Established in 1964, the University of Guelph is a leading public, comprehensive, and research-intensive university in Ontario, Canada. The university operates across three campuses;
The university comprises eight academic colleges offering programs across sciences, engineering, business, arts, social sciences, and health-related fields. The University of Guelph is home to over 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students. This includes more than 1,900 international students from over 140 countries. The university offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs (including master’s, PhD, and graduate diploma options).
Admissions are offered through multiple intakes, with Fall as the primary intake, followed by Winter (January) and a limited Summer intake (mainly open to transfer students and select programs).
With an acceptance rate of 68%, University of Guelph offers a moderately competitive admission process. The annual tuition fees for international students vary by program. For instance:
| Program | Fees |
|---|---|
| UG | CAD 37,000 to 45,000+ per year (INR 24–30 lakh |
| PG | CAD 20,000 to 57,000+ per year (INR 13–38 lakh) |
Specialized programs (MBA, MEM, etc): CAD 45,000 to 57,000+ per year (INR 28–38 lakh).
The university also provides multiple scholarship and funding opportunities for international students across its programs. This includes entrance scholarships and program specific funding options to help reduce the overall cost of study.
*Note- Though the university follows defined application deadlines, applications may be considered beyond these dates on a rolling basis, subject to seat availability.
University of Guelph Student Experience |
Table of Contents
4.1 Guelph Campus
4.2 University of Guelph–Humber
4.3 Ridgetown Campus
5.1 On-Campus Housing at the University of Guelph
5.2 University of Guelph Off-Campus Housing
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 1964 |
| Type | Public University |
| Campuses | Guelph Guelph-Humber (Toronto) Ridgetown |
| Acceptance Rate | 68% |
| Popular Intakes | Fall (Primary) Winter Summer (Limited intake) |
| Mode of Admission | – Official University Application Portal or – OUAC 105 Form or – Common Application (for international high school students only) |
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University of Guelph Popular Programs & Fees
The University of Guelph offers 100+ programs across undergraduate, graduate (including master’s and PhD), and diploma levels to international students. Some of the programs offered by the university that are popular among international students are listed below.
| Course Name | Duration | Fees | Eligibility | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Computer Science | 2 Years | CAD 8,338 (INR 5.5 lakh) per semester | – 4 year honours degree in Computer Science or related field (10+ CS courses) – Minimum 75% (B) in the last 2 years of UG study | -Fall 2026: March 1, 2026 -Winter 2026: August 1, 2025 (closed) -Spring 2026: November 1, 2025 (closed) |
| M.Eng) Mechanical | – 12 months – Flexible 8- 24 months. | CAD 22,071 (INR 1.45 lakh) per semester | – Honours engineering degree (minimum 70%) – Strong analytical background (Maths, Chemistry, Physics) | – Winter 2026 – July 1, 2025 (deadline passed) -Summer 2026 – November 1, 2025 (deadline passed) – Fall 2026 – March 1, 2026 |
| Master of Public Health (MPH) | 5 Semester | CAD 12,700 (INR 8.38 lakh) per semester | – 4-year undergraduate degree (Science / Applied Science) – Minimum average: 77% (UG) / 70% (Professional degree) – 2 letters of reference – Statement of interest (1 page) – Resume (public health exposure) – PATH*3610 course (if no biology background) | – Fall 2026 – January 26, 2026 (deadline passed) |
| Master of Engineering (M.Eng) Computer Engineering | – 12 months – Flexible 8- 24 months | CAD 22,071 (INR 14.5 lakh) per semester | – Honours engineering degree (minimum 70%) – Strong analytical background (Maths, Chemistry, Physics) | – Winter 2026: July 1, 2025 (deadline passed) – Summer 2026: November 1, 2025 (deadline passed) – Fall 2026: March 15, 2026 |
| Master of Science (MSc) Bioinformatics | 6 Semesters (typically 2 years) | CAD 8,338 (INR 5.5 lakh) per semester | – Honours BSc (min. 75% in last 2 years) | – Intakes: Winter (Jan), Summer (May), Fall (Sep) – Rolling / No fixed deadline. – Apply 6–8 months in advance |
| Master of Science (MSc) Biomedical Sciences | 2 Years | CAD 8,338 (INR 5.5 lakh) per semester | – Honours UG degree (relevant field), min. 77% (B+) | – Intakes: Winter (Jan), Summer (May), Fall (Sep) – Rolling / No fixed deadline. – Apply 6–8 months in advance |
| MBA | 1 Year | CAD 24,928 (INR 16.6 lakh) per semester | – 4 year UG degree (or equivalent) – Minimum B- average in final 2 years – Work experience preferred (not mandatory) – GMAT/GRE not required | – Summer 2026: January 15, 2026 (deadline passed) – Fall 2026: April 1, 2026 |
*Note- Applicants with a 4-year business degree (BCom, BBA, or equivalent) or professional certifications (CPA, CFA, PMP) may be eligible for course waivers, subject to approval by the MBA Program Coordinator.
Admission pattern at the University of Guelph is a mix of fixed deadlines and rolling admissions. The University of Guelph admits students through the following intakes:
*Note- Applications may also be accepted beyond official deadlines, depending on program capacity.
The table below provides an overview of admission requirements for international students at the University of Guelph.
| Particulars | Undergraduate Details | Graduate Details |
|---|---|---|
| Key Intakes | – Fall (September) -Winter (January) – Summer (May) | – Fall (September) – Winter (January) – Summer (May) |
| Modes of Application | – University of Guelph International Online Application (direct application) or – OUAC 105 Form or – Common Application (for international high school students only) | – University of Guelph application portal |
| Application Fee | – High school applicants (Common App): CAD 90 (INR 5,940)- Transfer / Advanced Standing applicants: CAD 185 (INR 12,210) (includes evaluation) | – CAD 125 (INR 8,250) – most graduate programs- CAD 150 (INR 9,900)– MBA and select programs |
| Application Deadline | – Fall 2026: May 19, 2026 – Winter 2026: November 1, 2025 – Summer 2026: March 1, 2026 | – Program-specific; set by individual departments |
| Eligibility | – Minimum 75% in Class 12 from a recognized board- Class 10 and 12 certificates | – Honours undergraduate degree or equivalent from a recognized university – Minimum admission average: 70% (B-) in the final two years of study |
*Note:
International students whose first language is not English are required to submit proof of English language proficiency for admission. Below is a list of accepted English proficiency tests.
| English Proficiency Test | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | – Overall score 89+ – Individual score requirement 21+ | – Overall score 89+ – Individual score requirement 21+ |
| PTE | – Overall score 60 – Individual score requirement 60+ | – Overall score 60 – Individual score requirement 60+ |
| IELTS | – Overall score 6.5 – Individual score requirement 6+ | – 6.5+ |
| DUOLINGO | – Overall score 110 | – Overall score 120 |
The University of Guelph may require applicants to submit additional documents.Documents that may be required include:
The University of Guelph is spread across three campuses;
Located in the city of Guelph, Ontario, this is the University of Guelph’s main campus, known for offering a unique mix of natural spaces, cultural landmarks, and urban conveniences. Key local attractions near the Guelph campus include Riverside Park, Guelph Lake Conservation Area, Downtown Guelph, and the University of Guelph Arboretum.
The Guelph campus is approximately one hour from Toronto, providing students with convenient access to major city events, internships, and entertainment options.
The University of Guelph-Humber is located on the banks of the Humber River in Etobicoke, Toronto. It features a beautiful riverside setting with green spaces and operates in collaboration with Humber College. Some nearby attractions include Humber Arboretum, Humber River, Woodbine Mall and Fantasy Fair, and Majestic Angel Spa.
The campus offers easy access to central Toronto, including landmarks such as the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, and Casa Loma. The surrounding areas of Etobicoke and Brampton also offer multicultural neighbourhoods. Indian restaurants, food outlets, and community spaces are easily accessible.
Located in southwest Ontario, the Ridgetown Campus specializes in applied agricultural, animal, and environmental sciences. Some nearby attractions include Ridge House Museum, Rondeau Provincial Park, and the Chatham–Kent area.
The campus is also located about one hour from Sarnia, which offers additional family-friendly attractions and recreational spaces.
| Student Experiences: Based on student discussions on platforms such as Reddit and Quora, Indian students generally prefer the Guelph Campus and the University of Guelph-Humber Campus. The main Guelph campus is appreciated for its diverse environment, international student support, and focused academic experience. The Guelph-Humber campus is considered to be more multicultural. It has easy access to Indian groceries and temples. It also offers higher overall comfort for international students, including Indians, due to Indian communities in areas such as Brampton and Mississauga. |
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The University of Guelph offers on-campus housing across multiple residence communities.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Student Capacity | – Around 5,000 students |
| Accommodation Types | – Traditional dorms – Suite-style rooms – Apartments – Townhouses |
| Average Fees | – CAD 9,000–11,500 (INR 5.5–7.0 lakh) per year |
| Housing Priority | – Priority is given to first-year students. |
| Application | – Official housing portal (after accepting the admission offer) |
*Note-
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The University of Guelph supports students seeking off-campus housing through its Off-Campus Living (OCL) team. The team provides guidance and directs students to external rental platforms such as Places4Students.com.
Student Preferences
Apart from tuition fees, the monthly cost of living for students at the University of Guelph depends on their lifestyle and accommodation choice (such as a shared room in a house or a private apartment).
Students living off-campus usually spend between CAD 1,500- 2,200 (INR 99,750-1,46,300) per month, which includes rent, food/groceries, utilities, and local transport.
To make studies more affordable for international students, the University of Guelph offers a wide range of merit-based scholarships. Some of these scholarships include:
| Scholarship | Amount per Year | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| President’s International Entrance scholarship | CAD 7,500 – 20,000 (INR 5– 13.3 lakhs) | – First-year international UG students – Automatic award – Merit-based (higher admission averages receive higher amounts) – No separate application required |
| University International Scholarship | CAD 20,000 (INR 13.3 lakh) in total, or CAD 5,000 (INR 3.3 lakh) per year for 4 years | – First-year international UG students – Automatic award – Merit-based (higher admission averages receive higher amounts) – No separate application required |
| International Master’s Tuition Scholarship | CAD 6,000 (INR 4 lakh) for up to one year | – Full-time master’s students (PG) – Merit-based – Minimum admission average: 70% (B- or higher) – Automatic award; no separate application required |
| International Doctoral Tuition Scholarship | CAD 12,500 (INR 8.3 lakh) per year (up to 4 years) | – Full-time doctoral (PhD) students – Merit-based – Minimum admission average: 80% (A- or higher) – Automatic award; no separate application required |
| Based on student discussions on Quora and Reddit, Indian students share that scholarships are available at the University of Guelph, but they are mostly merit-based and competitive. Overall, students advise not relying only on university scholarships and suggest planning additional financial support or part-time work. |
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With an overall rating of 7.6 out of 10, Indian students describe the University of Guelph as offering a strong academic experience, supportive faculty, and a peaceful, green campus environment. Many appreciate the balanced student life and good international support, though some mention that the smaller-town setting can feel quieter compared to larger cities. Overall, students view Guelph as a reputable and student-friendly university that provides quality education and a manageable experience for international students.
Wing Educations Assistant