Western University

Built along the banks of the Thames River in the “forest city” of London, Ontario, Western is one of the largest universities in the province. Home to more than 43,000 students from 129 countries and with more than 382,000 alumni worldwide, Western offers 450 majors, minors and specializations at the undergrad level and more than 200 student clubs. Centres like the Institute for Neuroscience and the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration offer access to research, and summer research internship opportunities allow undergraduates to work alongside faculty mentors. Other experiential learning options include education abroad, entrepreneurship, project-based learning, research and work-integrated learning. “In today’s competitive job market, employers are looking for graduates with real-world experience and entrepreneurial skills such as problem-solving and innovative thinking,” says president Alan Shepard. “Western’s programs combine hands-on learning with entrepreneurship opportunities across all faculties.” The John M. Thompson Centre for Engineering Leadership and Innovation helps engineering students build prototypes and found startups. The Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which opened in 2024, is home to the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, which supports students, alumni and faculty from every discipline. The Western Undergraduate Summer Research Internships provide students with the opportunity to work directly with faculty members on research projects. Wampum Learning Lodge provides support and services to Indigenous students, as well as engaging with the wider university and local Indigenous communities.

Campus buzz: In September of 2025, a Western professor and three students launched an infrared camera into the earth’s stratosphere, in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency.

Quick facts

Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees) $8,017 ($9,319 out-of-province students)

Median Entering Grades
Arts: 88.9% | Science: 89.8% | Commerce: 91.2% | Engineering: 90.6%

Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 29,606 | Part-time: 1,243
Graduates: Full-time: 7,221 | Part-time: 393
International Students: First-year: 9.3% | Graduate: 30.8%

Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 6,796 (guaranteed for first-years) 
Cost of double room with meals: $17,250 to $19,000
Cost of single room with meals: $18,000 to $20,500
Cost of apartment-style: $10,500 to $10,800

Standout programs

Nursing: Students learn through clinical experience, individualized mentorship and research intensive instruction. 

Food and Nutrition: This program explores how food shapes health, culture and society, studying topics like food chemistry, global food policy and nutrition science. There are also opportunities to work on community initiatives and in food labs. 

Creative Arts and Production: Students choose courses from three faculties—music, arts and humanities, and information and media studies—balancing theory and practice to explore creativity.

Reputation

Ranked #10 (Medical Doctoral) among faculty members and hiring managers in the 2025 reputation survey, powered by Angus Reid Group.