Bishop’s University

Founded when many of the area’s residents were anglophones, Bishop’s University offers an English-language, primarily undergraduate liberal education in the bilingual Eastern Townships. Today, about a quarter of students are native French speakers and, while classes are taught in English, students can write exams and assignments in French. With over 100 programs across five faculties, and only 3,000 students, Bishop’s has a 24-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Professors get to know students by name, and schooling is personalized, often through experiential learning opportunities. Students can get their hands dirty on archeological digs, examine the sky at the Astronomical Observatory, or teach nursery school in Asia. Entrepreneurship and start-up funding is available for student-led initiatives in several disciplines. “Professors choose to teach at Bishop’s because of their passion for education. We are committed to guiding students on their journey of self-discovery and fostering values that will serve them throughout their lives: curiosity, collaboration, respect, integrity and engagement,” says principal Sébastien Lebel-Grenier. In a suburb of Sherbrooke, Que., the university sits at the confluence of the Saint-François and Massawippi rivers and the campus’s Victorian-era red-brick buildings are surrounded by groves of pine trees. The region, flanked by heavily wooded mountains, features boundless outdoor activities, including excellent cross-country ski trails. Recent developments include renovations to the Library Learning Commons and a revamp of the Johnson Science Building, which includes a rooftop greenhouse. Bishop’s is putting the finishing touches on Kwigw8mna, an Indigenous student centre. It will feature space for classrooms and offices, apartments for visiting Elders and a dedicated space for the Indigenous Cultural Alliance student club.

Campus Buzz: Students can rest and recharge on long wooden benches, handcrafted by the buildings and grounds crew from 200-year-old white pines that used to dot the campus.

Quick facts

Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary expenses)
$4,912 ($11,207 out-of-province students) 

Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 80%; R score 24 | Science: 80%; R score 24 | Commerce: 80%; R score 24
International Students: First-year: 10.37% | Graduate: 79.31%

Student Body
Undergraduates:  Full-time: 2,226 | Part-time: 323
Graduates: Full-time: 203 | Part-time: 18

Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 675 (500 reserved for first-year students)
Cost of Double room with meals: $10,872 to $11,888
Cost of Single room with meals: $11,272 to $12,408
Cost of Apartment-style:  $6,160

Standout programs

Education: Students have the unique opportunity to learn in a bilingual city with two school boards.

Computer Science: Students gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to test, code, program, build and implement.

Arts Administration: Students in the program, which includes two internships, gain the knowledge, tools and connections for a career in the arts.