Best Universities in Canada 2025: Ranking & Courses

The list of these top 10 universities in Canada is based on their ranking in QS and THE ranking. This list will be helpful for those Indian students who are planning to study in Canadian universities but have less knowledge about these educational institutions.

THE ranking for top universities in Canada released. Like, every year the University of Toronto is #1 university in Canada for international students followed by McGill University and the University of British Columbia. These top universities in Canada offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate courses.

Canada is one of the most prominent educational hubs in the world. The excellent education system, English language curriculum, and top-ranked universities in the world are the reasons to attract international students to study in Canada. Canadian universities offer a wide range of full-time degree programs recognized all over the world that make it the perfect choice to study abroad. In this blog, we have mentioned an updated list of top universities in Canada, their popular courses and more.

Related Read: Best Colleges in Canada

Top Ranking Universities in Canada

The table given below provides the ranking of best universities in Canada according to various ranking indices:

Universities	QS World University Ranking 2025	THE Ranking 2025
University of Toronto	25	21
McGill University	29	45
University of British Columbia	38	41
University of Alberta	96	=116
University of Waterloo	115	=163
Western University	120	201-250
University of Montreal	159	=125
McMaster University	176	=116
University of Ottawa	189	=191
Queen's University	193	201-350

It is crucial to remember that personal preferences, academic interests, and professional objectives ultimately determine which university a student attends. Before making a choice, it is advised to explore several universities and their programme offerings.

1) University of Toronto

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto boasts the best teaching and research faculties across North America. The university’s engineering school and law faculty are appreciated for their excellence among its other faculties. In addition, its medical programs and research performance are praiseworthy by the highest industry standards. A daily feature among the top-ranked universities worldwide, the college boasts of nurturing some of the best minds. Some of the popular courses pursued at the University of Toronto are:

• International Foundation Program
• Arts and Science, St. George campus
• Applied Science and Engineering
• Medical Radiation Sciences
• Kinesiology and Physical Education
• Daniels Faculty of Landscape, Architecture, and Design

Also Read:

Scholarships to Study in Canada	SDS Colleges in Ontario
Best Universities in Vancouver	Top Universities in Toronto

2) McGill University

Home to over 10,000 international students who constitute over 30 per cent of the student demographics, it speaks volumes about McGill University’s popularity among students worldwide. The university is often touted as one of Canada’s best-known institutions of higher learning and one of the leading research-intensive universities in the world. With state-of-the-art facilities and a renowned school of staff, the university works hard to provide international undergraduate, graduate, visiting, and exchange students with a host of academic and non-academic services and resources to make their stay at the university a memorable experience. McGill University comprises eleven faculties and eleven schools, covering everything from law to music, to religious studies.

• Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
• Faculty of Arts
• School of Continuing Studies
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Education
• Schulich School of Music
• Faculty of Medicine

Also, Read:

Top 10 Law Schools in Canada	Top 10 Polytechnics in Canada
Options to study in Canada after XII	Top 5 Animation Institutes in Canada

3) University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is one of the best universities in Canada that follows dynamic teaching methods combined with modern facilities to educate students. The university boasts an excellent student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Students from more than 162 countries are studying at the university, which also provides students with a diverse environment.  Popular subjects offered by the University of British Columbia include:

• Mineral and mining engineering
• Sports-related subjects
• Geography

4) University of Alberta

The University of Alberta offers a plethora of over 200 undergraduate programs across 18 faculties among international students and is home to 400 research laboratories. The university that is home away from home to its students is tailored with thirteen on-campus residences providing a haven for students to study. Students can also participate in over 450 student clubs and groups in the university during their time in Alberta. Every year the university offers over $28 million (CAD) to students in scholarships, awards, and financial support. Many programs in the university offer students paid co-op work or internship placements, both in Canada and in other countries. Popular faculty include:

• Arts
• Engineering
• Pharma and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Law
• Business
• Sports and Education, among others

5) University of Montreal

The University of Montreal was founded in 1878 and delivers high-quality education to students. The University of Montreal and its affiliated schools, HEC Montreal and Polytechnique Montreal, are one of the best higher education institutions in Quebec. The university has constantly held high rankings with almost 69,000 students, of which 10,000 belong to international communities. The university offers nearly 600 programs across its 13 schools. In addition, the university has performed well in research and athletics both. The top faculties and schools are:

• Arts and Science
• Law
• Medicine
• Polytechnique Montreal
• HEC Montreal
• Education

6) McMaster University

McMaster University was established in 1887. It has been ranked in the top 80 universities in the world by various ranking indices. Since its inception, the University has grown by leaps and bounds to house more than 70 research institutes and more than 31,000 students. The University campus is comfortable and provides excellent academic and networking opportunities to its students. Top faculties and schools at McMaster University include:

• Business
• Engineering
• Health Sciences
• Humanities
• Science
• Social Sciences

7) University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo finds its beginnings in the year 1957 with it started with 74 engineering students. The University has been ranked at 158th position on the QS World University Rankings 2024. The University is now home to more than 42,000 students and has an alumni base of more than 220,000 graduates. The University of Waterloo provides its high-quality academic programmes through its following faculties:

• Arts
• Engineering
• Environment
• Health
• Mathematics
• Science

One of the reasons why Canada is a favourite study destination for international students wanting to study overseas is its promising post-study work options. Most Canadian universities have a cell called a Career Services Center, which helps you get jobs and helps you prepare for interviews.

The on-campus recruitment is always driven by student interest. Companies that recruit through the University do not offer a job directly. What they offer is an internship or co-op. Companies like to see your work for a few months before they hire you full-time for jobs in Canada.

Why Study at the Best Universities in Canada?

Before we move on to the top universities in Canada, let us look at some of the benefits of studying at the best universities in Canada:

• Quality of Education: The educational system of Canadian universities is of the highest calibre, and there are numerous options for faculty research and first-rate facilities. Numerous institutions are among the best in the world for disciplines like science, business, and engineering. You will receive an education that will help you achieve your job objectives.
• Job Prospects: Since Canadian degrees are respected worldwide, they provide access to both domestic and international employment opportunities. Exposure to a diverse environment while in school is highly valued by many employers. In the global job market, you will have a competitive advantage.
• Post-Study Work and Canada PR: You can be qualified for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme after graduating from a Canadian university, which gives you the opportunity to earn important Canadian job experience. Your profile will be improved by this work experience for citizenship and permanent residency.

That's all about the Canada university ranking. It shows the country's academic excellence, research innovation, and student experience

For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.