Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) is a public university located in Rimouski, Quebec, Canada, with a campus in Lévis. Since its establishment in 1969, UQAR has granted over 50,000 diplomas. The university offers academic training throughout eastern Quebec, including the Chaudière-Appalaches, Gaspésie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Haute-Côte-Nord, and Manicouagan regions. UQAR is part of the Université du Québec network, the largest university network in Canada, with over 100,000 students.
| Acronym | UQAR |
| Nickname | Nordet |
| Colour | Ultramarine |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Location | Rimouski, Quebec, Canada |
| Address | 300 Ursuline Alley , P.O. Box 3300, Station A, Rimouski, Quebec G5L 3A1 CANADA |
UQAR's mission is to contribute to the development of society by providing quality education, conducting research that addresses regional and global challenges, and fostering community engagement.
To be recognized as a leader in regional development and marine sciences, offering innovative and accessible education that meets the needs of its diverse communities.
The objectives of the University of Quebec at Rimouski (UQAR) include the development of professional skills, self-confidence, and a strong identity among graduates. The university also aims to contribute to a high-level scientific society, to promote experiential learning and community engagement, and to establish a strong presence in Eastern Quebec.
On the grounds adjacent to the campus, the Desjardins Sports Complex offers modern facilities including two ice rinks of North American and international dimensions, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, and a recreational pool. Full-time students at UQAR have free access to these facilities during the academic year. The UQAR Kinesiology Teaching and Research Clinic is also located there.
Rimouski stands out for the richness and variety of its cultural activities. Whether through its numerous performance venues, its historical heritage, or its gastronomy, Rimouski is a must-see city in Eastern Quebec. Literature, visual arts, performing arts, cinema, heritage, music, crafts, or museums—the cultural experience in Rimouski has something to satisfy every taste.
UQAR’s Rimouski campus blends modern high-tech facilities with a warm cultural heritage. It welcomes about 2,500 students across eleven buildings plus residences. The campus hosts the Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMER) and the Centre for Research Innovation Support (CAIR). Located downtown, it is close to essential services and easily accessible by walking, biking, or affordable public transit.
Rimouski is a true student city, buzzing with the energy of thousands of students each year. Bordered by the magnificent St. Lawrence River, Rimouski enjoys an exceptional geographical location, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. With a population of over 50,000, Rimouski is focused on the knowledge economy, but it also stands out for its dynamic urban environment, teeming with life and cultural activities.
Admission Requirements vary by program. Check the program page for requirements.
Once the application for admission has been submitted, candidates receive an email confirmation with their access codes (UQAR username and permanent code) in order to upload the documents required for processing their application directly online in their secure file .
Admission to undergraduate studies based on a college diploma (DEC)
For applicants born outside Quebec, a birth certificate including the full names of their parents and the place of birth (municipality, country) is required. Anyone born abroad must include with their birth certificate either a Canadian citizenship certificate, an immigration certificate, a permanent resident card, or a valid study permit authorizing them to study in Canada.
For applicants born in Quebec, a birth certificate is not required. However, it may be requested later in the admissions process.
Undergraduate admission based on experience
Admission to undergraduate studies based on university credits.
For applicants born outside Quebec, a birth certificate including the full names of their parents and the place of birth (municipality, country) is required. Anyone born abroad must include with their birth certificate either a Canadian citizenship certificate, an immigration certificate, a permanent resident card, or a valid study permit authorizing them to study in Canada.
Admission to Undergraduate studies based on a diploma obtained outside Quebec
At the undergraduate level, individuals eligible based on a diploma obtained outside Quebec must provide the following documents.
The specific admission requirements for the programs are presented on the pages relating to the programs, under the heading Admission Requirements.
The documents required to process an application for admission to graduate programs are presented on the program pages, under the heading "Documents required for admission".
For those holding a diploma issued by a foreign institution (other than certain French and Belgian diplomas), a certificate of a valid international French test recognized by UQAR with a required passing threshold on one of these tests is also required (see the section “Mastery of French”: https://www.uqar.ca/programmes-formations-et-admission/admission/etudiant-es-etrangers/admission-pour-etudiants-internationaux/#exigences ).
International Students:
Before submitting an application for admission, international students must ensure:
Phone : +14187231986, +18005113382
Apply For Admission
Library: The library offers the university community a wide range of digital and print resources, bright workspaces, and a variety of services to support student success, teaching, and research. These services are available both on the Lévis and Rimouski campuses and off-campus. To learn more or to contact the team, please visit the different sections of our website.
Sport: The sports centers on both campuses offer modern facilities and access to fields and gymnasiums for practicing different sports.
He began his career as a computer science professor at the University of Sherbrooke before ... read more
"Mr. Deschênes' commitment to accessibility to higher education and the UQAR university community is exceptional, I am very pleased to continue the collaborative work begun with him for this second term," said Mr. Alexandre Cloutier, President of the Université du Québec.
Mr. Hudon was appointed on August 29, 2018, as a member of the Pension Committee of the Université du Québec Pension Plan, as a person designated by the Université du Québec. He serves on this committee as vice-chair.
Holder of a Master's degree in Public Administration from the National School of Public Administration and a member of the Bar since 1994, Mr. Hudon also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Sherbrooke and a Bachelor of Finance degree from the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi.
An important part of Ms. Poncelin de Raucourt's mandate lies in facil... read more
Member of several boards of directors (Canadian Alliance of Small and Medium-Sized Research Universities-ACCRU, Interuniversity Research Centre for the Analysis of Organizations-CIRANO, Savoir média, Qualification Québec, Cégep de Limoilou) and committees (Advisory Committee on Financial Accessibility to Studies – CCAFE - of the Quebec.
Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Academic Affairs and Research Committees of the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire-BCI, subcommittee on governance of Campus numérique, etc.), Ms. Poncelin de Raucourt has accumulated more than 20 years of experience in the university environment.
She is a graduate of the École des hautes études commerciales – EDHEC in France and holds a Master of Science in Management from Laval University.
UQAR is part of the Université du Québec network, the largest university network in Canada, with over 100,000 students. UQAR accepts about 7,000 new students every year, including about 550 forei... read more
The university's athletics teams are known as the Nordet, a French word used to refer to a northeasterly wind (and a reference to UQAR's location in Québec).
Religious and community leaders first proposed establishing a university in Rimouski in the 1930s. By the 1950s, the Seminaire de Rimouski had begun offering postsecondary-level courses in partnership with Université Laval. Following the onset of the Quiet Revolution in Québec, postsecondary access expanded in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. The Parent Commission report established that Québec's citizens were entitled to full educational opportunities at all levels. Implementing the report's recommendations necessitated secularizing the province's educational system, which had largely been run by religious organizations. An act creating the Université du Québec was passed by the provincial legislative assembly in 1968. One year later, the Université du Québec à Rimouski opened on the grounds of the former monastery of the Ursulines of Quebec.
The administrative capital of the Lower St. Lawrence region and a maritime community, Rimouski is also a "student city" that accommodates 15,000 students every year. Students represent nearly one in three people living in the town of 50,000.
The Rimouski campus has 11 pavilions, in addition to student residences. The Rimouski campus also houses the Rimouski Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMER) and the Centre for Support for Innovation through Research (CAIR)
