The University of Victoria offers innovative programs for more than 20,000 students. Dynamic, hands-on learning, research that makes a vital impact, and discovery and innovation in Canada’s most extraordinary academic environment provide an Edge that can’t be found anywhere else.
The University of Victoria is the oldest post-secondary institution in British Columbia, established in 1903 as an affiliated college of McGill University before gaining full autonomy through a charter on July 1, 1963.
Victoria College, which had been established in 1903 as an affiliated college of McGill University, gained autonomy and full degree granting status on March 1, 1963.
Education
Faculties and schools:
Education
Engineering
Fine Arts
Human and Social Development
Humanities
Science
Social Sciences
Peter B. Gustavson School of Business
UVic Law
Medical Sciences
Continuing Studies
Research
UVic has developed eight areas of research strength—or research capabilities—that shape our success as a research-intensive university:
Culture and creativity
Data science and cyber physical systems
Environment, climate and energy
Global studies and social justice
Health and life sciences
Indigenous research
Ocean science and technology
Physical sciences and engineering, mathematics and computer science
Career
Whether you’re making the leap from studying to working or switching careers throughout your mid-life, the Business Career Centre may just be the resource you need to make your transition smooth.
Job search can sometimes be a long process, and you might need a lifeline to guide you along the way.
Below you will find scholarships related to University of Victoria. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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!
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
370
By TopUniversities
Dropped 12 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
349
358
370
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
417
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 23 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
385
394
417
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
301
301
-
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
301
301
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
International Student Services (ISS) provides support for international students studying at UVic, and coordinates programs for all UVic students interested in studying abroad.
Housing services
You have three choices when looking for housing in Victoria: homestay, on-campus and off-campus. In deciding which option is best for you, consider cost, convenience, and your lifestyle.
For example, many international students choose the homestay option when they first arrive in Canada, but then choose to rent a house or an apartment with roommates later once they’ve familiarized themselves with Victoria.
Library services
Our libraries—the McPherson Library in the William C. Mearns Centre for Learning, the Diana M. Priestly Law Library in the Fraser Building, and the Curriculum Library in the MacLaurin Building —contain a wealth of information.
ICT services
University Systems helps new and existing faculty make the most of technology on campus including:
getting started with a NetLink ID
purchasing the best computers for your needs
setting up email or Airnet for your mobile devices
setting up electronic courses in CourseSpaces
webcasting technology for your classroom
Medical services
University Health Services (UHS) provides a full service primary health clinic for students, and coordinates healthy student and campus initiatives.
We encourage students to use UHS as their primary point of health care while at UVic.
Campus life
The University of Victoria is easy to get to and easy to get around. Connected to downtown Victoria by several major bus and bicycle routes, the campus offers ample parking and an accessible and pedestrian-friendly environment.
If you're visiting the area, the main UVic campus (15 minutes from downtown Victoria by car) offers overnight accommodation and meeting spaces.
Sports facilities
UVic students are above-average users of their athletic facilities when compared to students across Canada.
To accommodate their needs, UVic offers a wide range of athletic and recreation facilities, also available to faculty, staff and the community. These include the:
CARSA facility
McKinnon Gym and Pool
Outdoor artificial turfs and world-class field hockey pitch
Ian Stewart Ice rink
Student clubs
Student associations
Education Students’ Association (EdSA)
Association of Graduate Education Studies (AGES)
University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS)
UVic Native Students Union
Graduate Students' Society
Sports and recreation clubs
The Anti-Violence Project (AVP)
Third Space Women's Centre
UVic Pride Collective and Graduate Pride Group
The UVic Students of Colour Collective (SOCC)
The Society for Students with a Disability (SSD)
Accreditation
Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training, British Columbia.
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Key university statistics
Campus life, facilities and student services
Student clubs and support services
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Rankings from the world’s leading organisations
Historical trends and year-on-year changes
Studyportals Meta Ranking
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See what students really think
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