Where we are is who we are. Newfoundland and Labrador sits on the edge of a continent, where the powerful forces of nature have fostered an innate drive to solve problems. At Memorial University, our environment and the cultures that inform us have woven a rich institutional fabric reflected in diverse fields, from archaeology and naval architectural engineering to linguistics, rural health and, of course, the ocean. We're here to lead. And we lead because we are here.
Fast Facts
Programs
Memorial is one of Canada’s top 10 comprehensive universities, with programs across Newfoundland and Labrador and online. Comprehensive means choice. Here, you can try different fields, study what excites you and apply your learning in research and real-world settings. Our breadth of programming gives you the freedom to shape an education that grows with your strengths, your goals and the life you want to build.
Rankings
We're proud of where we stand. Consistently placing in the top 10 comprehensive universities in Canada and top 20 overall, Memorial is built on real commitment to students, to learning and to making a difference. Our rankings reflect that. Together, they tell a story of research, discovery and impact that reaches far beyond our walls.
Research
Our students, researchers, staff and community partners are tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. From personalized stroke rehabilitation robotics to discovering new cold water reefs near the Galapagos Islands, among countless others, our work has local relevance and global impact. As one of Canada’s top 20 research universities, we’re asking bold questions and finding answers that matter close to home and around the world.
Indigenization
Memorial University is accountable to commitments made toward reconciliation. A vital part of this journey is Indigenization: a transformative process led by Indigenous people that brings Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing into spaces that are not designed for those ways. This work calls for lasting structural change — reshaping teaching and learning, research, governance, administration, facilities and the broader university environment.
International
Some students come to us from across the world. Others are ready to go out and see it. Whether you’re an international student looking for arrival support and a welcoming community, or a local student exploring study abroad opportunities, Memorial University is where cultures, ideas and perspectives meet. Our Internationalization Office is with you every step of the way.
Why Memorial?
Distinctive Programs
We have programs at Memorial that are hard to find anywhere else, shaped by our exceptional location where remoteness, rich natural resources and a history of isolation create unmatched opportunities for innovation and discovery.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre) – unique in Atlantic Canada
- Arctic and Subarctic Futures graduate program – unique in the circumpolar North
- Co-op Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering – unique in the world
Ocean Research
Our strength is rooted in this place. We are located on the edge of the North Atlantic, easily accessible to more ocean zones than any other university in Canada.
- 40 per cent of research at Memorial is ocean-related
- Ocean Sciences Centre is one of Canada’s largest marine labs
- The Marine Institute is home to the world’s largest flume tank
Queen Elizabeth II Library
It took over 90,000 locally made bricks to build the Queen Elizabeth II Library in 1982.
- Largest library collection east of Montreal
- Holds materials from 12th-21st centuries
- The Makerspace includes 3D printing, sewing machines and laser cutters