What Queen's University does

Smith Engineering is the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Queen's University, a public research university in Kingston, Ontario founded in 1841. The faculty delivers CEAB-accredited Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) programs across 10 engineering disciplines — Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Mining, Engineering Chemistry, Engineering Physics, Geological, and Mathematics and Engineering — built on a common first-year curriculum with guaranteed discipline choice, admitting 800-1,000 undergraduates annually and reporting a 91% degree completion rate. The Engineering Chemistry program, operating since 1895, is the only dual-accredited program of its kind in North America, qualifying graduates for both P.Eng and C.Chem credentials.

Instructional delivery relies on the Queen's enterprise onQ learning management system, with technical coursework built around Autodesk Fusion 360, MATLAB, Arduino IDE, and Microsoft Project/Visio, distributed via the Apps.SmithEngineering application delivery system. Students are recommended Windows-based laptops with Intel Core i9 processors, 32GB+ RAM, and dedicated Nvidia/AMD graphics, and have access to a full-service machine shop in McLaughlin Hall. Supporting offerings include the Smith Eng Prep self-guided diagnostic modules, the QUIP 12-16 month paid internship pipeline, the online asynchronous Certificate in Mining Technologies (CMT), and customized corporate training for the mining sector.

Revenue is primarily tuition-driven (Certificate in Mining Technologies priced at $238.23 per credit unit domestic / $848.68 international) supplemented by supplemental exam fees, administrative fees, machine shop services (internal $55/hr, external $80/hr, water jet $120/hr), and corporate training contracts. The Engineering Society, with 3,600+ on-campus members, 15,000+ global alumni, and a $2.4M annual budget from student fees, oversees 58 student-run initiatives including design teams and outreach programs. Outreach spans the Indigenous Futures in Engineering program (InEng/STEMInA), the endowed Chair for Women in Engineering, WiSE, RoboGals, Q-WASE, and QWAi conferences, and the recently revived EngiQueers group.

Name

Queen's University

Legal name

Queen's University

Website

https://smithengineering.queensu.ca

Company type

Public

Founded year

1841

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Smith Engineering is Queen's University's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, delivering CEAB-accredited undergraduate and graduate engineering programs across 10 disciplines to roughly 800-1,000 new students per year, plus online certificates, corporate training, and research centres, primarily in Kingston, Ontario.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Engineering

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)

Keywords

• Engineering education
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate research
• Professional development
• Online certificates

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and academic fees: Smith Engineering generates revenue primarily through undergraduate and graduate tuition fees funded by government student assistance. Fees for the Certificate in Mining Technologies are calculated per credit unit ($238.23 domestic per credit unit; $848.68 international per credit unit). Supplemental exam fees ($322.88 per exam), late academic plan change fees ($64.58), and other administrative fees apply. The Engineering Society operates with an annual budget of $2.4 million funded by student fees.
2. Professional development and continuing education: Revenue generated through professional development courses, the Certificate in Mining Technologies, online programs, and customized corporate training for the mining and mineral processing industries. A $100 non-refundable application fee applies to the Certificate in Mining Technologies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Smith Engineering delivers CEAB-accredited Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) engineering degrees across 10 disciplines, plus Master of Engineering, Master of Applied Science, and PhD graduate programs. It also offers the Certificate in Mining Technologies (CMT), a six-course asynchronous online program, alongside student design teams, the QUIP paid internship program, and the McLaughlin Hall Machine Shop for hands-on prototyping.

Product overview

Smith Engineering is the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Queen's University offering a CEAB-accredited Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in engineering. The portfolio includes undergraduate programs across 10 engineering disciplines (Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Mining, Engineering Chemistry, Engineering Physics, Geological Engineering, Mathematics and Engineering) with a common first year followed by guaranteed discipline choice. Supporting offerings include the Certificate in Mining Technologies (online professional development), Smith Eng Prep self-guided modules, and student design teams/clubs. The faculty also supports women in engineering through its endowed Chair position and associated programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Certificate in Mining Technologies (CMT): Certificate program in mining technologies offered online for undergraduate students and mining professionals
• WiSE (Women in Engineering and Science)
• WiE (Women in Engineering)
• RoboGals
• Q-WASE
• QWAi (Queen's Women in Automotive and Motorsport)

Products and services

• Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) Engineering Degree CEAB-accredited four-year undergraduate engineering degree program offered across 10 disciplines (Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Mining, Engineering Chemistry, Engineering Physics, Geological, and Mathematics and Engineering) for high school graduates, with optional 12-16 month paid industry placements through the Queen's Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP).
• Common First Year Engineering Program A shared first-year engineering curriculum across all 10 disciplines, allowing students to explore all facets of engineering before selecting a specialization in February, with guaranteed discipline choice for students who pass and apply on time.
• Graduate Engineering Programs (MEng, MASc, PhD) Master of Engineering (course-based, 1 year), Master of Applied Science (research-based), and PhD graduate engineering programs, including an Accelerated Master's option for high-performing undergraduates.
• Certificate in Mining Technologies (CMT) A six-course online undergraduate certificate offered asynchronously, typically completed in two years, preparing upper-year undergraduates and mining professionals for careers in the global mining industry. Available in Mining and Mineral Processing streams.
• Smith Eng Prep Program Free self-guided online diagnostic tests and modules in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and programming delivered via the onQ learning management system to prepare incoming first-year engineering students for their studies.
• Chair for Women in Engineering Program Canada's only endowed Chair for Women in Engineering, funding outreach, advocacy, curriculum development, and research opportunities for women from K-12 through faculty, supported by a $3 million gift and led by Dr. Heidi Ploeg.
• Customized Corporate Training for Mining Industry Customized corporate training programs delivered by the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining for mining-industry clients, designed in collaboration with industry partners to address workforce upskilling, digital transformation, and regulatory compliance.
• McLaughlin Hall Machine Shop Services A full-service machine and fabrication shop serving the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, offering internal and external machining, water jet cutting, rapid prototyping, and training services on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% degree completion rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aboriginal Access to Engineering (Indigenous Futures in Engineering)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020The Chair for Women in Engineering supports existing outreach programs including Aboriginal Access to Engineering (now Indigenous Futures in Engineering), which provides transition programs, study spaces, and mentorship for Indigenous students at Smith Engineering through the STEMInA program.
• Connections Engineering OutreachcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020The Chair for Women in Engineering supports Connections Engineering Outreach programs aimed at encouraging women and girls to pursue engineering education and careers.
• WiSE Women in Engineering and Science (student group)coreOthersThe WiSE student group runs networking events, mentorship programs, outreach workshops for girls, and a 'How to be WiSE' podcast featuring women in STEM fields including professors, students, and industry professionals.
• Q-WASE (Women in Engineering Advocacy Conference)minorOthersAn annual conference run by engineering students diving into the topic of gender disparity in engineering, bringing together industry professionals, leaders, and students.
• QWAi (Queen's Women in Automotive and Motorsport Conference)minorOthersAn annual one-day conference in Kingston, Ontario, empowering students to become the next generation of female engineers and businesswomen in the automotive and motorsport industries. Features speakers and sponsors for networking.
• RoboGalsminorOthersA student team that travels to local schools to host workshops for girls to encourage engagement in STEM subjects.
• Industry partners for Certificate in Mining TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Certificate in Mining Technologies program was designed in collaboration with industry to equip undergraduate students in science and engineering and working professionals with skills needed for career advancement in the rapidly transforming global mining industry.
• PetroSleeve (Bob Smyth, Sc'65)minorOthersBob Smyth, a Queen's Engineering alumnus (Sc'65), invented the PetroSleeve and built it from garage startup to global success, demonstrating the commercialization potential of engineering innovation from the university.
• Fuel Cell Research Centre (FCRC)coreTechnology or IntegrationA research centre hosted at Queen's University focused on fuel cell technology research, listed as a Centre under the Mechanical and Materials Engineering department.
• Centre for Advanced ComputingcoreTechnology or IntegrationA research centre at Queen's providing advanced computing resources and infrastructure, listed as a Centre under the Mechanical and Materials Engineering department.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• McGill University - Faculty of Engineering: McGill Engineering is a leading Canadian engineering faculty competing with Smith for top domestic and international students, with CEAB-accredited programs across chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, mining and other disciplines directly overlapping Smith's portfolio.
• University of Waterloo - Faculty of Engineering: Waterloo Engineering is the largest engineering school in Canada and a direct competitor to Smith Engineering for the same Ontario high-school cohort, with co-op-driven undergraduate programs across similar disciplines. Most relevant peer given the shared Ontario market and emphasis on experiential learning.
• McMaster University - Faculty of Engineering: McMaster Engineering is a peer Ontario-based faculty directly competing for the same provincial applicant pool, with co-op and undergraduate engineering programs in disciplines that overlap Smith's. Comparable scale and reputation tier within Ontario.
• University of British Columbia - Faculty of Applied Science: UBC Applied Science is one of Canada's largest engineering faculties and a direct competitor to Smith for top-tier Canadian and international students, with overlapping CEAB-accredited programs in mining, civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering.
• University of Toronto - Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering: UofT Engineering is Canada's top-ranked engineering faculty and directly competes with Smith for top Ontario and international applicants. Operates CEAB-accredited programs across overlapping disciplines with deeper research budgets and brand pull.
• Western University - Faculty of Engineering: Western Engineering is a peer Ontario-based faculty competing for the same domestic applicant pool, with CEAB-accredited undergraduate programs across disciplines that overlap Smith's offerings. Comparable provincial positioning and program structure.
• University of Alberta - Faculty of Engineering: UAlberta Engineering is a major Canadian faculty with overlapping programs including mining engineering (directly comparable to Smith's Buchan Department of Mining). Competes for the same national and international engineering talent pool.

Emerging players

• Coursera: Coursera partners with universities to deliver online engineering degrees, certificates, and continuing professional development — directly competing with Smith's online CMT program and professional development streams for the same working professional learners globally.

Broad incumbents

• MIT - School of Engineering: MIT Engineering is a global benchmark for engineering education and a larger, more established player operating broadly in the same space. Comparable in offering CEAB-equivalent accredited engineering programs but at materially greater scale, research budget, and brand recognition.
• Stanford University - School of Engineering: Stanford Engineering is a global leader in engineering education and a broader incumbent that overlaps with Smith across mechanical, electrical, computer and mining-adjacent disciplines, but at a much larger scale and with a significantly deeper industry and venture network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SmithEngQueens
• Facebookfacebook.com/SmithEngineeringQueens
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/queens-engineering
• Instagraminstagram.com/smithengineeringqueens

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Queen's University