About B.U. - Bishop's University

Bishop’s University is a predominantly residential, mostly undergraduate university. Our primary concern is offering students a quality education in fine arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, business and education.

The small size of our institution encourages the students, faculty and staff to immerse themselves in the community, resulting in an experience that is uniquely Bishop’s.

A Sound and Liberal Education

In 1843, the founders of Bishop’s University declared their goal: “to offer the country a sound and liberal education.” To this day, we remain focused on this mission, delivering a broad education in an intimate learning environment that encourages exploration and discovery.

The characteristics defined below are, in essence, our promise. They represent the type of education our founders first spoke of in 1843 and what students can expect if they choose Bishop’s: an outstanding education and a complete university experience.

The undergraduate student first
The reputation of Bishop’s is based on its strong institutional commitment to a student-centered environment.

An intimate learning environment
Bishop’s professors and staff give individual students the personal attention they need and deserve.

Excellence in the classroom
The quality of the exchange between intellectually curious students and dedicated faculty members makes learning a mutual experience.

Diverse and flexible academic programs
At Bishop’s education becomes wide as well as deep: students hear about interesting courses outside their main field of study — and take them.

Learning beyond the classroom
Bishop’s encourages students to broaden their education in a variety of learning situations.

Unmatched student services
Besides matters of the mind, a Bishop’s education concerns itself with the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of young men and women.

A centre for the arts
The creative and performing arts enrich the cultural life of the Bishop’s and Lennoxville communities.

The chance to make a difference
Bishop’s may be small but the opportunities are great for discovering talents and assuming leadership roles.

A friendly and cohesive community
The human scale of Bishop’s fosters genuine community, creating bonds of friendship among those who learn, teach, and work at the institution.

A special location
Bishop’s crossroads setting allows students, faculty, and staff to enjoy the benefits of both country and city living.

A lasting relationship
Graduates cherish their Bishop’s experience and remain connected to the University through alumni branches, the popular Bishop’s University News Magazine, and the Annual Giving and Capital Campaigns.

We expect a Bishop’s graduate will possess:

competence in his/her chosen field of study;
ability to transfer knowledge from one setting to another;
the arts of analysis and argument;
effective writing and communication skills;
confidence as a social being;
intercultural awareness;
qualities necessary for civic leadership;
the foundation for lifelong learning and friendships.

Bishop’s academic core competencies:

The skills and dispositions for mastery of a chosen discipline are consistent with the wider task of citizenship. In order that our students be able to fulfill these goals, Bishop’s is committed to helping its students gain proficiency in certain key skills, areas of knowledge and dispositions. These eleven core competencies are:

Oral and Written Communication Skills
Quantitative Reasoning
Critical thinking skills
Problem Solving Abilities
Information Literacy Skills
Creative and Adaptive Thinking
Social and Cultural Literacy
Social Confidence and Inter-personal Competence
Capacity for Civic Engagement
Knowledge of Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability
Ethical and Moral Reasoning

What Makes B.U. Different

Bishop’s boasts some of the smallest class sizes in the country, an average of 40 for first and second years, compared to hundreds in larger institutions. These courses are taught by passionate, supportive professors who truly care about the success of their students. The result is that all BU students receive personalized attention and valuable support throughout their studies.

The Bishop’s community is unique. From the moment students arrive they are submerged in it, and that feeling only deepens through the years (as many of the 22,000 alumni will attest). It is the result of the small size of our institution, the intimate town of Lennoxville, the residential nature on our campus and lasting relationships built with professors and staff and most of all, between students.

Bishop’s is the only English language university in Quebec outside of Montreal. Our 550-acre historic campus is located on the traditional and unceded territories of the Abenaki, where we are fortunate to be able to study, work and play. The beautiful Eastern Townships offer incredible opportunities for students to quickly access nature and achieve a healthy student/life balance.

Liberal education is more relevant than ever. Programs here are built to allow for exploration in other disciplines, encouraging students to explore their curiosities and to broaden their knowledge base, skills which differentiates them from others in the job market. This is why typically over 50% of Bishop’s students graduate with more than one concentration.

Bishop’s connects its students to an array of outstanding learning opportunities, including internships and exceptional training experiences. These opportunities enable students to strengthen their skills and obtain valuable professional experience, all while working to complete their studies.

These elements, when combined, form the essence and the soul of the Bishop’s community.

Our Goal

At Bishop’s, we strive to be:

a community that instills confidence, courage and a sense of responsibility in its students;
an institution that nurtures personal and intellectual freedom and fosters enduring friendships;
a university that provides opportunities and the environment for students to pursue their passions;
a community that is welcoming, inclusive, safe and supportive.

Above all else, Bishop’s is a community. A community of scholars. A community of leaders. A community of change-makers. A community of colleagues. A community of friends.

Be Accomplished. Be Authentic. B.U.

With over 106 programs across five faculties and twenty-five departments, Bishop’s is inspiring the change-makers of tomorrow.

To continue exploring, browse our academic programs, see our detailed web page for future students, and plan a visit with us!