Top 10 Reasons Why Students Choose Lakehead


Imagine a university where your professors know your name. Where the peers and student services staff you meet on day one will be the familiar faces you recognize on day two, and soon become lifelong friends and mentors.

Imagine a university where ‒ instead of walking into a big lecture theatre full of strangers ‒ you will walk into an academic community where your input matters. Where your success counts.

Welcome to Lakehead University. 

1. Highest Chance for Success

Students in graduation gowns cheering at convocation

Our students succeed academically, graduate on time, and get jobs. In fact, Lakehead students are top 3 in Ontario for job readiness. With an average employment rate of 96.3% two years after graduation, Lakehead graduates are career-ready.

2. Top Research University in Canada

Student doing research in laboratory
Students working on projects in Lakehead's Green Processes Research Centre

For five years in a row, Research Infosource named Lakehead the Top Canadian University in Undergraduate Research (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). Home to more than 26 cutting-edge research centres and 11 Canada Research Chairs, Lakehead University gives students access to unparalleled hands-on research opportunities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

3. Generous Entrance Scholarships

Studnets standing in front of Simcoe Hall at the Orillia campus

Lakehead International's entrance scholarships for applicants entering from high school into an undergraduate program provide up to $40,000 for your studies at Lakehead. Entrance Scholarships require no application. They are automatically awarded based on your average. Find out more about our International Entrance Scholarships

4. World-Class Facilities

Students doing research in the Paleo DNA Lab

Not only can you learn in world-class labs and facilities at Lakehead, but you can also take advantage of the natural, outdoor laboratory right on the campus doorstep.

5. A Truly Canadian Experience

 Students canoeing on Lake Superior

Canoeing on Lake Superior near the majestic Sleeping Giant.

Lakehead's locations in Thunder Bay and Orillia are two of the best places to experience Canada. Orillia, located in the heart of Ontario's Muskoka Lake and Cottage Country, offers endless recreational and cultural opportunities and is only 150 km from Canada's largest city. Thunder Bay is located on the shores of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Not only does outdoor adventure abound everywhere you go in and around Thunder Bay, but the city offers active art and culture scene, with live music, theatre, film, and more. If shopping is what you're after, check out our Intercity Shopping Centre, or many of the locally-owned boutiques.

6. Small Class Sizes

Students having a conversation in the classroom

Smaller class sizes allow you to have a personalized university experience and be more engaged in your studies. At Lakehead, over 80% of classes have fewer than 50 students and over 60% have fewer than 30.

7. Exceptional Support Services

an international student gets help from a Student Success Centre professional

As a Lakehead student, you can take advantage of support services ranging from academic advising, health and counselling, tutoring, leadership development, accessibility services, career development, study skills seminars, and more. Imagine a university community that truly cares about your well-being and academic success. Imagine a university community where you matter.

8. Get to Know Your Professors

Students with an advisor

With student to professor ratios of 15:1 (Thunder Bay campus) and 13:1 (Orillia campus) at Lakehead University, you will get to know your professors and they will get to know you.

9. Be Involved

Engineering Student Society has a Bus Pull to raise money for charity
The Engineering Student Society organizes a bus pull to raise money for charity.

Being able to make a difference and getting involved in your university community is an important part of being a student. Join one of Lakehead's many recreational sports teams, cheer on your varsity athletes, become a member of your program's academic club, participate in the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU), or one of its cultural or political centres. If you don't find what you're looking for, you can even start one of your own clubs.

10. Experiential Learning

Students in Nursing class with hands on experience

Co-operative education, community-based learning, field school, and internships are just a few of the ways in which Lakehead gives you valuable hands-on opportunities to apply the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom.