Interior Canadian parliament. Photo by Tony Webster: https://www.flickr.com/photos/diversey/

Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Change starts with you.

As future leaders, our students are catalysts for change – in Canada and beyond. Curious about the world and committed to creating meaningful change, our students forge their paths to success at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Canada’s leading school of public and international affairs in the heart of the nation’s capital.

As a center of excellence tied into a worldwide network of research and teaching collaborations, we attract outstanding students and world-class scholars doing cutting-edge research. We bring together multidisciplinary studies, theory and practice, bilingualism as well as a roster of Senior Fellows, comprised of distinguished policy professionals, to deliver transformational programs. Housed in the nation’s capital, the GSPIA will open doors for you on the national and international stage – empowering you to drive change and pursue your interests passionately.

Why study at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs?

The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs educates highly qualified leaders conscious of their responsibility to the common good in the domains of international relations, public policy, environmental sustainability, security, and defence.

Why choose the GSPIA as a graduate student.

Graduate studies FAQ. 

Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council, photo by: https://www.flickr.com/photos/diversey/15730799338/

Accelerate your career at the GSPIA. Gain real-world experience on a global scale.

Set yourself up for success. Take what you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world, while building connections that will set you apart from other candidates.

Take part in the GSPIA experiential learning program. Discover a world of opportunities outside the classroom: from co-op placements to study abroad programs and from embassy internships to a unique professional development program piloted by the GSPIA’s Senior Fellows, who are among the most experienced policy professionals in Canada – we’ll help you find your place in the world.

Learn more about the student experience at the GSPIA.

Tabaret Hall and Lawn
Canadian landscape

The Institute of the Environment

The Institute of the Environment (IE) is the University of Ottawa’s hub for environmental sustainability-related research, teaching and other activities. The cross-cutting nature of environmental problems means that there is a critical need for innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and research.
Learn more about our interdisciplinary activities.

Upcoming events

Soldiers
Dec 5

NATO’s Eastern Flank in the Context of the Ukraine War

GSPIA professors Alexandra Gheciu and Srdjan Vucetic will participate in a conference on “NATO’s Eastern Flank” at which leading academics and practit…

Two potential graduate students meeting with GSPIA professor Thomas Juneau
Jan 9

Virtual information session of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in English - January 2025

(In English only - you can join us on the same day, on January 9 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., for a session in French only.)Join us to learn more about the …

Two potential graduate students meeting with GSPIA professor Thomas Juneau
Jan 9

Virtual information session of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in French - January 2025

(In French only - you can join us on the same day, on January 9 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., for a session in English only.)Join us to learn more about the…

Latest news

Contact us

Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Faculty of Social Sciences
Social Sciences Building
120 University Private, Room 6005
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5
Canada (map)

PersonnelFacultySenior Fellows

Tel.: 613-562-5689
[email protected]

Office hours

Monday to Friday
8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(June to August: closed at 3:30 p.m.)

Note

Please note our services and our personnel are available by MS Teams and by email.

The Social Sciences (FSS) and Vanier (VNR) buildings are open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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. 

Learn more about the Indigenous Affirmation.