Laurentian University: Canada's leading bilingual university

Laurentian University is a public bilingual university in Canada, offering education in both English and French. Founded in 1960, it is located in Sudbury, Ontario.

Three main reasons to study at Laurentian — one of the universities in Canada:

• individual support throughout the entire course of study in small classes;
• the university demonstrates a high level of graduate employment in the province — most students find work within six months after completing their program;
• Laurentian graduates can boast competitive incomes in Ontario.

Laurentian University's mission is to prepare students and future leaders in an inclusive, intellectual, and curious environment. In pursuing its main goals, the university adheres to its core values:

• Community, created through understanding, a welcoming atmosphere, and care for the student and faculty community.
• Integrity, achieved through openness with students and showing respect.
• Student success, born with the support of the academic and research environment.
• Conservation of natural resources, which are part of the campus educational environment.
• Collaboration, born in the process of working on developing solutions for modern world challenges.

University Campus in Sudbury

Sudbury, with a population of over 170,600, combines developed urban infrastructure with natural wealth. It's a friendly and multicultural city, with more than a third of its residents speaking both official languages — English and French. In 2015, Sudbury was named the happiest city in Canada.

For a long time, the city was known for its mining industry, which still accounts for over 16,000 jobs today. Now, the city has also become a center for financial services, healthcare, business, and trade. The educational and research environment allows for innovation in many areas important to both Canada and the world.

Laurentian University's campus is just minutes from downtown. The campus covers 765 acres of land and is adjacent to a huge natural area surrounded by five freshwater lakes. Laurentian University students can enjoy long walks and hikes on 35 kilometers of hiking trails, visit numerous theaters and museums, shop and dine, and make many new friends.

Why International Students Choose Laurentian?

Laurentian University educates thousands of international students representing dozens of different nations and cultures. As of 2025, the total number of students is about 6,000, reflecting the university's adaptation to new international student admission rules.

What attracts students from abroad the most?

• the university's bilingualism and respect for other languages and cultures;
• the opportunity to get a bachelor's or master's degree at a reasonable cost;
• a rich student life with many cultural and sports events;
• picturesque campus and nature;
• direct support from faculty and many services for international students ready to advise on any issue;
• good employment prospects with competitive earnings;
• numerous student clubs and sports teams for hockey, soccer, basketball, golf, and other sports.

University Programs

Laurentian offers a wide range of study programs across four faculties:

• Faculty of Arts;
• Faculty of Education and Health;
• Faculty of Management;
• Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture.

The university has a total of 113 educational programs, including 34 programs in French. Most academic programs are aimed at obtaining bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees. Enrollment for programs takes place in September, January, and May.

Additionally, there are several programs that offer post-graduate diplomas, such as the Nurse Practitioner program or the Science Communication program. Students also have the opportunity to receive a bilingualism certificate — it is automatically issued to those who study in both languages and earn at least 15 credits in each.

Some programs at Laurentian are unique in Canada. For example, this is the only place where you can enroll in a bachelor's or master's program in forensic science accredited by the special FEPAC commission. It's also the only university in Canada offering a French-language program in orthophony — a special method for treating speech disorders. The university's School of Architecture — the newest school at the university — places special emphasis on northern architecture, which focuses on construction using wood and renewable materials.

At the School of Management, prospective students can also obtain the highly sought-after MBA degree (Master of Business Administration). Business administration as an academic discipline is very popular due to its wide range of opportunities, career prospects, and unlimited potential, as well as the constant demand for graduates worldwide. The MBA program at Laurentian University prepares students for leadership roles in modern business, providing a deep understanding of business principles and strategic management.

Laurentian University realizes that the most important thing for students is to learn how to apply their knowledge in practice to have good employment prospects right after graduation. Therefore, all programs have a practical focus: Education School students hone their skills working with children in classrooms, psychology students conduct consultations with other university students, and engineering students spend a lot of time in laboratories and work on their own projects.

Cost of Study at Laurentian

The cost of studying at the university will largely depend on the level of education you choose and the program you're interested in. Most programs at the same level will have similar prices, but some may be lower or higher based on the specifics of the field and the number of credits earned for the course.

Tuition fees for undergraduate programs for international students (for 2025):

Tuition fees for graduate programs for international students:

Most doctoral programs cost $23,500-25,000 CAD.

In addition to tuition, students may also need to pay additional fees that cover various resources, study materials, and a medical plan.

The university also provides an approximate annual cost for everyday expenses that students studying at Laurentian can expect:

However, it's worth noting that international students in Canada are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week during the semester (increased from 20 to 24 hours as of November 2024) and full-time 40 hours per week during holidays. Additionally, Laurentian University offers scholarships specifically for international students: in the first year of study, a student may receive from $10,000 CAD to $15,000 CAD, and with good academic performance, scholarship payments can become annual.

Admission Requirements

Each program at Laurentian may have its specific requirements, but a constant condition for admission to a Canadian university for international applicants is proof of language proficiency. As the university is bilingual, you should choose which language proficiency you're ready to demonstrate for your academic studies.

Laurentian University accepts results from many recognized international language tests, including the most popular ones — IELTS and TOEFL.

Required scores for studying in English:

Laurentian University notes that applicants don't necessarily have to take the above-mentioned English proficiency exams. An alternative option is to complete the preparatory University Pathway program from ILAC, where students can improve their language skills and learn more about the system and requirements in Canadian higher education institutions. With a certificate of completion from the University Pathway program, you can apply to Laurentian without taking additional exams.

For studying in French, one of the following conditions must be met:

• three years of education at a school or university where French was the language of instruction;
• minimum C1 level on the TCF test;
• minimum C1 level on the written part of the TEF test;
• Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF) certificate with a minimum C1 level.

Assistance with Admission

If you want to get a quality education and open up many career opportunities, studying in Canada is the perfect choice for you. Canada has numerous colleges and universities offering a wide variety of educational levels and programs. If you need help choosing a suitable program and understanding admission requirements, feel free to contact us. We'll provide free support for your enrollment in a Canadian institution, help you gather all necessary documents, and assist with your student visa application. Book a consultation with our visa advisors to start your journey to Canada.