If you're planning to begin your studies in Canada, you'll want to know the best universities in Canada. In this article, we'll provide you with a list of the top universities according to global rankings. There are many reasons why Canada is a preferred destination for international students, namely its universities. Many Canadian universities enjoy a strong reputation in international rankings, and universities offer the opportunity to study in both French and English.
Canada's reputation as a warm and welcoming country that offers an easy path to permanent residency for international students who graduate here is also a draw. In fact, Canada is now the third-leading destination for international students (after the United States and Australia).
See: Study in Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide for International Students
Advantages of studying in Canada
Many international students come to Canada to pursue their education in a multicultural environment. Here are some highlights of what makes post-secondary education in Canada world-class. Before discussing Canada's top universities, explore the main advantages of studying in Canada.
- More than 90 public universities offering 15,000 programs
- Home to 10 of the world's top 250 universities, according to For the QS World University Rankings 2025
- Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are ranked among the best student cities in the world, according to QS Best Student Cities 2019
- Pioneers in global research and innovation
- Multicultural faculty, with 40% of faculty holding at least one international degree
- Lower tuition fees compared to programs in the US and UK
- International scholarships available to non-Canadians
- 95 percent of international students would recommend Canada as a study destination, according to Canadian Bureau for International Education's International Student Survey .
Best Universities in Canada
With over 90 public universities across Canada, which institution should you apply to? Based on rankings Maclean's Magazine and Classification Universities Global by Times Higher Education Here are 10 of the best universities across Canada and what makes them stand out. Check out the list of the best universities in Canada.
1. University of Toronto (Top Universities in Canada)
The University of Toronto is considered the best university in Canada. It was founded in 1827 and is famous for... University of Toronto (also referred to as UofT) is one of the world's top research-intensive universities and is known for its medical program and historic buildings.
Canada's overall ranking (2025) : # 1
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025) : # 18
University size: Three campuses, including Mississauga, St. George, and Scarborough. Students at the St. George campus are affiliated with one of seven colleges, a system similar to that of the University of Cambridge. More than 93,000 students were enrolled for the 2019-20 academic year.
Programs: With more than 200 graduate programs and over 700 undergraduate degrees, UofT is ranked among the world's top post-secondary institutions for its entrepreneurship program.
Notable Alumni: Writers Margaret Atwood and Michelle Ondaatje, director Norman Jewison, and former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson.
2. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
It is considered University of British Columbia (also referred to as UBC) is the oldest university in the province and has a reputation for being a world-class center of research and teaching.
Canada's overall ranking (2025) : # 2
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025): # 34
University size: Two campuses, one in downtown Vancouver near the beach, and one in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. UBC also has a regional office in Hong Kong and a liaison office in New Delhi, India, to facilitate teaching and research partnerships and support graduates. UBC is home to more than 66,000 students, including more than 18,000 international students from 166 countries.
Programs: More than 40 undergraduate degrees, plus graduate programs.
Notable Alumni: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and environmentalist David Suzuki. The university is also associated with eight Nobel Prize winners, 65 Olympic medalists, and more than 70 Rhodes Scholars.
3. McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
McGill University celebrated It recently celebrated its 200th anniversary and was recognized as the only Canadian institution among the top 26 institutions represented by the World Economic Forum's Global University Leaders Forum. It is considered one of Canada's best universities.
Canada's overall ranking (2025) : # 4
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025): # 40
University size: Three campuses, the main campus located at the base of Mount Royal in downtown Montreal, as well as the Macdonald Campus and the Gault Nature Reserve, offer students from more than 150 countries worldwide, making McGill an internationally diverse university with over 39,000 students currently enrolled.
Programs: The publicly funded university offers more than 400 programs in over 80 departments. McGill is also known for its excellent medical program and was Canada's first medical school, founded in 1829.
Notable Alumni: Actor William Shatner, singer Grimes, and poet Leonard Cohen have all attended the school. The school also has 145 prestigious Rhodes Scholars.
4. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
McMaster University was founded Founded in 1887, it is located in Hamilton, Ontario, near downtown Toronto. This research-focused university is world-renowned for its School of Medicine, as well as its faculties of engineering, humanities, and social sciences.
Canada's overall ranking (2025) : # 5
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025): # 69
University size: Four campuses: the main campus in Hamilton near the Royal Botanic Gardens, plus campuses in Burlington, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Niagara. More than 33,000 students are enrolled, including international students from 120 countries.
Programs: McMaster offers programs in 25 different disciplines, from the arts and sciences to engineering, medicine, computer science, midwifery, and more.
Notable Alumni: Comedian Eugene Levy, actress Camille Chiang, and entrepreneur Michael Lee Chin have all taught McMaster. McMaster has taught several Nobel laureates.
5. University of Montreal (5th best university in Canada)
university Montreal The University of Montreal in Quebec is a Francophone school known for its sports teams and its graduates who have become renowned leaders in business and scientific research.
Canada's overall ranking (2025) : # 9
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025): # 73
University size: The main campus is located on the northern slope of Mount Royal in Montreal. It also has two affiliated schools—Polytechnique Montreal and HEC Montreal (Business School). More than 67,500 students are enrolled, including approximately 10,000 international students, making it the third most international university in Canada.
Programs: The university offers 600 programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Programs are delivered in French, and undergraduate students must meet the following requirements: French admission requirements .
Notable Alumni: Former Governor General of Canada Michèle Jean, director Denys Arcand, and businessman Pierre-Carl Péladeau.
6. University of Alberta
Founded University of Alberta Founded in 1908 (also known as UAlberta) in Edmonton, Alberta, its historic original campus is located on the edge of the North Saskatchewan River Valley and spans 50 city blocks. The school is also known for its athletic excellence.
Canada's overall ranking (2025) : # 6
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025): # 131
University size: There are four campuses in Edmonton, plus one in Camrose, Alberta, making it the fifth largest university in Canada. There are currently over 38,000 students enrolled.
Programs: UAlberta offers more than 200 undergraduate and more than 500 graduate programs across 18 colleges. It has more than 800 teaching and research agreements with 50 countries.
Notable Alumni: Former Prime Minister Joe Clark, medical researcher Tak Wah Mak, and former Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlan.
7. Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
Founded Queen's University Founded in Kingston, Ontario (also known as “Queen’s”) in 1841, it is one of Canada’s leading research universities and also ranks first in extracurricular activities.
Canada's overall ranking (2025) : # 7
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025): # 250-300
University size: The main campus is located on 99 acres in Kingston, bordering Lake Ontario to the south. There are currently more than 26,000 students enrolled, including more than 19,000 undergraduates and more than 3,000 graduate students. It is also home to students from more than 100 countries around the world and is ranked seventh among Canada's top universities.
Programs: Queen's offers undergraduate degrees across seven faculties and more than 125 graduate programs.
Notable Alumni: Entrepreneur Elon Musk, scientist Shirley M. Tilgam, and actor Andrea Su have also produced 57 Rhodes Scholars.
8. University of Calgary, Alberta
University of Calgary was founded (also known as UCalgary) was founded in 1966 and is one of Canada's top research universities. Located in the province of Alberta, the school's vision is to be a global intellectual center and recognized as one of the country's top five research universities.
Canada's overall ranking (2025) : # 11
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025): # 200
University size: There are five campuses: Main, Downtown, The Hills, Spikehill, and Qatar. The main campus covers more than 200 acres and overlooks the Rocky Mountains. It currently enrolls more than 33,000 students, including nearly 26,000 undergraduates and more than 6,000 graduate students.
Programs: The University of Calgary offers more than 160 degrees and over 250 programs across 14 faculties.
Notable Alumni: Astronaut Robert Thirsk, politician Naheed Nenshi, and speed skater Christina Groves.
9. Dalhousie, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Dalhousie University was established Founded in 1818, Nova Scotia University (also known as Dale University) is one of Canada's oldest universities. Located in the East Coast city of Halifax, it offers several unique programs, including a dedicated studies program as part of the Foundation School of Performing Arts, as well as a joint food business program with Aeres University in the Netherlands.
Canada's overall ranking (2025): Ranking 12
For world universities according to Times Higher Education (2025): # 250-300
University size: Dalhousie has three campuses in Halifax, as well as an agricultural campus near Truro and Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick. The school attracts more than 19,000 students from around the world.
Programs: Dal offers more than 200 degree programs across 13 colleges.
Notable Alumni: Astrophysicist Arthur B. Macdonald, author Anne of Green Gables Lucy Maud Montgomery, and novelist Manju Kapur.
10. University of Ottawa, Ontario
It is considered University of Ottawa (also known as UOttawa) is the world's largest bilingual university and a top 10 research university in Canada. It is also known for its co-operative education programs.
Canada's overall ranking (2025) : # 18
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025): # 145
University size: Ottawa has three campuses. The main campus is located in the Canadian capital, within walking distance of Parliament Hill. There are also campuses in Toronto and Windsor, Ontario. There are more than 37,000 undergraduate students and more than 7,000 graduate students in 10 majors.
Programs: The university offers a total of 500 undergraduate and graduate programs. It also offers a French immersion program for students who wish to pursue part of their studies in French.
Notable Alumni: Comedian Samatha Bee, lawyer Louise Arbour, and politician Rahim Jaffar.
