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York University Campus

Get Ready for York University in Markham Centre – Opening 2024

For more information including campus programs, milestones and upcoming events, visit www.yorku.ca/markham.

On July 24, 2020, the Province of Ontario announced support for the York University Markham Centre Campus. Markham will soon be home to York Region’s first public university campus, the largest university investment in the Region.  

The new 10-story state-of-the-art campus will be located in a transit integrated, mixed use, and high-density urban core - Markham Centre. Markham was selected by York University with the support of the Ontario Government and York Region in 2015 because of the City’s many established strengths in meeting the University’s important requirements to achieve the desired results for the new campus. Strategically located in the heart of the GTA, Markham is one of Canada’s fastest growing and culturally diverse communities while supported by a thriving knowledge economy that is powered by a dense technology and innovation corridor. Markham’s new downtown offers access to existing high quality public and private infrastructure including the Unionville GO station, Pan Am Sports Centre, YSpace’s business accelerator space, company offices, mixed commercial retails and entertainment amenities.

The construction of the campus commenced in July 2020 and is scheduled to open in 2024 to 4200 students in Phase 1, and has the flexibility to accommodate growth (up to 10,000 students). The campus will offer programs in arts and media, information technology, liberal arts, environmental studies, engineering, science, and business. Flexible learning formats will be a focus of the campus program to respond to the diverse needs of the student population. Program courses will also be delivered in partnership with Markham Seneca College and local industries to facilitate experiential learning and equip graduates with relevant skills to support rapid integration into the labour market.

The $275.5M campus project will help drive the economic growth of Markham and York Region and acts as a catalyst for learning, research and development, and talent development to serve the needs of the local community and employers. The projected growth of York Region’s population aged 18-21 is 175,000 by 2036. It is expected that the new campus will help generate 2000 jobs and $350 million in ‘immediate economic benefits.’

The York University Markham Campus is based on a joint partnership contribution between York University, the City of Markham, and York Region. In addition to York University’s capital fund, Markham has donated a land parcel at Enterprise Boulevard and University Boulevard (formally Rivis Road) worth more than $50M along with York Region’s commitment of $25M toward the project.

Fast Facts

  • York Region is one of Ontario’s fastest growing areas. 
  • Regional population is expected to grow to 1.5 million by 2031. 
  • York Region is the only municipality of its size in North America without a university campus. 
  • There are 48,421 York University graduates living in York Region.  
  • 44 of every 1,000 people living in York Region are York University grads. 
  • 5,000 students are expected to enroll within the first five years.  
  • Within 20 years, over 10,000 students may be on this urban campus. 
  • Almost 56 per cent of York Region’s 18 year olds enrolled at an Ontario university in fall 2011, the highest percentage of any Ontario region. 
  • York Region is headquarters for four of Canada’s top 10 corporate R&D investors.  
  • 42,000 business establishments make York Region their home; it’s the second largest business centre in Ontario.