Embarking on a study abroad adventure in Canada is often a delightful experience, combining the country’s stunning sights and sounds — from the icy tundra of the Yukon to the rolling mountains of Calgary — with world-class higher education offerings and abundant job opportunities. It's no wonder Canada is a top destination for international students seeking a transformative journey.

Canada's universities are renowned globally for their academic excellence, attracting students and scholars from all corners of the world. These institutions offer a wide range of programmes, cutting-edge research facilities, and a commitment to fostering innovation and critical thinking. Beyond academics, Canada’s vibrant culture, rich history, and dedication to diversity create a welcoming and inclusive environment for students from all walks of life.

Globally recognised as an open, accepting and diverse country, Canada is a welcoming country that commits to diversity and inclusion for different ethnicities. Whether you're drawn to the bustling energy of Toronto, the thriving art scene of Edmonton, or the historical charm of Ottawa, you'll find a city that resonates with your interests and aspirations. Plus, with a strong economy and a growing job market – projected to add a 1.46% increase between 2024 and 2025, reaching a peak of 20.85 million employed individuals – Canada offers excellent prospects for graduates seeking to launch their careers after completing their studies.

If you're considering living and studying in Canada, exploring the country’s top 10 universities and researching available scholarships is an excellent starting point. These rankings and funding opportunities can help you make informed decisions about your academic future and pave the way for a successful and rewarding experience in Canada.

Starting an academic journey in Canada

Starting your academic journey in Canada means joining a thriving and supportive higher education system. Canadian undergraduate programmes boast impressive student retention rates, consistently exceeding 80%, and graduation rates that reach over 70% at the six-year mark. This reflects the commitment of Canadian universities to provide a comprehensive support system for international students, ensuring you have the resources and guidance needed to succeed in your studies.

Globally recognised ranking system

For those who are seeking to pursue your foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate pathways in Canada, choosing the right university is a crucial step. Whether you're drawn to the stunning landscapes of Vancouver, the vibrant energy of Calgary, or the multicultural charm of Montreal, finding an institution that aligns with your academic goals and aspirations is essential. To help you identify the best universities to suit your needs, university rankings – often presented as league tables – can be a valuable tool in this process. They can offer you insights into the academic reputation, research output, networking opportunities, and overall quality of different institutions across Canada.

Ranking providers like the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World (THE) University Rankings are globally recognised ranking systems, often used by students as part of their research before applying to study abroad.

To help you make an informed decision about your academic future, we’ve compiled the top universities in Canada for 2024 below, with data from the latest QS World University Rankings and THE World University Ranking.

QS top universities in Canada 2025

 The QS World University Rankings is one of the most widely referenced and influential university ranking systems globally. It assesses universities based on a variety of factors, including academic reputation, employer reputation, and research impact. Take a look at the leading universities in Canada according to the QS World University Rankings for 2025:

Rank 

University  

Global rank 

University of Toronto 

25 

McGill University 

29 

University of British Columbia 

38 

University of Alberta 

96 

University of Waterloo 

115 

Western University 

120 

Université de Montréal  

159 

McMaster University 

176 

University of Ottawa 

189 

10 

Queen’s University at Kingston 

193 

11 

University of Calgary 

198 

12 

Dalhousie University 

275 

13 

Simon Fraser University 

319 

14 

University of Saskatchewan 

340 

15 

University of Victoria (UVic) 

349 

16 

York University 

362 

17 

Concordia University 

415 

18 

Université Laval 

423 

19 

University of Guelph 

456 

20 

University of Windsor 

547 

THE top universities in Canada in 2025

The Times Higher Education (THE] World University Rankings is another prominent global ranking system that provides a comprehensive assessment of universities across their core missions, including teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook.

 Take a look at the top universities in Canada according to THE World University Rankings for 2025:

Rank 

University  

Global rank 

University of Toronto 

21 

University of British Columbia 

41 

McGill University 

45 

=4 

McMaster University 

=116 

=4 

University of Alberta 

=116 

Université de Montréal 

125 

University of Waterloo 

163 

University of Ottawa 

191 

University of Calgary 

201-250 

10 

Western University 

201-250 

11 

Université Laval 

251-300 

12 

Dalhousie University 

301-350 

13 

Queen’s University 

301-350 

14 

Simon Fraser University 

301-350 

15 

University of Victoria 

301-350 

16 

University of Saskatchewan 

351-400 

17 

University of Guelph 

401-500 

18 

University of Manitoba 

401-500 

19 

York University 

401-500 

20 

Carleton University 

501-600 

If you’re ready to chase your goals – whether it's studying in Toronto, exploring the vibrant cultural scene while living in Montreal as a student, or pursuing your academic dreams in any other Canadian city –  tap the button below for free guidance and we’ll help you get to a top institution.

Information that you need to know

Study in different cities in Canada

Canada higher education

World university rankings