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Founded in 1911, Wilfrid Laurier University is known for academic excellence and a culture that inspires lives of leadership and purpose. The university has a distinct commitment to teaching, research and scholarship combined with a strong student focus, high levels of student satisfaction and a deep sense of community. Laurier offers full- and part-time graduate and undergraduate degree programs.

Laurier is at a pivotal point in its history. After celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, the university is poised to meet the future with vision, energy and optimism. Armed with a firm belief in the transformative power of education and research, its community of integrated and engaged learners is ready to address the world’s most critical business, economic, social and environmental challenges.

Laurier fosters personal growth and the development of excellence in academic programs, research, creativity and professional achievement. Laurier was the first university in Canada to formally recognize the benefits of volunteer and leadership activities by offering students a co-curricular record, an institutionally recognized chronicle of student engagement and student leadership involvement.

Located one hour west of Toronto, the university’s Waterloo campus is part of Canada’s Technology Triangle, one of Canada’s fastest-growing economic regions known for innovation, technology, advanced manufacturing and a focus on international governance.

Laurier’s Brantford, Ontario campus was established in September 1999 with 39 students. Today, enrolment has grown to more than 2,500 students and is projected to reach 4,000 within five years. Laurier Brantford is dedicated to innovative programming within the liberal arts. Its core interdisciplinary program in contemporary studies can be combined with a number of other programs including law and society, leadership, journalism, human rights and human diversity, and health studies.

Laurier’s Kitchener, Ontario campus opened in 2006 as the new home of the university’s Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work. The downtown campus has put social work students closer to many social-service agencies.

Laurier is home to 34 research centres/institutes and chairs, the Academic Council on the United Nations System, the internationally acclaimed Penderecki String Quartet, WLU Press and the Robert Langen Art Gallery.

Student fees

Canadian student fees  2011-12 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $5,293 - $5,448
Graduate tuition fees: $4,525 - $4,792

International student fees  2011-12 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $15,699 - $19,813
Graduate tuition fees: $10,170 - $10,771

* Source: Statistics Canada. Fees for general programs in arts and humanities.

Note: In addition to tuition fees, universities generally charge fees for goods and services supplied to students. This includes areas such as student associations, sports and health. These additional fees vary widely per university and per student and can run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Check with the university for details.

Student enrolment

2011 rounded preliminary fall enrolment *
Full-time (undergraduates): 14,800
Full-time (graduates): 910
Part-time (undergraduates): 2,000
Part-time (graduates): 640

* Source: Council of Ontario Universities