The
University of Toronto (
U of T,
UToronto, or
Toronto) is a
public research university in
Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada, situated on the grounds that surround
Queen's Park. It was founded by
royal charter in 1827 as
King's College, the first institution of higher learning in the colony of
Upper Canada. Originally controlled by the
Church of England, the university assumed the present name in 1850 upon becoming a secular institution. As a
collegiate university, it comprises twelve colleges, which differ in character and history, each retaining substantial autonomy on financial and institutional affairs. It has two satellite campuses located in
Scarborough and
Mississauga.