As a Global Learning Centre, Ottawa is an enviable city in which to pursue academic studies or professional development in both English and French. The region’s six universities and colleges, plus numerous technology institutes and professional schools create a highly integrated and flexible education and training delivery system. In addition, a number of world-class events are hosted in Ottawa to support specialized and advanced learning.

Ottawa’s philosophy is that knowledge is the key to maintaining high standards of living and sustaining a competitive edge in today’s world markets. The city’s emphasis on learning is reinforced by a dynamic business and technology sector that works in partnership with our educational institutions through various agencies, foundations and undertakings to ensure that the system meets the needs of industry through creative and timely programs that are focused on both today's needs, and those of the future.

For children in grades kindergarten to grade 12, Ottawa offers a rich array of public and private schools. While there is ample opportunity to learn in English, French, French immersion and English as a second language, Ottawa also offers learning in a host of different cultures, languages and religions, reflecting our diverse multicultural community.

• Ottawa Post-Secondary Education Web Portal
• Advancing your career in research
• Professional development
• Private post-secondary schools
• Private and specialty schools
• Public school boards

Advancing your career in research

Ottawa has a number of academic and industrial research networks. Driven by a world-class standard of excellence championed by institutions such as the National Research Council (NRC) and the Communications Research Centre (CRC), these networks include institutes and programs such as the National Capital Institute of Telecommunications (NCIT), Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI), and the Ottawa Life Sciences Council (OLSC). Both Carleton University and the University of Ottawa also support advanced research activities. Contact any one of these organizations to learn more about how you can advance your career in research, or contact us for more specific information.

Professional development

Ottawa's educational network includes a number of organizations that specialize in professional development and skills upgrading. Some of these include:

• The University of Ottawa’s Executive MBA Program
• The University of Ottawa’s Standard MBA Program is designed for candidates in the early stages of their professional careers
• Carleton University's Sprott School of Business offers dozens of high-quality professional development programs
• Forum for International Trade Training offers specialized training to businesses who want to increase their export capabilities
• Vitesse Re-skilling Canada Inc. was created by the National Research Council, University of Ottawa and Carleton University to provide new software-engineering skills tailored to meet the requirements of industry and the special needs of under-employed or unemployed professionals

Ottawa is also home to the offices of hundreds of professional associations, many of whom offer specific training for their members.

Private post-secondary schools

Ottawa offers a wealth of private post-secondary schools which support a variety of curricula. These include professional development, vocational training, adult literacy, new language training, specialized career studies, reskilling in preparation for career transitions, continuing education, and more.

Private and specialty schools

• Ashbury College
• Counterpoint Academy
• Canadian Montessori Academy
• Elmwood School
• Turnbull School
• Waldorf School
• Lycée Claudel School (in French)
• Collège Saint-Alexandre de la Gatineau (in French)

Ottawa also offers a wide variety of other private learning institutions for your elementary or secondary school students. These include Montessori and Waldorf Schools, as well as a host of schools dedicated to specific religious and cultural groups;

• Ottawa Montessori School

Ottawa public school boards

As part of Ontario’s excellent education system, Ottawa’s public schools provide high standards of learning in both official languages.

• Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
• Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board
• Conseil des écoles Catholiques de langue française du Centre-Est (in French)
• Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (in French)