Overview

Founded in 1942, Carleton University is spread out across 62 hectares of beautiful green space, just south of downtown Ottawa – the capital of Canada.

　　Students at Carleton University experience immersive learning through degree-related, real-world work experience, hands-on research, and community engagement. Alongside taught theory inside the classroom, students at Carleton achieve a high value educational experience.

　　Students also benefit from small class sizes, an excellent support network, and state-of-the-art facilities, including industry-supported laboratories, research, and extensive athletic facilities.

　　Carleton was ranked in the top five amongst comprehensive universities in Canada (Maclean's university rankings 2021) and was also placed in the top 10 for graduate employability. Specific subjects, such as computer science, engineering and mathematics have received top 10 rankings (QS World University Rankings).

　　Of the more than 31,000 students at Carleton, around 14 per cent are international students, coming from more than 150 different countries. Carleton offers study abroad and exchange programs, and prides itself on its international connections.

　　The campus is bordered by beautiful surroundings, including the Rideau River, the historic Rideau Canal, and residential neighborhoods. Other highlights include the university's proximity to Canada's Parliament Buildings, the Byward Market, and the beautiful Gatineau Park.

　　Ottawa is also home to more than 1,900 companies in the tech industry, where many of Canada's clinical, medical and life science research centres can be found.

　　

What's new

Committed to women in engineering and IT

Committed to inspire, encourage and include women in engineering and IT, Carleton's Women in Engineering and Information Technology program partners with industry and government partners to provide opportunities like access to industry tours and talks, networking, and support to role models and ambassadors.

　　

Sustainability plan

In November 2020, Carleton released a new five-year sustainability plan, which set ambitious targets for reducing emissions, water consumption and waste on campus. The plan also outlines increased research into sustainability, teaching, and community engagement. Carleton currently ranks as the second most sustainable university in Canada.

　　

Degree programs

There are 22 undergraduate programs with hundreds of majors and areas of specialization to choose from. Students can customize their degree to their particular interests, including combined honours.

　　

Commerce (Business) or International Business

This 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.

　　

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

Carleton media programs prepare students for the exciting challenges facing journalists and communications professionals in an ever-changing landscape.

　　

Computer Science

This ever-changing discipline studies the theory, design and implementation of computer applications and systems in areas such as in business, communication, science, entertainment and medicine.

　　

Engineering

The 13 streams offered cover a broad range of engineering specializations with rigorous programs and a highly supportive learning environment with practical, hands-on experience.

　　

Science and Health Science

Labs, tutorials, field courses and seminars are conducted in small classes, resulting in personalized interactions with professors. Carleton's Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) is a wide-ranging and career-focused program.

　　

Graduate Studies at Carleton

Students can select from more than 100 programs, pathways and specializations at graduate level, including:

　　

Sprott MBA

Sprott's full-time, weekday MBA will equip students to lead with purpose and make a difference in a changing global context in just 16 months. Here, world-class faculty and students come together to share perspectives and challenge conventional thinking.

　　

Sprott School of Business, Master of Finance Program

The Sprott's Master of Finance Program offers postgraduate students a powerful combination of core knowledge and applied data analysis skills required by Finance profession globally. This course can be completed in just 12 to 16 months.

　　

Entry requirements

Admission to Carleton's undergraduate degree programs is primarily based on a student's previous academic performance. Usually, students are required to have graduated from secondary school (high school) to be accepted on an undergraduate program. Admission requirements vary by program so students should check individual entry requirements for their preferred program of study. Specific subjects (prerequisites) may also be required.

　　Applicants for the Sprott's Master of Finance will need a four-year bachelor's degree in a relevant area such as business, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering with an average grade of B or above (equivalent to 8.0/12 on the Carleton scale).

　　Students are encouraged to visit the Carleton admissions website, where they can input their education system and program of choice to see admission requirements tailored to them, along with key deadlines and a step by step guide on how to apply.

　　International applicants who do not have English as their first language, will also need to demonstrate a strong level of English proficiency by providing an English as a Second Language (ESL) test score.

　　

Scholarships & funding

Carleton has one of the most generous scholarship and bursary programs available in Canada. In 2020/2021, more than 12,000 scholarships and bursaries worth more than CAD 28.6 million were awarded to undergraduate students.

　　

Entrance scholarships

Students who have been admitted with an average of 80 per cent or higher are automatically considered for a renewable entrance scholarship. International students are also eligible for these merit-based awards, and no application is required.

　　

Prestige scholarships

Prestige Scholarships are Carleton's highest awards. Students must apply and are considered only if entering Carleton directly from high school with an admission average of 90 per cent or better. Students are also assessed on their range of community or secondary school extracurricular activities.

　　

Student support

Caring is built into the Carleton community, with support covering all areas - academics, funding, career goals, health and wellness – with lots of social and fun activities too! Carleton ranked third for overall satisfaction among students (Maclean's, 2021), in large part because of the services available to students - all designed for a successful university experience.

　　Academic support is particularly robust, with peer study sessions, workshops on exam preparation, academic writing and much more. Career and Co-op offices help students find co-op placements, organizing networking events and career fairs, and getting job-ready with resumes, cover letters and interview skills. Students also have many opportunities to volunteer, and get involved with the wider community.

　　International students receive dedicated support from Carleton's International Student Services Office. This office organizes orientation and arrival for international students at the start of their studies, as well as fun cultural and social activities throughout the year. International students can access dedicated peer advisors, as well as advice and workshops on a range of issues, including:

　　Budgeting Health insurance Immigration Study and work permits

Student safety

Student safety is extremely important to Carleton. Students can call the Campus Safety Office from any on-campus telephone.

　　Guidelines are being drawn up to ensure both flexibility and safety of staff and students. This may include measures such as physical distancing, limiting numbers and extensive cleaning.

　　As per orders from the Government of Ontario, along with guidance from Public Health Ontario and Ottawa Public Health, students (along with faculty, staff, and teaching assistants) are required to undergo Covid-19 screening. A short form must be filled in per day that a student intends to enter a Carleton building.

　　

Graduate outcomes

With a strong reputation for helping students gain marketable skills and experience, the QS World University Rankings 2021 places Carleton in the top 20 in Canada for graduate employability.

　　

Built-in work experience

The majority of Carleton's undergraduate programs include a cooperative education option (known as ''co-op'') that offers students full-time, paid employment related to an academic program. Study terms are alternated with paid periods of employment. Students can also do internships, apprenticeships, research placements, and more.

　　Work-study opportunities are offered for most programs at Carleton, allowing students to gain valuable real-world job experience in their field of study. A dedicated Career Service supports all students and alumni to identify and achieve their career goals - supporting with job readiness skills, organizing job fairs and networking events, facilitating 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.

　　The most recent statistics show that 92.7 per cent of Carleton graduates were employed two years after graduating, and 85 per cent were employed after six months (Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD) 2017/18).