Lakehead University Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

• The Lakehead University application deadline for undergraduate admission in fall 2024 is closed.
• For the Winter start term, the Lakehead University admission deadline for graduate admission is closed.

Read more about the Lakehead University graduate admission deadline

Lakehead University (LU) is a dynamic, modern, and student-centric public research university located on the north shore of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay. It values students as leaders of tomorrow and thus, prioritizes the education and success of each student. The university's urban campuses at Thunder Bay and Orillia assures a complete university experience for all students with a blend of academic excellence and opportunities along with social and recreational activities. Being a research-oriented university and a host to nine Canada Research Chairs, LU promises top-notch facilities to aid in research work. Additionally, it has revolutionary facilities such as the world-renowned Paleo-DNA Laboratory and the Biorefining Research Institute. LU has 319 full-time faculty and 1,850 staff on its payroll. Each year, it contributes over CAD 320 million to Thunder Bay's economy and more than CAD 15 million to Orillia's economy. The campus at Orillia was opened in 2006 with all student facilities from the cafeteria to student housing. Post this, the combined enrolment of the university grew by over 1,300 students in 2012–2013. The student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1 (Thunder Bay) and 13:1 (Orillia), with over 80 per cent of the classes having less than 50 students. It has been ranked as the "#1 Undergraduate Research University in Canada" for five consecutive years (2015–2019) by Research Infosearch.

Courses Offered

What all courses are available to international students?

Lakehead University offers over 60 undergraduate programs, including bachelor and honors bachelor degree programs. Students can design their degree with specializations, double-degree combinations, concentrations, or minors. At the graduate level, it offers 28 different master's programs under eight faculties of study with options, such as thesis-based, course-based, or project-based. Additionally, eight doctoral programs are available for international students in the Thunder Bay campus in the following fields of study:

• Engineering
• Health and Behavioural Sciences
• Education
• Natural Resources Management
• Science and Environmental Studies

Students can also choose the co-op option that is available in a variety of disciplines. This program allows students to earn and learn at the same time. For this purpose, LU has partnered with over 140 national and international companies, including Blackberry, Bosch, IBM, AECON, Grant Thorton, Bombardier, Canada Revenue Agency, Honda, and more. Usually, students earn anywhere between CAD 14 and CAD 30 per hour. The co-op option is offered in the following programs:

• Honors Bachelor of Commerce: Accounting, Finance, Human Resources Management/Industrial Relations, Information Systems, Marketing
• Honors Bachelor of Commerce: Business Administration, Global Entrepreneurship
• Computer Science (Honours Bachelor & Masters Programs)
• Computer Science (Diploma + Degree)
• Economics (Masters Programs)
• Engineering: Chemical (Bachelor); Civil (Bachelor & Masters); Electrical (Bachelor);
• Mechanical (Bachelor & Masters); Software (Bachelor); Electrical & Computer (Masters); Environmental (Masters); Bachelor of Engineering + MBA
• Engineering: Electrical (diploma + degree)
• Environmental Management (Honours Bachelor)
• Environmental Sustainability (Honours Bachelor)
• Forestry (Honours Bachelor)
• Kinesiology (Honours Bachelor)
• Mathematical Sciences (Honours Bachelor & Masters Programs)
• Physics (Honours Bachelor & Masters Programs)

Academic English Program (AEP)

Applicants who meet LU's admission requirements but do not meet the English language proficiency requirements are automatically considered for admission through AEP. This program will help students meet the English proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL score of 80, as per course requirements.

Note: Some programs may be offered on one campus only, while some programs may be offered on both campuses (Thunder Bay and Orillia). Programs are subject to change without notice. To learn more about the courses offered by LU, check the respective program viewbooks here.

Eligibility & Documents Required

What are the eligibility requirements?

LU has country-specific requirements for international students. For Indian aspirants, eligibility requirements are as follows:

Undergraduate Programmes
Grade XII	State Higher Secondary Certificate awarded by a State Board of Higher Secondary Education or; India and Delhi Senior School Certificate awarded by the Central Board of Secondary Education or; India School Certificate awarded by the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations Score requirement: Minimum 70% overall final average (Canadian equivalent) Optional AP Course (credit transfer available)
English Language Proficiency	IELTS Academic: Overall 6.5, with no section less than 6.0 TOEFL iBT: Overall 80, with no section less than 19 PTE: Overall 58, with no component below 50 Duolingo: Minimum Score 110 CI/C2 Proficiency: Overall 176, with no section below 169

Note: Applicants who have completed Grade X plus a three-year diploma are ineligible for LU's Engineering programs.

Learn more about these exams:

• TOEFL
• IELTS
• DET
• C1/C2
• PTE
• Advanced Placement (AP)

University Update: LU is temporarily accepting the Duolingo English Test. Applicants must achieve a minimum score of at least 110 to meet English language proficiency requirements for most of the UG programs. Some programs may require a minimum score of at least 120.

Learn more about these exams:

• GRE
• LSAT
• GMAT

What all documents are needed for the application?

All documents submitted during the application process need to be original drafts and in English or translated into English. Provisional certificates will not be accepted as proof of degree for PG aspirants. The university advises UG students to submit an International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) from World Education Services (WES) Canada for verification as part of the admission process. 

For UG aspirants, the following documents are required:

• Official transcripts
• AP score report
• English proficiency score report
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
• Supplementary documents such as essays or portfolios, as per course requirements
• Financial documents
• Passport

For PG students:

• Official transcripts
• Standardized score reports
• English proficiency score report
• Essays or SOP, as per course requirement
• Resume/CV
• Two to three LORs
• Additional supplements such as Letter of Motivation
• Financial documents
• Passport

Note: All supporting documents, including proof of degree/s, submitted during the admission process become the property of Lakehead University and cannot be returned.

Application & Tuition Fees

Is there any application fees?

The UG application fee for any undergraduate program is a non-refundable amount of CAD 135. For PG programs, the application fee is CAD 100 and is non-refundable.

What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?

The tuition fee varies depending on the course. The table below is an estimation of the annual tuition fee for international students:

Note: Tuition fee does not include ancillary fees of approximately CAD 737.73–1,382.13. Tuition and other costs are subject to change. Check the university website for the current academic year fee structure.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?

International students may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries offered by the university. UG aspirants are considered for entrance scholarships by default. No separate application process is required. Annually, approximately CAD 24,45,500 is awarded to international undergraduate students. The maximum length of an entrance scholarship term is four academic years or until the first degree is awarded, whichever occurs first. Depending on the average scores (Canadian equivalency), a scholarship amount is awarded:

Note: Scholarship amount may differ each academic year. Check the official website to learn more about entrance scholarships for international students.

 The Alumni Association of Lakehead University International Student Bursary and the LUSU Bursary for an International Student are awarded to UG students who demonstrate financial need. 

Similarly, graduate students have the following funding options:

• Graduate Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards
• Graduate Assistantships
• Faculty Research Scholarships

Graduate scholarships are merit-based, and bursaries are based on financial need, although there may be a merit component to the bursary as well. Research scholarships are awarded to students undertaking research work, and these are usually conferred by the student's supervisor. A stipend may be paid to a full-time degree candidate for research or academic activities relevant to the student's field of study within the academic program. Graduate Assistantships are offered to eligible full-time graduate students at the doctoral level. Graduate Assistants are paid at a rate of CAD 10,197.68 at the master's level and CAD 11,120.82 at the doctoral level (2019-20 rates). A regular appointment constitutes a maximum of 270 hours of work over the fall and winter semesters, averaging not more than 10 hours of work per week. A graduate student can hold a maximum of two full-time appointments at the master's level or four full-time appointments at the doctoral level.

Admission Process

When do the admissions start?

Lakehead University offers full-time UG programs in the Fall and Winter and part-time programs in the Spring/Summer intake. The deadlines are as follows:

*Applications may be accepted after this deadline on a space availability basis

Graduate programs are offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring Intakes. Deadlines may vary as per program and intake. Usually, most of the PG programs have deadlines in the following months:

Note: Closing dates may vary each academic year. Check the respective course page to know about the exact closing dates.

How to apply to UG courses?

You can apply to LU through an authorized Lakehead representative or directly to the university via the corresponding application form to the program you are interested in studying. Applications to the following programs should be submitted through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC):

• Two-Year Bachelor of Education program (TEAS form)
• Faculty of Law Juris Doctor program (OLSAS form)

Applying through Lakehead University's Application Portal

Students need to apply directly to the university using the link given below:

erptc.lakeheadu.ca/WebAdvisorPO/WebAdvisorPO?TOKENIDX=12345&SS=1&APP=ST&CONSTITUENCY=WBMP

Step 1: Click on 'Submit' to start your application.

Step 2: Select the appropriate response and click on the 'Submit' button.

Step 3: Select your academic intent and click on 'Submit'.

Step 4: Select the campus and program to continue with the form. After this, you will be required to fill in your biographical information and personal contact information.

Step 5: Start filling the form by entering the required details and uploading relevant documents. Ensure all sections are completed before submitting the form.

How to apply to PG courses?

You can apply to graduate programs in four simple steps through the university's application portal.

Applying to LU through University's Application Portal

Students need to apply directly to the university using the link given below:

erptc.lakeheadu.ca/WebAdvisorPO/WebAdvisorPO?TOKENIDX=12345&SS=1&APP=ST&CONSTITUENCY=WBMP

 

Step 1: Tick the box for international student and click on 'Accept & Continue'.

Step 2: Select the appropriate responses.

Step 3: Enter your details.

Step 4: Enter citizenship details.

Step 5:Start filling out the form by entering the required details and uploading relevant documents. Ensure all sections are completed before submitting the form.

When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?

There is no fixed timeline for university decisions as LU offers admission confirmations on a rolling basis. Thus, admission offers are extended to students until the start of the new academic term. Usually, an admission decision is released within four to six weeks of submitting a complete application. Decisions for limited enrolment programs are sent by March and continue throughout the spring semester. These programs include:

• Post Diploma Engineering
• Music
• Nursing
• One-year and three-year Honors Bachelor of Social Work
• Visual Art

Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

What are the chances to get into this university?

Lakehead University has a high acceptance rate as compared to other universities in the Ontario region. Even though admission to LU is easy, meeting the admission requirements is challenging as it has high score requirements across all its courses. Additionally, just meeting the admission requirement will not guarantee admission. Apart from competitive scores and a strong academic background, a student's extracurricular activity involvement and professional/practical experience are also considered. Thus, a varied student profile will help a student gain higher chances of getting accepted at LU.

How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?

LU's student body is represented by over 1,500 international students from more than 70 nations. It has an alumni body of 65,520 from 97 countries. In 2019, the university saw over 8,500 enrollments, out of which 7,000 students were at the Thunder Bay Campus and 1,500 students at the Orillia Campus. Apart from this, the university also saw a 16 percent increase in international students in the 2019–2020 academic year, featuring 1,459 international students enrolled in degree programs.

Part-Time Work While Studying

Can I work while studying here?

Students need to ensure that they have proper permits to work while studying. International students enrolled in a full-time degree are eligible to work for up to 20 hours per week during the academic school year. During vacations and breaks, students can work for up to 40 hours per week. A work permit is not required for on-campus jobs; a study permit is sufficient.

Students can work while studying if they meet the following requirements:

• Be a full-time student at a public post-secondary institution, such as a college or university
• Have a valid study permit
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number (issued by the Canadian government)

Note: Students must stop working in Canada the day they no longer meet the above eligibility requirements or apply for a work permit to continue working.

Campuses & Accommodation

How many colleges and campuses does the university have?

Lakehead University has three campuses in the Ontario region – Thunder Bay (main), Orillia, and Barrie. Barrie has one of the Lakehead-Georgian campuses that offers diploma + degree programs. LU has 10 academic faculties and 42 academic departments from Anthropology to Visual Arts.

Is on-campus housing available?

Lakehead University's student residence comprises 1,200 students from all over the world. On-campus student housing is available for both international undergraduate and graduate aspirants. Aspirants can choose from dormitory-style with meal plans, shared apartments, or shared townhouses accommodation options. Students also have the option of staying off the campus in apartments or homestays. Thunder Bay offers residence halls, townhouses, and apartment-style housing options. On the other hand, Orillia has a 240-bed residence hall where each student gets a private room while sharing a bathroom with only one other person. Each floor houses 40 single rooms, a laundry facility, a kitchenette, and a quiet study room. Rates for on-campus and off-campus housing are as follows:

Note: The rates subject to change. Check the university website for the current academic year room rates.

Living Costs

University Contact Information

Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?

Students can contact the university for any queries:

Address: 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada P7B 5E1

Website: www.lakeheadu.ca/

Telephone: 1-807-343-8110