Did you know the province of Ontario attracts over half of all international students in Canada? There are lots of reasons why. In Canada’s most populated province, residents enjoy lively communities with unique learning and work opportunities. No matter what you want to study, it’s likely there’s a university in Ontario for you. As you consider your options, take a close look at these four universities in northern Ontario. They offer welcoming campus communities, pathways to work opportunities, and a more affordable cost of living.
Read our blog to learn if studying in rural or northern Ontario is right for you!
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Algoma University
With a main campus in the thriving northern Ontario city of Sault Ste. Marie, international students at Algoma University enjoy many of the amenities of larger centres, while living in a city that’s easy to get around by foot, bus, or bicycle. (This will save you money on transportation!)
Plus, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, you’ll have more one-to-one interaction with your instructors. You’ll spark lively discussions and build academic relationships that can lead to innovations and partnerships. Because of the smaller class sizes and conscious focus on cross-cultural learning, Algoma’s campus culture is personal. Their team strives to ensure every voice is heard and valued.
And although adjusting to life as an international student comes with hurdles, you won’t be alone—50% of Algoma’s students are international. Struggling with a class? Here’s a major perk: all Algoma University students get up to 30 hours of free tutoring per semester.
Some popular programs include accounting and computer science. Or, lean into a fast-growing industry and earn a Bachelor of Business Administration – Esports. Plus, regardless of which program you choose, get hands-on learning opportunities through Algoma’s Experiential Learning Hub. Whether you do an academic internship, co-op term, or work on campus in a research study, you’ll gain valuable practical experience. Want a closer look? The Algoma University viewbook zooms in on other popular programs and student opportunities.
Outside of class, join a student club or association to make new friends. Or enjoy activities ranging from cultural celebrations to pow wows and ski trips. You can also go on student camping trips, and enjoy the beauty of northern Ontario up close.
Did you know: Sault Ste. Marie is one of 11 Canadian communities where international student graduates can work towards living in Canada with the federal Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)? This pilot is scheduled to end in 2024. However, an extension is possible, or it could become a permanent program, so keep RNIP in mind as you plan your studies. Next, learn how RNIP works on our blog.
Courtesy of Lakehead University.
Lakehead University
Whether you choose to study on the shores of Lake Superior at the Thunder Bay campus, or build your future in North America’s first LEED-certified campus in Orillia, international students coming from over 80 countries to Lakehead University receive a warm welcome. Thunder Bay is another RNIP community, which allows international graduates to work and live in Canada after their studies conclude. Lakehead is highly-regarded, and ranked #2 among Canada’s primarily undergraduate universities by Macleans in 2022.
What’s more, students rank their experience highly, too. As student Leah Ching noted to Macleans:
“As a Trinidadian islander accustomed to the year-round heat of the tropics, Canadian winters were admittedly a challenge to get used to. It didn’t take long for Lakehead to win me over with its winter festival bonfires and hot chocolate by Lake Tamblyn.”
Lakehead University’s two campuses offer over 85 programs. Plus, graduates enjoy employment rates consistently higher than the provincial average. Popular programs include business administration (at Northern Ontario’s only internationally-accredited business school) and kinesiology. For future engineers, Lakehead has the only Canadian faculty of engineering where you can earn a Bachelor of Engineering degree and an Engineering Technology diploma in four years. It’s a great mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills that can make you stand out to future employers.
Preparing your student budget? Lakehead offers automatic international undergraduate entrance scholarships to eligible students. If you’re entering Lakehead University from secondary school, or transferring from an international college or university, you could be eligible for scholarships worth C$6,000-C$40,000. With even more scholarships, awards, and bursaries for international students, these financial supports can make paying for your program less stressful, helping you to focus on your studies.
Wondering what it’s like to apply to study in Canada? Read our Canadian undergrad application guide to find out.
Courtesy of Laurentian University
Laurentian University
While it started as a regional school serving Sudbury, Ontario, Laurentian University has grown to offer over 100 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Their programs and faculty in fields like mining, engineering, environmental remediation, and rural children’s health are respected worldwide. Plus, as a bilingual institution, hundreds of classes are offered in both French and English. International students can earn a certificate of bilingualism on top of their degree if they take enough classes in both languages!
Some of Laurentian’s popular programs include sports administration, nursing, and Indigenous social work. Many programs also offer unique learning experiences, building skills to prepare you for a wide range of careers. Looking for academic support? Find it at the Centre for Academic Excellence. With a competitive student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, you’ll also have better access to labs, and more one-to-one conversations with instructors.
Laurentian’s faculty believes every student is unique, and so is their academic journey. You’ll have lots of flexibility to customize your degree. This means you can add specializations, concentrations, majors, and minors to help you build the right mix of skills and knowledge. Because of this flexibility and extra credits students earn through specialization, employers rate Laurentian University grads highly. In fact, Laurentian graduates enjoy the highest post-graduation employment rate of all universities in Ontario, at 95%.
The number of Francophone (French-speaking) international students is on the rise in Canada. Between 2016–2021, it grew by 15,000 students! Could you join them next?
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Nipissing University
Looking to dive into your new Canadian community? Nipissing University‘s programs were created with the needs of Northern Ontario in mind. It’s known best as an undergraduate university, and excels in fields including arts, professional programs, and teacher education.
With a campus in the (RNIP-eligible!) community of North Bay, Nipissing is one of Canada’s safest universities. That said, students aren’t short on opportunities for adventure. Whether you decide to borrow skis and snowshoes from the Athletics Centre to explore 20 kilometers of on-campus trails, or hike through colourful maple forests, there are lots of great ways to support your physical and mental wellness while studying at Nipissing.
Plus, its student support and experience, faculty, and residences are top-ranked across Canada.
Ready for a challenge? Make the most of your time as an international student by earning a dual degree. For example, you can combine a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business with an Arts or Science program to earn two bachelor’s degrees in as little as five years. You’ll maximize both the business-specific skills you’ll need, while building transferable skills that can help you stand out. Interested in different fields? Look for other dual degrees that match your goals.
Getting ready to study in Ontario? Check out these scholarships open to international students.
From North Bay to Thunder Bay, Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie, the communities and universities in Northern Ontario have a lot to offer international students.
Ready to search for study abroad programs in Northern Ontario? ApplyBoard’s AI-powered platform can help you find ones that match your goals.
