Public Universities

Introduction

There are 19 publicly assisted universities in Ontario, including the Ontario College of Art & Design. Each university offers undergraduate (bachelor) degrees, and most offer graduate (master's and doctorate) degrees. Each institution operates independently and determines its own academic and admissions policies, programs, and staff appointments. The ministry provides operating funding to the universities and each university's degree-granting authority is based on its Act of the Legislature. There are several privately funded degree-granting institutions in the province (each with an Act of the Legislature), and many degree programs offered on the basis of a ministerial consent.

Often, students can combine programs to complete, for example, a degree in two subject areas such as chemistry and physics, English and history, or environmental studies and geography. Some universities and colleges of applied arts and technology have joint programs that let students earn a university degree and a college diploma simultaneously. For additional information about programs, admission requirements, fees and residences, refer to the calendars of each university. These are available at secondary schools, public libraries, and from the admissions office at the institution that interests you. Information is also available online from the websites of the various publicly assisted universities.