Want to Study in Ontario? Here’s What International Students Need to Know

Canada is a prime destination for international students, and Ontario is one of the most popular provinces accounting for 47% of the total number of international students in Canada (2020).

But is Ontario right for you? This blog covers everything international students need to make the right decision, including information about the best schools, what the Ontario job market is like, top attractions, and its immigration programs.

What is Living in Ontario Like?

Geography

Bordering the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay, Ontario is the second-largest province in Canada by land mass. Its distinct physical features include mixed wood plains, boreal forests, and tundra.

Weather and Climate

Ontario has a varied continental climate, bringing hot, humid summers and very cold winters, due to its proximity to the Great Lakes.

What are the Largest Cities in Ontario?

Ontario is Canada’s most populous province, with Southern Ontario being one of the most densely populated regions in Canada. Ontario’s largest urban centres are:

• Toronto - Ontario’s capital city, Toronto is on the ceded and unceded land that is the traditional territory of several First Nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. Toronto is home to the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
  
  

  

  
  

• Ottawa-Gatineau - Canada’s capital is home to Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, and the National Gallery of Canada.
  
  

  

  
  

• Hamilton - Hamilton is divided by the Niagara Escarpment and is known for its steel and manufacturing industries.
  
  

  

  
  

• Kitchener - Kitchener is located on the Haldimand Tract and is best known for Victoria Park (its cultural hub) and its annual Oktoberfest.
  
  

  

• London - London is home to many cultural festivals and is named after its British counterpart.

What Are the Big Schools and Universities in Ontario?

The major universities in Ontario include:

• University of Toronto - Located in Toronto with satellite campuses in Scarborough and Mississauga, University of Toronto is affiliated with the U15, a group of Canadian research-intensive universities.

• University of Waterloo - Part of the U15 and located in Waterloo with satellite campuses in Cambridge, Stratford, and Kitchener.

• Western University - Located in London, Western is a public research university and belongs to the U15.

• Queen’s University - A member of the U15 and located in Kingston, Queen’s also owns Herstmonceux Castle in England, home to its exchange program.

• McMaster University - Located in Hamilton and part of the U15, McMaster was the first public higher education institution in Ontario.
  

The largest colleges in Ontario for international students are:

• Humber College - A polytechnic institute with two Toronto campuses, Humber North and Lakeshore.

• George Brown College - An applied arts and technology college with three downtown Toronto campuses.

• Seneca College - Offers degree, diploma, and certificate programs with multiple campuses in the Greater Toronto Area and Peterborough.

• Cambrian College - A public college for applied arts and technology located in Sudbury.

• Algonquin College - A polytechnic institute located in Ottawa with satellite campuses in Perth and Pembroke.

What is the Population of Ontario Like?

Ontario is home to a diverse population of 14.53 million and considered the number one destination for immigrants in Canada. Most recently, Ontario welcomed 42.3% of the total permanent residents in Canada. Majority of the immigrant population is Indian, Chinese, and Filipino.

There are 374,395 Indigenous people in Ontario. Visible minorities make up nearly 30% of the population, with South Asians the largest visible minority group. Toronto has the biggest concentration of visible minorities in Ontario, nearly doubling all other top-ranking cities.

The Best Colleges and Universities for International Students in Ontario

According to Maclean’s renowned 2023 Top University Rankings, the best Ontario universities are:

• University of Toronto* - Ranked number 1 in Canada overall and 18th in the world. Known for its strong research performance.

• University of Waterloo** - Ranked 3rd overall in Canada and one of the top computer-science schools in the world. Offers the largest post-secondary co-op program.

• McMaster University** - Ranked 5th overall in Canada and recognized for its medical school.

• Queen’s University** - Ranked 7th overall in Canada and known for its strong undergraduate and business program.

• Western University** - Ranked 8th overall in Canada and renowned for its leading contributions in education, research, and healthcare.

*Ranked #1 in Maclean’s Top 10 Overall, Highest Quality, Most Innovative, and Leaders of Tomorrow
**Ranked in Maclean’s Top 10 Overall, Highest Quality, Most Innovative, and Leaders of Tomorrow

Maclean’s rankings are based on information collected about each university’s students, reputation, faculty, student support, and resources.

The top 10+ colleges in Ontario for international students are:

• Humber College - Ranked first in Canada for research partnerships, corporate research intensity, and corporate research income.

• George Brown College - One of Canada’s best public colleges and known for its health and technology education.

• Georgian College - One of Canada’s best-applied arts and technology colleges for entrepreneurship and a high student employment rate.

• Seneca College - Offers career-oriented programs and focuses on experiential learning via co-op programs, internships, and more.

• Centennial College - Renowned for its strong business partnerships and career-focused course programming.

• Conestoga College - Known for its trades and apprenticeship training.

• Fanshawe College - Recognized for its comprehensive and experiential course offerings.

• Canadore College - Known for its strong focus on student success and connection to community, sustainability, and innovation.

• Sheridan College - Recognized for its leadership in animation, game design, business, and engineering.

• Cambrian College - Offers academic and hands-on training, industry relations and community involvement.

• St Lawrence College - Recognized for providing tailored support for its students and its quality academic programming.

• Algonquin College - Known for its diverse courses and focus on practical skills and applied studies.

What Can International Students Do on Weekends in Ontario?

Brimming with stunning natural beauty, rich arts, and diverse cultural sights, here are the top places to visit in Ontario:

1. Niagara Falls - One of the tallest waterfalls in the world, it surpasses others like it by sheer volume of water. From the Canadian side, you can enjoy a panoramic view of both Niagara Falls and Horseshoe Falls.
   
   

   

2. CN Tower - Recognized as the tallest free-standing structure in the world for 30 years, the CN Tower offers a breathtaking view of Toronto.
   
   

   

3. Parliament Hill - Parliament Hill is the home and meeting place of Canada’s federal government and showcases beautiful Gothic architecture.
   
   

   

4. Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) - One of the top 10 cultural institutions in North America and the largest museum in Canada, the ROM has over 13 million artworks, natural specimens, and cultural objects.
   
   

   

5. Algonquin Park - This is the place to take in Ontario’s rugged, natural beauty. It also provided inspiration for Canada’s famous landscape artists, the Group of Seven.
   
   

   

6. Canada's Wonderland - This amusement park has over 200 attractions and is home to Yukon Striker, the world’s fastest, tallest, and longest dive roller coaster.
   
   

   

7. National Gallery of Canada - This gallery has the finest collection of Indigenous and Canadian art in the world.
   
   

   

8. Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) - Attracting celebrities and film aficionados alike, TIFF is recognized as one of the Big Five film festivals in the world.
   
   

   

9. Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) - One of the most prestigious and largest art galleries in North America, the AGO has over 90,000 works in its collection.
   
   

   

10. Thousand Islands - A notable location for the War of 1812, this region is also a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts and attracted many of the world’s wealthy during The Gilded Age.

What is Ontario’s Job Market and Local Economy Like?

Considered the economic hub of Canada, Ontario has a diverse range of thriving industries. Its strongest economies are modern service and information, manufacturing, and natural resources. Ontario is also home to the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Ontario’s growing employment rate and job creation means it recently had the strongest rate of job gains on record in the last two years, according to Statistics Canada's 2022 Labour Force Survey.

Areas With Largest Employment and Job Opportunities

The urban areas in Ontario with the highest employment rate are:

1. Toronto

2. Ottawa-Gatineau

3. Barrie

4. Oshawa

5. Windsor

Top Industries Offering Employment

The industries in Ontario offering the most employment are:

1. Wholesale and retail trade

2. Public administration

3. Professional, scientific and technical services

4. Utilities

5. Accommodation and food services

Industries With Largest Wage Increases

The industries in Ontario with the biggest increase in hourly wages are:

1. Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas

2. Professional, scientific and technical services

3. Agriculture

Top Occupations and Job Skills in Ontario

Ontario employers are looking for skills related to these jobs that have recently experienced highest employment:

• Sales and service

• Business

• Finance and administration

• Trades, transport and equipment operators

• Education

• Law and social

• Community and government services

• Management

Applying for Permanent Residency in Ontario

Annually, an average of 134.2KK people become permanent residents in Ontario (from 2015-2022). In 2022, 175,700 people gained permanent residency.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program allows individuals with the right skills, education, and experience to apply for nomination for permanent residency. The program consists of nine core streams:

1. Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker - For foreign workers who have received a job offer in Ontario.

2. Employer Job Offer: International Student - For international student graduates who have recently received a job offer.

3. Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills - For individuals who have highly after skills by Ontario employers.

4. Master's Graduate - Open to individuals who have a master's degree from a university in Ontario.

5. PhD Graduate - Applicants who have a PhD degree from an Ontario university can apply to this program.

6. Human Capital Priorities - Open to individuals with skilled work history, education, and language proficiency.

7. Skilled Trades - Designated for foreign workers with eligible skilled trade experience.

8. French-speaking Skilled Worker - Open to French-speaking foreign workers who are also proficient in English.

9. Entrepreneur - Operating through an Expression of Interest system, this program is for individuals who have an idea to start a new business or grow an existing one in Ontario.

Regardless of where you choose to study, be aware of immigration fraud. Whether it be your college or university’s international student centre or these tips from the Government of Canada, educating yourself is your first and best line of defence.

Is Ontario Right for You?

We hope this information has helped you decide whether you should study in Ontario as an international student.

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