Students dancing at an Welcome week event

University of Ottawa

Welcome to uOttawa!

Find everything you need to get ready for September.

Your journey at uOttawa starts now. Get ready to arrive this fall and discover the experiences and community that will help you make your mark from day one.
49,000+

students

150+

countries represented

13,000+

new students joining us this fall

Get ready for university

Students chatting in the stairs on campus

Checklists for new students

Prepare your arrival, move in to your accommodations and connect with your mentor.
Crowd at the uOshow during Welcome week

Events for new students

Get involved and shape your campus experience.
Health and Wellness Centre reception desk

Key resources

Find support services to help you thrive.
Students chatting

Information sessions: How to prepare for university

Connect with your regional mentor and meet new students from your area.

Learn from students who’ve been here

A group photo of the regional mentors team.
Why uOttawa

The power of personal connection

Meeting regional student mentors and other first-year students at in-person “How to Prepare for University” sessions in a Canadian city near you is a fun way to get ready for life at the University of Ottawa. It’s a chance to get wise words of advice from students who were in your shoes not too long ago and make personal connections with new students.

An overhead view of laptops, phones and tablets on a table.
Student life

Prep your tech: 15 key steps

The quiet days of summer are the best time to prep your tech so that you’re ready for academic action on Day One. If you’re new to uOttawa, you can take a few IT-related steps today to get your devices ready and get ahead on your preparations for the first day.

Rose Wu
Going to an orientation and speaking to real people is very helpful. Mentors share their knowledge as well as their own experiences. We see the bigger picture, not just the immediate challenge you’re facing right now.

Rose Wu

— Regional mentor

Explore transformative paths

Events on campus

Jul 27 to Aug 7

How to prepare for university (sessions across Canada)

Starting university brings a lot of new experiences, and hearing from students who’ve already been through them can make all the difference. Join our …

Aug 6

How to Prepare for University: International student welcome session

Excited about university, but also nervous about starting a new chapter abroad? This session is your chance to connect with your international mentor …

Jul 18 to Aug 28

Campus tours for new students

Join a guided campus tour specially designed for new students starting in fall 2026. 

Ni manàdjiyànànig kakina Anishinàbeg

Ni manàdjiyànànig Màmìwininì Anishinàbeg, ogog kà nàgadawàbandadjig iyo akì eko weshkad. Ako nongom egawìkàd kì mìgiwewàdj. Ni manàdjiyànànig kakina Anishinàbeg ondaje kaye ogog kakina eniyagizidjig enigokamigàg Kanadàng eji ondàpinangig endàwàdjin Odàwàng. Ninisidawinawànànig kenawendamòdjig kije kikenindamàwin; weshkinìgidjig kaye kejeyàdizidjig. Nigijeweninmànànig ogog kà nìgànì sòngideyedjig; weshkad, nongom; kaye àyànikàdj.

Indigenous Affirmation

We pay respect to the Algonquin people, who are the traditional guardians of this land. We acknowledge their longstanding relationship with this territory, which remains unceded. We pay respect to all Indigenous people in this region, from all nations across Canada, who call Ottawa home. We acknowledge the traditional knowledge keepers, both young and old. And we honour their courageous leaders: past, present, and future.