French is part of our DNA since the University was founded in 1848 by Bishop Joseph-Bruno Guigues, an Oblate who came from Hautes-Alpes, in France. Our 1965 enabling legislation mandates us to “preserve and develop Francophone culture in Ontario.” Today, we are a leader of education in French language in Ontario and we maintain strong ties with Francophones across Canada, who are well represented in our community. We are helping to build a new Francophonie, unique and daring, and essential to the well-being and development of Francophone communities within Ottawa and beyond.

Largest bilingual (English-French) university in the world

• Among the top 10 Canadian universities with doctoral and research programs as well as a medical school (Maclean’s 2026)
• More than 175 years of educational and research excellence
• 80% of those enrolled in university programs taught in French in Ontario
• 371 graduate and undergraduate programs offered entirely in French
• 70 programs offered exclusively in French
• 132 programs designated under Ontario’s French Language Services Act
• 80 French Immersion programs
• 1,332 students were placed as French-language extracurricular volunteers thanks to employers and organizations that support French-language education.
• Over 950 Community Engagement Placements in French
• Satellite campuses or services in Windsor, Toronto, Calgary and Saskatoon

Enrolment details:

• 13,966 enrolments at the undergraduate level in French: Bachelor’s (13,625), undergraduate certificate (112) and other (229)
• 984 enrolments at the master’s level in French: Master’s (946), graduate diploma (31) and other (7)
• 327 enrolments at the doctoral level in French

Beyond enrolment in French-language programs:

• 2,060 students enrolled in the French Immersion Stream

A total of 11,812 enrolments from Canada, representing 77.3% of total enrolments in programs taught in French at the University of Ottawa.

A total of 3,465 enrolments from international applicants, representing 22.7% of total enrolments in programs taught in French at the University of Ottawa.

371 programs offered entirely in French

70 programs taught solely in French (i.e., no English equivalent)

Regulations and laws

In 1974, the University adopted the Regulation on Bilingualism, which defines our bilingual culture. In 2016, our Francophone mission was recognized officially through our designation as a “government agency” with regards to the provision of education and services in French language, under Ontario’s French Language Services Act. In 2022, the Regulation on Bilingualism was modernized, reiterating its support to both official languages and to a strong Francophonie.

Bilingual Services on Campus

The University of Ottawa prides itself on its tradition of offering an environment conducive to the growth and well-being of its community in Canada’s two official languages. And that well-being depends on being able to receive services in the official language of one’s choice. This is where active offer becomes so important. 

Language rights

We recognize the language rights of our community members. Since 2008, a complaint process was established as a formal means to assert our language rights.

Building the Francophonie is an ongoing effort. Read our publications to learn more about the progress of the Francophonie at the University.

• 2022–2024 Report of the Associate Vice-President, Francophonie (PDF 12.8 MB)
• The numbers behind the Francophonie at the University of Ottawa in 2025-2026 (PDF 1.88 MB)
• 2022 report on Community Francophone experience at the University of Ottawa (PDF 760 Ko)
• Status Report on the Francophonie at the University of Ottawa 2021-2022 (PDF 8.7 MB)
• Towards a renewed Francophonie at the University of Ottawa: A Shared Responsability, Summary Report (PDF 3.8 MB)
• Progress Report: Implementation of the action plan for francophonie at the University of Ottawa (PDF 4.2 MB)
• Action Plan for the Francophonie at the University of Ottawa (PDF 791 KB)