Top 10 universities in Canada | Fees, ranks, & more!

Top universities for international students in Canada

Known for its scenic beauty and high standard of living, Canada is known as the most educated country in the world. It is quickly becoming the top destination for international students because of its quality education and visa-friendly policies. You will find that universities in Canada conduct amazing research and provide a great study experience to students at comparatively lower costs. You will have the opportunity to work with some of the best minds in the world. What’s more, universities in Canada provide international students with tons of job opportunities after graduation. So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in to learn about the top 10 universities in Canada why you should apply to them!

 

University of Toronto

Ranked 29th in the world by QS World rankings, the University of Toronto is Canada’s highest-ranked institution. Being one of Canada’s oldest institutions, the university has educated three Governors, four Prime Ministers, and fourteen Justices of the Supreme Court in the past and one of the best universities in Canada.

Average Tuition: $45.690
Acceptance Rate: 43%
Student-faculty Ratio: 21:1
Scholarships: $710
Average Salary: $71,710

In addition to such impressive alumni, the University has three campuses and over 700 undergraduate programs and 300 graduate programs. The courses at U of T cover a variety of fields, such as Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Commerce and Management. What’s more, the graduates of this university also have the advantage of living in one of the fastest-growing urban cities in the world.

Read more: Top places to visit in Canada – A detailed guide

McGill University

One of the top 10 universities in Canada, McGill University ranks 31st in QS World Rankings. Known for its entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and passion, the university offers degrees that stand out. Its stellar faculty attracts the brightest minds from around the world and continues to conduct groundbreaking research every day and it is one of the Top universities in Canada.

Average Tuition: $29,200
Acceptance Rate: 46.3%
Student-faculty Ratio: 14:1
Scholarships: $10,650
Average Salary: $74,077

McGill University has more than 300 undergraduate programs of study and more than 400 masters, Ph.D., and postdoctoral research programs. These include Agriculture, Dentistry, Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Music, Science, and more! Apart from the usual curriculum, students at McGill have the privilege of opting for an Experiential Learning experience outside of the classroom.

University of British Columbia

Ranked as the 3rd best Canadian university, UBC is located in the largest city in Northern British Columbia. It has a beautiful campus with plenty of greenery, a thriving arts community, and an excellent academic reputation. Moreover, the university is research-oriented and follows a practical, hands-on learning approach. This, and the fact that everyone at the university has an international outlook, makes it very warm and welcoming for international students from around the world.

Average Tuition: $38,946
Acceptance Rate: 52.4%
Student-faculty Ratio: 19:1

The University of British Columbia offers over 500 Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees to more than 50 thousand students from around the world and is home to more than 50 student-led clubs and organizations. So, wherever you come from, you will find something to do at the university.

Université de Montréal

Ranked 73rd in the world by Times Higher Education, Université de Montréal is famous for being one of the three foremost research hubs in Canada. It has over 6,000 students, 13 faculties and schools, and offers over 600 programs to brilliant students from around the world.

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Student-faculty Ratio: 21:1
Average Salary: $41,890

Some of these courses include Development, Communication, Teaching, Economy, Arts, Politics, Languages, Life Sciences, Theology, Languages, and more. Not only does the university offer a great curriculum and lots of research opportunities, but it also has a great reputation amongst graduate employers. This means that, at Université de Montréal, you won’t have to worry as much about getting a job after graduation!

University of Alberta

A top 5 Canadian university located in Edmonton, the University of Alberta is home to 40,000 students across 18 faculties at 5 separate campuses. The university is known for excelling in courses like humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences.

Average Tuition: $20,395
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Scholarships: Find out more

As a student at Alberta, you can choose from 200 undergrad programs, 500 graduate programs, 250 specializations, and 300 research areas. These include Physiology, Civil Engineering, Public Health, Law, Therapy, Physics, Linguistics, Art, and more. The best part about the University of Alberta is its international outlook. Not only does it have a diversified international faculty, but it is also home to more than 7000 international students!

McMaster University

Ranked amongst the top universities in the world by major global ranking systems, McMaster University is a public university located in Hamilton, Ontario. It has over 70 research institutes and is home to more than 30,000 students, both local and international.

Average Tuition: $22,471
Acceptance Rate: 58.7%
Student-faculty Ratio: 28:1
Scholarships: $4,793
Average Salary: $51,357

Renowned for its excellent academic sources, the university has 6 faculties, including Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences. While McMaster is highly regarded for its Business and Medical degrees, it has close to 200 research centers across all of its departments. The university is amongst the few research-oriented research-oriented institutes in Canada committed to creating a brighter world by advancing human and societal health and well-being.

University of Waterloo

Ranked amongst the top 100 universities in the world for employer reputation, the University of Waterloo has a lot of differentiating factors. Known for its teaching methodology -which focuses on both academic excellence and experiential education – the university has an entrepreneurial spirit.

Average Tuition: $67,941
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Student-faculty Ratio: 32:1
Scholarships: $9,000
Average Salary: $61,178

You can choose from a multitude of subjects. Like quantum computing and nanotechnology to clinical psychology, engineering & health sciences research, the university. What’s interesting is that students at the University of Waterloo alternate between school and work terms, gaining experience while working for companies like Google and Amazon. The university is a beacon for creators, explorers, and boundary-pushing thinkers.

Western University

With more than 40,000 students from 121 different countries, Western University ranks among the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide. A founding member of the U15 – Canada’s most distinguished research universities, it has an excellent employment rate of 93.6%!

Average Tuition: $24,851
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Student-faculty Ratio: 24:1
Scholarships: $7,100
Average Salary: $55,735

The best part is the Western University is home to 12 different faculties, including Business, Law, Medical, and Engineering. It’s a wonder how students can choose from 400 combinations of majors, minors, and specializations, and 88 graduate degree programs. At Western, you will learn from internationally renowned professors, have an opportunity to pick up any co-curricular activity you want, including intensive research and leadership.

Queen’s University

Based out of Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s University also ranks amongst the top 100 in terms of employer reputation. With more than 25,000 students, 91 percent of Queen’s University’s graduates are employed within six months of graduation! So if you’re looking for an institution that is relatively easiest to get into and has easy job opportunities, you should consider Queen’s.

Average Tuition: $27,513

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Student-faculty Ratio: 27:1
Scholarships: $145,000 annually

The university offers a transformative learning experience and offers close to 150 programs in 8 different faculties. These include Arts and Science, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Graduate Studies, Law, Business, and Policy. The university is known for its academic and research excellence in Medicine, Arts, and Science, and is making notable advances in particle astrophysics, cancer research, art conservation, geotechnical engineering, biodiversity, and clean energy technology.

University of Calgary

With over 33,000 students spread across 5 different campuses, the University of Calgary is one of the top 10 universities in Canada. It offers more than 250 programs in 14 different faculties, including Arts, Medicine, Architecture, Business, Kinesiology, Law, Nursing, Engineering, Social Work, and more.

Average Tuition: $12,695
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Student-faculty Ratio: 17:1
Average Salary: $89,105

Moreover, Calgary is one of Canada’s top comprehensive research universities. It conducts groundbreaking research in fields such as Energy, Chronic Diseases, Biomedical Engineering, Mental Health, and more. And if that isn’t enough, the university is home to the Taylor Family Digital Library – the most technologically advanced library in North America!

So which one should I choose?

To find out, first decide which course type you’re interested in. Do you want to study the natural sciences, arts, economics, engineering, or humanities? Once you know that, you can pick a program of your choice. But while doing so, make sure you’re eligible to apply for it.

Once you have decided which program you’re going to apply for, it’s time to prepare for the standard tests. At the same time, I suggest you start collating all the documents you’ll need for your application.

All the best!

Key Takeaways

• Canada is becoming an increasingly desirable study destination due to its academic excellence in a diverse range of fields, top world ranking universities, job prospects, and cultural diversity.
• The University of Toronto, the University of Alberta, the University of Waterloo are some of the top universities in Canada.
• Tuition fees throughout these institutes ranges anywhere between CAD 15,000 to CAD 40,000.

In case you get stuck or need help shortlisting from the top 10 universities in Canada according to your profile, reach out to us. We’d be very happy to help!

Liked this blog? Read more: Bachelor’s degrees | Top international options to consider in 2023!

FAQs

Q1) What factors should I consider while choosing a Canadian University?

Answer: When choosing a Canadian University, key factors like location, programs, costs, and career prospects matter most.

Q2) What is the cost of living for international students in Canada?

Answer: On average, the cost of living in Canada for an international student is approximately CAD 20,000.

Q3) Can I work part-time while studying in Canada?

Answer: International students are permitted to work only up to 20 hours per week.