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Université Laval at a glance

Université Laval is a major teaching and research university with a global vision, recognized for training socially engaged and committed leaders. Its study environment and culture of sustainable development contribute to community well-being.

Teaching

  • 17 faculties and over 60 departments, schools, and institutes.
  • 5 study profiles: Sustainable Development, Honours, Entrepreneurial, International, and Research.
  • Some 600 programs of study in all fields of knowledge.
  • Over 90% of undergraduate programs include mandatory or elective internships, which are often paid.
  • Over 150 programs offered entirely through distance education and 2,500 courses offered online. Our in-class and remote learning options enrich the student experience by giving you the flexibility you need to successfully complete your courses in online, blended, or HyFlex mode, whatever your circumstances.
  • Over 7,450 course websites on monPortail, the online portal that provides access to student services and information on academics and learning.

Université Laval is one of the world’s top 20 French-language universities according to leading university rankings.

Our students

Our student population for the Fall 2023 term:

  • Over 47,000 students
  • 66% full-time students
  • 29% in master’s and PhD programs

Some 56,000 students registered for at least 1 of the 3 semesters offered in 2022–2023.

In addition to its regular student body, Université Laval welcomes more than 950 resident physicians and 400 postdoctoral fellows every year.

Continuing education activities in Québec City, Montréal, and a number of other regions throughout Québec. Some 3,200 students enrolled in 2022–2023, including nearly 2,100 in at least one 50+ activity at Université du 3e âge de Québec.

Over 200 student associations and 2 student unions: CADEUL for undergraduate students, and AELIÉS for graduate students.

Staff

Ranked as one of the top 5 employers in Québec1, the University has over 10,440 full- and part-time employees:

  • 1,665 professors
  • 2,410 lecturers, and other teaching and research staff
  • 3,165 administrative and support staff
  • More than 3,200 students work on campus each year.

Université Laval also has 930 associate professors and over 7,400 clinical instructors at its disposal in the health and social services sector.

Data as of October 1st, 2022.

Environment and infrastructure

Set in the heart of Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Université Laval offers students an exceptional academic environment and state-of-the-art facilities.

  • 1.8 km2 of campus, 64% of it covered in green space and trees
  • 40 buildings connected by footpaths and more than 5 km of underground tunnels
  • A lively cultural, athletic, and social environment
  • 2,300 rooms in sustainable student residences
  • A library housing 6 million documents and thousands of electronic resources available online
  • The cutting-edge Centre Apprentiss, the only interdisciplinary healthcare learning centre of its kind in Canada
  • PEPS, one of the country's largest modern sports complexes
  • 2 campus buildings located in Old Québec
  • Forêt Montmorency, the largest teaching and research forest in the world

A great place to live and study

A 1.8 km2 university campus, 60% of which is greenspace and wooded areas.

Located in the historic capital of Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage City ranked as the best destination in Canada for the 8th year running by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine in 2020, the world’s 3rd safest city by CEOWORLD Magazine in 2019, and the world’s 4th best university city in Studee’s2 2021 Student Cities Index.

A library system ranked among the top in Canada for its extensive research collection and expanded digital services.

The campus is also home to:

  • Nearly 40 buildings linked by over 5 km of pedestrian tunnels
  • 8 km of bike paths
  • Eco-certified student residences (Bruntland Green Establishment) with over 2,300 rooms

One of best university sports programs in Canada: more than 500 student athletes from across Québec and around the world proudly play for the University’s Rouge et Or clubs known for their tradition of excellence.

A green, sustainable university

Université Laval is the first voluntarily carbon-neutral in the country. Times Higher Education ranks it 9th worldwide and 4th in Canada for its efforts to fight climate change according to United Nations objectives.

Université Laval ranks 13th in North America for its environmental achievements and commitments according to the 2021 Sierra Schools Rankings.

In fall 2019 the university also renewed its gold rating under the STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) program, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development.

Since September 2019, full-time students have had unlimited access to public transit in Québec City and Lévis through the University bus pass (LPU), making mobility that much more sustainable on campus.

Forêt Montmorency is the largest teaching and university research forest in the world (397 km2). 

Degrees awarded

13,140 degrees and certificates awarded in 2022-2023:

  • 5,283 bachelor’s degrees
  • 2,510 master’s degrees
  • 307 doctoral degrees
  • 2,792 certificates
  • 374 graduate diplomas
  • 1,874 short program certificates of completion and other attestations

Impact

Over 342,000 alumni around the world.

For the third year running, the ULaval Community Campaign has surpassed its goals in terms of fundraising and participation rates. An extraordinary achievement: $4.08 million raised by 4,906 donors in ULaval’s 21st Community Campaign.

$36.6 million in philanthropic commitments to help fund teaching and research initiatives, scholarships, and infrastructure projects.

In 2019, Entrepreneuriat ULaval once again earned international recognition for its outstanding work when it was named “Top Challenger – North America” by UBI Global3. As host and manager of La Centrale – Espace entrepreneurial, the incubator provides support and guidance to up-and-coming campus entrepreneurs in conjunction with strategic players from the region.

Université Laval’s integrated health network, Réseau universitaire intégré de santé de l’Université Laval (RUIS-UL), serves 1.8 million people across its 410,009 km2 territory. The network is responsible for developing continuing health training for all of Eastern Québec.

Internationalization

Over 9,000 permanent residents and international students — 17% of the total student population enrolled every year.

More than 900 ULaval students took advantage of mobility agreements and programs to study outside Canada for one or two semesters.

Nearly 890 partnership agreements with some 575 post-secondary institutions and other organizations in 57 countries.

Nearly 50% of academic publications published in collaboration with at least one international researcher.

Research

Some $500 million in funding for research and innovation.

Over 300 research centres, chairs, institutes, and other groups, including:

  • 4 Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) since 2010
  • 92 Canada Research Chairs
  • 83 Partnership Research Chairs, including 14 Sentinel North Research Chairs
  • 51 chairs in educational leadership
  • 41 research centres recognized by the University Council
  • 10 interdisciplinary institutes

A number of affiliated research institutions, including the CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, North America’s leading French-language centre for health research.

The Sentinel North project received the biggest grant ever awarded in the University’s history ($98 million from the federal Canada First program). Under this transdisciplinary initiative, more than 600 members of the university community are working to enhance our understanding of the northern environment and its influence on humankind and health.