At uOttawa, learning history also happens out in the broader community. Take advantage of our unique location in the heart of the nation’s capital to pursue internships at museums, archives, government departments, and non-governmental organizations. Participate in our international exchange programs to gain an essential global perspective in an interconnected world. Join our student associations to debate, share ideas, and build lifelong friendships.
Understand the past, act in the present, shape the future
More than just the study of the past, history is a discipline that helps us to imagine the future. At the uOttawa Department of History, we don’t just create experts on yesterday; we shape responsible citizens and leaders of tomorrow. By exploring the complexities of the societies, cultures, and events that have forged our world, you will develop the critical tools essential for navigating the present and building a just and desirable future. Your journey in history is an invitation to ask fundamental questions, challenge certainties, and find your place in the great human story.
Developing critical thinking
Our mission is to offer you a transformative education. Going beyond dates and facts, we challenge you to think critically, argue rigorously, and communicate with clarity. Thanks to small class sizes and a dedicated faculty, you will learn to analyze complex sources, construct nuanced narratives, and understand the forces that drive our societies. We believe these skills are more than academic assets—they are the foundations of an engaged, curious, and meaningful life.
“In diplomacy, you have to understand the weight of the past and the legacies that shape relations between states. My Master’s degree in history taught me how to decode the motivations of different actors and make informed judgments.”
Julien Labrosse
— MA in History, Diplomat, Foreign Service, Global Affairs Canada
Learning beyond the classroom
Director, Canada School of Public Service
“People often think of a PhD as a path to hyper-specialization. For me, it was the opposite: it taught me how to master complexity, by distilling the essence, and developing a strategic vision from it. The best preparation for leadership.”
Josianne Paul, PhD in History
Josianne Paul, PhD in History
Communications Manager, Veterans Affairs Canada
“My History BA taught me how to structure my thoughts, build a solid argument, and adapt it for different audiences, all that in the unique bilingual environment. It develops an intellectual agility that’s in demand everywhere.”
Thomas Vares, BA in History
Thomas Vares, BA in History
Multidisciplinary Artist
“History is the great art of storytelling. My studies didn’t just sharpen my critical thinking; they cultivated the empathy and passion for narrative that are at the heart of all my artistic work.”
Erica Dixon, BA in History
Erica Dixon, BA in History
What’s next?
Our graduates don’t just know history; they make it. Their research, analysis, and communication skills are highly sought after in fields as diverse as law, journalism, public service, technology, education, library, archives and entrepreneurship. To study history is to open yourself up to a world of possibilities.
Contact us
Department of History
Desmarais Building
55 Laurier Avenue East, 9th Floor
Ottawa ON K1N 6N5
Map
Tel.: 613-562-5735
Fax: 613-562-5995
[email protected]
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
From 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.
From 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(June to August: closes at 3:30 p.m.)
