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University of Victoria

Victoria, Canada

  • Cost of LivingCAD 26,232
  • Tuition Fee FromCAD 2,068
  • Country Rank#15
  • Batch Strength22,550
  • Global Diversity21%
  • Gender Ratio44 : 56

Overview

About

The University of Victoria (UVic or Victoria) is a public research university in the British Columbia communities of Oak Bay and Saanich. Victoria College, the province of British Columbia's first post-secondary institution has founded this university in 1903. In 1963, it was renamed the University of Victoria. The UVic campus was originally designed by the American architectural company Wurster, Bernardi & Emmons, which was previously known for completing major structures at Stanford University and UC Berkeley. 

 

The institution is located in the lovely city of Victoria, which is unquestionably one of the greatest locations in Canada for international students. The University campus is located in a lush region and is one of the city's largest. It has everything you could possibly need within a 10-minute drive and quickly feels like home. The university, which is located in the capital city of British Columbia, has educated several important jurists and politicians, including Jody Wilson-Raybould, Rona Ambrose, and Russell Brown. In recent years, the university has graduated the founders of several major internet businesses, including Flickr, Slack, and Hootsuite. Alumni and teachers from UVic have also served on Nobel Prize-winning research teams.

Ranking

According to THE (Times Higher Education) University Ranking, the University of Victoria's global ranking is currently between 301st and 350th among the Best Global Universities, showing improvement from its previous position within the same range in 2022. Additionally, QS World University Ranking places the University of Victoria at 322nd globally in 2024, reflecting an improvement from its ranking of 359th in 2023. According to the US News & World Report Global Universities, the University of Victoria holds the 324th position in the World University Ranking for 2023.Given below is the University of Victoria Rankings in 2024: 

 

  • QS World University Ranking: #322
  • THE University Rankings: #351–400th 

 

Course Rankings

When it comes to course rankings; the uni has many courses that have been recognized and ranked by the global agencies. We have picked out some of the most popular courses and listed their most recent rankings below:

 

Business Courses

  • QS - Global MBA 2022: #201-250
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics 2022: #301-400

 

Engineering Courses

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Engineering and Technology 2022: #201-250
  • QS - Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering Rankings 2021: #401-450

 

Science Courses

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Life Sciences Rankings 2022: #251-300
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - THE - Psychology Rankings 2022: #126-150

 

Humanities Courses

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Arts & Humanities Rankings 2022: #251-300
  • ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Sociology Ranking 2021: #151-200

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2024

#349

#385

Facilities

When it comes to the University of Victoria facilities, the university library for students is the second largest in British Columbia. There are in total 3 ‘on-campus’ libraries that are composed of thousands of books. Because of the university's investment in library purchasing and research, the Library System has grown significantly in recent years. The  university Archives and Special Collections contain rare objects from Imperial Japan, as well as carbon-dated original manuscripts of the Sancti Epiphanii. 

 

The Education Heritage Museum, located in the main corridor of the MacLaurin building at the university, shows educational history objects. The Victoria Vikes (also known as Vikes Nation) compete in a variety of sports for the university, including rowing, swimming, rugby, and basketball. The Vikes have a lengthy history of competitive rowing, having won multiple international titles. Sailing is still a popular sport at UVic, and the UVic Sailing Club (UVSC) maintains training facilities and boats in adjacent Cadboro Bay.

Notable Alumni

Stewart Butterfield
Stewart Butterfield
Chief Executive Officer of Slack Technologies
Andrew Petter
Andrew Petter
Former Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Erin Karpluk
Erin Karpluk
Canadian actress

Courses

Admission

Acceptance Rate

The University of Victoria acceptance rate is 53%, denoting the proportion of applicants who are offered admission to the university. This figure showcases the competitive nature of admissions, wherein approximately two-thirds of applicants successfully secure a place within the institution.  

 

Entry Requirements

The University of Victoria, regarded as one of the most prestigious academic institutions, admits students to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, from bachelor's degrees to certificates. The institute, which is well-known for its co-op programmes, offers some exceptional courses for international students and is ranked among the greatest higher education institutes in Canada. Let us see some of the general University of Victoria entry requirements along with English language requirements below:

 

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

The University of Victoria offers over 100 undergraduate degrees in a variety of disciplines. It is critical to find an appropriate curriculum that matches the applicant's interests. After the initial application is accepted, applicants will be sent a checklist of tasks to perform.

 

  • Online application form to be filled
  • An application fee of 132 CAD
  • Official transcripts of school/college
  • Interim Grades
  • LOR

 

Graduate Admission Requirements

  • Online application form to be filled
  • An application fee of 163 CAD
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • GMAT/GRE Score as per the programme
  • Resume/CV is required
  • SOI/Essay is required
  • Work Experience (for specific courses)

 

English Language Requirements

This table presents various English language proficiency scores commonly used for academic admissions, including TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test), TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery), and LPI (Language Proficiency Index). Each score represents a level of proficiency in English, with specific requirements varying depending on the institution or programme.

 

Test

Score

TOEFL iBT

90

TOEFL PBT

575

IELTS

6.5

MELAB

90

LPI

Level 6

 

Fees

When it comes to the University of Victoria fees, the students indeed have to pay a higher cost due to the high quality of education and the reputation the university holds. It is, however; advisable that students look out for financial aid that will marginally cut down their cost of living along with their tuition fees at this university. Some of the resources include scholarships, grants, and even education loans. The University of Victoria also offers scholarships to international students. To understand the tuition fees a little better; we have listed the cost of some of the top courses from the university below.

 

  • M.B.A: CAD 30,299
  • M.Eng Mechanical Engineering: CAD 3,479
  • B.Eng Electrical Engineering: CAD 29,425
  • B.Eng Civil Engineering: CAD 28,427
  • PhD Mechanical Engineering: CAD 16,756
  • PhD Electrical and Computer Engineering: CAD 16,756

 

Placement  

The University of Victoria offers comprehensive support and resources to assist students with placements and career development. Through its dedicated career services, students have access to workshops, career fairs, and one-on-one advising to explore career options, develop job-search strategies, and enhance professional skills. The university's strong industry connections and cooperative education programs provide valuable opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through work terms and internships, preparing them for successful transitions into the workforce upon graduation.

 

Scholarship

Some of the awards offered by the university are tabulated below: 

 

Name of Scholarship

Eligibility

Award Value (CAD)

President’s Beyond Borders Fund

Awarded to exceptional academic achievers from the Asia-Pacific region who are entering an undergraduate programme at the university.

$3,750

International Entrance Scholarships

Open to international candidates with outstanding academic performance who are entering a first-year undergraduate programme at the university.

$7,500

President’s Vietnam Scholarship

Granted to academically outstanding international students from Vietnam who are entering an undergraduate programme at the university.

$7,500

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 Victoria. 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 Victoria. 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

The lifestyle of the students affects the cost of living in Victoria significantly. Budgeting before the stay is recommended in order to better control your spending. Living away from campus can be a viable choice, even if housing is the most expensive of the numerous fees. We have provided an estimated price list to assist you with varied expenses of multiple things. Your comprehension of where you will be spending more money and where you can make savings and manage your expenditure will improve as a result. Scholarships and grants are a couple of the financial aid options available to you that might help you relieve your financial burden. Check out the table below.

 

Items

Cost

Off-Campus Accommodation (monthly)

CAD 800

On-Campus Accommodation (monthly)

CAD 1,234

Transportation (monthly)

CAD 85

Food Cost (monthly)

CAD 720

Utilities (monthly)

CAD 130

Entertainment (monthly)

CAD 58

Markets (monthly)

CAD 80

Clothes (monthly)

CAD 142

Health Insurance

CAD 75

Total cost of living in off-campus accommodation (per month)

CAD 2,090

Total cost of living in on-campus accommodation (per month)

CAD 2,524

Annual Cost of living

CAD 30,288