University of Windsor
Canada's southernmost university, on the Detroit River facing Detroit, with strong engineering, business and law.
- Students
- 17,994
- International
- 36%
- of students
- Tuition
- CA$33,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1857
About UWindsor
The University of Windsor traces its roots to Assumption College, a Catholic college founded in 1857, and was incorporated as a public university in 1962. Today it enrols about 18,000 students and looks out on the Detroit River waterfront, next to what it describes as North America's busiest international border crossing. Windsor is Canada's southernmost city, and Detroit is a short drive across the river.
UWindsor is a comprehensive university with more than 190 undergraduate degree programs, including professional programs in Law, Business, Engineering, Education, Nursing, Human Kinetics and Social Work. The Odette School of Business renewed its AACSB accreditation in 2025, and the School of Creative Arts works out of the century-old Windsor Armouries. Its research focuses on themes tied to its location: the Great Lakes, borders, safe and healthy communities and sustainable manufacturing, reflected in units such as the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research.
Admission is accessible by Ontario standards: most programs ask for a minimum average of about 70%, engineering for 74%, and co-op versions of some arts programs for 80%. It suits students who want hands-on training, co-op placements and a lower cost of living than Toronto, and who like the idea of a cross-border city with an automotive industry on the doorstep.
Bonitatem, disciplinam, scientiam
“Goodness, discipline, and knowledge” — university motto
Why students choose UWindsor
Mechanical Engineering offers Aerospace, Automotive and Materials specialisations, each with a co-op option, in a city known as the automotive capital of Canada.
Domestic students from Ontario high schools with a 95% or higher average receive a guaranteed $16,000 President's Level entrance scholarship, paid over eight terms.
The Outstanding Scholars program pays selected high-achieving undergraduates to do research with faculty from their second to fourth years.
The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences now offers co-op in more than 10 programs, and Commercial Aviation Leadership is a distinctive option not found at most universities.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry
Selectivity
UWindsor does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Admission is based on a minimum admission average of your best six Grade 12 U/M courses (typically 70%, 74% for engineering and 80% for some co-op and concurrent education programs), plus program prerequisites.
Typical entry requirements
| Ontario Secondary School Diploma | Six Grade 12 4U/M courses; minimum average typically 70% (e.g. Psychology, Criminology, Nursing), 74% for Mechanical, Civil and Industrial Engineering with a 74% average in the math and science prerequisites, 75% for Visual Arts and the Built Environment, 80% for co-op Political Science, History and Communication, Media and Film |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Six subjects with at least three at Higher Level and a minimum of 24 points, plus course-specific requirements |
| British A-levels (GCE) | Five passes in different academic subjects including English, with at least two at A-level (or four at AS level) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 83 University minimum under the Senate policy on English language proficiency: IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 83 with writing 20, Duolingo 115, CAEL 60, PTE Academic 60. Some programs set higher scores. Applicants below the requirement can receive a conditional offer and complete the English Language Improvement Program (ELIP). |
Deadlines
- OUAC equal consideration deadline (Ontario high school students) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 monthsJanuary 15, 2027
OUAC deadline for Group A applicants; later applications are still processed, subject to university deadlines. Ontario universities cannot require a response to offers before June 1, 2027.
- Entrance award application (UWinAward) Non-binding In ~7 monthsApril 30, 2027
Deadline for the entrance award profile; the application opens January 1 and you do not need an offer to apply.
- Recommended deadline for international applicants (Fall) Non-binding In ~7 monthsMay 1, 2027
Recommended to leave time for study permit processing; qualified students may be admitted later if space remains. January and May intakes have recommended deadlines of September 1 and January 1.
The OUAC dates are published for fall 2027 admission. The April 30 entrance award deadline and the May 1 international recommendation are the university's standing annual dates.
How to apply
Ontario high school students apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). Other applicants can also use OUAC or, if they live outside Canada and the US and are applying only to UWindsor, apply directly online or through an authorised educational agent. After applying, you upload transcripts and other documents through UWinsite Student; some programs need a portfolio or audition.
What admissions looks for
- A competitive average of your best six Grade 12 U/M courses (or equivalent), which UWindsor says may change each year depending on applicant numbers and seats.
- The required prerequisites at the right grade: for example ENG4U at 70% or higher for all Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences programs.
- For some programs a secondary average in key subjects, such as Chemistry and Biology for Nursing, or the math and science courses for Engineering.
- Portfolios or auditions for creative programs, which are assessed before a decision is made.
Tips for applying to UWindsor
- 1 Aim for 80% or more in your final Grade 11 marks: UWindsor can make early offers on that basis for some programs.
- 2 If you miss your first-choice program, UWindsor automatically considers you for alternatives, such as General Science or Computer Science for engineering applicants.
- 3 Complete your UWinAward entrance profile by April 30 even before you have an offer, because many named awards need it.
- 4 International applicants do not need to meet the English requirement at the time of application; a conditional offer with the ELIP pathway is possible.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CAD
From 2026-27, automatic open entrance scholarships are for domestic students entering directly from high school: $1,000 for an 85-89.99% average, $10,000 for 90-94.99% and $16,000 for 95-100%, the larger two renewable with an 85% average. International students entering from high school with at least 80% can apply for several renewable international entrance scholarships, and many named awards require the UWinAward application by April 30.
- $16,000 ($2,000 x 8 terms)
- President's Level entrance scholarship (95-100% average, domestic)
- $10,000 ($1,250 x 8 terms)
- Dean's Level entrance scholarship (90-94.99%, domestic)
- $1,000 (one term)
- Blue and Gold Level support (85-89.99%, domestic)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (Fall, Winter, Summer)
Mechanical Engineering (BASc)
Aerospace, Automotive and Materials specialisations with co-op options; 74% minimum average and a common first year across engineering.
Business (Odette School of Business)
AACSB accreditation renewed in 2025, which the university says places Odette among only 6% of business schools worldwide.
Forensic Science (BSc)
A distinctive undergraduate forensics program in the Faculty of Science, with a 70% minimum average.
Commercial Aviation Leadership
Formerly Aeronautics Leadership, a rare combination of aviation and leadership training at a Canadian university.
Nursing (BScN)
Admission uses a secondary average in Chemistry and Biology alongside the overall average.
Film Production and Visual Arts (School of Creative Arts)
Taught in facilities opened in 2017 at the century-old Windsor Armouries.
Research
- The Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research studies the Great Lakes on the university's doorstep.
- The university partnered with Chrysler in 1996 to create the Automotive Research and Development Centre.
- University research themes include the Great Lakes, borders, safe and healthy communities and sustainable manufacturing.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Odette School of Business
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Graduate Studies
- Faculty of Human Kinetics
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Nursing
- Faculty of Science
Ontario graduate survey of the class of 2021: 89.5% employed six months after graduation and 94.5% after two years (CUDO 2023). The graduation rate is the seven-year rate for the Fall 2015 entering cohort.
Student life
UWindsor is a compact urban campus on the Detroit River, looking across the water to Detroit. First-year students choose double rooms, usually in Cartier Hall, or singles in Rodzik and Laurier Halls, and eat in an all-you-care-to-eat dining hall. The Windsor Lancers are one of the most decorated varsity programs in Canadian university sport, and three border crossings, including the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, put Detroit's pro sports and concerts within easy reach.
- Windsor Lancers varsity teams compete in U Sports and the Ontario University Athletics conference.
- The School of Creative Arts runs concerts and events from its renovated Windsor Armouries home.
- Student exchange agreements cover 23 countries.
- Living Learning Communities and 24/7 residence life staff in the residence halls.
Housing. First-year students who apply for residence and pay the $475 deposit by the deadline are guaranteed a room.
Location
Windsor has about 236,600 people and is one of Canada's most ethnically diverse cities. It is the country's southernmost city, with what it calls some of the country's best weather and around 2,261 hours of sunshine a year. The city is a centre of car manufacturing, with Stellantis and Ford plants, and Detroit is directly across the river.
Nearest airport: Windsor International Airport (YQG); Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is across the border
Notable alumni
- SM Sergio MarchionneCEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Ferrari; BComm (1979) and MBA (1985) from Windsor
- DF Douglas FreginCo-founder of Research In Motion (BlackBerry); studied electrical engineering
- NB Navdeep BainsFormer Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development; MBA
- MB Melissa Bishop-NriaguOlympic 800 m runner and 2015 world championship silver medallist
- JM Joe MimranFashion designer who launched Club Monaco and Joe Fresh; studied at Windsor
- MH Marie HoweAmerican poet; BA in English
- RP Richard PeddieFormer president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment; 1970 graduate
Frequently asked questions
What average do you need to get into the University of Windsor?
Most programs require a minimum average of about 70% in your top six Grade 12 U/M courses. Mechanical, Civil and Industrial Engineering need 74%, and some co-op and concurrent education programs need 75-80%.
What is the University of Windsor's application deadline for fall 2027?
Ontario high school students should apply through OUAC by January 15, 2027. International applicants are advised to apply by May 1 for September entry, although qualified students may be admitted later if space remains.
How much is tuition at the University of Windsor for international students?
For 2026-27, full-time international base tuition runs from about $33,000 a year in Arts to about $44,100 a year in Engineering, before health insurance and ancillary fees.
What IELTS score does the University of Windsor require?
The minimum is IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 83 with a writing score of 20. If you fall short, you can receive a conditional offer and complete the English Language Improvement Program.
Does the University of Windsor give automatic entrance scholarships?
Yes, for domestic students coming straight from high school: $1,000 for an 85-89.99% average, $10,000 for 90-94.99% and $16,000 for 95% or above. International students can apply for renewable international entrance scholarships with an average of at least 80%.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- University of Windsor: About the University
- OUInfo: University of Windsor (fall 2027 admission)
- OUInfo: Mechanical Engineering (NEJ), University of Windsor
- OUInfo: Civil Engineering (NEB), University of Windsor
- OUInfo: Nursing (NN), University of Windsor
- OUInfo: Political Science with Co-op (NAB), University of Windsor
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