Western University is a public university in London, Ontario, Canada, founded in 1878 by Bishop Isaac Hellmuth.
Western University is located at 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7, in Dish With One Spoon Treaty Territory, the ancestral territory of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee and Lūnaapéewak Nations. The university is among the top research-intensive universities in Canada. It serves more than 36,000 students.
Western University was founded on March 7, 1878 by Bishop Isaac Hellmuth. Four faculties (Arts, Divinity, Law and Medicine) were present at its inception, and the university opened its doors to students for the first time in 1881. In 1916 the current campus was purchased from the Kingsmill family, and in 1923 the university was renamed The University of Western Ontario. On May 1, 2024, Brescia University College fully integrated with Western University.
Western offers more than 400 specializations, majors and minors, including over 450 combinations of undergraduate majors, minors and specializations. The university has 12 faculties and schools. Sir Frederick Banting wrote out 25 words in 1920 at Western that led to his discovery of insulin.
The campus covers over 1,300 acres and includes twelve on-campus residences for students and scholars. Facilities include the Western Student Recreation Centre, Thompson Recreation & Athletics Centre, Beryl Ivey Library, D.B. Weldon Library, Allyn and Betty Taylor Library, and the Dr. Don Rix Clinical Skills Learning Building. Services and amenities include Student Health & Wellness Services, Western Mustangs Athletics, Intramural Leagues, Campus Eateries and Western Technology Services (WTS).