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Facts and reports
UVic at a glance
21,800 students (undergraduate and graduate)
900 full-time faculty members
531 patents filed to date
1,065 invention disclosures to date
169 start-up companies to date
$3.7 billion UVic annual economic impact
115th in the world and the top university in Canada, across all sciences, for international research collaboration (Leiden)
A top-ranked Canadian university
#1 among Canadian comprehensive universities in THE citation rankings (2016/17)
#3 among all Canadian universities in citation impact per faculty member (QS rankings, 2018)
#2 among all Canadian universities in CFI funding per faculty member (2016)
Gold star performer for sustainability practices in the 2017 Sustainable Campus Index, compiled by the international Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
#1 among comprehensive universities in medical/science grants per faculty (Maclean's 2018)
#1 for citation impact among all Canadian universities (tied with U of T) (Maclean's 2017)
Facts and figures about UVic
A unique learning environment
The University of Victoria, one of Canada's leading universities, is a rich and supportive learning community for students and faculty alike.
Widely recognized for leadership in research, inspired teaching and community engagement, UVic provides innovative undergraduate and graduate programs and real-life learning experiences in a diverse and welcoming West Coast environment.
International perspectives drive teaching and research.
For the sixth consecutive year, the international Leiden university rankings have highlighted an indelible characteristic of the UVic campus—our global perspective. The data-driven rankings, produced by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies at Leiden University, consistently demonstrate that UVic researchers publish a higher proportion of research based on international collaboration than any other Canadian university. UVic also retains its place in the top one per cent of universities in the world and among the top-ranked in Canada for scientific impact.
Among the world's top universities
The 2016 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings place UVic among the top 250 universities around the world. In addition, THE placed UVic at 175 on its January 2016 list of the world's 200 most international universities.
In early 2013—as UVic's 50th anniversary approached—THE also ranked UVic number 20 globally and first in Canada among universities less than 50 years old.
UVic has continually placed at or near the top of the comprehensive category in the annual university rankings by Maclean's, Canada's national news magazine.
World-class leadership in a broad mix of fields
The 2016 QS World University Rankings by Subject also recognize UVic's leadership in a broad mix of academic fields. UVic is identified in the top 200 institutions globally for research in five QS subject areas: English language and literature, earth and marine sciences, geography, law and philosophy.
The QS subject ranking studied nearly 3,000 of the world's top universities—approximately 15 per cent of all institutions—and ranked fewer than 700 of them for statistically significant subject-specific leadership.
UVic's remarkable strength across a full spectrum of disciplines is also notable. The university is ranked at world-class level in 35 of the 42 QS-identified subject areas.
Learn more about our rankings.
For the fifth consecutive year, the international Leiden university rankings have highlighted an indelible characteristic of the UVic campus—our global perspective. The data-driven rankings, produced by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies at Leiden University, consistently demonstrate that UVic researchers publish a higher proportion of research based on international collaboration than any other Canadian university. UVic also retains its place in the top one per cent of universities in the world and among the top-ranked in Canada for scientific impact.
Programs for a changing world
UVic's academic programs are constantly evolving to provide education that will equip students for our rapidly-changing world.
Faculties (10) and divisions (2):
Faculty of Fine Arts
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Faculty of Human and Social Development
Division of Continuing Studies
Division of Medical Sciences
UVic has one of Canada's largest university co-operative education programs, integrating academic studies with relevant paid work experience in more than 40 academic areas.
Each year, businesses and organizations across the globe hire UVic students to complete nearly 4,200 co-op work terms through UVic's co-operative education programs. The average co-op salary is $2,800 per month.
The co-op program is part of UVic's Co-operative Education Program and Career Services, which provides integrated career development support to students from first year through to graduation and beyond.
We have nearly 100 exchange programs with institutions in 25 countries around the world, providing students with rich opportunities for international learning.
High student satisfaction
In a survey of recent graduates, 96 per cent were satisfied or very satisfied with their UVic education and rated the quality of instruction good or very good.
Research that's changing lives
Researchers at the University of Victoria work on the cutting edge of knowledge, making major contributions in a wide range of fields from fuel cells and cancer cells to climate change and cultural change.
UVic is known for its research strengths in the arts and sciences and selected professions. Some areas of note are:
Creativity and culture
Data science and cyber physical systems
Environment, climate and energy
Global studies and social justice
Indigenous research
Ocean science and technology
Physical sciences and engineering, mathematics and computer science
UVic researchers were awarded over $100 million in outside research grants and contracts in 2014/15.
UVic owns the world-leading Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) Observatory, comprising the VENUS coastal network and the NEPTUNE Canada ocean network. The observatory pioneers a new generation of ocean observation systems that use innovative engineering and the Internet to provide continuous, long-term monitoring of ocean processes and events, as they happen.
In February 2008, the BC government awarded $94.5 million to the University of Victoria to create, lead and host the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). A $90-million endowment – the largest single contribution to a university endowment in Canadian history – signals the BC government's long-term commitment to taking action on climate change.
Research Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization links universities and colleges on Vancouver Island with researchers, government and community, transforming great ideas into commercially viable businesses.
UVic owns more technology transfer space than any other BC university. UVic-owned Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP) is an economic powerhouse for the province of BC. The park generates $317 million in direct, indirect and induced revenue, and creates more than 2,000 local jobs. A highly acclaimed centre of academic and biotech excellence, VITP facilitates the local growth of high technology, which is already Victoria's number one industry, estimated yearly at $1.67 billion, surpassing Victoria's $1.19 billion tourism industry.
A vibrant community resource
Our Division of Continuing Studies offers hundreds of individual courses for personal and professional development, including 26 programs leading to a diploma or certificate. The division serves more than 16,000 students annually, and has a local economic impact of more than $30 million.
The University of Victoria Vikes athletic program has established itself as one of the most successful university athletic programs in Canada. Since the inception of the athletics program in 1968, UVic has won 72 Canadian university national championships, and individual competitors have won 272 individual medals at CIS championships. Of 53 CIS institutions, UVic is fourth overall in team championships.
UVic's Olympic tradition is unrivalled in Canadian university sport—161 Vikes athletes, coaches and alumni have represented Canada at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and have won 37 gold, 22 silver, and 9 bronze medals in Olympic and Paralympic competition.
47 current or former UVic faculty members have been elected fellows of the Royal Society of Canada, the nation's highest academic honour for career achievement.
UVic faculty members hold 36 coveted Canada Research Chairs. UVic instructors are also well-represented among the winners of acclaimed national 3M teaching awards.
Our Co-operative Education Program and our Peter B. Gustavson School of Business have both received Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada ScotiaBank Awards for Excellence in Internationalization.
UVic Law ranked No. 2 law school in the country in 2008 by Corporate Knights magazine, for the faculty's ongoing commitment to environmental law and sustainability issues.
People make our university
Student enrolment (2015/16): 21,593 (including 3,446 graduate students); 53% female. More than 70% of undergraduates come from outside Greater Victoria.
Faculty and staff (Feb. 2016): 4,851 employees, including 879 faculty (43% female, 57% male); 524 sessional instructors; 1,088 specialist/instructional staff; and 2,360 administrative, professional and support staff.
Alumni (Nov. 2015): 116,367 alumni by degree, certificate or diploma. Among 97,584 living, contactable alumni, more than 79% live in British Columbia and 5,395 live in 137 other countries. More than 38,000 live in Greater Victoria. One in eight adults in Greater Victoria holds a UVic degree.
One of Canada's top diversity employers
In 2016, UVic was also named one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for the fifth year in a row. Nationally, 65 organizations were recognized for a range of initiatives that attract and retain employees from diverse communities. UVic was one of only seven universities included on the list, and the only organization in Victoria.
Total revenues (2014/15): $567 million. BC government 33%, tuition 25%, federal government 13%, sales 11%, donations 4%, investment income 10%, other 4%.
University endowment (March 2015): $394 million
Supporting student success
In 2014-15, UVic's operating budget provided $18.4 million in direct financial support to students, in addition to $3.6 million in awards funded from the UVic Foundation, another $2.6 million in other donor-sponsored scholarships and support, and $12.8 million in fellowships for sponsored research. In total, UVic distributed $37.4 million in student support.
The university celebrated its 50th anniversary during 2012-13, five decades after receiving degree-granting status in 1963. The origins of UVic, however, can be traced back to 1903 and the establishment of Victoria College, the university's predecessor institution.
The three martlets – footless heraldic birds – on the UVic shield refer to those on the crest of McGill University, with which Victoria College was originally affiliated.
The university mottoes, shown on the UVic Coat of Arms, are 'Let there be light' (in Hebrew) and 'A multitude of the wise is the health of the world' (in Latin).
The university colours are red, gold, and blue.
The university flag depicts three red martlets in a gold field above a blue field.
Chancellor: Shelagh Rogers, OC
Chair, Board of Governors: Daphne Corbett, BA
President and Vice-Chancellor: Jamie Cassels, QC
Vice-President Academic and Provost: Valerie Kuehne, PhD
Vice-President Research: David Castle, PhD
Vice-President Finance and Operations: Gayle Gorrill, BBA
Vice-President External Relations: Carmen Charette, BSc, BBA
University Secretary: Julia Eastman, PhD
UVic website: www.uvic.ca
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Delving into the ocean's changing role in climate change
Fossil fuel mapping database results released
Three UVic scientists named Canada Research Chairs
UVic celebrates new grads, exceptional students
Humans unknowingly consume a lot of microplastics
New concept for Broad Street honours William's legacy
UVic honours six inspirational leaders
UniversityOfVictoria
@uvic18 Jul
RT @CAPIUVic: HRH Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck graced the opening of a 3-day conference on "Public Law, Legal Orders & Governa… https://t.co/wK4ARPwoqm
Congrats to #UVic recipients of nearly $6M in @SSHRC_CRSH funding including Partnership and Insight programs.… https://t.co/avyqzTGZG5
RT @CIHR_IRSC: Yesterday, @CDNMinHealth and @goaliegirlmom31 visited @uvic to announce the largest Indigenous health research inve… https://t.co/jh3uVF0XBL
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