Carleton University is a public research university located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1942 as Carleton College, a private, non-denominational evening college to serve returning World War II veterans. The university became public in 1967 and has since grown to become one of the largest and most respected universities in Canada.
Carleton is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in journalism, public affairs, international affairs, architecture, and technology. The university also has a thriving research community, with over $200 million in research funding received annually.
Carleton is a popular choice for both domestic and international students. The university has over 31,000 students from over 150 countries. Carleton is also a member of the University of the Arctic, a consortium of universities in northern circumpolar countries.
Highlights
- Academic excellence: Carleton is consistently ranked among the top universities in Canada. In the 2023 Maclean’s University Rankings, Carleton ranked 5th among comprehensive universities. Carleton is particularly known for its programs in engineering, business, public policy, and international affairs.
- Research powerhouse: Carleton is a major research university, with over $300 million in research funding annually. Carleton researchers are making important contributions in a wide range of fields, including artificial intelligence, climate change, and global health.
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2023 | Last day for receipt of applications for admission to an undergraduate degree program for the summer term |
| May 4, 2023 | Summer term begins |
| May 10, 2023 | Last day for registration and course changes (including auditing) in early summer courses |
| May 17, 2023 | Last day for registration and course changes (including auditing) in full summer courses |
| June 10, 2023 | Deadline to confirm your offer of residence and pay the residence deposit |
| June 30, 2023 | Deadline to apply for an Entrance Bursary |
| July 2, 2023 | Late summer classes begin and full summer classes resume |
| July 8, 2023 | Last day for registration and course changes (including auditing) in late summer courses |
| July 15, 2023 | Last day to withdraw from late summer courses with a full fee adjustment |
| August 4, 2023 | Summer term ends |
Rankings
Overall Rankings
- Carleton University is ranked among the top universities in Canada.
- In the 2023 Maclean’s University Rankings, Carleton ranked 5th among comprehensive universities.
- Carleton is also ranked in a number of international university rankings, including:
- QS World University Rankings: 671-680
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings: 601-800
- U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities: 526
- Carleton’s rankings vary depending on the ranking system used. However, all of the major ranking systems recognize Carleton as a high-quality university.
Program-Specific Rankings
In addition to its overall ranking, Carleton is also ranked highly for a number of specific programs and subjects:
- Carleton’s engineering program is ranked 9th in Canada by Maclean’s.
- Its business program is ranked 11th.
- Carleton is also ranked highly for its programs in public policy, international affairs, and journalism.
Courses
Most Popular Courses:
- Engineering: Carleton is known for its strong engineering program, which offers courses in aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
- Business: The Sprott School of Business at Carleton is one of Canada’s leading business schools. It offers courses in accounting, finance, marketing, and management.
- Public Policy: Carleton is also known for its strong programs in public policy, international affairs, and political science. These programs offer courses in public administration, public finance, and international relations.
- Journalism: Carleton’s journalism program is one of the most respected in Canada. It offers courses in news writing, editing, and broadcast journalism.
- Science: Carleton’s science program offers courses in a wide range of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
- Arts and Humanities: Carleton’s arts and humanities program offers courses in a variety of disciplines, including English, history, philosophy, and religion.
Unique and Specialized Courses:
- Aerospace Engineering: Carleton is the only university in Ontario that offers a degree in aerospace engineering.
- Architectural Conservation and Sustainability Engineering: Carleton is one of the few universities in Canada that offers a degree in architectural conservation and sustainability engineering.
- Global and International Studies: Carleton’s global and international studies program offers courses in a wide range of topics, including globalization, development, and human rights.
- Health Sciences: Carleton’s health sciences program offers courses in a variety of disciplines, including public health, nutrition, and health policy.
- Cognitive Science: Carleton’s cognitive science program offers courses in the study of the mind and brain.
Fees
Domestic Undergraduate Students
| Fee Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Compulsory Ancillary Fees | $7,279.16 – $13,023.09 |
| Residence Fees | $9,600 – $15,400 |
| Meal Plans | $3,780 – $5,200 |
International Undergraduate Students
| Fee Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Compulsory Ancillary Fees | $30,389 – $46,152 |
| Residence Fees | $9,600 – $15,400 |
| Meal Plans | $3,780 – $5,200 |
Admission
General Admission Requirements:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have met the specific course prerequisites for your desired program of study
- Have a minimum overall average of 70%
Some programs may have higher admission requirements, such as a higher overall average or specific course prerequisites. For more information about the admission requirements for your desired program of study, please visit the Carleton University website.
Application Process:
To apply to Carleton University, follow these steps:
- Create an account and submit an online application.
- Submit your high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
- You may also need to submit additional materials, such as a portfolio or audition, depending on your desired program of study.
Once you have submitted your application, Carleton University will review your materials and make a decision about your admission. If you are accepted, you will receive an offer of admission. You will then need to accept the offer and pay a deposit to secure your place at Carleton University.
Tips for Applying:
- Start planning your application early. This will give you plenty of time to gather the required materials and write a strong personal statement.
- Make sure you meet all of the admission requirements for your desired program of study. You can find the admission requirements on the Carleton University website.
- Submit a well-written personal statement. The personal statement is your chance to tell Carleton University about yourself and why you are interested in attending their university.
- Get letters of recommendation from teachers or other adults who know you well. The letters of recommendation should speak to your academic abilities, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities.
- Proofread your application carefully before submitting it. Make sure there are no errors in grammar or spelling.
Cut offs
Carleton University Cut-off Guidelines (2023-2024)
Carleton University’s cut-offs vary depending on the program of study and the year. However, here are some general guidelines for the cut-offs for the 2023-2024 academic year:
Program Cut-off Ranges:
- Engineering: 75-85%
- Business: 80-85%
- Science: 70-80%
- Arts and Humanities: 70-75%
Some programs may have higher cut-offs, such as the Bachelor of Computer Science program, which has a cut-off of 85-88%.
The cut-offs are determined by the number of qualified applicants to each program. If there are more qualified applicants than there are spaces in the program, then the cut-off will be higher.
It is important to note that the cut-offs are just a guideline. Meeting the cut-off does not guarantee admission to a program. Carleton University also considers other factors, such as your extracurricular involvement, letters of recommendation, and personal statement.
If you are interested in applying to a program at Carleton University, I recommend that you check the website for the specific cut-off for the year you are applying. You should also aim to achieve an average above the cut-off to increase your chances of admission.
Placements
Placement Record:
Carleton University has a strong placement record. In 2022, 95% of Carleton graduates were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Carleton students are highly sought after by employers, and the university has a number of partnerships with leading companies and organizations.
Examples of Companies and Organizations:
- Accenture
- Amazon
- Bell Canada
- Deloitte
- Ericsson
- EY
- IBM
- KPMG
- Microsoft
- PwC
- Shopify
- TD Bank
Placement Preparation and Services:
Carleton University also has a number of programs and services to help students prepare for and find placements. These include:
- The Career Services Centre: The Career Services Centre provides students with a variety of services, including career counselling, resume and cover letter writing assistance, and interview preparation.
- Co-op and Internship Programs: Carleton University offers a number of co-op and internship programs that give students the opportunity to gain paid work experience in their field of study.
- Alumni Network: Carleton University has a large and active alumni network. Alumni can help students find placements and provide mentorship and career advice.
Scholarships
Types of Scholarships:
- Entrance Scholarships: Carleton University offers a variety of entrance scholarships to incoming students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and are renewable for up to four years of study.
- In-Course Scholarships: Carleton University also offers a variety of in-course scholarships to current students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, financial need, extracurricular involvement, and other factors.
- Donor-Funded Scholarships: Carleton University has a number of donor-funded scholarships that are awarded to students based on a variety of criteria, such as their program of study, their background, and their extracurricular involvement.
To learn more about the scholarships available at Carleton University, please visit the Carleton University website.
Tips for Applying for Scholarships:
- Start planning your scholarship applications early. This will give you plenty of time to gather the required materials and write strong scholarship essays.
- Make sure you meet all of the eligibility requirements for the scholarships you are applying for. You can find the eligibility requirements on the Carleton University website.
- Write strong scholarship essays. The scholarship essays are your chance to tell the scholarship committee about yourself and why you deserve the scholarship. Be sure to write about your academic achievements, your extracurricular involvement, and your future goals.
- Proofread your scholarship applications carefully before submitting them. Make sure there are no errors in grammar or spelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
To apply to Carleton University, you can create an account and submit an online application. You will need to submit your high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. You may also need to submit additional materials, such as a portfolio or audition, depending on your desired program of study.
To be eligible for admission to Carleton University, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and meet the specific course prerequisites for your desired program of study. You must also have a minimum overall average of 70%.
Some of the most popular programs at Carleton University include engineering, business, public policy, journalism, and science.
