A research-active northwestern Ontario university known for its personal scale, strong professional programs and close ties to Indigenous and northern communities.
Lakehead University is a public university serving northwestern Ontario, with its main campus in Thunder Bay and a second campus in Orillia. It is known for a small-campus feel where students often work closely with professors, including in research projects as undergraduates.
The university offers programs in the arts, sciences, engineering, business, education, health sciences, natural resources management and law. Its Faculty of Natural Resources Management and its Bachelor of Education programs are particularly well established, and the Bachelor of Engineering is accredited by Engineers Canada.
Lakehead places strong emphasis on Indigenous education, northern and rural health, and environmental research. Its location near Lake Superior and extensive boreal forest gives students ready access to outdoor recreation and field-based learning.
Tuition in CA$, 2026-2027
Students who live in Ontario apply for student aid through OSAP (the Ontario Student Assistance Program); students from other provinces apply through their own province’s program. A provincial application also covers the federal Canada Student Grants and Loans.
Lakehead offers entrance scholarships, in-course awards and need-based bursaries funded by the university and its donors.
Tuition for 2026-27 from the school’s own published fees, for a typical first-year arts program, rounded. Ancillary fees, books and housing are extra. Confirm the current figure on Lakehead University’s fee page.
Scholarship names and amounts are estimates and change every year; confirm them with Lakehead University.
Applications to Lakehead University go through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).
Applicants typically need an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent with six 4U or 4M courses, including English, and any program-specific prerequisites. Some programs require supplementary information.
Ontario high school applicants apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) by selecting Lakehead University and the desired programs. Applicants from outside Ontario also apply through OUAC.
The admission average and deadline are estimates; confirm them with Lakehead University and OUAC.
Thunder Bay is a regional city on the northwest shore of Lake Superior, surrounded by trails, forest and water. The main campus sits on the Lakehead University grounds along the Neebing River, with a compact layout that is easy to walk.
Lakehead has a close-knit campus community with active student clubs, services and events. The surrounding region encourages an outdoors-oriented lifestyle year-round.
The Thunderwolves compete in U Sports, including hockey, basketball, volleyball and other varsity teams.
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the school’s official website.