University of Victoria
CanadaThe University of Victoria is a public research university located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1963, the university has origins dating back to 1903. It is widely known for its competitive courses and research focus, often ranking as one of the top universities in Canada for academic excellence.
Due to the far-ranging impact the university’s considerable research efforts have made worldwide, the University of Victoria attracts approximately 4000 international students every year.
Courses
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Facilities
The McPherson Library on campus is a hub of learning for students, providing a huge collection of modern and archival learning materials. It also houses the Mears Centre for Learning, with its study spaces and computing facilities. The University of Victoria is known for its research contributions in several areas, with oceanography and environmental studies being a few notable examples. It offers students access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research centers for discoveries in areas like the sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. UVic has a vast sports complex, consisting of a fitness center, swimming pool, gymnasiums, tennis courts, and playing fields.
The Ian Stewart Complex offers a wide range of recreational activities for students. As a large university, students can explore multiple art galleries, theaters and other cultural venues on its campus. Counselling, wellness and medical clinics are all available too. The University is lauded for its commitment to sustainability, so buildings are constructed using green materials, with bike-friendly infrastructure and the availability of recycling programs.
The University of Victoria offers a variety of accommodation options to international students. The on-campus residences provide a more traditional living experience, ranging from conventional dormitory-style rooms to apartments that are each equipped with essential facilities. On-campus accommodation is referred to at the university as a residence community, with the opportunity to benefit from a dietary-inclusive meal plan. There are substance-free communities, quiet housing communities and mixed gender communities to choose from to suit the student’s living preference. Students with specialised housing requirements and those who need family housing options are also accommodated by the university.
The University of Victoria also has an award-winning Homestay Program, whereby students stay with a trusted local family to integrate within local culture. Off-campus housing options in the local area are within walking distance to the campus, with its academic buildings, libraries, and recreational facilities.
Student life is buzzing and varied due to the large multicultural population on campus and the surplus of events for students to get involved with. Students with a keen interest in sports can participate or spectate in numerous sporting events, while those with an interest in getting involved with the student union can do so via multiple programmes and ambassador opportunities. There are more than 150 student clubs set up on campus that represent a range of interests, from the Musical Theatre club to the International Justice Mission and beyond.
City Life
Vancouver is a major city with lots of activities to keep students occupied. Historic food walking tours and the famous Queen Elizabeth Park are big tourist attractions, while the nightlife is likely to form a large part of a student’s daily life. Granville's Entertainment District has been a nighttime hotspot for drinking and dancing activities since the 1990s. If downtown bars are not a student’s preference, the surplus of coffee shops and cafes will whet their appetite.
Employability
UVic focuses heavily on co-op programs, with the university providing one of Canada’s biggest paid co-op programs. The co-op placements provide students with valuable opportunities to develop practical skills and build professional networks. The Careers Services office gives tools such as CV writing, interview techniques, and networking strategies for students to utilise in their graduate job hunt. The reputation of the university empowers students to apply for a range of jobs around the world. Budding entrepreneurs are supported by the Gustavson School of Business's Innovation Centre, due to its various initiatives that allow students to develop innovative projects and start their own businesses. The university also boasts of being the number one university for preparing career-ready students for the working world.
FAQs
The female to male ratio is 53% female: 47% male.
Students should hold a 4-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognised institution: equivalent to a minimum "B" average over the last two years of your degree. English Language Proficiency Requirement: minimum IELTS 6.5 (no subscore below 6.0) / TOEFL minimum 90 (no section less than 20) or equivalent.
The University of Victoria has been consistently ranked as one of the top universities in Canada by various ranking systems, including the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the QS World University Rankings.
The acceptance rate for the University of Victoria is 63%, making it a fairly selective university.
Scholarships are granted based on a student’s GPA scores, with numerous different types of scholarships available. International Entrance Scholarships are awarded to exceptional international students entering their first year of undergraduate studies based on academic merit. International Student Scholarships are open to both undergraduate and graduate international students on both an academic merit and achievement basis. There is also the International Student Leaders Award, granted to undergraduate international students who have demonstrated leadership qualities and a commitment to making a positive impact in their community. UVic also offers numerous scholarships to international students pursuing graduate studies. These awards factor both academic achievement and research excellence factor into account.
UVic is well-known for providing a range of scholarships to students so applicants should check on the website prior to their application.