University of Victoria

The University of Victoria, often referred to as UVic, a research intensive university located inSaanich and Oak Bay, about 5 mi (8 km) northeast of downtownVictoria, British Columbia. The University's annual enrollment is about 20,000 students. UVic's campus is known for its innovative architecture, beautiful gardens and mild climate. The university was closely affiliated with and established by McGill University, which is also credited with the beginnings of the University of British Columbia.

The University attracts many students in part because of its size, its picturesque location, and its Cooperative Education, Earth & Ocean Sciences, Engineering, and Law programs. The University is the nation's lead institution in the VENUS and NEPTUNE deep-water seafloor observatory projects.

The Victoria Vikes (more commonly known as the UVic Vikes or simply the Vikes) represent the University in theCanadian Interuniversity Sport(CIS) community in a number of competitive sports, as well as through a variety of intercollegiate leagues. The Vikes have especially long and eminent ties to competitive rowing and basketball.

The University is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world and ninth place in Canada in the 2012 Times Higher Education World University Rankings and first place in Canada in the Times Higher Education’s 100-under-50 rankings. UVic was the top-ranked university in Canada without an autonomous medical school in the THE rankings. The University has also been home to more than 40 faculty members who are Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada since the University of Victoria's founding.