Algoma University, commonly shortened to Algoma U, is a Canadian public university in the province of Ontario, with campuses in Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie, and Timmins. Algoma U offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and graduate certificate programs in liberal arts, sciences and professional disciplines.

Algoma University specializes in liberal arts, sciences, management and professional degree programs.

From its founding in 1965 until June 18, 2008, Algoma U was an affiliated college of Laurentian University in Sudbury and was officially known as Algoma University College. The enabling legislation is the Algoma University Act, 2008.

The original vision for Shingwauk Hall in the early 19th century came from Chief Shingwauk, the chief of the Garden River Ojibway people, as he felt "that the future Ojibway needed to learn the white man's academic method of education in order to survive in what was becoming a 'predominately non-native world with non-native values'".

While Chief Shingwauk's vision of a teaching wigwam for his people would not come to fruition in his lifetime, a residential school would eventually receive funding in 1872 from the combined efforts of Chiefs Augustin Shingwauk and Buhkwujjenene Shingwauk (Chief Shingwauk's sons) and the Anglican Missionary, Rev. Edward Francis Wilson. The initial building was constructed in Garden River First Nation in 1873 and housed 16 students. It burnt down 6 days later. A new building was erected in Sault Ste. Marie in 1875.

Shingwauk Hall would become part of the broader residential school system across Canada designed to assimilate Canada's Indigenous peoples, straying far from Chief Shingwauk's vision for a teaching wigwam. Students in the residential school system endured poor living conditions, physical and emotional abuse and segregation from their own family members.

Shingwauk Hall, presently the main building of Algoma University's Sault Ste. Marie campus, was erected in 1935 after it was deemed the Shingwauk Home original building had deteriorated beyond repair. Shingwauk Hall ceased operation as a residential school in 1970.

The desire to establish an undergraduate liberal arts college in Sault Ste. Marie originated as a broad citizens' movement in the 1950s. In October 1964, the Algoma College Association was incorporated by letters patent of the province of Ontario. One year later, on Dec. 17 1965, Algoma University College was established as a non-sectarian institution affiliated with Laurentian University after the Affiliation Agreement was signed. In September 1967, Algoma University College began offering courses to its first 77 students at what is today Sault College, formally then known as Cambrian College, under the leadership of Principal Reverend Charles A. Krug (1966–68). The majority of students studying at Algoma University College were mature or "extension" students looking to enhance their post-secondary education by taking first-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) courses.