Study in Ottawa

Ottawa for students

The capital of Canada, Ottawa is ranked 55th in this year’s Best Student Cities ranking. A diverse and dynamic city, Ottawa is also multilingual, with many residents fluent in both English and French.

Although it has fallen slightly since the previous edition of the ranking, Ottawa has improved its rank in some areas including student view and student mix. The latter is perhaps unsurprising given the recent trend in international students viewing Canada as a more attractive alternative to the United States.

The two top universities in Ottawa are both ranked within the top 650 in the world, with the University of Ottawa an impressive joint 237th in the QS World University Rankings® 2023.

Best universities in Ottawa - QS Best Student Cities ranking: =53rd

More about Ottawa

Although Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal all out-perform Ottawa in this year's ranking, any of these Canadian cities would make for a fantastic study destination. In fact, all four are within the top 25 cities in the world for desirability. Ottawa also benefits from being a more affordable city than either Vancouver or Toronto.

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

Why study in Ottawa?

Plenty to see and do

Ottawa is home to the Rideau Canal, the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America, which is also a world heritage site. There are countless other cultural and historical spots of interest to explore, including the most-visited museum in Canada, the Canadian Museum of History. The city is also home to the impressive neo-gothic parliament building ‘Centre Block’.

A student-friendly city

Ottawa is ranked within the top 50 for the student view indicator, a score which reflects the city’s lively student life, diversity and friendliness.

It received praise in our student survey, with one respondent saying: “I love the opportunities and the diversity as well as the student-centred culture” while another praised the “diverse array of activities, programs and events you can get involved in.”

Demographically diverse and rich in culture

As well as having a much younger population, over 20 percent of Ottawa's population is foreign born. Chinese, British and Lebanese citizens are among the largest international communities, while there's also a significant aboriginal population too.

Cost of studying in Ottawa

While it's not among the world's most affordable cities, Ottawa does benefit from a cheaper cost of living than other cities in North America (including Toronto). Rent in particular is about one-fifth cheaper in Ottawa than in Toronto, according to Numbeo.

The typical individual will need around US$948 per month for living expenses excluding rent, while a one-person city-centre apartment will cost you just under $1,300 a month.

Life and culture in Ottawa

Ottawa is a city rich with boutique shops, galleries, museums and theatres so there'll be no shortage of things to see, do and explore in your time living here. The city also hosts a vast range of festivals and outdoor events throughout the year, including Winterlude, the largest festival in Canada. 

If looking for something to do on a rainy day, the collections and exhibitions at the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian War Museum are well worth viewing. The city is also home to several professional sports teams, from ice hockey to baseball.

Careers in Ottawa

Fittingly for the capital city of Canada, Ottawa is home to several key industries with a particular focus on high-tech companies and healthcare. The city is also home to the Canadian government and a significant number of the city's residents will work within the Public Service of Canada. 

The city's high-tech focus has earned it the nickname "Silicon Valley North", in reference to the cluster of tech firms based in San Francisco. Companies such as Shopify, Corel and Mitel were all founded in Ottawa, while multinationals such as Nokia and IBM also have bases here.