Canada has many reasons to be the favorite destination of international students. Several universities in Canada have been recognized based on their international rankings. Such universities also offer both English and French as the medium of languages to study. Canada is ranked as the third destination for international students after the U.S and Australia. It has a welcoming culture and also provides the opportunity to gain permanent residency in Canada to international students who come for graduation purposes.
Reasons to choose Canada for studying purpose
In general terms, multiculturalism leads international students to move to Canada to complete their studies.
Students get access to the world-class education system, specifically the post-secondary Canadian education.
The key points which make the post-secondary Canadian education system unique are as follows:
- There are over 15,000 programs under 90 public universities.
- Canada consists of the top ten universities among the world’s 250 universities.
- The best student-oriented cities in the world are in Canada. These include Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
- Canada holds leadership in global research and innovation.
- A multicultural system allows for faculty from diverse cultural backgrounds. The teaching staff consists of almost 40 percent with an international degree.
- The programs here have reduced tuition fees compared to the U.S and the U.K.
- The non-Canadians can also access international scholarships.
- As per official reports, Canada is best known as a study destination by 95 percent of international students.
There are approximately 90 public universities in Canada. According to the World University Ranking, about ten top-most reputed Canadian universities exist. Read ahead to find out about these top world-class universities:
1. the University of Toronto in Ontario
The University of Toronto is research-oriented and is specifically famous for its medicine program and historic architecture. It was founded in the year 1827.
This University was ranked number 1 in the year 2021, and as per the World University Ranking (Times Higher Education), it was ranked number 18.
How big is the University of Toronto?
The University of Toronto primarily consists of three campuses: St. George, Scarborough, and Mississauga. St. George Campus holds a system akin to the University of Cambridge. With 93,000 students enrolled for the academic session of 2019-2020, this university is the top-most choice for education.
Programs
There are about 200 programs under the post-graduation degree category and 700 under the undergraduate degree category. The University of Toronto is among the world’s leading post-secondary institutions for entrepreneurship.
Praiseworthy and renowned Alumni
Famous people who have been a part of the University include writers Margaret Attwood and Michael Ondaatje, ex-Prime Minister, and director Norman Jewison.
2. the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is the oldest in the province and is popularly known for its tag as a Global Centre for research and training. As per the overall Canadian ranking, this university is placed at the number 2 position in 2021. According to the World University Ranking (Times Higher Education), it was ranked at position 34.
What is the size of the University of British Columbia?
The University of British Columbia has two campuses, one in Vancouver’s downtown and Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. Its Regional Office is situated in Hong Kong, with its Liaison Office in New Delhi. Both these offices aim to promote collaborations concerning teaching and research fields and support alumni. It comprises over 66,000 students, of which 18,000 international students are from over 166 countries.
Programs available
The programs include approximately 40 undergraduate degrees along with 40 post-graduate programs.
3. McGill University in Montreal, Quebec
McGill is widely recognized for being the only institute in Canada among 26 other top-most institutions that were represented in the Global University Leader’s Forum under the World Economic Forum.
This university is ranked in the number 4 position as per the overall Canadian ranking. The Times Higher Education under the World’s University Rankings ranked this university in 40th position.
The size of McGill University
There are three Campuses at this university. The main one is situated on Mount Royal’s base further located in downtown Montreal along with MacDonald and Gault Nature Reserve. McGill University is nowhere behind if we talk about diversity because it brings together students from 150 countries across the world. Approximately 39,000 students were academically enrolled.
Programs available
The University operates on public funding with approximately 400 programs across 80 departments. Established in the year 1829, it was Canada’s first medicine faculty and is famous for its Medicine program.
Praiseworthy and renowned Alumni
The popular poet Leonard Cohen, Actor William Shatner, and Singer Grimes were all renowned people, who had been a part of this University.
The schools also record over 145 honorable Rhodes scholars.
4. McMaster University- Hamilton, Ontario
McMaster University is closely situated to Toronto’s downtown in Hamilton, Ontario. This university deals with intensive research and is widely famous for the medical school and other faculties such as humanities, engineering, and social science.
The Canadian ranking in 2021 awarded McMaster University a number 5 position. Also, the Times Higher Education’s World University Ranking awarded it the 69th position.
McMaster University’s size
There are a total of four campuses with the main one located in Hamilton near the Royal Botanical Gardens along with Burlington, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Niagara. Almost 33,000 students have academically enrolled out of which the international students belong to 120 different countries.
Programs available
McMaster University opens its doors to various programs for 25 disciplines ranging from Arts and Sciences to Medicine, Computers, Engineering, and Midwifery.
Praiseworthy and renowned Alumni
McMaster is filled with numerous famous and noble Laureates. A few of the popular individuals are- Actress Cammy Chiang, Michael Lee-Chin (Entrepreneur), and Comedian Eugene Levy.
5. the University of Montreal in Quebec
The University of Montreal is a French-speaking school famous for sports. Graduates here seek to become reputed leaders in business and scientific research when they grow up.
As per the Canadian ranking it’s placed in the 9th position. With the Times Higher Education World University Ranking, it was also ranked in 73rd position.
What is the size of the University of Montreal?
The size of the University of Montreal is based on its main campus situated on the North slope of Montreal’s Mount Royal. The two affiliated schools associated with it are the Polytechnic Montreal and HEC Montreal. Approximately 67,500 students had enrolled in this school out of which 10,000 were international students. It is also ranked to be the third-most Canadian international university.
Programs Available
There are around 600 programs available at the University of Montreal. The programs concern undergraduate, post-graduate, and doctorate. The medium of language for each program is French. The undergraduates must fulfill the French requirements for admission purposes.
Praiseworthy and renowned Alumni
This famous Alumni category includes a few big names like filmmaker Denys Arcand, former Governor-General Canada Michaelle Jean, and Businessman Pierre Karl Peladeau.
6. University of Alberta
The University of Alberta, founded in 1908, is located in Edmonton, Alberta. The genuine historical site of its campus is located in the North Saskatchewan River Valley and also spreads across 50 blocks. The school is best known for its Athletic genius.
It is ranked in the 6th position as per the Canadian Ranking in 2021. It attained 131st rank according to the World University Ranking (Times Higher Education) in 2021.
University of Alberta’s Size
The University of Alberta comprises four campuses located in Edmonton. There is another one in Camrose, Alberta and this is why it is also the 6th largest Canadian university. A total of 38,000 students are reportedly enrolled over here.
Programs Available
There are over 200 programs for undergraduates and over 500 programs for graduates across eighteen faculties. It comprises more than 800 agreements based on teaching and research with over 50 countries.
Praiseworthy and renowned Alumni
A few renowned personalities who’ve been a part of this school are namely ex-Prime Minister Joe Clark, Tak Wah Mak (A researcher in the medical field), and ex-Chief Justice (Canada) Beverly McLachlin.
7. Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario
Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, established in 1841, is honored for being one of the leading research universities in Canada and also hold the first position in extracurricular activities.
The Canadian Ranking suggests Queen’s University ranked number 7.
Size of the Queen’s University
Queen’s University’s main campus is located in Kingston and borders Lake Ontario toward the South. This university has around 26,000 students enrolled with 19,000 students as undergraduates and 3000 students under graduation. It also brings together students from 100 different countries across the globe.
Programs available
There are seven faculties with undergraduate degrees and 125 degrees available in undergraduate programs.
Praiseworthy and renowned Alumni
Elon Musk (Businessman), Shirley M. Tilghman (Scientist), and Andrea (Actor) are all renowned people who attained education from Queen’s University.
8. the University of Calgary in Alberta
The University of Calgary is located in Alberta and was founded in 1966. It is well known for being research-oriented and also ranks high among the top-most research universities in Canada. It also works on a vision of being an intellectual hub globally.
As per the Canadian Ranking, the University of Calgary is provided the 11th position. Times Higher Education’s World University Ranking awarded it with the 200th rank.
University of Calgary’s size
Downtown, Syphill, Foothills, Qatar, and Main are the five main campuses covering over 200 hectares. The Rocky Mountains are clearly visible from here. 33,000 students are a part of this university including 26,000 undergraduates and 6,000 graduates.
Programs available
There are 160 degrees and over 250 programs available for 14 faculties that are a part of the University of Calgary.
Praiseworthy and renowned Alumni
There are three famous personalities who completed their education at the University of Calgary and these are namely- Politician Naheed Nenshi, Kristina Groves (Speed Skater), and Robert Thirsk, an Astronaut.
9. Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia
Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia continues to be one of the oldest Canadian universities. It was established in 1818 and is located in Halifax, East Coast City. It is home to several unique programs including the Custom Studies Program that is formed within the Foundation School of Performing Arts. Yet another program is known as a joint Food Business Program linked to the Aeres University, Netherlands. According to the Canadian ranking, it is in the 12th position. The World University Ranking placed it between 250 to 300.
Size of Dalhousie University
The three campuses of Dalhousie University are situated in Halifax along with an Agricultural Campus (close to Truro), and Dalhousie Medicine in New Brunswick. Generally, this school has approximately 19,000 students from diverse backgrounds and countries across the globe.
Programs available
There are 13 faculties with over 200-degree programs for students within Dalhousie University.
Praiseworthy and renowned Alumni
Lucy Maud Montogomery (Author), Arthur B. McDonald (Astrophysicist), and Manju Kapur (Novelist).
10. the University of Ottawa in Ontario
The University of Ottawa is well known for its cooperative education programs and ranks among the top 10 Canadian research universities. It is also considered to be the largest bilingual university in the world. It’s overall ranking in Canada is 18 and the World University Ranking ranks it with 145th position.
University of Ottawa’s size
It has three campuses out of which the main one is located near Parliament Hill. Other campuses are located in Toronto and Ontario. There are over 37,000 undergraduates and over 7000 graduates concerning 10 different areas of Disciplines.
Programs available
At the University of Ottawa, there are over 500 undergraduate and graduate programs. Those who wish to study in French (partially) also have the option of a French Immersion stream.
Praiseworthy and renowned Alumni
Louis Arbour (Lawyer), Rahim Jaffer (Politician), and Samantha Bee (Comedian) are a few renowned people who have attained education from the University of Ottawa.
Conclusion
As an international student, firstly, you will need to have more clarity on your goals and objectives for your career path. Secondly, you must ensure that you conduct intense research on all the possible Canadian Post-Secondary institutions so that you gain insight into the best universities and even proceed toward acquiring a Canadian student visa and start your journey.
