Western University

Overview

At a Glance

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Urban Centre Size
Medium (150-500K)
Number of Students
41,940
DLI Number
O19375892122
Main Campus Region
North
Summary

Western University ranks as one of Canada’s top research universities. From fundamental to applied knowledge, Western discoveries benefit economic, social, health and cultural development in Canada and around the world.

The university attracts students with broad worldviews seeking to study, engage and lead in international communities. Students from 128 countries share classroom experiences and engage in study-abroad, research and volunteer opportunities to broaden perspectives and knowledge. Western students balance academic achievement with opportunities for athletic, volunteer and social engagement, which foster a strong community that extends to more than 328,000 alumni worldwide

Western teaches a full complement of disciplines with three subjects placing in the top 50 globally. With annual research funding of $267 million, Western researchers work to inform policy and share knowledge on the world stage. More than 60% of research publications involve international collaborations.

Western is home to world-renowned research centres such as the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, the Wind Engineering, Energy and Environment Research Institute, the Brain and Mind Institute, Robarts Research Institute, the Fraunhofer Project Centre for Composites Research, and the Bone and Joint Institute.

Western ranks first in Canada, and third in the world, for sustainability based on a global ranking of universities working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Times Higher Education 2022 Impact Rankings recognize Western as a world leader in its contribution to these UN SDGs: ‘no poverty,’ ‘zero hunger,’ ‘life below water,’ and ‘peace, justice and strong institutions.’

Western is considered one of Canada’s most beautiful campuses. Our home, London, Canada, is a safe, welcoming community of more than 423,000 people.

Western University is affiliated to two university colleges. Huron University College was founded in 1863, originally established as Huron College, and renamed Huron University College in 2000. King’s University College was founded in 1954, as a Catholic-based liberal arts college. Regardless of their religious affiliation, each university college celebrates diversity and enrolls students from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds creating communities which are welcoming to all.

Profile

Where is campus and what’s it like?

Western is located in London, Ontario, which has a population of 384,000. It’s centrally located in Southwestern Ontario, only two hours from Toronto and Niagara Falls. Western’s campus is known for being one of the most beautiful in Canada. It has 1200 acres of green space with lots of trees and gardens. The Thames River winds through campus and there’s a mix of modern and historic buildings. Campus amenities include everything you might need as a student: medical and dental offices, grocery store, hospital, restaurants/eateries, movie theatre and more.

What can I study?

Western offers first-entry undergraduate programs, second-entry professional undergraduate programs, graduate programs and postdoctoral programs. You’ll have plenty of choice for what you want to study. There are over 400 combinations of programs, 14 combined degrees and 4 campuses to choose from. In the first year, you’ll likely take a combination of courses for the programs you want to pursue, and electives you choose from almost any faculty. Western’s degree structure allows you to have the flexibility to specialize in one area or combine two passions.

Can I do internships or co-op?

Yes, there are internships, co-ops and practicums (Opens In A New Tab) offered in every undergraduate program. There are also 20+ other ways for you to develop your skills and become career-ready through experiential learning. Work-integrated learning is a great way to explore career paths, build a professional network, gain interview experience, and get a head start on your career.

King’s University College

As an affiliated university college of Western University, King’s students will graduate with a Western degree while enjoying “The Best of Both Worlds”—learning in small classes, by outstanding faculty on a supportive community-based campus, just steps away from an exceptional, comprehensive university.  Recognized nationally and internationally for its excellent academic programs, commitment to research excellence, generous scholarships and comprehensive student services, King’s is truly the Place to Be and Become.

https://www.kings.uwo.ca/future-students/ (Opens In A New Tab)

Huron University College

At Huron, we are developing the next generation of Leaders with Heart: innovative thinkers who are passionate about improving the state of the world and possess the potential to bring about transformational change in their local and global communities. Our distinctive liberal arts, business and ethics-based learning environments offer an elite yet accessible education, proven to position students for leadership and professional success, while also developing their character. We focus exclusively on undergraduate excellence by keeping class sizes intentionally small, to provide a personalized learning experience, tailored to your individual passions. Students in every program are offered guaranteed paid internships along with exclusive access to mentorship opportunities from our powerful alumni network consisting of Canada’s most distinguished leaders in business, law, global affairs, technology and more. As the founding institution of Western University, Huron students also have full access to all the resources, student life and athletic facilities of the wider Western campus and will receive a Western University degree upon graduation.

https://huronatwestern.ca/future-students/ (Opens In A New Tab)

 

Requirements and Admissions

Requirements

Your admission requirements depend on your education so far. Find the right admission requirements for you. (Opens In A New Tab)

In general, you’ll need:

  • A competitive grade average
  • Requirements for your program
  • English Language Proficiency  test results (if English is not your first language)

Learn more about English Language Proficiency Requirements (Opens In A New Tab).

How to Apply

Check out our application guide (Opens In A New Tab). We’re here to help at every step.

Visit our website for forms and details (Opens In A New Tab)

Ontario Grade 12 Curriculum Requirements

If you currently attend an Ontario high school, you must successfully complete an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, including each of the following, to be considered for admission:

  • Six 4U and/or 4M level courses (excluding co-op)
  • 4U English (ENG4U)
  • Prerequisites for your program as specified by Western
  • An admission average, including all program prerequisite courses as specified by Western

Failed and Repeated Courses

If a student has 3 or more repeats, this may be taken into consideration. If a student has 2 or fewer repeats, the highest attempt will be taken.

Midterm and Final Grades

  • Due to the unique semester systems this year in Ontario, it is important that your OUAC application is updated with your enrolment information for all prerequisite courses required for the program(s) you apply to. Ensure that your guidance counsellor sends your enrolment information, and mid-year and final grades to the OUAC.
  • If you do not have a grade in a prerequisite course, do not worry. We will review your application based on a combination of Grade 11 and Grade 12 grades available at the time of each offer round (provided your application is showing enrolment in prerequisite courses).
  • You can log into your OUAC account (Opens In A New Tab) to confirm proper submission of your grades and enrolment information.
  • If you are registered to take a course outside of your home school, make sure it is a Ministry-accredited and approved school that offers the same rigorous curriculum and level of instruction as your high school. Grades must be reported through the OUAC.

Alternative Offers

Western’s Main Campus does not have automatic alternative offers of admission. If you wish to be considered for more than one program, list each program as a separate choice on your OUAC application.

One-year deferrals of admission may be granted to high school applicants. A written request must be sent to the Admissions Office that outlines the reasons for deferral.

Note: A deferral will not be granted to those students who will be studying at another postsecondary institution.

The Special Consideration Profile (Opens In A New Tab) is available for students who may have had extenuating circumstances that led to academic difficulty and that may put them marginally below the university’s minimum admissions requirement. Extenuating circumstances may include disability, personal illness, financial circumstances, required employment, family illnesses or other personal or family matters. Deadline: March 1.

The Extraordinary Extracurricular and Contributions to Citizenship Profile (Opens In A New Tab) is an optional profile designed to recognize a candidate’s commitment to “extracurricular activities and active citizenship” through ongoing contributions to school and community life. Students who believe that their average will fall marginally below the University’s minimum admission requirements and who have made significant contributions are eligible to submit a profile. Deadline: March 1.

Visit our website for forms and details (Opens In A New Tab).

Internship and/or co-op opportunities (Opens In A New Tab) are available in a variety of programs.

Programs

  • Anthropology
  • Applied mathematics
  • Archaeology
  • Arts, entertainment, and media management
  • Astronomy and astrophysics
  • Biochemical engineering
  • Business, management, marketing and related support services, other
  • Business/commerce, general
  • Chemical engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Civil engineering
  • Classics and classical languages, literatures and linguistics
  • Communication and media studies
  • Communication, journalism and related programs, other
  • Computer science
  • Criminology
  • Dentistry (DDS, DMD)
  • Economics
  • Education, general
  • Education, other
  • Electrical and electronic engineering technologies/technicians
  • Engineering science
  • Engineering, general
  • English language and literature, general
  • English language and literature/letters, other
  • Finance and Financial Management Services
  • Fine arts and art studies
  • French language and literature, general
  • French language and literature/letters, other
  • History
  • Law (LLB, JD, BCL)
  • Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities
  • Linguistic, comparative and related language studies and services
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics and statistics, other
  • Medical scientist (MS, MSc, PhD)
  • Medicine (MD)
  • Microbiological sciences and immunology
  • Music
  • Neurobiology and neurosciences
  • Political science and government
  • Practical Nursing
  • Psychology, general
  • Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions
  • Romance languages, literatures and linguistics
  • Science Technologies/Technicians, General
  • Science technologies/technicians, other
  • Social sciences, general
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • Teacher education and professional development, specific levels and methods
  • Visual and performing arts, other

Student Experience

Student Experience is organized into three inter-dependent pillars, which are: Leadership & Learning, Sport & Recreation, and Wellness & Well-being. Professional and student staff work across these three pillars, collaborating with student organizations, academic and administrative leaders to maximize the potential of each student.

Western offers close to 200 clubs creating a fantastic opportunity to meet new people with similar interests and become more involved in the Western Community. Learn more about how you can get involved with clubs at Western (Opens In A New Tab).

 

Scholarships and Bursaries

Explore our scholarships and bursaries:

Housing

Residence Price(s)
$8,725 – $10,185 (double-room accommodation)
$9,165 – $11,425 (single-room accommodation)
Figures above are based on the 2022-2023 academic year.

Internet is included in your room charge at no extra cost.

Room Types
Western residences offer traditional, suite- and hybrid-style buildings with either single or mixed-gender rooms or suites. Students have greater freedom to choose the person(s) with whom they wish to live. Mixed-gender rooms or suites are an opt-in option.

Amenities

  • In-house dining halls
  • Safety and security features
  • Residence life and academic support programs
  • Study groups
  • Building-wide internet access
  • Music practice room6-week rotating menu
  • Suites with kitchens
  • Suites with washrooms
  • Living Learning Community floors
  • Quieter lifestyles floors
  • Single-gender (woman) floor
  • Alcohol-free floors
  • In-house workout rooms
  • Laundry facilities
  • In-room cleaning

Front desk staff are available in various residences during the day and are accessible by telephone on a 24-hour basis. Western University, including all residences, is smoke-free.

Residence Guarantee
Space in residence is guaranteed to all high school students who receive an offer of first-year, full-time admission to the Main Campus by mid-June.

Deposit Required
$900 deposit required

Meal Plans
$6,250 (based on the 2022-2023 academic year).

With the exception of Alumni House, London Hall, Bayfield Hall and Lambton Hall, each of Western’s residences offer the convenience of in-house dining facilities. The meal plan includes a combination of residence dollars for items prepared in the dining hall and flex dollars for convenience and off-campus purchases.

If desired, meal plans can be topped up online at no additional cost. Unused food credit balances at the end of the year can be carried forward onto a meal plan for the next academic year.

Learn more about the offerings in each residence. (Opens In A New Tab)

Off-Campus Housing
Learn more about living off campus. (Opens In A New Tab)

Contact Information

Location

Student Testimonials

Read about the experiences of past international students.

  1. Political Science at Western offers a diversity of opportunities that can benefit students of all tastes and dispositions. I found that the freedom of upper-year courses really allowed me to pursue my own interests, and have helped me to plot a course towards a Master’s thesis.

    Phil Henderson, Honours BA
  2. After endless guidance counsellor appointments, researching university websites and then going to visit the campuses, the friendly, family-like atmosphere I saw at Western is what drew me here and sealed the deal.

    Errington Sallows, BMus
  3. The BMSc program at Western is unique as it offers many areas for specialization within your degree, so you’re bound to find something that interests you in our program.

    Emaad Mohammad, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Have questions about admissions?

To learn more about the admissions criteria for each of our programs please contact the admissions office.

An overhead view of students sitting at tables.

Contact Admissions