Skip to content
Close
LOGIN
SEARCH
Apply Now
Apply Now

Lakehead University

Thunder Bay, Ontario

9,000 Students on Campus
Thunder Bay Location
123,200 Metro Population
9,000 Students on Campus
Thunder Bay Location
123,200 Metro Population

About This Campus

Dynamic, modern, and highly learner-centred, we acknowledge all of our students as valued leaders of tomorrow, whose education and success are paramount to our institution. Lakehead is small enough to offer the personalized approach to support and education that allows you to thrive, and we're big enough to embody a truly global perspective. Our campuses boast an average 15:1 student-to-professor ratio! Over 1,840 international students, representing over 80 nations around the world, call Lakehead home.

#1 University Under 10,000 Students in North America (Times Higher Education Global Impact Rankings 2025)

Unparalleled Access to Outdoor Recreation

A Truly Canadian Experience

Helpful Information

Lakehead University welcomes NSE students to both our Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses. Students can choose which campus they wish to attend, both located in Ontario, Canada.

Helpful information for inbound exchange students can be found on the following links:

Inbound Global ME Students

2026-2027 Global ME Fact Sheet

Location Information

Lakehead University is a single university that boasts two exceptional campuses. Situated in the heart of Canada, our Thunder Bay campus is located on the northwest shore of Lake Superior – the world’s largest freshwater lake. Our Orillia campus is nestled between the lakes and forests near the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Both of these culturally diverse communities are known for their breathtaking natural environments and unparalleled access to outdoor recreation.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 09/08/2026 - Fall End Date: 12/21/2026

Spring Start Date: 01/04/2027 - Spring End Date: 04/19/2027

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Law, Nursing, and Medicine are restricted programs. Fee-waived Master's and PhD level courses are restricted to only certain partnerships.

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

Social Work and Education courses may be restricted and/or limited.

OTHER ACADEMIC INFORMATION:

None

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Business (Commerce) — Lakehead University’s Commerce program offers a well-rounded curriculum designed to provide students with a strong foundation in business principles with essential areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, operations management, and strategic planning.
  • Computer Science — The Computer Science program at Lakehead offers a robust and comprehensive curriculum that covers fundamental and advanced topics including programming, algorithms, data structures, software engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, databases, and cybersecurity with emphasis on lab work, projects, etc.
  • Engineering — Studying engineering at Lakehead gives you an unconventional opportunity to gain the skills required by employers within the field of Engineering. The unique combination of BEng degree with a Diploma in Engineering Technology from Lakehead University produces graduates with hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge critical to success.
  • Environmental Management — This program will provide you with a sound understanding of natural processes in environmental ecosystems, including a strong background in forest environments and technical experience using industry-standard geomatics tools.
  • Indigenous Learning — This is the study of Indigenous history, culture and values and strives to increase awareness/appreciation of the life and experiences of Indigenous Peoples, with a goal of creating an environment of understanding and trust. Topics included are survey construction, analyzing census data, archival researching, and examining government records.
UNIQUE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Gerontology — Gerontology, the study of aging, is dynamic and diverse, the interests and needs of an aging population are complex. Older people are concerned with a variety of subjects from social and financial issues to education and health care. In addition to understanding how seniors can maintain a healthy, active lifestyle, gerontologists are interested in issues such as learning, retirement, caregiving, illness, employment, sexuality and coping strategies.
  • Kinesiology — Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement, applying the latest evidence-based research to improve function, health, and wellness of people in all settings and populations.
  • Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Tourism — This program emphasizes on an increasingly important role of outdoor recreation in society, contributing to mental and physical health, family cohesion, culture, environmental appreciation, and economic development. Our experiential program provides you with the opportunity to think critically about the world around you and what it means to live in a more environmentally and socially just world.
OPTIONS:

Honors Access:

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)? Will accept on Home
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Home Pay
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 12/08/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Not Available
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 15
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Transportation Fee
$0
Year
Home
Optional
Housing Fee
$250
Year
Home
Mandatory
Parking Fee
$0
Term
Home
Optional
Health Insurance
$234
Term
Home
Mandatory
Activity Fee
$60
Year
Home
Mandatory
IMPORTANT NOTES:

Transportation Fee: Students can choose to buy a bus pass from Lakehead University's Student Union (LUSU). The annual bus pass is $282 in Thunder Bay, and $160 in Orillia. Students may also purchase per-ride or monthly bus passes. Housing Fee: Mandatory only for students staying in on-campus housing. The $250 deposit is required to secure your room at the time of booking and is credited towards your residence fees for the semester. Parking Fee: Students can choose to buy daily, monthly, or term-based parking passes to have access to parking lots on campus. The Orillia campus parking pass is $164 per semester. The Thunder Bay parking pass is $140 per semester. Health Insurance: Students are enrolled in mandatory health insurance, currently administered by Guard.Me at a rate of $234 per semester. Activity Fee: Mandatory only for students staying in on-campus housing. This fee supports activities delivered by Lakehead University's residence team, such as outings to outdoor recreation areas. All fees are in Canadian dollars (CAD).

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 01/16/2026
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 30
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $4000
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Housing is limited and is first-come, first-served. Students coming for 1 semester will be placed in first-year dorms with a mandatory meal plan included in the cost. Students coming for 1 full academic year (2 semesters) might have the option to request staying in upper-year housing (called 'Apartments' or 'Townhouses') with no meal plan included, but a kitchen available.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $3000
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

A meal plan is included in the Residence cost for dormitory-style rooms of roughly $6,500-$7,500 CAD (room and meal plan total). If a student chooses to live off-campus or in one of our on-campus townhouses or apartments, they may opt to purchase a meal plan.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

N/A

This campus is not accepting students on this tuition payment plan.

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

N/A

This campus is not accepting students on this tuition payment plan.

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: