If you’re looking to study at one of the top universities in Canada, there’s a fairly strong chance you’ll have considered studying in either Toronto or Montréal. One Anglophone and one Francophone, these are the two largest cities in Canada, and both offer an impressive selection of world-leading universities – including Canada’s two highest-ranked, the University of Toronto and McGill University.
More broadly, the provinces within which Toronto and Montréal are based – Ontario and Quebec – each boast an extensive selection of world-class universities. However, this eastern side of Canada doesn’t have a complete monopoly on high quality higher education. Indeed Canada’s third highest-ranked university, the University of British Columbia, is way over on the west coast, in Vancouver.
Here’s a quick overview of the top universities in Canada by province, based on the QS World University Rankings® 2013/14.
Top Universities in Ontario
Ontario has rather a lion’s share of the top universities in Canada. Towards the east of the country, it’s Canada’s second largest province by area and most populous by far, home to around 40% of Canadians. It’s also home to Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, and the country’s largest city, Toronto. The latter is known for its international diversity, thriving cultural scene, busy financial district – and strong selection of universities.
The top universities in Ontario are:
- University of Toronto (ranked 17= in the world; 1st in Canada)
- McMaster University (140 in the world; 6th in Canada)
- Queen’s University (189= in the world; 8th in Canada)
- University of Western Ontario (199= in the world; 9th in Canada)
- University of Ottawa (227 in the world; 11th in Canada)
- York University (401-410 in the world; 16th in Canada)
- University of Guelph (461-470 in the world; 21st in Canada)
- Carleton University (501-550 in the world; 23rd in Canada)
- Ryerson University (701+ in the world; 25th in Canada)
- University of Windsor (701+ in the world; 26th in Canada)