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University of Guelph

Guelph, Canada

  • Cost of LivingCAD 22,686
  • Tuition Fee FromCAD 9,840
  • Country Rank#19
  • Batch Strength22,571
  • Global Diversity10%
  • Gender Ratio41 : 59

Overview

About

The University of Guelph, founded in 1964, is a research-intensive, learner-centred university offering students a broad range of academic programs with over 85 majors to choose from. In collaboration with the renowned Humber College, Ontario, the university has its campuses at Guelph, Ridgetown, and Guelph-Humber. Every year, around 1,400 overseas students from more than 100 countries come to the university to pursue their higher education. The institution comprises 7 faculties inclusive of its original veterinary and agricultural colleges. In order to ensure that graduates have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their professions, the university focuses on experiential learning via co-op placements and field courses.

 

Also referred to as the U of G, it was formed as a result of the amalgamation of the Ontario Agricultural College, the MacDonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College. It is affiliated with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the International Association of Universities (IAU), and more. The university is known for its dedication to providing students with a seamless experience given its ancient and modern architecture & cutting-edge technology that foster a warm, welcoming, safe, and supportive environment.

The University of Guelph’s acceptance rate is 66% demonstrating its moderately selective admissions policy. However, admissions to the university also depend on the course or program chosen and other course-specific requirements. Some of the most popular courses include the following -

  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Physics
  • Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
  • Engineering
  • Ecology
  • Social Sciences & Public Health
  • Plant & Animal Science

 

The university’s unique approach to postsecondary education enables students to earn an Honors Degree and a Diploma within 4 years of full-time study. A vast majority of the university’s graduate programs have connections with the industry, so it allows students to gain hands-on field-word experience along with building and strengthening the skills they require to progress professionally. In addition to this, students can largely benefit from the university’s personalised teaching approach while also giving students great research opportunities beyond disciplinary boundaries.

Ranking

QS World University Ranking 2024:

University of Guelph has shown excellence by securing 401–500 spot on the global scale.


Recognised nationwide as one of the top-ranking institutions, the University of Guelph has been placed among the top 20 in Canada since 2017. Renowned platforms such as QS World University Rankings, THE University Rankings, and US News & World Report have given high rankings. The university falls under the world’s best 600 universities with most of its ranking strengths in teaching, international outlook, industry income, research and citations. Some of the noteworthy University of Guelph rankings include -

  • THE University Rankings 2022 - #501 - 600
  • Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022 - #401
  • THE Impact Rankings 2022 - #18
  • Research Infosource - Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities 2022 - #18
  • Research Infosource - Canada’s Top Research Universities Comprehensive 2022 - #2
  • According to MacLean’s 2020, the university ranked #1 in Canada for student satisfaction
  • MacLeans University Rankings 2021 - #4
  • Center for World University Rankings 2022 - #479
  • RUR World University Rankings 2022 - #327

 

Course-Wise Rankings

Several courses at the University of Guelph have been recognised and ranked by prestigious ranking platforms. Below are a few of the top-ranking subjects at the university along with their rankings -

 

QS Subject-Wise Rankings 2022

  • Agriculture & Forestry - #20
  • Hospitality & Leisure Management - #51
  • Veterinary Science - #5
  • Environmental Sciences - #151
  • Anatomy & Physiology - #101
  • Biological Sciences - #301

 

ARWU Course-Wise Rankings 2021

  • Agricultural Sciences - #28
  • Biotechnology - #301
  • Public Health - #401
  • Geography - #151
  • Biological Sciences - #401
  • Psychology - #301

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2023

#591 - 600

#497

Facilities

The main campus is situated in the city of Guelph, stretching across 400 acres. Students enjoy the unique state-of-the-art University of Guelph facilities which enhance their campus experience. Owing to the fact that the university has witnessed a rise in the number of enrollments, it has guaranteed campus extensions. The university is recognised for its beautiful campus and has been ranked #1 for student satisfaction across Canada. Some of the most prominent university facilities include -

  • The institution’s central library comprises a multitude of journals, books, magazines, research papers, and more. In addition, the university also offers Joint Graduate Programs including Biology, Chemistry, Public Policy, and History
  • The campus community enjoys the core IT services available that include internet connectivity, campus email, calendaring system, software distribution, the development of single sign-on technology, and multiple learning resources
  • The main campus has an Arboretum and a Research Park along with 7 dining halls, 13 coffee houses, and 2 bakeries
  • Moreover, there are several student groups and organisations - The Central Students’ Association, The Graduate Students’ Association, The College of Arts - Student Union, and more
  • The institution is also well-known for providing an inclusive campus environment to its students with support groups for LGBTQ+ and gender equality.

Notable Alumni

Scott McGillivray
Scott McGillivray
Canadian entrepreneur
Reid Coolsaet
Reid Coolsaet
Canadian long-distance runner
Kim Parlee
Kim Parlee
News anchor

Courses

Admission

University of Guelph Entry Requirements

U of G has moderately selective admissions and it accepts applications for the Fall, Spring, and Winter semesters throughout the year. International applicants are required to follow the mandates specified by the university. The University of Guelph entry requirements vary based on the program chosen, the nationality of the applicant, their eligibility for financial aid, and other such factors. The applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA which is specified by their selected course. In addition to this, there’s a list of documents that students are recommended to keep handy in case the course or the university demands it when applying, and they include -

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

  • A Class 12 State Board Certification in the respective academic field with a strong First Division Standing
  • A minimum score of 75% in high-school
  • 10th Standard Board Results
  • Standardised test scores if the university demands
  • English Language Proficiency Scores
  • LOR (if required)
  • SOP (if applicable)

 

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution
  • A minimum GPA score of 2.67 or a grade of B
  • GMAT score of 550 - 600
  • Resume/CV
  • Work experience 
  • Reference Letters
  • SOP

 

University of Guelph Fees

While most universities require students to pay their tuition fees at the beginning of their academic year, students enrolling at the university will be paying on a semester basis. The University of Guelph fees are assessed based on factors such as the academic program, course load, cohort year, citizenship status, room and meal plans, and parking (if applicable). Students have additional compulsory fees and a registration deposit that they will have to look into when calculating their cost of attending the institution. Overseas students can expect to pay approximately CAD 10,703 to CAD 28,334 for undergraduate degrees and CAD 5,650 to CAD 15,684 for graduate programs. Following are the average annual course-wise fees -

  • MSc Computer Science - CAD 13,125
  • MBA Hospitality & Tourism Management - CAD 30,455
  • BEng Computer Engineering - CAD 30,878
  • PhD Management - CAD 12,709
  • PhD Mathematics & Statistics - CAD 11,749
  • Graduate Diploma Market Research - CAD 13,125

 

University of Guelph Placement

The Career Services department ensures that students secure good positions in their professions via the University of Guelph placements. In fact, the university’s placement cell focuses on the student’s exposure to practical and experiential learning. It enables students to gain financial independence by providing them with various career opportunities like part-time work on campus, seasonal employment during their Summer/Winter breaks, Internships, Volunteering opportunities, and jobs after graduation. Some of the top positions that university graduates secured include -

  • Administrative Assistant
  • Landscape Architect
  • Project Manager
  • Executive Director
  • Marketing Coordinator
  • Software Developer

Scholarship

Regardless of the program you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by University of Guelph as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can significantly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the university through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:

 

  • Merit-based scholarships

  • Need-based scholarships

  • Country-specific scholarships

  • College-specific scholarships

  • Student-specific scholarships

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the University of Guelph. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

Accommodation

There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend University of Guelph. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.

 

Cost of Living

With over 1,400 overseas students coming from all over the world to study at the University of Guelph, the city is a diverse hub offering a plethora of activities and things to do. The cost of living in Guelph is by and large dependent on the student’s choice of accommodation, their food & eating choices, socialising and entertainment activities, utilities, bills, and their personal lifestyle. The city offers several job opportunities to graduates and newcomers which gives a reason for students to stay back and enjoy the perks of the city. The table below lists the average expenses while living in Guelph as an international student -
 

Particulars

Cost (Monthly)

Off-Campus Accommodation 

CAD 500

On-Campus Accommodation

CAD 944

Transportation

CAD 80

Food Cost

CAD 600

Utility Cost

CAD 172

Entertainment

CAD 62

Groceries

CAD 72

Clothes

CAD 118

Health Insurance

CAD 75

Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation 

CAD 1679

Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation 

CAD 2123

Annual Cost of Living

CAD 25476