The University of Victoria offers innovative programs for more than 20,000 students. Dynamic, hands-on learning, research that makes a vital impact, and discovery and innovation in Canada’s most extraordinary academic environment provide an Edge that can’t be found anywhere else.
- #301 Ranking
- 75 Bachelors
- 851 Academic Staff
- 22,550 Students
- 4,736 Students (int'l)
- 12,628 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
Bachelor's programmes
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (26)
- B.Sc. Astronomy
- B.Sc. Biology
- B.Sc. Biology and Psychology
- B.Sc. Chemistry
- Bachelor Chemistry and Ocean Sciences
- B.Eng. Civil Engineering
- B.Eng. Computer Engineering
- B.Sc. Mathematics
- B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering
- B.Sc. Microbiology
- B.Sc. Physics
- B.Sc. Physics and Astronomy
- B.Sc. Physics and Biochemistry
- B.Sc. Physics and Mathematics
- B.Sc. Statistics
Social Sciences (26)
- B.A. Anthropology
- B.Sc. Biology and Psychology
- Bachelor Child and Youth Care
- BCom Commerce
- B.A. Economics
- B.A. French
- B.A. Gender Studies
- B.A. Geography
- B.A. Hispanic Studies
- B.Sc. Mathematics
- B.A. Medieval Studies
- B.A. Philosophy
- B.A. Political Science
- B.A. Psychology
- BSW Social Work
- B.A. Sociology
Humanities (19)
- B.A. Applied Linguistics
- B.A. English
- B.A. French
- B.A. Germanic Studies
- B.A. Hispanic Studies
- B.A. History
- B.A. Linguistics
- B.A. Medieval Studies
- B.A. Philosophy
- B.A. Theatre
- B.A. Writing
Computer Science & IT (10)
- B.Sc. Computer Science
- B.Eng. Electrical Engineering
- B.Eng. Software Engineering
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences (10)
- B.Sc. Earth Sciences
- B.A. Economics
- B.Sc. Environmental Studies
- B.A. Geography
- B.Sc. Physics
Arts, Design & Architecture (9)
- B.A. Geography
- B.A. Medieval Studies
- BMus Music
- B.A. Theatre
- BFA Visual Arts
- B.A. Writing
Medicine & Health (8)
- B.Sc. Biology
- B.Eng. Biomedical Engineering
- B.Sc. Kinesiology
- B.Sc. Nursing
Engineering & Technology (6)
- B.Eng. Biomedical Engineering
- B.Eng. Civil Engineering
- B.Eng. Computer Engineering
- B.Eng. Electrical Engineering
- B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering
Business & Management (4)
- BCom Commerce
- B.Sc. Mathematics
- B.Sc. Statistics
Education & Training (4)
Agriculture & Forestry (3)
Applied Sciences & Professions (1)
- BSW Social Work
Hospitality, Leisure & Sports (1)
Law (1)
- B.A. Political Science
About
History
The University of Victoria is the oldest post-secondary institution in British Columbia, established in 1903 as an affiliated college of McGill University before gaining full autonomy through a charter on July 1, 1963.[27] Victoria College, which had been established in 1903 as an affiliated college of McGill University, gained autonomy and full degree granting status on March 1, 1963.
Education
Faculties & schools
- Education
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
- Human & Social Development
- Humanities
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Peter B. Gustavson School of Business
- UVic Law
- Medical Sciences
- Continuing Studies
Research
UVic has developed eight areas of research strength—or research capabilities—that shape our success as a research-intensive university:
- Culture and creativity
- Data science and cyber physical systems
- Environment, climate and energy
- Global studies and social justice
- Health and life sciences
- Indigenous research
- Ocean science and technology
- Physical sciences and engineering, mathematics and computer science
Career
Whether you’re making the leap from studying to working or switching careers throughout your mid-life, the Business Career Centre may just be the resource you need to make your transition smooth. Job search can sometimes be a long process, and you might need a lifeline to guide you along the way.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2021
GSSA 2021
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2021. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 8 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
University Ranking
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2023
301
2022
301 50
2021
351
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2022
301
2021
301
2020
301
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2023
359 -25
2022
334 36
2021
370
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2023
-
2022
-
2021
301
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Services
Student services
International Student Services (ISS) provides support for international students studying at UVic, and coordinates programs for all UVic students interested in studying abroad.
Housing services
You have three choices when looking for housing in Victoria: homestay, on-campus and off-campus. In deciding which option is best for you, consider cost, convenience, and your lifestyle. For example, many international students choose the homestay option when they first arrive in Canada, but then choose to rent a house or an apartment with roommates later once they’ve familiarized themselves with Victoria.
Library services
Our libraries—the McPherson Library in the William C. Mearns Centre for Learning, the Diana M. Priestly Law Library in the Fraser Building, and the Curriculum Library in the MacLaurin Building —contain a wealth of information.
ICT services
University Systems helps new and existing faculty make the most of technology on campus including:
- getting started with a NetLink ID
- purchasing the best computers for your needs
- setting up email or Airnet for your mobile devices
- setting up electronic courses in CourseSpaces
- webcasting technology for your classroom
Medical services
University Health Services (UHS) provides a full service primary health clinic for students, and coordinates healthy student and campus initiatives. We encourage students to use UHS as their primary point of health care while at UVic.
Student Life
Campus life
The University of Victoria is easy to get to and easy to get around. Connected to downtown Victoria by several major bus and bicycle routes, the campus offers ample parking and an accessible and pedestrian-friendly environment.If you're visiting the area, the main UVic campus (15 minutes from downtown Victoria by car) offers overnight accommodation and meeting spaces.
Sports facilities
UVic students are above-average users of their athletic facilities when compared to students across Canada. To accommodate their needs, UVic offers a wide range of athletic and recreation facilities, also available to faculty, staff and the community. These include the:
- CARSA facility
- McKinnon Gym and Pool
- Outdoor artificial turfs and world-class field hockey pitch
- Ian Stewart Ice rink
Student clubs
Student associations
- Education Students’ Association (EdSA)
- Association of Graduate Education Studies (AGES)
- University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS)
- UVic Native Students Union
- Graduate Students' Society
- Sports and recreation clubs
- The Anti-Violence Project (AVP)
- Third Space Women's Centre
- UVic Pride Collective and Graduate Pride Group
- The UVic Students of Colour Collective (SOCC)
- The Society for Students with a Disability (SSD)
Accreditation
Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training, British Columbia.
Student Reviews
Full-time student
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
Overall, I appreciated it for the learning experiences that I gained
I do love UVic
Anonymous rated 5 out of 5 stars
I got to do two semesters abroad which made my degree incredibly enjoyable - I am grateful to have been able to layer my university education with real-life experience. While COVID really threw a wrench into the university experience, I still love my school and am happy to be back here. Victoria is a place where people flourish and find themselves. UVic is an incredibly...
Victoria experience
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
It was such a beautiful experience, environment is welcoming and friendly. Hands on teaching from different projects for class. The location interns of city looks pretty with different indigenous history.
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