We are excited to share that Niagara University in Ontario (NU) programs are now open to international students. These graduate and post-baccalaureate programs have attracted students from across Canada to the Ontario campus since 1984, but Niagara University itself dates back to the 1850s!
Image Credit: Niagara University in Ontario
Get to Know Niagara University in Ontario
First established in 1856 in Buffalo, New York, Niagara University champions scholarly excellence and academic integrity. It is a private university with a values-based mission, steered by the Catholic Intellectual tradition and the work of St. Vincent de Paul.
As a Catholic university, Niagara University in Ontario provides:
…a space where both reason and faith serve the development of the individual. The meeting of faith and reason in the service of the common good produces graduates who are confident, have clarity about where they are headed, and who enter the world with a purpose. All NU programs incorporate the values of the Vincentian mission values to address structural causes of inequality and incorporate a component of community service embedded into the curriculum.
NU’s main campus moved to Niagara Falls, New York, in 1857. It gained Ministerial Consent from the Province of Ontario to offer graduate programs in Ontario, Canada in 1984. In 2019, NU merged its Ontario programs into its Vaughan Campus, also known as Niagara University in Ontario. Today, this campus offers programs in the faculties of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, and Education.
NU’s Ontario campus is located in the heart of Vaughan’s business centre. Vaughn is one of Ontario’s fastest-growing communities, and its residents enjoy a high quality of life. The campus is also located 500 metres from the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, Toronto’s newest subway stop, which connects Vaughan with downtown Toronto in under 30 minutes.
As you can tell from its history, Niagara University in Ontario is a bi-national institution. So, while it is an American university, it operates in Canada thanks to Ministerial consent. This means graduates receive an American university degree that is also recognized in Canada, without the need to travel to the United States.
Image Credit: Niagara University in Ontario
Study Options
International students who graduate from Niagara University in Ontario come away from their studies with practical, in-demand skills and a strong passion for learning.
Currently, eight future-facing graduate programs are offered to international students looking to complete either their Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Science degrees:
- Master of Science – Information Security and Digital Forensics
- Master of Science – Finance
- MBA – Accounting
- MBA – Finance
- MBA – Global Supply Chain Management
- MBA – Healthcare Management
- MBA – Strategic Marketing
- MBA – Strategic Management
Image Credit: Niagara University in Ontario
The MBA and Master of Science in Information Security incorporate dual concentration discipline options, allowing graduates to enter the employment market with complementary skill sets
NU’s MBA and Finance programs carry the prestigious AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation, a distinction held by only 5% of the world’s business schools. AACSB is “known, world-wide, as the longest-standing, most recognized form of specialized accreditation that an institution and its business programs can earn.”
All programs have intakes in May, January and August. Programs are designed to adapt to your schedule, accommodating working professionals and promoting a healthy work-life balance. Classes are held in the evenings after 6:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Also, class sizes are smaller, so students receive more attention from instructors.
Yearly international tuition fees vary. For the most accurate information, please visit the Niagara University in Ontario school page on the ApplyBoard Platform.
Image Credit: JasonParis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Life in Vaughan
At the Ontario campus, students are steps away from everything the city offers. As one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, and part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Vaughan is home to over 340,000 people. Its large green spaces, lively downtown, and vibrant art scene attract visitors and locals alike. Transit access is easy, and most amenities are nearby.
Curious about traveling further out? Whether you want to ride rollercoasters at Canada’s largest amusement park, shop at Vaughan Mills, or enjoy art and a forest walk at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Vaughan. If the big city is calling, hop on the University Line to Toronto, where entertainment options are endless.
Would you rather explore the outdoors? There’s lots to try:
- Go horseback riding or bird watching at the Kortright Centre for Conservation.
- Play a round at a local golf course.
- Take a picnic and enjoy a hike at the dog-friendly Boyd Conservation Area.
- More of an armchair athlete? Whether you call it football or soccer, enjoy a Vaughan Azzurri match.
Student Housing
Although no on-campus housing is available, there’s a wide variety of accommodation options for students to choose from. As the campus is located in the GTA, some students may choose to live in Vaughan, while others may want to live closer to Toronto’s downtown. Some may choose to live independently; others will prefer to live with roommates. Living close to public transit is helpful, too. The subway’s University Line has a stop only a 12-minute walk away from campus.
Curious about other living expenses? Read our blog on the cost of living in Canada!
Image Courtesy: Niagara University in Ontario
Life After School
International students who want to stay in Canada after graduating may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). To be eligible, international students must be in Canada to take their courses, and a minimum of 50% of those courses must be attended in-person, per 2022 guidance from the Canadian Government. After PGWP approval, students may live and work in Canada for up to three years.
The Greater Toronto Area is home to both start-ups and global companies, and is a magnet for talented graduates. Per the New York Times: “Thanks to years of investment from local universities, government agencies, and business leaders, and Canada’s liberal immigration policies, Toronto is now the third-largest tech hub in North America … And unlike many cities, Toronto is likely to have the resources needed to sustain the trend.”
With domestic and international companies regularly opening new offices, MBA graduates are in-demand. Master of Science grads can also find interesting work in the private or public sectors. They may pursue a career in one of the area’s many post-secondary institutions, in government research, or in business.
Curious if studying at Niagara University in Ontario is right for you? Learn more about applying.
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