Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Interior Canadian parliament. Photo by Tony Webster: https://www.flickr.com/photos/diversey/ — Faculty of Social Sciences

Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Change starts with you.

As future leaders, our students are catalysts for change – in Canada and beyond. Curious about the world and committed to creating meaningful change, our students forge their paths to success at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Canada’s leading school of public and international affairs in the heart of the nation’s capital.

As a tied into a worldwide network of research and teaching collaborations, we attract outstanding students and world-class scholars doing cutting-edge research. We bring together multidisciplinary studies, theory and practice, bilingualism as well as a roster of Senior Fellows, comprised of distinguished policy professionals, to deliver transformational programs. Housed in the nation’s capital, the GSPIA will open doors for you on the national and international stage – empowering you to drive change and pursue your interests passionately.

Why study at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs?

The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs educates highly qualified leaders conscious of their responsibility to the common good in the domains of international relations, public policy, environmental sustainability, security, and defence.

Why choose the GSPIA as a graduate student.

Graduate studies FAQ.

Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council, photo by: https://www.flickr.com/photos/diversey/15730799338/

Roland Paris keyframe — Video

MA in Public and International Affairs

Discover our programs

Undergraduate studies

Acquire the skills needed to have an impact on your community and beyond in a learning environment that inspires ingenuity and fosters excellence.

Graduate studies

Take part in transformative research. Experience the teachings and networks of world-renowned professors. Advance your career with a Master’s in Public and International Affairs, Security and Defence Studies or Environmental Sustainability. Explore our other graduate programs to find the right course for you.

Accelerate your career at the GSPIA. Gain real-world experience on a global scale.

Set yourself up for success. Take what you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world, while building connections that will set you apart from other candidates.

Take part in the GSPIA experiential learning program. Discover a world of opportunities outside the classroom: from co-op placements to study abroad programs and from embassy internships to a unique professional development program piloted by the GSPIA’s Senior Fellows, who are among the most experienced policy professionals in Canada – we’ll help you find your place in the world.

Learn more about the student experience at the GSPIA.

The Institute of the Environment

The Institute of the Environment (IE) is the University of Ottawa’s hub for environmental sustainability-related research, teaching and other activities. The cross-cutting nature of environmental problems means that there is a critical need for innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and research.

Learn more about our interdisciplinary activities.

Upcoming events

Apr 3

The risks of artificial intelligence for environmental and social impact assessment in developing countries

This event is open only to students in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Apr 8

Mapping the Convergence of Energy Transition and Cleantech Research: A Bibliometric Analysis of Current Trends and Future Directions

Join us for a conversation with Elvis Kutin-Mensah, a doctoral student at the Institute of the Environment of the University of Ottawa.

Apr 10

Canadian Politics and Federalism in an Uncertain Time

Event sponsored by the Jean-Luc Pépin Research Chair in Canadian Politics, the Forum of Federations and University of Ottawa Research Chair on Compara…

Past events