Carleton University’s roots as a non-denominational college supported in part by charitable donations from the Ottawa community make it unique among Ontario universities. Founded in 1942, Carleton was created in response to the need to help provide the young people in Ottawa, many of whom had taken on jobs to cope with the pressures of the Depression.
History
Carleton University’s roots as a non-denominational college supported in part by charitable donations from the Ottawa community make it unique among Ontario universities. Founded in 1942, Carleton was created in response to the need to help provide the young people in Ottawa, many of whom had taken on jobs to cope with the pressures of the Depression.
Education
We take pride in our institution and are committed to providing the programs and services that contribute to Carleton University being an employer of choice.
Research
Carleton University Research Centres (CURCS) serve to:
Group talents of interdisciplinary researchers
Provide focal points for research activities
Provide strong profiles in the search for research resources and the provision of services
Provide points of entry for outside agencies seeking appropriate expertise
Career
What can you do to help students?
Refer students to meet one on one with Career Services staff in 401 Tory Building
Refer students to our online resources and events
Consult with us if you are interested in incorporating career education into your course
Request an in-class workshop for the upcoming academic year
Hire a student – participate in work-study, Co-op, or on-campus employment
Carleton UniversityKey Statistics & Highlights
#633Ranking
969Academic Staff
28,693Students
6,026Students (int'l)
14,060Students (female)
Carleton UniversityOverview
Carleton UniversityRankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 13.6%Canada
Top 7.5%Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
633
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 17 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
2025
2026
2027
617
616
633
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
801
By TopUniversities
Dropped 20 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
741
781
801
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
No 2027 Ranking
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
501
501
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
No 2026 Ranking
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
2024
2025
2026
501
501
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
A consortium of nine Canadian universities and Indian partners, led by Carleton, Ryerson and Simon Fraser, strengthened its position in India with the opening of offices that provide space to focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. The announcement was made today by Roseann O’Reilly Runte, Carleton’s president and vice-chancellor, at a press conference in New Delhi.
Housing services
These Top 25 received a prize of $3,000, registration and accommodation at Congress at Brock University (provided by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences), and an invitation to participate in an exclusive research communications workshop at Congress.
Library services
Carleton attracts leading researchers who are committed to innovation, collaboration and taking innovative approaches to addressing critical real-world problems,” said Rafik Goubran, vice-president (Research and International). “Congratulations to both our newest CRC, Dr. Robertson and to Dr. Gruber on his renewal.
ICT services
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) and Carleton University’s Co-operative Education office are pleased to announce a partnership to expand career opportunities for students within the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector and to advance Ottawa’s position as the AV capital of Canada.
Medical services
The Carleton University Student Emergency Response Team (CUSERT) is a volunteer campus emergency response team serving the Carleton University community. Operating under Carleton’s Campus Safety Services, CUSERT provides on-call emergency medical response services for the entire Carleton campus twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, as well as first aid coverage at university events.
Campus life
On June 20, academics joined civil society and funding organizations from across Canada at Carleton University to launch Community-Campus Engage Canada, a network that will strengthen connections between participating institutions and co-create socially innovative research that’s equitable, ethical and respectful.
Sports facilities
For over 40 years, Carleton University has been offering Ottawa’s finest sports camp experience for kids aged 4 to 17. Check out our wide variety of sports camps and children’s programs offered year-round.
Student clubs
The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) is an incorporated, not-for-profit, student-run organization. We are your undergraduate student government, your campus services, your clubs and societies, your student life, your community campaigns, your students’ association. If you are a member of CUSA, you are encouraged to take advantage of the services, events, and programming that we offer.
Accreditation
Artemeva’s first task at SLaLS was to design and implement a course that would satisfy the requirement of the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board to introduce a written and oral communication component into the engineering curriculum.
I really enjoyed the ability to have one on one meetings with both professors and TAs. The campus is well laid out and makes it feel isolated, like Carleton's its own town. There is so many opportunities to get involved in school activities and meet new people throughout your studies. Carleton offers many different disciplines and cross disciplines to help curate the perfect program for you undergraduate studies.
Posted byAnonymous
Studied fromJan 2023 - Jun 2026
Posted onJan 2026
5/5
Carleton university, academics and campus life
I like Carleton university for its strong academic focus and practical learning opportunities. Many programs emphasize hands on experience through co-op research projects, and internships, which helps connect coursework to real world careers. The professors are generally knowledgeable and approachable, especially in upper year classes. The campus itself is another highlight, its scenic, well organized, and the tunnel system is extremely helpful during ottawa,s winters. i also appreciated the supportive resources available to students, including academic advising, library services, and career support. Being located in Ottawa is a major advantage, as it provides access to government, tech, and nonprofit opportunities.
Some classes, especially in first year, can be quite large, which can make it harder to feel personally connected. While there are many clubs and activities, social scene often requires effort to engage with, and campus life can feel quite at times. Additionally, navigating administrative processes can occassionally be slow or confusing and housing costs both on and off campus can be expensive.
Overall, my study experience at Caeleton university is positive and well rounded, its a great place for students who are motivated, career focussed, and willing to take initiative.
While there are areas for improvement, Carleton offers strong academics, valuable opportunities, and a supportive learning enviroment in a safe and opportunity rich city.
Posted byAnonymous
Studied fromJul 2025 - Oct 2027
Posted onDec 2025
4/5
A Place That Truly Invests in Your Future
Studying at Carleton University in Ottawa has been a truly enriching experience. The campus is beautiful and the facilities are excellent. Everything you need as a graduate student is right there. But what stands out the most are the instructors and professors. They are genuinely caring, highly skilled, and deeply invested in your success. You can tell they love what they do.
Canada itself is a wonderful country to study in. Canadians are warm and welcoming, which makes settling in much easier, especially as an international student. Yes, winters are cold, but there is always something going on! Events and activities run all year round, so you never feel stuck or isolated.
The research opportunities at Carleton are impressive. You have access to a wide range of academic journals, libraries, and research resources. Professors are actively engaged in research and often involve students in their projects, which is a fantastic way to gain hands-on academic experience. There are also opportunities to present your work at seminars and conferences, which builds your confidence and professional profile.
Student life here is equally rewarding. The student community is wonderfully diverse and international, which brings a richness to classroom discussions that you simply cannot get from textbooks alone. Student clubs and associations make it easy to connect with others and feel at home on campus. Ottawa itself has a vibrant multicultural scene, with great food, arts, and festivals throughout the year.
Carleton goes far beyond academics. The support system here is exceptional, from psychological counselling to workshops that build real-world skills. The university truly prepares you for life after graduation. Career fairs connect you directly with professionals and sectoral representatives, which is an incredible networking opportunity.
Being located in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is a huge advantage. You are in the heart of the country's political and cultural life, which opens doors that simply would not exist elsewhere.
If you are considering graduate studies in linguistics or a related field, Carleton is a place where you will grow academically, professionally, and personally.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
Overall Satisfaction
How would you rate your overall study experience?
Student Teacher Interaction
How helpful were your teachers?
Student Diversity
How diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
Quality of Student Life
How was your everyday life?
Career Development
Did the university provide support for your career development?