- Canada’s top 3 universities are ranked amongst the top 50 worldwide
- The universities have an excellent reputation for academics as well as employability
- All the top 10 universities in Canada are publically funded
Canada is a popular destination for international students. The country attracts students from across the world and hence the top universities boast of a diverse student population. Life on campus is usually friendly and fun. Students are permitted to take on part-time work both on and off-campus.
After graduation, international students have strong job prospects in the country and switching from a student visa to a work visa is relatively easy. If you’re thinking of studying in Canada, here are the top 10 universities in the country according to the QS World University Rankings® 2019.
List of 10 Best Universities In Canada
1. The University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is considered one of the best universities in Canada. The university was ranked 3rd in terms of subject ranking and 12th for graduate employability.
Established in 1827, the University of Toronto comprises of 11 colleges with the Faculty of Arts and Science being the university’s main undergraduate facility.
It is interesting to note that the university receives the maximum annual scientific research funding as compared to all other universities in Canada.
- Average Fees for Undergraduate Program: 32K-34K USD
- Status: Public
- Research Output: Very High
- International Students: 22,936
- Total Students: 73,064
2. McGill University
Ranked 33rd worldwide in 2019, McGill University has international students from 150 countries across the world.
Based in Montreal, one of the friendliest cities in Canada, the university also has the highest percentage of Ph.D. students in a Canadian research university. Students enrolling here can choose between 400+ programs at 50 research centers and institutes.
The university’s alumni network has over 250,000 people across the world.
- Average Fees for Undergraduate Program: 12K-14K USD
- Status: Public
- Research Output: Very High
- International Students: 9,950
- Total Students: 29,102
3. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is renowned for its academic programs and has an excellent reputation with graduate employers. The university is ranked amongst the top 50 universities worldwide and excels in a number of subjects including geography, sports-related subjects and Mineral, and mining engineering.
With campuses in Vancouver and Okanagan, the university funds over 8,000 projects each year. 8 Nobel Prize winners, 65 Olympians, and 71 Rhodes scholars have graduated from this university.
- Average Fees for Undergraduate Program: 26K-28K USD
- Status: Public
- Research Output: Very High
- International Students: 13,136
- Total Students: 52,970
4. University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is Canada’s fourth highest-ranked institution. This university is based in Edmonton. The university has an excellent reputation for creative arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, business, and health services.
It admits students in over 400 academic programs across 18 facilities. The University of Alberta has the maximum 3M national teaching fellowships and an alumni network of over 250,000 people.
- Average Fees for Undergraduate Program: 14K-16K USD
- Status: Public
- Research Output: Very High
- International Students: 8,295
- Total Students: 31,928
5. McMaster University
Established in 1887, the McMaster University welcomes students from 98 countries. They also host 70 international academic exchange programs and are the only Canadian host site of a United Nations University.
With more than 70 institutes and centers, the university is one of the top 3 research-intensive universities in Canada. It is particularly well-known for its medical school.
- Average Fees for Undergraduate Program: 16K-18K USD
- Status: Public
- Research Output: Very High
- International Students: 4,035
- Total Students: 25,404
6. Université de Montréal
6th in Canada and 149th across the world, the Université de Montréal is the country’s highest ranked Francophone institution. The university offers over 600 programs split amongst over 60 departments under 16 faculties and 2 affiliated schools.
This is the largest array of programs offered in Canada. The university also has 465 research departments and units. The university’s alumni network has over 300,000 members including prominent business leaders and people who have held important political positions in Canada.
- Average Fees for Undergraduate Program: 10K-12K USD
- Status: Public
- Research Output: Very High
- International Students: 8,027
- Total Students: 36,386
7. University of Waterloo
Established only in 1956, the University of Waterloo is one of the youngest universities to be amongst Canada’s top 10. It has also been ranked as Canada’s most innovative university.
The university has 6 faculties which operate over 50 academic departments. In terms of graduate employability, the university was ranked 2nd in Canada and 25th in the world. For a few years between 2009 and 2012, the university also managed an extension in Dubai that offered 4 undergraduate programs.
- Average Fees for Undergraduate Program: 28K-30K USD
- Status: Public
- Research Output: Very High
- International Students: 9,861
- Total Students: 36,626
8. University of Western Ontario
Ranked as one of the top research universities in Canada, the University of Western Ontario or Western University as it is also known, has 12 academic faculties and schools.
The university was founded in 1878 and is home to eminent research centers such as the Fraunhofer Project Centre for Composites Research, the Rotman Institute of Philosophy and many more. The university’s alumni network has over 277,000 members worldwide.
- Average Fees for Undergraduate Program: 20K-22K USD
- Status: Public
- Research Output: Very High
- International Students: 5,406
- Total Students: 29,772
9. University of Calgary
The University of Calgary has 14 faculties that oversee 553 departments and over 200 academic programs. It is also home to 85 research centers and 77 Canada Research Chairs. Apart from its 5 campuses in Canada, the university also has a campus in Doha, Qatar.
The university has a sponsored research revenue of over $380million. This is one of the highest in terms of research revenue in Canada. Its alumni network is spread over 152 countries and includes a number of notable personalities.
- Average Fees for Undergraduate Program: 14K-16K USD
- Status: Public
- Research Output: Very High
- International Students: 6,356
- Total Students: 31,067
10. Queen’s University
Located in Kingston, this university was founded in 1841 and is thus one of Canada’s oldest universities. In terms of medical-doctoral universities in the country, the Queen’s University is ranked 4th.
It has 17 university and faculty based research centers, 42 Canada Research Chairs and 1 Canada Excellence Research Chair. The university is particularly well known for its mining engineering program.
- Average Fees for Undergraduate Program: 26K-28K USD
- Status: Public
- Research Output: Very High
- International Students: 2,587
- Total Students: 23,057
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