Last Updated on October 14, 2023
Best Universities in Canada for 2023 – 2024 – Canada’s education system is widely recognized as being of exceptional quality, with its universities consistently ranked among the top institutions globally. Canadian universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate level courses, and in recent years, the country has seen a significant increase in the number of international students seeking a world-class education.
These universities in Canada have been ranked based on their overall global university rankings, which take into account research performance and ratings from members of the academic community, both globally and within North America.
If you are a young, ambitious student looking for top and well-known universities in Canada, this article is for you, whether you are currently living in Canada or planning to study as an international student or migrate.
Top 10 Universities in Canada for 2023 Released
The newly released Best Global University list (2022-23), compiled by U.S. News, reveal what it calls Canada’s 39 best universities, including the University of Toronto, which it put at the top of the list.
10. Western University (University of Western Ontario)
Western University is ranked #10 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #300 in Best Global Universities with 58.2 overall global score.
The University of Western Ontario, also known as Western University, is a renowned public research institution located in London, Canada. The main campus, spanning 1,120 acres, is situated along the Thames River and comprises 12 academic faculties and schools.
Western University is a proud member of the U15 group of highly research-intensive universities in Canada. Founded in 1878 by Bishop Isaac Hellmuth as the Western University of London, Ontario, it underwent a change to become non-denominational in 1908. Over the past century, the university has experienced significant growth and currently boasts a student population of over 24,000 and an alumni base of over 306,000 worldwide.
Key Details
Schools are ranked based on how well they perform in relation to a range of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation: Rank 10 | Popularity Rank 12 |
| Global | Score: 58.2 | Rank: 300 |
| Enrollment | N/A |
| Location | 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario N6A 3K7 |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Campus | 1: London |
| Website | http://welcome.uwo.ca/ |
9. University of Ottawa (U of O)
University of Ottawa is ranked #9 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #215 in Best Global Universities with 62.2 overall global score.
The University of Ottawa, commonly referred to as uOttawa or U of O, is a preeminent bilingual public research institution located in Ottawa, Canada. The main campus, spanning 105 acres, is situated in the Sandy Hill neighborhood, just northeast of downtown Ottawa, and across the Rideau Canal. It was founded in 1848 as the College of Bytown by the Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa, and underwent a series of name changes, becoming the College of Ottawa in 1861 and receiving university status in 1866.
In 1889, the University of Ottawa received a pontifical charter from Pope Leo XIII, thus becoming a pontifical university. However, in 1965, it was reorganized as an independent corporation separate from any religious organization, while the remaining civil faculties were retained by the reorganized university.
As the largest bilingual university in the world, the University of Ottawa offers a diverse range of academic programs through ten faculties, including the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Law, Telfer School of Management, and Faculty of Social Sciences. Its library system comprises 12 branches and contains a collection of over 4.5 million titles. The University of Ottawa is also a member of the Canadian U15 group of research-intensive universities and had a research income of CA$420 million in 2022.
Key Details
Schools are ranked based on how well they perform in relation to a range of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation: Rank 9 | Popularity Rank 6 |
| Global | Score: 62.2 | Rank: 215 |
| Enrollment | 36,670 |
| Location | 550 Cumberland Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5 |
| Founded | 1848 |
| Campus | 1: Downtown Ottawa |
| Website | http://www.uottawa.ca/ |
8. University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo is ranked #8 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #191 in Best Global Universities with 63.5 overall global score.
The University of Waterloo is a reputable public institution established in 1957. Its main campus is located in Waterloo, Ontario, in proximity to several of the Great Lakes and the U.S. border, and it also has satellite campuses in nearby Cambridge, Kitchener, and Stratford. The university boasts a student population of over 30,000, with tuition generally higher for international students, although a select number of graduate programs charge domestic and international students the same rate. The university also provides housing options for both undergraduate and graduate students.
The University of Waterloo comprises six main academic divisions: Applied Health Sciences, Arts, Engineering, Environment, Math, and Science. The main campus is also home to four affiliated university colleges – Conrad Grebel University College, Renison University College, St. Jerome’s University, and St. Paul’s University College – where students can pursue a Waterloo degree in a smaller academic community. The language of instruction is English, and the academic calendar comprises three terms. Many students participate in a co-op program that allows them to alternate academic terms with terms spent in the workforce, with more than 120 undergraduate programs offering a co-op option.
The university also offers joint degree programs with global universities in several countries, including China’s Tsinghua University, Taiwan’s National Chiao Tung University, and the U.K.’s University of Warwick. The university’s research institutions include the Water Institute, the Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research, and the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre.
Key Details
Schools are ranked based on how well they perform in relation to a range of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation: Rank 8 | Popularity Rank 8 |
| Global | Score: 63.5 | Rank: 191 |
| Enrollment | 34,306 |
| Location | University Avenue W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Campus | 4: Waterloo, Cambridge, Kitchener, Stratford |
| Website | http://uwaterloo.ca/ |
7. University of Calgary (U of C)
University of Calgary is ranked #7 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #175 in Best Global Universities with 64.2 overall global
The University of Calgary, commonly referred to as U of C or UCalgary, is a distinguished public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded as the Calgary branch of the University of Alberta in 1944, it became an autonomous institution in 1966. The university comprises of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centers. The main campus is situated in the northwest region of the city, near the Bow River, while a smaller south campus is located in the city center. The main campus is home to the majority of research facilities and collaborates with various provincial and federal research and regulatory agencies, many of which are located in close proximity to the campus, such as the Geological Survey of Canada. The main campus spans an area of 490 acres.
The University of Calgary is a member of the U15 group of leading research universities in Canada and is acknowledged as one of the top research universities in the country based on the number of Canada Research Chairs it holds. It generates sponsored research revenue of $380.4 million and has total revenues surpassing $1.2 billion. The University maintains strong connections to the petroleum and geoscience industry through the Department of Geosciences and the Schulich School of Engineering, and it has several other departments and faculties such as the Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Arts, School of Public Policy, Faculty of Law, and the Haskayne School of Business.
Key Details
Schools are ranked based on how well they perform in relation to a range of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation: Rank 7 | Popularity Rank 7 |
| Global | Score: 64.2 | Rank: 175 |
| Enrollment | 33,560 |
| Location | 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Campus | 1: Calgary |
| Website | http://www.ucalgary.ca/ |
6. Universite de Montreal (UdeM)
Universite de Montreal is ranked #6 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #156 in Best Global Universities with 65.9 overall global score.
The University of Montreal, commonly referred to as UdeM, is a distinguished public university with a history dating back to 1878. Initially established as a branch of Université Laval de Québec, it became an independent institution in 1919. UdeM is affiliated with two other institutions: Polytechnique Montréal, a prestigious school of engineering, and HEC Montréal, a renowned business school. All three institutions are located in Montreal, Quebec, a major metropolitan area in Canada, and approximately 25% of students across the three institutions are pursuing graduate studies.
UdeM comprises over a dozen academic divisions that cover various disciplines in the social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, arts, and humanities. French is the primary language of instruction, although some graduate programs, such as doctoral programs in biochemistry, neurosciences, and pharmacology, accept English-speaking students. The university follows a semester system, and tuition costs are higher for international students.
Key Details
Schools are ranked based on how well they perform in relation to a range of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation: Rank 6 | Popularity Rank 9 |
| Global | Score: 65.9 | Rank: 156 |
| Enrollment | 38,189 |
| Location | 2900 Boulevard Edouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4 |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Campus | 1: Montreal |
| Website | http://www.umontreal.ca/english/ |
5. McMaster University – Hamilton
McMaster University is ranked #5 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #138 in Best Global Universities with 67.0 overall global score.
Established in 1887, McMaster University is a reputable public institution located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with several campuses including Burlington, Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara, and downtown Hamilton.
The primary language of instruction at the university is English and it comprises of six main academic divisions including engineering, health sciences, humanities, science, social sciences, and the DeGroote School of Business. The university also offers an interdisciplinary Arts and Science program that enrolls around 60 students per year. The university follows a semester-based academic calendar, with an optional spring/summer term.
Key Details
Schools are ranked based on how well they perform in relation to a range of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation: Rank 5 | Popularity Rank 5 |
| Global | Score: 67.0 | Rank: 138 |
| Enrollment | N/A |
| Location | 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Campus | 4: Downtown Hamilton, Burlington, Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara |
| Website | http://www.mcmaster.ca/ |
4. University of Alberta – Edmonton
University of Alberta is ranked #4 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #136 in Best Global Universities with 67.1 overall global score.
The University of Alberta, a preeminent public institution, was founded in 1908 and is located in the province of Alberta, Canada. The majority of the students, approximately 80%, are enrolled in undergraduate programs.
The university comprises five campuses, four of which are located in Edmonton, including the main North Campus, which spans approximately 50 city blocks. The fifth campus, the Augusta campus, is located in the rural city of Camrose. The University of Alberta offers a diverse range of academic programs, including Arts, Business, Engineering, and Medicine. The academic calendar of the university includes fall and winter terms, with optional spring and summer terms.
Key Details
Schools are ranked based on how well they perform in relation to a range of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation: Rank 4 | Popularity Rank 4 |
| Global | Score: 67.1 | Rank: 136 |
| Enrollment | 32,338 |
| Location | 114 Street, 89 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta |
| Founded | 1908 |
| Campus | 5: Edmonton (4 Campus) | Augustuna, Camrose |
| Website | http://www.ualberta.ca/ |
3. McGill University – Montreal
McGill University is ranked #3 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #54 in Best Global Universities with 74.6 overall global score.
McGill University, a prestigious public institution, was founded in 1821 in Quebec, Canada. The university comprises of two campuses, one located downtown in Montreal and the other, the Macdonald campus, situated in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. The university boasts a diverse student body, with approximately 25% of students hailing from over 150 countries. It provides housing options for undergraduate and graduate students on both campuses.
The university comprises of 10 faculties and schools, including Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Arts, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Law, Management, Medicine, Music and Science, which offer around 300 academic programs. Approximately two-thirds of the university’s students are enrolled in undergraduate programs.
Key Details
Schools are ranked based on how well they perform in relation to a range of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation: Rank 3 | Popularity Rank 3 |
| Global | Score: 74.6 | Rank: 54 |
| Enrollment | 32,309 |
| Location | 845 Sherbrooke Street W, Montréal, Québec |
| Founded | 1821 |
| Campus | 2: Downtown Montreal | Macdonald, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue |
| Website | http://www.mcgill.ca/ |
2. University of British Columbia (UBC) – Vancouver
University of British Columbia is ranked #2 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #35 in Best Global Universities with 77.5 overall global score.
The University of British Columbia, commonly referred to as UBC, is a prestigious public university located in British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1908, it began offering classes in 1915. The university comprises of two main campuses, one in Vancouver and the other in Kelowna, known as the Okanagan campus. The tuition fees at UBC vary depending on the program of study and are higher for international students.
The Vancouver campus of UBC offers over two dozen academic divisions, while the Okanagan campus comprises of eight. The university follows a two-term academic calendar, including winter and summer sessions, with the summer session being optional. English is the primary language of instruction at UBC.
Key Details
Schools are ranked based on how well they perform in relation to a range of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation: Rank 2 | Popularity Rank 2 |
| Global | Score: 77.5 | Rank: 35 |
| Enrollment | 58,590 |
| Location | 1200-1874 E. Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Founded | 1908 and opened in 1915 |
| Campus | 2: Vancouver | Okanagan, Kelowna |
| Website | http://you.ubc.ca/ |
1. University of Toronto (U of T)
University of Toronto is ranked #1 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #18 in Best Global Universities with 83.8 overall global score.
The University of Toronto is a distinguished public university established in 1827, with around 80% of its students enrolled in undergraduate programs. It comprises of three campuses located in and around Toronto, namely St. George, Mississauga, and Scarborough. The university attracts a significant number of international students from over 160 countries and regions, with the majority coming from China, India, and the United States. International students pay higher tuition fees than domestic students.
The University of Toronto comprises of various academic divisions that cover a wide range of subjects such as Applied Science and Engineering, Management, and Public Health. It offers around 700 undergraduate programs and over 200 master’s and doctoral programs, with English being the primary language of instruction. The academic calendar across the three campuses of the University of Toronto may vary.
Key Details
Schools are ranked based on how well they perform in relation to a range of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation: Rank 1 | Popularity Rank 1 |
| Global | Score: 83.8 | Rank: 18 |
| Enrollment | 77,468 |
| Location | 315 Bloor Street W, Toronto, Ontario |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Campus | 3: Toronto Downtown | Scarborough | Mississauga |
| Website | http://www.utoronto.ca/ |
Bonus: Other Popular Universities
York University – Toronto
York University is ranked #16 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #426 in Best Global Universities with 53.8 overall global score.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation Rank 16 | Popularity Rank 10 |
| Global | Score: 53.8 | Rank: 426 |
| Location | 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3 |
| Website | http://www.yorku.ca/web/ |
Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson U)
Toronto Metropolitan University is ranked #34 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #1452 in Best Global Universities with 28.8 overall global score.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation Rank 34 | Popularity Rank 11 |
| Global | Score: 28.8 | Rank: 1452 |
| Location | 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3 |
| Website | http://www.ryerson.ca/ |
Dalhousie University – Halifax
Dalhousie University is ranked #11 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #314 in Best Global Universities with 57.7 overall global score.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation Rank 11 | Popularity Rank 13 |
| Global | Score: 57.7 | Rank: 314 |
| Location | 6299 South Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 |
| Website | http://www.dal.ca/ |
Simon Fraser University – Burnaby
Simon Fraser University is ranked #12 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #317 in Best Global Universities with 57.6 overall global score.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation Rank 12 | Popularity Rank 14 |
| Global | Score: 57.6 | Rank: 317 |
| Location | 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6 |
| Website | http://www.sfu.ca/ |
University of Victoria
University of Victoria is ranked #13 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #324 in Best Global Universities with 57.3 overall global score.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation Rank 13 | Popularity Rank 15 |
| Global | Score: 57.3 | Rank: 324 |
| Location | PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2 |
| Website | http://www.uvic.ca/ |
University of Manitoba
University of Victoria is ranked #14 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #372 in Best Global Universities with 55.2 overall global score.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation Rank 14 | Popularity Rank 17 |
| Global | Score: 55.2 | Rank: 372 |
| Location | 66 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 |
| Website | http://umanitoba.ca/ |
Queens University – Kingston
Queens University is ranked #17 in Best Universities in Canada and ranked #429 in Best Global Universities with 53.7 overall global score.
| NAME | DESCRIPTIONS |
|---|---|
| Canada | Reputation Rank 17 | Popularity Rank 16 |
| Global | Score: 53.7 | Rank: 429 |
| Location | 99 University Avenue, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6 |
| Website | http://www.queensu.ca/ |
Conclusion
Now You Know the Best Universities in Canada
All of the universities mentioned above are excellent choices for individuals who are motivated to achieve personal and academic growth. These universities offer top-notch professors, engaging educational experiences, and promising career opportunities. No matter which university you choose, you will receive a high-quality education.
