Université Laval at a glance

Université Laval is a major teaching and research university with a global vision, recognized for training socially engaged and committed leaders. Its study environment and culture of sustainable development contribute to community well-being.

Teaching

  • 17 faculties and over 60 departments, schools, and institutes
  • 5 study profiles: Sustainable Development, Honours, Entrepreneurial, International, and Research
  • Some 550 programs of study in all fields of knowledge
  • Over 90% of undergraduate programs include mandatory or elective internships, which are often paid
  • Over 150 programs offered entirely through distance education and 2,000 courses offered online. Our in-class and remote learning options enrich the student experience by giving you the flexibility you need to successfully complete your courses in online, blended, or HyFlex mode, whatever your circumstances.
  • Over 7,000 course websites on monPortail, the online portal that provides access to student services and information on academics and learning.

Université Laval is one of the world’s top 20 French-language universities according to leading university rankings.

Our students

Our student population for the Fall 2022 term:

  • Over 47,000 students
  • 65% full-time students
  • 28% in master's and PhD programs

More than 56,000 students registered for at least 1 of the 3 semesters offered in 2021–2022.

In addition to its regular student body, Université Laval welcomes more than 930 resident physicians and 425 postdoctoral fellows every year.

Continuing education activities in Québec City, Montréal, and a number of other regions throughout Québec. Some 4,700 students enrolled in 2021–2022, including nearly 1,700 in at least one 50+ activity at Université du 3e âge de Québec.

Over 220 student associations and 2 student unions: CADEUL for undergraduate students, and AELIÉS for graduate students.

Staff

Ranked as one of the top 10 employers in Québec, the University has over 9,670 full- and part-time employees:

  • 1,665 professors
  • 2,410 lecturers, and other teaching and research staff
  • 3,165 administrative and support staff
  • 2,430 students who work on campus

Université Laval also has 830 associate professors and over 7,820 clinical instructors at its disposal in the health and social services sector.

Data as of October 1st, 2022.

Environment and infrastructure

Set in the heart of Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Université Laval offers students an exceptional academic environment and state-of-the-art facilities.

  • 1.8 km2 of campus, 64% of it covered in green space and trees
  • 40 buildings connected by footpaths and more than 5 km of underground tunnels
  • A lively cultural, athletic, and social environment
  • 2,300 rooms in sustainable student residences
  • A library housing 6 million documents and thousands of electronic resources available online
  • The cutting-edge Centre Apprentiss, the only interdisciplinary healthcare learning centre of its kind in Canada
  • PEPS, one of the country's largest modern sports complexes
  • 2 campus buildings located in Old Québec
  • Forêt Montmorency, the largest teaching and research forest in the world

A great place to live and study

A 1.8 km2 university campus, 60% of which is greenspace and wooded areas.

Located in the historic capital of Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage City ranked as the best destination in Canada for the 6th year running by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine in 2020, the world's 3rd safest city by CEOWORLD Magazine in 2019, and the world's 4th best university city in Studee's 2021 Student Cities Index.

A library system ranked among the top in Canada for its extensive research collection and expanded digital services.

The campus is also home to:

  • Nearly 40 buildings linked by over 5 km of pedestrian tunnels
  • 8 km of bike paths
  • Student residences with over 2,300 rooms

One of Canada's biggest, most modern university sports complexes and best varsity sports programs: nearly 500 student athletes excelling in Rouge et Or clubs known for their tradition of excellence.

A green, sustainable university

Université Laval is the first voluntarily carbon-neutral university in the country. Times Higher Education. ranks it sixth worldwide and second in Canada for its efforts to fight climate change according to United Nations objectives.

Université Laval ranks 13th in North America for its environmental achievements and commitments according to the 2021 Sierra Schools Rankings.

In spring 2022 the university also renewed its platinum rating under the STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) program, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development.

Since September 2019, full-time students have had unlimited access to public transit in Québec City and Lévis through the University bus pass (LPU), making mobility that much more sustainable on campus.

Forêt Montmorency is the largest teaching and research forest in the world (397 km2).

Degrees awarded

13,224 degrees and certificates awarded in 2021-2022:

  • 5,355 bachelor's degrees
  • 2,175 master's degrees
  • 375 doctoral degrees
  • 2,774 certificates
  • 429 graduate diplomas
  • 2,116 short program certificates of completion and other attestations

Impact

Over 335,000 alumni around the world.

An extraordinary achievement: $3.16 million raised in ULaval’s 20th Community Campaign. A record 4,658 donors showed up in support of their university.

This was a spectacular achievement for the Université Laval Foundation, which in 2021–2022 garnered a total of $70.7 million in philanthropic commitments to help fund teaching and research initiatives, scholarships, and infrastructure projects.

In 2019, Entrepreneuriat ULaval once again earned international recognition for its outstanding work when it was named “Top Challenger – North America” by UBI Global. As host and manager of La Centrale – Espace entrepreneurial, the incubator provides support and guidance to up-and-coming campus entrepreneurs in conjunction with strategic players from the region.

Université Laval’s integrated health network, Réseau universitaire intégré de santé de l’Université Laval (RUIS-UL), serves 1.8 million people across its 410,009 km2 territory. The network is responsible for developing continuing health training for all of Eastern Québec.

Internationalization

Over 8,000 permanent residents and international students — 14% of the total student population enrolled every year.

In normal circumstances, some 1,000 ULaval students a year use mobility agreements and programs to study outside Canada for one or two semesters.

Nearly 890 partnership agreements with some 575 post-secondary institutions and other organizations in 57 countries.

Nearly 50% of academic publications published in collaboration with at least one international researcher.

Research

Over $515 million in funding for research and innovation.

Over 300 research centres, chairs, institutes, and other groups, including:

  • 4 Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) since 2010
  • 92 Canada Research Chairs
  • 82 Partnership Research Chairs, including 14 Sentinel North Research Chairs
  • 47 chairs in educational leadership
  • 41 research centres recognized by the University Council
  • 10 interdisciplinary institutes

A number of affiliated research institutions, including the CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, North America’s leading French-language centre for health research.

The Sentinel North project, recipient of the biggest grant ever awarded in the University’s history ($98 million from the federal Canada First program), is now halfway complete. Under this transdisciplinary initiative, 600 members of the university community are working to enhance our understanding of the northern environment and its influence on humankind and health.