Lakehead University - Orillia

Lakehead University is small enough to offer the personalized approach to supports and education that allows students to thrive. And they're big enough to embody a truly global perspective. Over 1,600 international students, representing over 80 nations around the world, call Lakehead U home. Start your Canadian journey there.

Dynamic, modern, and highly learner-centred, Lakehead acknowledges all of their students as valued leaders of tomorrow, whose education and success are most paramount to their institution. Both campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia promise the total university experience: a blend of academic excellence and opportunity with a rich variety of social and recreational activities. They also promise excellence in research; Lakehead is the proud host to ten Canada Research Chairs.

Why Lakehead University - Orillia 

• Campus: Lakehead offers much more than just an education. They make it easy for students to deepen their learning through internships and cooperative education, form meaningful academic relationships with professors, play an active part in clubs and recreation, and to access students supports easily. Lakehead's undergraduate entrance scholarship program is among the most generous in Canada. There are many student-run festivals and events inviting students to represent their country on Culture Days and other festivals. There are also leadership opportunities that allow students to develop new skills and grow as a person while getting involved in group actives and meaningful projects such as becoming a Peer Mentor to new international students.

• Facilities: In 2006, the Lakehead experience was brought to Central Ontario’s beautiful cottage country in the City of Orillia. Lakehead University is situated in two areas of the city with campus locations in the historic downtown and 500 University Avenue. The state-of-the-art campus was the first campus in North America to be built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. The Academic Building is environmentally friendly in every way possible; from the green roofing system, to geothermal energy source, water collection ponds, and much more. The campus also features a 250-bed residence, cafeteria and bookstore. All students have access to recreational facilities through our partnership with the Orillia city recreational facilities. Over 1,800 students call the Orillia Campus home.

• Location: Located 145km north of Toronto, the City of Orillia is situated in one of the most unique and picturesque regions in Central Ontario. Bordered by two lakes, Orillia is surrounded by diverse communities, rural landscapes and unspoiled, breathtaking views making it the best place to experience four-season living, thrive in a nurturing and safe community, while being on the doorstep of Canada's largest city. They’ve got arts, music, theatre, festivals, sports, beaches, skiing, pubs and restaurants, all within 90 minutes from Toronto and 20 minutes from Barrie. Catch a great concert at Casino Rama, a local band at one of the restaurants in the downtown core, or a music festival at Burl’s Creek. Minutes from campus is the largest growth area of Orillia in West Ridge. New restaurants, shops and businesses offer new possibilities, part-time employment, and shopping. Love the outdoors? The campus is surrounded by some of the best recreational trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Sandy beaches and parks complement the waterfront, which offers opportunity for endless boating and water sports. Within 30 minutes of campus students will find three ski and snowboard hills, dozens of golf courses, unique dining and shopping opportunities, and a number of incredible breweries and distilleries. Orillia also provides students with so much more. From places of worship to cultural centres and a hospital, they will find everything they need close to campus.