Lakehead University is one of Canada’s top 10 primarily undergraduate universities and has two beautiful campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ontario, Canada. The university’s Thunder Bay campus has a lake and river running through it as it lies on the northwest shore of the world’s largest freshwater lake, home to the Sleeping Giant: one of Canada’s seven wonders! The Orillia campus is an environmentally designed and certified campus that is only a 90-minute drive from Toronto. Keep reading to discover the higher education opportunities that await you at Lakehead University as an ILSC University Pathway student!
Why should international students choose Lakehead University?
- Rankings: Lakehead University holds the top position in Canada for not-for-profit research income. Additionally, 97.7% of Lakehead graduates secure employment within the first two years after graduation, surpassing the Ontario average of 95.6%.
- Small Class Sizes: Lakehead University offers a distinct advantage with its student-to-professor ratios: 15:1 at the Thunder Bay campus and 13:1 at the Orillia campus. Moreover, 82% of classes at Lakehead have under 50 students, fostering personalized interactions between students and professors.
- Research: Lakehead University hosts more than 20 research chairs and operates 26 research centers, institutes, and centralized analytical facilities. The Thunder Bay campus’s location provides unique geographical advantages for specific areas of research.
- Clubs: Lakehead University has many different clubs and activities to participate in to enhance students’ university experience. Current clubs can be found on our Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) website.
- Experiential Learning: Experiential learning supports students in gaining hands-on learning that helps them transition to the workforce. Lakehead University offers the following: applied research, community service learning, co-operative education, field experience, field placement, internship, professional practicum, case studies, consulting projects, creative performance or exhibit, labs, simulated workplace, and studio work.
What Lakehead University programs are popular among international students? Why?
- Undergraduate Engineering: Our undergraduate engineering students now have six disciplines to choose from: chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, software, and the new mechatronics program. Our Lakehead Engineering students will graduate with both a degree and a diploma, and they also have the opportunity to enhance their education by taking co-op for an additional 16 months or getting an MBA for an additional nine months.
- Computer Science: Our Computer Science program allows you to choose from two program streams: Business Focus or Science Focus. Our Business Focus stream provides a path to the Entrepreneurship Certificate offered by the Faculty of Business, whereas our Science Focus stream emphasizes electives in the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies. We also offer a unique Game Programming Specialization to all Computer Science majors. Computer Science is also offered through our Lakehead-Georgian program, where students receive both a computer science degree from Lakehead University and a computer programming diploma from Georgian College.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA): Lakehead University offers two MBA program options: a 12 month (three terms) general degree designed to prepare students for success in a wide range of careers and a 16-month (four terms) degree with Advanced Studies in Management.
- Undergraduate Business Studies: Lakehead University’s accredited business program has a wide variety of majors to choose from and a new International Dual Degree program where students will earn two degrees in just four years, graduating with a Bachelor in Management from Rennes School of Business in France and a Bachelor of Commerce from Lakehead University. Our business program provides a variety of ways to enrich students’ education through opportunities like co-op, ingenuity and makerspace, RBC work-integrated learning, and international exchanges.
- Nursing: The Nursing program at Lakehead University fosters a supportive learning environment, enabling students to apply diverse concepts from the sciences and liberal arts in caring for individuals across various age groups and backgrounds. Students are equipped to be proactive members of interprofessional healthcare teams, addressing societal needs and optimizing healthcare outcomes through effective communication, health promotion, and health protection strategies.
- Applied Life Science: Students in Applied Life Sciences at Lakehead University will develop expertise in advanced molecular biology, biotechnology, and diagnostic techniques through our globally recognized laboratories, such as the Paleo DNA Laboratory. APLS Majors can concentrate in Biomedical Sciences and choose to specialize in Biotechnology or Experimental Life Sciences. Our Applied Life Science program is also available through the Lakehead-Georgian program, where students gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques and data analysis across multiple scientific fields with a specific focus on molecular biology.
- Undergraduate Psychology: Undergraduate students at Lakehead can get involved in psychology studies right from their first year by participating in research as the test subjects for bonus marks towards their grades. Fourth year students have the opportunity for a capstone project which is a one-on-one research opportunity to spend an entire year with a professor and some graduate students.
What nationalities are represented at Lakehead University?
Lakehead University has over 1500 international students from more than 70 different countries representing its diverse student body. We also have 69,058 Alumni from 105 countries!
What kind of support do you offer to international students?
- International Advising: Our international advisors provide one-on-one guidance in all the matters specific to international students, including questions about financial assistance, housing, UHIP, and course selection.
- Visa and Immigration Appointments and Workshops: Current students have access to the services of Lakehead University’s regulated International Student Immigration Advisor, who is designated through ICCRC. The advisor is here to help with all immigration matters during students’ studies at Lakehead through one-on-one appointments and workshops.
- Peer Mentor Program: Lakehead International’s Peer Mentor program matches seasoned Lakehead students with a select group of new international students. The aim is to assist them in transitioning to university life, acclimating to the Lakehead University campus and Canadian culture, and familiarizing them with both on-campus and off-campus resources.
- Student Support Services: In addition to the above supports offered specifically through our International Centre, Lakehead offers broad student support across campus such as academic advising, academic support, career advising and job preparation, student health and wellness, accessibility services, human rights and equity, and more!
If you wish to study at Lakehead University but need to improve your English to meet the language entry requirements, check out our University Pathway Program in Canada. Our Pathway Program offers you conditional admission to our partner institutions and equips you with the English language skills you need to succeed in your higher education journey!
