La Cité also referred as College La Cite and previously La Cite cololegiale is the largest French language college in Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1989 in Ottawa (with a satellite campus in Hawkesbury and a business office in Toronto), it offers more than 90 programs to some 5,000 full-time students from Ontario, other parts of Canada, and foreign countries.
In 2011, College La Cite ranked first among the 24 Ontario colleges in terms of student satisfaction, graduate employment rate, usefulness of knowledge and skills acquired, overall quality of learning experiences, and overall quality of services; according to the results of an annual survey by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The college ranked second in terms of overall quality of the facilities.
In 2012 and 2013, College La Cite was also recognized through MediaCorp Canada Inc. annual study ranking Canada’s top employers as one of the National Capital Region’s top 25 employers, while being also named among the 200 most recommended employers in the country.
Table of Contents
BRIEF HISTORY
The Government of Ontario created a network of colleges in 1967 Certain colleges, including Algonquin College, in Ottawa, and St. Lawrence College in Cornwell, offer French-language programs. As early as the 1970s, the possibility of creating a 23rd – French-language – college in Ontario was put forth. In 1987, a working group was given the mandate, by the Government of Ontario, of considering the appropriateness of designating certain colleges as organizations offering services in French under Bill 8, the Ontario law on French-language services.
The group concluded that the idea of creating a French college should be given priority over the college designation plan. The Minister of Colleges and Universities and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs agreed. In August 1988, the Ontario Cabinet approved, in principle, the creation of a French-language college with an exclusive mandate to deliver services in French. In 1989, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Department of the Secretary of State of Canada arrived at a cost-sharing agreement relating to the establishment of such a college in Eastern Ontario, a college bearing the official name Collège d’arts appliqués et de technologie La Cité.
La Cité opened its doors to 2,300 students in September 1990, in temporary facilities on St-Laurent Blvd in Ottawa. In 1993, the college purchased, from the Department of Public Works of Canada, the land on which sat the former Carson School of Languages, contiguous to Aviation Parkway. Construction began the same year and the permanent campus of College La Cite was ready for the start of the 1995–1996 school year.
Sitting on 24 hectares (59 acres) of land, the campus included eight buildings designed by Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects (BBB Architects), Panzini Architectes and Paquet: “The primary issue raised at the time of conception arose from a singular statement concerned with the affirmation of one culture in the midst of another; the underlying significance of College La Cite as a symbol of the Franco Ontarian identity within the community at large.”
Through the years, enrolment has grown and the range of training opportunities offered has continued to widen. During 2013, the college went through a rebranding exercise with a new logo and a new brand, La Cité.
CAMPUS AND RESIDENCE (LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL)
The main campus of College La Cite is in Ottawa. It has ten buildings built on 60 acres (24 hectares) of land, all of which are connected by skyways or tunnels. In September 2010, another campus, the Alphonse-Desjardins campus, was inaugurated in Orléans, an eastern suburb of Ottawa. It houses the college’s Centre des métiers Minto, a training center specializing in the construction trades. In September 2011, the 911 Institute, an emergency services training center, opened its doors on the main campus. La Cité also has a satellite campus in Hawkesbury, an Eastern Ontario town about 100 km (62 mi) from Ottawa. The college now offers a few programs in Toronto.
The student residence at La Cité opened in 2002. The four-storey building, close to the college’s main campus, has 124 units and houses 251 students.
RANKING OF COLLEGE LA CITE
La Cite cololegiale, Ottawa, is ranked among the top universities for international students in Ontario, Canada. The college provides quality education and amazing career and learning opportunities. Next are its top international and national rankings by various reputed platforms. La Cite cololegiale was ranked by Unipage #6058 in the world and #129 in the country. According to Webometrics, La Cite cololegiale secured #9966 in World Rankin, #2518 Continental Ranking, # 153 Country Ranking, #6827 Impact Ranking and #7216 Excellence Ranking.
TUITION
La Cite Collegiale offers more than 90 programs in various fields of study and it is proud to be a home for some 5,000 full-time students who come from Ontario, other parts of Canada, and from all over the world. Ranked first among other 24 colleges of Ontario based on student satisfaction, graduate employment rate, overall quality of learning experiences, La Cite has kept students and their development as their main priority for over 25 years.
Many of its more than 90 training programs include the teaching of terminology in both of Canada’s official languages (French and English). The college also offers apprenticeship programs, in French, in the construction, motive power, service, and industrial sectors. La Cité offers postsecondary training fields like Administration, Applied sciences, Apprenticeship programs, Arts and design, Communications, Computers, Construction and mechanics, Electronics, Aesthetics and hairdressing, Health sciences, Legal service, Media, among others. The college also offers Baccalauréat en technologie appliquée (Biotechnologie) degree program.
The tuition fees charged to the student may differ depending upon the program on has enrolled in and also upon the nationality of the students. The fees charged to the domestic students are different from the one that is charged to the international students. However, the tuition fee for various courses may range from $1,708 to $9,425. Along with the tuition fees, the students have to pay a mandatory supplementary fee of $111.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The University of Regina’s admission requirements vary by program and student profile:
Canadian Students
Enrollment in College La Cite and Le Bac
An overall GPA of 65% or higher in the following 30-level classes (or equivalencies):
- Two English or French classes*
- One math or science class
- One language, social science or art class
- One additional approved class from list A or list B (see admission-related topics below)
Enrolment in the Faculty of Nursing
An overall GPA of 70% or higher in the following 30-level classes (or equivalencies):
- Two English or French classes*
- Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-calculus 30
- Biology 30
- Chemistry 30
Note that students enrolled in a French or French immersion school may use the classes Français fransaskois A30/B30 or Français immersion in combination with one English Language Arts class.
Subjects Required For Admission
For the Faculties of Administration, Engineering, Kinesiology, Nursing, and Science, admission will be based on the average of the following classes:
- One English or French class (grade 11 or 12)
- One math class (grade 11 or 12)
- One math or science class (grade 11 or 12)
- One language, social science or fine arts class (grade 11 or 12)
- One class from list A or list B (grade 11 or 12)
For the Faculties of Arts, Education, Social Work, and Media, Art and Performance, admission will be based on the average of the following classes:
- One English or French class (grade 11 or 12)
- One math or science class (grade 11 or 12)
- One language, social science or fine arts class (grade 11 or 12)
- Two classes from list A or list B (grade 11 or 12)
- A maximum of two math classes may be used
- One fine arts, Christian/religious studies or physical education class may be used
- The 3rd, 4th and 5th classes must be different
- Minimum averages vary by faculty
- The Faculty of Administration requires an 85% average for its Excellence Program (direct entry) and 65% for the admissible program
- The Faculty of Nursing has a competitive admission process and requires a 70% average in every class
- The Faculty of Education also has a competitive admission process
Provincial equivalencies apply. Learn about provincial equivalencies here.
International Students
Are you an international student? The answer is “yes” if you are required to obtain a visa or study permit to study in Canada, or if you completed your high school or postsecondary studies outside Canada. Permanent residents are subject to the same admission requirements as Canadian students.
As an international applicant, it is important that you submit a complete application with all required documentation to ensure timely processing of your application by the college. Depending on the college and program you are applying to, you may have the opportunity to upload electronic copies of your documents to support your application. Check college websites for specific details on how to submit your supporting documents.
English Proficiency Test
The CELT (Comprehensive English Language Test) is offered by La Cite for Francophone students. It can be taken in person at the Student Services Centre. The test will indicate whether your level of English is sufficient for admittance to the University of Regina.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
The ESL (English as a Second Language) program, accredited by Languages Canada, is offered to students aged 16 and older who wish to learn or improve their spoken and written English, particularly those who plan to do studies at the University of Regina.
The program includes:
- 13 weeks of classes per term
- 3 terms a year
- 252 class hours per term
ACCEPTANCE RATE OF COLLEGE LA CITE
The universities acceptance rate is 70% – 84%. All students can apply online to the university or students can visit registration office.
NOTABLE ALUMNI
Based on the quality education La Cité provides for its students, the college has yield intelligent and prominent alumni like real estate investor, Gene Bramson; Founder of Bryant Group Companies, John Hope Bryant (AKA John Bryant Smith); founder of Fleetwood Enterprises, John Crean; radio announcer, Pete Arbogast; broadcast journalist, Murray Fromson; lawyer and professor, Lula Ballton and entertainment attorney, John Branca.
College La Cite; Everything You need to Know by SchoolsinOntario