About the university
The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) is a public research university founded in 1848 in Canada's capital. It had more than 48,000 students in Fall 2023, including about 10,700 international students, and teaches in both English and French.
uOttawa is known for engineering and computer science, health sciences, law, public policy and the Telfer School of Management. It runs one of Canada's largest co-op programmes, with more than 8,400 undergraduate co-op enrolments in 2023.
Indian students look at uOttawa for its QS top-250 ranking, co-op options and downtown location. CBSE and CISCE students with 75% in senior English can skip the English test, and students from India studying in English are automatically considered for the International English Entrance Scholarship.
Ottawa is a bilingual, mid-sized city with lower rents than Toronto, a light-rail line through campus and long, cold winters.
- Founded
- 1848
- Type
- Public research university teaching in English and French
- Total students
- 48,259 in Fall 2023 (40,054 undergraduate, 8,205 graduate), uOttawa Quick Facts
- International students
- 10,725 in Fall 2023
- Co-op
- 71 undergraduate and 21 graduate co-op programmes
- Campus
- Main campus in downtown Ottawa, beside the Rideau Canal
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=228 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Telfer Professional MBA (English)
- Fee / year
- C$34,000
- Duration
- 24 months (45 units over 6 terms), weeknight and weekend classes
- Intakes
- September (international deadline 1 March)
- English
- Taught in English; see uOttawa graduate language requirements
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telfer Professional MBA (English) | 24 months (45 units over 6 terms), weeknight and weekend classes | C$34,000 | ≈ ₹22.8 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Ottawa with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
- Undergraduate (programmes taught in English)
International English Entrance Scholarship
Value: Depends on admission average and faculty; paid in up to 12 instalments
Eligibility: Citizens of India (and other listed countries) newly admitted full-time to an eligible English undergraduate programme. Automatic. Renewal needs a CGPA of 5.00 or more each year.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate (programmes taught in English)
International English Excellence Scholarship
Value: Depends on admission average and faculty; paid in up to 12 instalments
Eligibility: Competitive, for top candidates with a 90%+ admission average who apply early and start in September. Renewal needs a CGPA of 8.00 (5.00–7.99 renews at the Entrance Scholarship level).
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's and master's in French or French Immersion
Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship
Value: Reduces international tuition substantially
Eligibility: International Francophone and Francophile students enrolled in eligible French-language or French Immersion programmes.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- CBSE or CISCE Class 12; check the minimum average and prerequisite subjects for your chosen programme.
- Students still in school can apply with interim results such as pre-board exam marks.
- CBSE or CISCE senior English with 75% or more exempts you from an English test.
Postgraduate
- Graduate admission is by programme through uOttawa's Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies; check each programme for degree and grade requirements.
- Telfer MBA: at least three years of full-time work experience after your degree and a GMAT or GRE score (waivers mainly for Canadian degree holders).
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (or pre-board results if still in school)
- Degree transcripts (graduate)
- IELTS Academic score, unless exempt
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for the study permit, issued after you accept your offer
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing for direct entry; 6.0 overall allows direct entry with extra ESL courses |
| Conditional admission | Lower IELTS scores (from 4.5) can lead to conditional admission through the English Intensive Program |
| Other tests | uOttawa's undergraduate language page lists only IELTS minimums; ask admissions about TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo |
| Class 12 English (India) | CBSE or CISCE senior English with a final grade of 75% exempts you from a test |
| Other exemptions | Your last three years of high school (Grades 10–12) in English, or post-secondary study taught in English |
Accommodation and living costs
uOttawa has residences on its downtown campus for first-year students, with traditional rooms and apartment-style units. Its 2026-27 residence guide could not be opened when we checked, so confirm room and meal plan prices with uOttawa Housing.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|
Campus and location
uOttawa's main campus is in Sandy Hill, in downtown Ottawa, a short walk from Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market and the Rideau Canal.
- The O-Train Confederation Line stops at uOttawa station on campus.
- Courses are offered in English, French or both; 79 programmes have a French Immersion stream.
- Full-time international students with valid work authorisation can join the co-op programme.
- Ottawa has a growing Indian community, with temples, gurdwaras and Indian grocery stores.
Careers and graduate outcomes
uOttawa runs co-op in 71 undergraduate and 21 graduate programmes, with paid work terms in government and the technology sector. Placements are competitive and not guaranteed. For work rights during and after study, see our Canada country guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate co-op enrolments (Fall 2023) | 8,494 | uOttawa Quick Facts |
| Co-op programmes | 71 undergraduate, 21 graduate | uOttawa Quick Facts |
Studying in Canada
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Canada
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FAQs
How much is uOttawa tuition for Indian students?
uOttawa publishes international tuition by programme in an online table on its fees site. It says 2026-27 international undergraduate tuition is unchanged from 2025-26, and increases for students admitted from Fall 2022 are capped at 7% a year. The Telfer Professional MBA is about CAD 68,000 in total.
Do I need IELTS for uOttawa?
Not if you scored at least 75% in CBSE or CISCE senior English. Otherwise you need IELTS Academic 6.5 with 6.5 in writing for direct entry.
Are there scholarships for Indian students at uOttawa?
Yes. Students from India admitted to an eligible English undergraduate programme are automatically considered for the International English Entrance Scholarship, which depends on your average and faculty and can renew each year.
Can international students do co-op at uOttawa?
Yes. Full-time international students with valid work authorisation can join the co-op programme. See our Canada country guide for work rules.
Sources
- uOttawa: tuition fees for international students (opens in a new tab)
- uOttawa: India applicants (opens in a new tab)
- uOttawa: undergraduate language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- uOttawa: International English scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- uOttawa: Quick Facts (opens in a new tab)
- uOttawa: graduate studies for international students (opens in a new tab)
- Telfer: MBA (opens in a new tab)
- Telfer: MBA tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.uottawa.ca (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details