Carleton University

Located in the heart of Ottawa, Canada's National Capital, Carleton University has been offering exceptional learning through degree-related work experience and research since 1942.

Carleton University is proud of its vibrant and diverse community, that welcomes students from around the globe. With over 30,000 students, including nearly 4,000 international students from 150 countries, and a network of 125,000 alumni, the university is a place where every student's unique perspective is both valued and celebrated.

The university's focus on immersive learning allows students to gain work experience, hands-on research, and community engagement, setting them up for both academic and career success. Students also have opportunities to learn through internships and co-op, paid real-world experiences, ensuring they are well-equipped for employment upon graduation.

Carleton University has one of the most accessible scholarship and bursary programs in Canada. Each year, the university awards over 13,000 scholarships and bursaries totalling over CAD 25 million to undergraduate students. The university also guarantees a double traditional room in its residences to all students entering first-year studies directly from high school, provided they receive an offer of admission before mid-May. International students can choose to live on Carleton's campus for the length of their full degree, up to a maximum of 5 consecutive years.

The university's campus is bordered by the beautiful Rideau River, the historic Rideau Canal, and residential neighbourhoods. Ottawa is home to government agencies and embassies, more than 1,900 companies in the tech industry, and a large percentage of the country's clinical, medical, and life science research centres. While being one of the world leaders in a work-life balance, Ottawa is ranked second among North American tech markets with the highest tech job growth rate (Global Work-Life Balance City Index 2025, Blueground Scoring Tech Talent 2024, CBRE).

Undergraduate Programs

Carleton University offers 26 undergraduate programs, with hundreds of majors and areas of specialization to choose from. Students can customize a degree to their particular interests, including combined honours.

Commerce (Business) or International Business

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

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

Computer Science

This constantly evolving discipline studies the theory, design and implementation of computer applications and systems in areas, including business, communication, science, entertainment, and medicine.

Engineering

The 13 streams offered cover a 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. The Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) is a wide-ranging and career-focused program.

Graduate Studies

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

MBA (Sprott School of Business)

This full-time, weekday MBA equips students to lead and make a difference in a changing global context in just 16 months. Here, world-class faculty and students collaborate to share perspectives and challenge conventional thinking.

Master of Finance (Sprott School of Business)

The Master of Finance program offers postgraduate students a powerful combination of core knowledge and applied data analysis skills required by the finance sector globally. This course can be completed in just 12 to 16 months.

Admission to Carleton University's undergraduate degree programs is based on a student's previous academic performance. Usually, students must have graduated from secondary school (high school) to be accepted into an undergraduate program.

Academic entry requirements

Academic 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.

International students are encouraged to visit Carleton University's 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 detailing how to apply.

Master of Finance

Applicants for the Master of Finance at the Sprott School of Business 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).

English language requirements

International applicants who do not speak 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. The standard requirement is an IELTS score of 6.5, with no lower than 6.0 in any band or an equivalent qualification.

Students who do not meet the English language requirement may be conditionally accepted into their program with a requirement to take an Academic ESL course in their first term of study.

Carleton University offers one of Canada's most generous scholarship and bursary programs. The university awards over 13,000 scholarships and bursaries annually worth over CAD 25 million.

Entrance scholarships

Students admitted with an average of 80 percent or higher are automatically considered for a renewable entrance scholarship. International students are eligible for these merit-based awards. No application is required.

The scholarship amount ranges from CAD 1,000 to CAD 16,000, awarded over the four years of a degree program.

Prestige scholarships

Prestige Scholarships are Carleton University's highest value awards, ranging from CAD 20,000 to the full domestic tuition fees offered over four years.

Students must apply for the scholarship and are only considered if entering the university directly from high school, with an admission average of 90 percent or higher. Students are also assessed on their range of community or secondary school extracurricular activities.

Other bursaries and awards

Students are encouraged to check whether they are eligible for any of Carleton University's other bursaries or awards.

Support at Carleton University covers academics, career goals, health and wellness and is complemented by many social and fun activities. In 2021, Carleton University ranked third for overall student satisfaction (Maclean's), largely because of its learning support and co-op services, carefully designed for a successful university experience.

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

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

• Budgeting
• Health insurance
• Immigration
• Study and work permits

Student safety

Student safety is important to Carleton University. Carleton University's Campus Safety Services provides support to the university community 24/7, 365 days a year through:

• Patrol services
• Parking service
• Technical services
• Carleton University Student Emergency Response Team

Furthermore, students benefit from a Safe Walk program, Work Late program, secure bicycle compounds, safety planning, sexual assault education and prevention programs (in partnership with the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities), and much more.

The university also has an Engagement and Inclusion Officer program, focusing on increasing community engagement and interaction while building mutual respect and trust.

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

International Student Employment Program

Carleton University offers ISEP, a dedicated program that supports international students with paid work opportunities and specialized resources to help them launch a successful career in Canada.

Built-in work experience

Most of Carleton University'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 alternate with paid periods of employment. Students can also take advantage of internships, apprenticeships, research placements, and more.

Most programs at the university offer work-study opportunities, allowing students to gain valuable real-world job or research experience in their field of study throughout their undergraduate program.

Careers support

Career Service team supports all students and alumni to identify and achieve their career goals so that students can leave university with a diverse range of life and work experiences. Support includes:

• Guidance and support with job readiness skills
• Organization of job fairs and networking events
• Facilitation of volunteer opportunities
• Provision of on-campus jobs
• Identification of work-abroad opportunities

New bachelor's degrees

In the fall of 2025, Carleton University launched five new undergraduate programs:

• Bachelor of Engineering, Mechatronics
• Bachelor of Accounting
• Bachelor of Cybersecurity
• Bachelor of Data Science
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

International Student Employment Program

Carleton University offers ISEP, a dedicated program that supports international students with paid work opportunities and specialized resources to help them launch a successful career in Canada.

Committed to women in engineering and IT

Committed to inspire, encourage and include women in engineering and IT, Carleton University's Women in Engineering and Information Technology program is the first in Canada. Working in collaboration with industry and government partners, it seeks to provide exclusive opportunities to female STEM students.

Through this program, women students receive access to industry tours and talks, networking opportunities, and support from role models and ambassadors, as well as help and guidance to transition into the workforce.