Lakehead University’s Barrie STEM Hub
Where Innovation Meets Opportunity.

Smaller classes. Smarter Futures. This is your Hub.

For growth-minded students ready to shape the future through innovation, Lakehead University’s Barrie STEM Hub offers a next-generation learning environment focused on engineering and computer science. Located in the heart of downtown Barrie, the STEM Hub delivers hands-on, high-tech education in a purpose-built setting, preparing students for in-demand and future-focused careers.

Applications for 2026 programs open September 10, 2025

A student looking at some state of the art electronics

Students following an example the professor is demonstrating

Smarter by design.
Built for what’s next.

It’s just different here. The STEM Hub is a purpose-built learning space focused on what matters most: innovation, mentorship, and real-world experience.

The STEM Hub is where tomorrow’s engineers, computer scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators begin shaping the future through hands-on, high-impact learning in an intimate, high-tech environment.

It’s a place where like-minded students come together to create big ideas.

Small class sizes
High-tech facilities
Personalized learning
Direct industry access

We don’t just teach tech,
we teach real-world relevance.

At Lakehead’s STEM Hub, our engineering and computer science programs are built around what employers need today and tomorrow. From computer science and robotics to systems thinking and innovation management, students graduate with in-demand, future-ready skills.

Lakehead grads are job-ready. Our formula for success includes guaranteed hands-on experience:

Students with their laptops participating in a lab

100% of Lakehead Students

Get the opportunity to participate in experiential learning.

88% of Lakehead Graduates

Are employed within six months of graduation, rising to 97.4% within two years.

90% of Lakehead Graduates

Are doing work using the skills they developed through their Lakehead education.

STEM Hub Programs

A smaller space built for big ideas.

Imagine learning alongside like-minded peers and expert instructors, all in one space designed for innovation, progress, and opportunity. The STEM Hub is where inspiration becomes action, and big ideas launch into successful careers.

Launching in Fall 2025:

Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)

This program will begin in Fall 2025, with students forming a special bridge cohort during Lakehead’s transition from a joint partnership with Georgian College to a fully independent degree program.

Year 1 will take place at Georgian College.
Year 2 begins in Fall 2026 at the new STEM Hub, making this group the inaugural class to launch Lakehead’s brand-new Barrie location.

Launching Fall 2026

Mechatronics Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) with diploma in Engineering Technology
Software Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) with diploma in Engineering Technology
Computer Science, Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc)
Computer Science,Master of Science (MSc)
Electrical and Computer Engineering, PhD and MSc
Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, PhD and MSc

“Students choose Lakehead for its welcoming atmosphere, beautiful surroundings, liveable communities, and ultimately, to realize their full potential. We meet students where they’re at and help them achieve their dreams. We do this through our uniquely accessible pathways to entry, student support programs, and extensive opportunities for experiential learning and research.”

Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor

Student Life in Downtown Barrie

Live, Learn, and Launch in Barrie

Downtown Barrie isn’t just a backdrop, it’s core to the STEM Hub student experience. With stunning waterfront views, cafés and restaurants, vibrant arts and culture, and direct GO Train access to the GTA, you’ll be immersed in a city that blends urban energy with natural beauty.

Barrie was named one of Canada’s safest cities in 2023, according to Statistics Canada.

Barrie's beautiful waterfront district on a bright sunny day

Photo by Amanda N Sherrington

Students walking down a blooming Thunder Bay campus

Ontario’s #1 primarily undergraduate university,
according to Maclean’s 2025 University Rankings

Established in 1965, Lakehead University was built by the community, for the community, to meet the social and economic needs of northwestern Ontario. In 2006, Lakehead expanded to central Ontario with the opening of its Orillia campus. In 2026, the University will continue that growth with the launch of the Barrie STEM Hub—a purpose-built, downtown space focused on engineering and computer science education.

Lakehead has a proud alumni network of more than 73,000 graduates across Canada and around the world. With approximately 9,000 students, Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university known for its small class sizes, hands-on experiential learning, and unmatched undergraduate research opportunities. Its student-focused approach has earned a reputation for fostering success, innovation, and community impact.

Career and Industry Connections

From the classroom to your career.

Whether you're building software or developing systems, the STEM Hub is designed to connect students with real-world opportunities. With Barrie and the surrounding region emerging as a nucleus of innovation, and through Lakehead's strong industry partnerships, students gain access to local tech employers, co-op pathways, and hands-on learning experiences that translate directly to the workplace.

Your future starts here:

Local partners and co-op placements
Resume-ready, real-world experience
Career-qualified upon graduation

Ready for
What Comes Next?

Lakehead University’s new STEM Hub launches in Fall 2026. Applications for 2026 programs open September 10, 2025.

Stay updated

Lakehead University’s Barrie STEM Hub Where Innovation Meets Opportunity.

Smarter by design. Built for what’s next.

We don’t just teach tech, we teach real-world relevance.