University of Victoria

Rank 15
Location Victoria
Established 1963
Famous For Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering

Overview

The University of Victoria, also known as UVic, is a public research university located in the municipalities of Saanich and Oak Bay, in British Columbia. It is the oldest post-secondary educational institution in British Columbia, which was established in the year 1903 as an affiliated college with McGill University. In 1963, Victoria College, as it was known then, gained full autonomy and was reincorporated as the University of Victoria.

As Canada’s leading research-intensive university, UVic has filed 580+ patents to date and has had 1,145+ invention disclosures. Currently, the university has over 22,000 students enrolled in 280 undergraduate and graduate programs along with a wide range of degree, and diploma programs.

Services for International Students

The campus at UVic is truly diverse and the International Centre for Students is a resource for all students to know more about every aspect of the education and support system at the University. Many awards and grants are also available to students which gives them the required financial assistance when coming to another country to pursue higher education.

Students with the relevant co-op work permits are also provided with exciting opportunities with employers from the local area so that they can get work experience.

Ranking

  • 322nd by the QS World University Rankings in 2024
  • 301-350th by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023

Accommodation

The University of Victoria offers on-campus housing facilities to over 3,200 students in a variety of options that include single and double dormitories, family housing and cluster housing. The largest residential building is the Ring Road Hall holding 294 beds for the students. All the halls for residence at the campus have common rooms with high-speed internet and other important facilities.

Most of the housing options are given through a lottery system, but the first year students are guaranteed accommodation in any of the residence halls on campus.

About Location

The main campus of UVic lies on the borders of the municipalities of Oak Bay and Saanich. The campus is actually divided almost perfectly between the two areas and the municipal boundary is marked by undermount plates and a bronze line near the main quadrangle. Even though the name of the University has the mention of the city of Victoria, no part of the university’s main campus actually lies in that city.

The nearest airport to the campus is the Victoria International Airport (YYJ).

Alumni

  • Kim Adams- Internationally-acclaimed Sculptor
  • Peter Ciceri- Former VP, Compaq Computer Corporation
  • Richard Flury- Former Chief Executive at BP
  • Bill Burns- Conceptual Artist
  • George Abbott- Member of the Legislative Assembly at British Columbia
  • Rona Ambrose- Federal Cabinet Minister

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