGWP: up to 3 years (Canada). You can typically also work part-time while studying: 24 hrs/week off-campus during term.
What documents do I need to apply to University of Ottawa?
Typically: Transcripts, Statement of Purpose, 2–3 LORs, Resume, IELTS / TOEFL, GRE (if required), Passport, Proof of funds (GIC), Application fee. Check program-specific requirements before applying.

Keep going — free practice

🎓 Predict my admission (Canada)🏛️ Top universities in Canada📊 IELTS score for University of Ottawa🎯 Free IELTS mock test💸 Scholarships for Canada✍️ Free SOP guide & samples

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