Wilfrid Laurier University

In the 2020 Maclean’s Rankings of Canadian Universities, Laurier ranked number one for student satisfaction, the fourth consecutive year the university have received this ranking from students. Laurier also ranked number one for Course Instructors, Student Life Staff, Extracurricular Activities, Residence Living, and Administrative Staff. Laurier is committed to providing students with an excellent academic, experiential and extracurricular experience, and the university is proud that students have such a positive experience in the institution’s classrooms, on campuses and throughout the university’s communities.

In 2019, Laurier was awarded a gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), which measures the sustainability performance of colleges and universities around the world. Laurier is one of only four post-secondary institutions in Ontario to earn a STARS gold rating, and recognizes the university’s sustainability efforts related to academics, campus and community engagement, campus operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. Laurier is also committed to setting and meeting aggressive sustainability targets, including a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.

In Brantford, Laurier is developing a new academic, cultural and service space in One Market, a complex in the city’s downtown core. This new space provides Laurier with the potential to almost double its footprint in Brantford while providing students with a centralized location of student services, classrooms and study spaces. One Market is also the future site of a creativity hub, an inclusive community space that will encourage collaboration, creation and presentation of digital stories. The creativity hub will offer opportunities for experiential learning and skills development for students and will include creative studios, labs, workshop spaces and a commons area.

Laurier is one of the fastest-growing universities in Canada and frequently rated as one of its best. Laurier offers programs across a variety of subjects that are designed to help students launch successful careers by providing hands-on, real-world experience within the program of study, including significant research opportunities in collaboration with leading academics, as well as a huge range of experiential learning opportunities.

The university prioritises student engagement, whether that’s inside the classroom or in the wider world. Laurier’s staff are second-to-none in Canada, consistently ranking first for student services and instructor quality in the Maclean’s University Rankings. Laurier’s professors are not only experts in their fields, but friendly, approachable and supportive teachers. The university’s focus on excellence in academia involves expanding the boundaries of traditional education by offering a blend of traditional and innovative programs which aim to weave together classroom theory, in-depth learning and real-world experience.

Laurier stands out as a premier educational institution due to its unique co-operative education platform, which offers paid, work-integrated learning. This model alternates academic achievement with on-the-job experience. The university has a dedicated co-op office, which provides support for students during this exciting process. Employers will assess student performance and offer guidance alongside the co-op co-ordinators, ultimately allowing students to develop opportunities for employment, excellent professional skills, and valuable networks and contacts. Graduates from Laurier are well-placed to become industry leaders and global academics.

In order to study at Laurier, students must demonstrate excellent English language proficiency, as all of the university’s courses are taught in English. If an applicant does not meet the required English proficiency standards, they will have the option of completing the LEAF Program to meet Laurier’s English proficiency requirements. Before starting in the LEAF Program, students must submit their most recent IELTS or TOEFL test score to determine the level in which they will start.

If English is not the student’s first language, they will be required to provide sufficient evidence of their English language proficiency to the Recruitment and Admission office. Proof of English proficiency is provided by submitting a minimum score on a test of English proficiency or completing the LEAF Program.

Undergraduate programs at Laurier have a range of academic entry requirements that are specific to the course offered and the faculty through which it is delivered. Prospective students should check the relevant pages on the Laurier website for further detail on how to apply.

There are a variety of funding opportunities for newly arriving and current students at Laurier. Students interested in applying for a particular funding opportunity should check further details on these scholarships and bursaries to confirm their value, application requirements and other conditions before applying.

In addition to a number of entry scholarships, which are based on a student’s grades and require no application, Laurier also automatically assesses students for in-course scholarships across the upper years of the program of study. In-course scholarships are based on academic grade point average (GPA) and value between CAD $500 to CAD $1,500 annually. In addition to this, students are able to apply for a number of competitive scholarships or awards. Applicants will need to complete an online profile in which they will provide information on their academic achievement, financial need, interests and involvement in university activities. These opportunities are available in every year of study.

Studying at university can be a big challenge, especially for international students. The university provides all students with excellent support during their time at Laurier, and students have consistently rated the university highly for the quality of services they receive.

Laurier is committed to making things as easy, enjoyable and stress-free as possible for all students who choose to study there. For international students Laurier International is a source of assistance on a variety of matters including work permits, visas, preparation for arrival, getting used to Canadian life and finding a peer mentor for more personalized support. Staff and student volunteers at Laurier are specially trained to support students who are coming into learning environments that may be very different from their own. Laurier International offers the following services and support to all international students at Laurier:

• Pre-arrival information
• Information on study permit, work permit and visa
• New student orientation
• Support understanding the International Student Health Plan (UHIP)
• English language and academic transition support
• International clubs, societies and associations
• General advising around health, wellbeing, culture and personal issues

Laurier’s wider student support services also offer advice on health, safety and academic matters. The university’s student services are available to help students during their entire time at Laurier, from application to graduation and beyond into their working lives.

Laurier offers unparalleled career prospects and graduate outcomes to its students. In 2018, 93.5 percent of its international students were employed or pursuing further education within 12 months of study.

The university provides excellent opportunities to develop skills in entrepreneurship and social innovation through innovative courses, outstanding support services, vibrant student societies and high-impact curricular programs delivered through leading industry partners. The university was named an AshokaU Changemaker Campus in 2016, recognising its position as a world leader in training tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and change-making professionals. The award also recognises the university’s proud participation in a global network of institutions which work together in making new discoveries and improving people’s lives.

International students who study at Laurier are able to take on part-time work during their studies, enabling them to gain practical experience during their time at the university and maximise their employability and earning potential. This benefit isn’t limited to the duration of study, as Laurier graduates are able to work in Canada for three years following graduation and are eligible to apply for citizenship following that. Better still, Laurier’s International Student Work Experience Program means that international students can work part-time on the campus itself during their time there.