Why Western?
As one of Canada’s largest research-intensive universities, Western University boasts researchers, teachers and graduate students who are leaders in their fields and conduct innovative research in some of the world’s most exciting and emerging areas.
In choosing Western, you will join a community of scholars in an enriching and collaborative environment, forming intellectual partnerships that will last a lifetime. Some of Canada’s foremost scientists, entrepreneurs, CEO's, academics and public servants have studied at Western, and you too can become a member of our esteemed alumni, joining the ranks of more than 270,000 alumni living in close to 160 countries around the world.
Ranked among the top 1 per cent of universities in the world, we are an academic institution recognized for leadership in education, research and healthcare.
Through its dedication to excellence in graduate education, Western offers its graduate students first-class research facilities and infrastructure, competitive funding packages, and Canada's fourth-largest academic library system.
There are 66 Canada Research Chairs and a Canada Excellence Research Chair among Western's faculty.
While the University has achieved acclaim for research in a full complement of disciplines, Western has identified signature areas in which global-scale clusters of research excellence have been established, including: Neuroscience/Brain & Mind: Imaging: Materials & Biomaterials: Wind Engineering & Natural Disaster Mitigation; Environmental Sustainability & Green Energy; Philosophy of Science; Planetary Science & Exploration; and Musculoskeletal Health.
Western has more 3M Award winning faculty than any other Ontario university (second in Canada).
Our graduate students have the opportunity to learn from distinguished academics, business leaders and world-renowned experts in several fields. Western's academic leaders provide their students with endless opportunities for in-depth exploration and collaboration. Whether it be presenting your work at academic conferences, teaching your work to undergraduate students, or performing your work for an audience, our graduate programs help foster your development as a scholar.
At Western, we recognize that success in today’s careers requires not only a solid academic foundation, but also a range of complementary professional skills. We are proud to offer our graduate students an array of professional development services and programs to enhance their formal education. These professional development opportunities allow students to individualize their experiences and to create a graduate experience that best meets their needs and aspirations.
With annual research funding in excess of $240 million, and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities.
Western is home to a number of innovative research facilities and centres that are unique in the world, and has research collaboration agreements on every continent.
