French is part of our DNA since the University was founded in 1848 by Bishop Joseph-Bruno Guigues, an Oblate who came from Hautes-Alpes, in France. Our 1965 enabling legislation mandates us to “preserve and develop Francophone culture in Ontario.” Today, we are a leader of education in French language in Ontario and we maintain strong ties with Francophones across Canada, who are well represented in our community. We are helping to build a new Francophonie, unique and daring, and essential to the well-being and development of Francophone communities within Ottawa and beyond.

Largest bilingual (English-French) university in the world

• Among the top 5 medical doctoral universities in Canada (Maclean’s 2023)
• 175 years of educational and research excellence
• 384 graduate and undergraduate programs offered entirely in French
• 48,192 students
• 14,369 personnes students enrolled in programs taught in French, which accounts for over half the students enrolled in Canadian programs taught in French outside Quebec
• 80% of those enrolled in university programs taught in French in Ontario
• Nearly half of the 800 post-secondary programs taught in French outside Quebec
• Satellite campuses or services in Windsor, Toronto, Calgary and Saskatoon
• Over 800 internships in French to help train students enrolled in programs taught in French
• Over 1,600 Francophone placements in University-recognized community service learning or volunteer opportunities

Enrolment details:

• Undergraduate certificate programs: 68
• Undergraduate programs – Other: 288
• Graduate diplomas: 5
• Graduate studies – Other: 23
• 2,204 students enrolled in the French Immersion Stream

Total of 9,911 students enrolled (69%) for all provinces.

Total of 4,458 international students enrolled (31%).

384 programs offered entirely in French

59 programs taught solely in French (i.e., no English equivalent)

• Ten research chairs focusing on Canada’s Francophonie, the highest concentration in Canada
• 61 grants (worth $16,151,344) since 2019, when the Collège de chaires de recherche sur le monde francophone (CCRMF) was created
• Member of the Réseau international des Chaires Senghor de la Francophonie (RICSF)
• Solid financial support for research centres and institutes that focus on the Francophonie 

Regulations and laws

In 1974, the University adopted the Regulation on Bilingualism, which defines our bilingual culture. In 2016, our Francophone mission was recognized officially through our designation as a “government agency” with regards to the provision of education and services in French language, under Ontario’s French Language Services Act. In 2022, the Regulation on Bilingualism was modernized, reiterating its support to both official languages and to a strong Francophonie.

Bilingual Services on Campus

The University of Ottawa prides itself on its tradition of offering an environment conducive to the growth and well-being of its community in Canada’s two official languages. And that well-being depends on being able to receive services in the official language of one’s choice. This is where active offer becomes so important. 

Language rights

We recognize the language rights of our community members. Since 2008, a complaint process was established as a formal means to assert our language rights.

Building the Francophonie is an ongoing effort. Read our publications to learn more about the progress of the Francophonie at the University.

• Strategic plan Transformation 2030
• The numbers behind the Francophonie at the University of Ottawa in 2022-2023 (PDF 5.31 MB)
• Status Report on the Francophonie at the University of Ottawa 2021-2022
• Towards a renewed Francophonie at the University of Ottawa: A Shared Responsability, Summary Report (PDF 3.8 MB)
• Progress Report: Implementation of the action plan for francophonie at the University of Ottawa (PDF 4.2 MB)
• Action Plan for the Francophonie at the University of Ottawa (PDF 791 KB)