Nation-Building Through Education

Proudly Canadian-owned, Yorkville University has grown into one of the country’s most accessible and flexible private universities, offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Since 2020 alone, more than 18,000 domestic students have enrolled in its online graduate programs, many after completing undergraduate degrees at leading public institutions such as York University, the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. Today, Yorkville University hosts one of the largest master’s-level student bodies in Canada, while alumni live and contribute their skills in every province and territory.

This national reach reflects a broader shift in how Canadians think about higher education. Every year, thousands pursue post-secondary credentials in search of meaningful careers, yet they question whether traditional pathways are preparing them for a rapidly changing workforce.

Education—on your terms

"The number of mature students who can dedicate several years to full-time, on-campus learning is limited", says Julia Christensen Hughes, president and vice-chancellor of Yorkville University. “Yorkville’s unique approach to post-secondary education enables those with full, complex lives to still achieve their ambitions.”

Yorkville University’s model is designed around that reality. Flexible scheduling, staggered start dates and small class sizes allow students to begin when they are ready, receive personalized support and continue balancing work, family and responsibilities while they study.

For many, the flexibility of online education removes some of the most persistent barriers to returning to school: lost income, relocation costs, commuting, rigid schedules and the challenge of stepping away from established careers. With an average student age of 32, Yorkville’s learner community reflects the realities of modern adult education.

A legacy of Canadian innovation

Yorkville University opened its doors in 2004 but traces its lineage much further back. As Yorkville grew from coast to coast, it acquired RCC Institute of Technology, which was launched in 1928 as Radio College of Canada and pioneered programs in communications, electronics, engineering, and emerging technologies. That spirit of responsiveness to industry needs and innovation continues today.

In fact, RCC played an important role in training wireless operators in the Second World War, and today Yorkville University has retained a unique connection to supporting Canadian service members. Between 2015 and 2025, they awarded over $4 million in Military Bursaries to over 1,800 students. Currently, Yorkville University hosts more than 300 military connected learners, including 150+ active service members. They are also proud to commit to the principles of the Serving Scholar Program, an institutional initiative developed by Dr. John Walsh at the University of Guelph, to bridge the gap between academic and military duties in support of student success.

Programming for the real world

Yorkville’s curriculum is built around one core principle: practice readiness.

The Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP), ranked among the top 10 programs of its kind in Canada, pairs theory with immersive clinical training. The Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy (DCP) goes further–it’s the only professional doctorate in the country dedicated exclusively to the field, addressing a genuine gap in Canada’s mental health landscape.

In business, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is recognized as one of the top seven online BBA programs in Canada and can be completed in as little as two and a half years, with year-round study. Yorkville University BBA graduates now work in every province–across public companies, private firms, partnerships, and independent ventures.

And in creative fields, the same standard holds: the CIDA-accredited Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) is ranked fifth in Canada and includes an internship option. Graduates arrive portfolio-ready, not just with a degree-in-hand.

What that all adds up to is a footprint that reflects something broader: an institution producing graduates who are ready to contribute to Canadian society from day one.

In many ways, it is a distinctly Canadian model of education: practical, inclusive and built to meet the country where it is now—and where it is going next.

To learn more, visit yorkvilleu.ca/home.