Since its establishment in 1969, Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) has granted over 50,000 diplomas. In addition to its Lévis and Rimouski campuses, UQAR offers academic training throughout eastern Quebec, including the Chaudière-Appalaches, Gaspésie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Haute-Côte-Nord, and Manicouagan. It also has permanent offices in Gaspé and Rivière-du-Loup.
Key figures about UQAR
UQAR is part of the Université du Québec network, the largest university network in Canada, with over 100,000 students. UQAR welcomes about 7,000 new students every year, including about 550 foreign students from over 45 countries. More key figures about UQAR (in French)
A small-sized university of great stature
Choosing UQAR is a choice for a university where student success is a priority. Recognized for the outstanding academic mentorship offered by professors and lecturers, UQAR provides a learning environment that fosters community, social, and sporting initiatives and learning, and supports student development. Forget the large auditoriums packed with 100, 200, and up to 500 students! The average class size of 30 students facilitates learning and the development of skills in demand on the labour market through team work with a focus on real-life issues. In addition, on a human scale, groups support the integration of new students and foster academic success.
According to the last Canada-wide survey of Master’s and PhD students, UQAR distinguishes itself from other Canadian universities by the high quality of education offered, the opportunities provided to students to publish and present their research, the general assessment of the university, and students’ general satisfaction level.
UQAR offers a highly valued service, the Centre d'aide à la réussite (CAR) (achievement support centre), which is accessible to graduate and undergraduate students experiencing temporary difficulties during their studies and wishing to improve their skills. The CAR oversees academic performance as a preventive measure with a view to ensuring each and every student the best chances of success.
Practical training
Owing to its privileged geographic location, UQAR enables students to explore and study exceptional natural environments that are a stone’s throw away from the campuses. While maintaining a primary focus on academic achievement, the training programs offered by UQAR stand out for their excellence and distinctive nature.
UQAR offers over 160 undergraduate to doctoral-level training programs in the fields of administration, biology, environmental and bioresource chemistry, regional development, education, ethics, engineering, geography, history, computer science, literature and creative writing, oceanography, psychosociology, accounting, nursing, and social work.
A large number of programs include a significant portion of hands-on field work and on-the-job training. In addition, UQAR offers a number of distance and e-learning programs in order to allow students to enhance their skills in their own setting.
University of research excellence
Research at UQAR stands out among universities for its interdisciplinary approach. Marine science, regional development, and nordicity are areas of research excellence that characterize a number of UQAR programs. In addition, research in engineering, education, literature, heritage, management science, and health science has been booming in recent years.
The independent firm RE$EARCH Infosource Inc. has repeatedly rated UQAR among the best performing Canadian universities in the field of research. For the 2011 to 2019 period, it was ranked eight time among the top three research universities offering mainly undergraduate courses (see Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities).
UQAR is the Quebec antenna office of the France-Quebec institute for scientific cooperation (IFQM) in support of the maritime sector —an organization that is closely affiliated with the UQAR-managed Réseau Québec maritime (RQM), also managed by UQAR.
UQAR is a key participant in many partnerships involving research, knowledge transfer to industry, and cutting-edge innovation development. The university has first-class infrastructure, including an oceanographic vessel (Coriolis II), and a centre for innovation support through research (CAIR). UQAR is also active in the field of social innovation and works towards developing best organizational and social practices.
A student life with a world view
UQAR has established more than 70 cooperation and exchange programs with about 15 countries around the world.
Each year, UQAR welcomes about 550 foreign students, blending accents and rhythms from around the world, creating an enriching everyday environment for the university community.
On a human level, UQAR facilitates foreign students’ integration and success. It features a program for twinning newly enrolled students with students already on campus, implemented upon a newcomer’s arrival.