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Welcome to spu

A SPIRITUAL, HUMAN, OPEN AND ENGAGED UNIVERSITY

Saint Paul University was the first post-secondary institution in Ottawa.

More than a university specializing in the human and social sciences, SPU is a community.
Our goal: guiding transformation together to build a more humane and more just society on a global scale.

Students at Saint Paul University in Ottawa

Admissions for Winter and Fall 2027 are now open.

Admission

SPU is known for its great intellectual tradition, its concern for social justice and humanizing society.

Our approach is human-centred. We offer interactive teaching as well as access to professors and support staff that is second to none. The idea is to create a personalized university experience that fosters success.

178
years of experience
12
students per professor on average
$1,000,000
in scholarships every year
94%
satisfaction rate among students
Read the Viewbook
Parliament Hill in Ottawa lit up at dusk above the Ottawa River
study at spu

Ottawa, Among the best cities in the world for students

Choosing Ottawa means choosing a city ranked the best in North America for quality of life in 2026, according to an international ranking by Numbeo. Safety, environment, public services, and a healthy balance between studies and personal life make Ottawa a top destination for students from around the world.

Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, near the Rideau Canal and urban green spaces, Saint Paul University offers high-quality education in the humanities and social sciences within a welcoming, bilingual, and close-knit learning environment.

Come meet us!

Two smiling students talk with another person around a table

Our team is here to answer your questions about admissions, programs or services.

research at spu

Four people talking around a table in a meeting room

Learn about or take part in research projects at Saint Paul University.