The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) is a bilingual public research university located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest bilingual university in North America and the second largest university in Ontario. uOttawa offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including:
- Arts: uOttawa’s Faculty of Arts is known for its programs in human rights, international relations, and public policy.
- Engineering: uOttawa’s Faculty of Engineering is known for its programs in civil engineering, electrical engineering, and software engineering.
- Health Sciences: uOttawa’s Faculty of Medicine is one of the most respected medical schools in Canada. The Faculty of Health Sciences also offers programs in nursing, pharmacy, and physiotherapy.
- Law: uOttawa’s Faculty of Law is the only bilingual law school in Canada.
- Management: uOttawa’s Telfer School of Management is one of the top business schools in Canada.
- Science: uOttawa’s Faculty of Science is known for its programs in biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Social Sciences: uOttawa’s Faculty of Social Sciences is known for its programs in economics, political science, and psychology.
In addition to its academic programs, uOttawa is also known for its research excellence. The university is ranked among the top 10 research universities in Canada. uOttawa researchers are making significant contributions to a variety of fields, including:
- Photonics: uOttawa is a world leader in photonics research. The university has several research institutes dedicated to photonics, including the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Light and Particle Physics (OCLIPP) and the Centre d’optique, photonique et laser (COPL).
- Vascular and cardiovascular health: uOttawa is also a leader in vascular and cardiovascular health research. The university has several research institutes dedicated to this field, including the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CRI) and the Heart Institute.
- Brain and mental health: uOttawa is a leader in brain and mental health research. The university has several research institutes dedicated to this field, including the Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI) and the Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR).
- Francophonie: uOttawa is a world leader in Francophone studies. The university has several research institutes dedicated to Francophonie, including the Centre de recherche sur le français (CRFL) and the Institut canadien de recherches sur la francophonie (ICREF).
- Public policy and social justice: uOttawa is a leader in public policy and social justice research. The university has several research institutes dedicated to this field, including the Centre for Public Policy and Governance (CPPG) and the Canadian Centre for Global Studies (CCGS).
uOttawa is a vibrant and diverse community with a strong commitment to academic excellence and research. The university is a great place to learn, grow, and make a difference in the world.
SAT and ACT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests.
You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to Ottawa University. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.
Ottawa University SAT Requirements
Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school’s average score.
Average SAT: 1000
The average SAT score composite at Ottawa University is a 1000 on the 1600 SAT scale.
This score makes Ottawa University Lightly Competitive for SAT test scores.
Ottawa University SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)
The 25th percentile SAT score is 900, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1080. In other words, a 900 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1080 will move you up to above average.
Here’s the breakdown of SAT scores by section:
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| Math | 490 | 460 | 510 |
| Reading + Writing | 510 | 440 | 570 |
| Composite | 1000 | 900 | 1080 |
SAT Score Choice Policy
The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.
Ottawa University ACT Requirements
Just like for the SAT, Ottawa University likely doesn’t have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.
Average ACT: 20
The average ACT score at Ottawa University is 20. This score makes Ottawa University Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.
The 25th percentile ACT score is 18, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 22.
Even though Ottawa University likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 18 or below, you’ll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 20 and above that a 18 will look academically weak.
ACT Score Sending Policy
If you’re taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.
Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.
This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school’s ACT requirement of 22 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you’re happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.
ACT Superscore Policy
By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.
We weren’t able to find the school’s exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Ottawa University, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 22.
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.