Best Universities in Canada for Indian Students
"Make your future, Study in Canada.!"
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Offering quality education at an affordable cost, Canada is one of the best educational hubs for students across the globe, with 4 Canadian cities ranking within the top 100 cities out of 150 in the world to study in. Canadian education is well-acknowledged in the world. Canada has been the hub for international students from around the world, with over 1 million students enrolled as of 2023.
Canada is a culturally diverse country, home to world-class universities that have secured a position in the QS World University Rankings of 2026 for their excellence and accomplishments. The colleges here offer a wide range of distinctive programs. All these programs are globally recognised and in high demand.
This country has been consistently ranked in the top 10 for Quality of Life, as per US News and World Report. It is well known for its flexibility, diversity, and research, as well as offering a welcoming environment and ample job opportunities for everyone.
In this article, we have collated a comprehensive list of the best universities in Canada for Indian students.
Best Universities in Canada
With over 223 public and private universities and 213 public colleges and institutes, selecting the best university in Canada as an international student can be a complex undertaking. To solve the issue and make your decision easier, we bring you this list of the best universities in Canada for international students:
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia
- McGill University
- McMaster University
- University of Alberta
- University of Waterloo
- University of Calgary
- Dalhousie University
- University of Manitoba
- Simon Fraser University
Top Universities in Canada 2026
Let us delve deeper into this and list the famous universities in Canada as per their QS World Ranking for 2026.
| University Name | QS World University Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|
| McGill University, Montreal | 27 |
| University of Toronto, Toronto | 29 |
| University of British Columbia, Vancouver | 40 |
| University of Alberta, Edmonton | =94 |
| University of Waterloo, Waterloo | =119 |
| Western University, London | 151 |
| Université de Montréal, Montreal | 168 |
| McMaster University, Hamilton | =173 |
| Queen’s University at Kingston, Kingston | =191 |
| University of Calgary, Calgary | 211 |
What are the Best Universities in Canada for Engineering?
With the demand for Engineers being at an all time high across the globe, Engineering is still one of the most popular streams of study that is opted for by students. In recent years, it has been observed that Canada was able to create over 361,000 new jobs overall, making Canada a great choice for student’s careers.
The immense job opportunities and career prospects of engineering in the country, where jobs are being created every year, choosing to study at some of the best universities in Canada is just the icing on the cake. Additionally, top universities in Canada are all accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and contribute to offering a rich, dynamic and multicultural study environment. This globally recognised accreditation, facilitates the promise of a curriculum designed to meet the needs and demands of the industry of tomorrow. Let’s check out some of the best universities in Canada for Engineering.
| University Name | QS World University Ranking by Subject: Engineering 2025 |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 17 |
| University of British Columbia | 31 |
| McGill University | =45 |
| University of Waterloo | =47 |
| University of Alberta | =112 |
| University de Montreal | 133 |
| University of Calgary | =192 |
| Queen’s University at Kingston | =207 |
| McMaster University | =227 |
| Western University | =257 |
What are the Best Universities in Canada for MBA?
With globally recognised top universities and excellent job opportunities for MBA graduates after completing their studies, the reputation of Canadian MBAs have risen notably. It ranks among the top three countries globally for studying MBA, according to TopMBA. Universities in Canada offer full-time and part-time MBA courses across different disciplines. Here are the best universities in Canada to study MBA:
| University Name | QS MBA Ranking 2025: Canada |
|---|---|
| Rotman School of Management | 1 |
| Desautels Faculty of Management | 2 |
| Ivey Business School | 3 |
| Queen's (Smith) School of Business | 4 |
| Sauder School of Business | =5 |
| Schulich School of Business | =5 |
| Alberta School of Business | 7 |
| John Molson School of Business | 8 |
| HEC Montreal | =9 |
| DeGroote School of Business | =9 |
What are the Best Universities in Canada for Medicine?
The healthcare industry in Canadahas seen a substantial boom in the past few years in terms of annual employment. This sudden growth has resulted in a expanded demand for medical science courses among students. There have been institutions recognised among the best universities in Canada for medical science, recognised for offering numerous programmes with different specialities to international students. Here is a list of the top universities in Canada for medical science and healthcare:
| University Name | QS World University Ranking by Subject 2025: Medicine |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 14 |
| McGill University | 28 |
| University of British Columbia | =38 |
| McMaster University | 41 |
| University of Alberta | =86 |
| University de Montreal | =86 |
| University of Ottawa | =124 |
| University of Calgary | =132 |
| Queen’s University at Kingston | =197 |
| Dalhousie University | 201-250 |
What are the Best Universities in Canada for Law?
Canada boasts 70+ law colleges offering degrees in over 240+ courses which are also globally recognised. Here are some of the best universities in Canada for Law according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for Law and Legal Studies:
| University Name | QS World University Ranking by Subject 2025: Law and Legal Studies |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | =16 |
| University of British Columbia | 38 |
| McGill University | =41 |
| Dalhousie University | 101-150 |
| Queen’s University at Kingston | 151-200 |
| University of Alberta | 151-200 |
| University of Ottawa | 151-200 |
| University de Montreal | 151-200 |
| York University | 151-200 |
| Western University | 201-250 |
Student Life at Best Universities in Canada
To understand the student life at some of the best universities in Canada, we need to first understand everything that you will be required to do as an international student studying in Canada. Here is a brief overview of everything you need to know about student life in Canada.
Student Permit
To study in Canada, all international students are required to apply for the student visa, called the Student Permit. This permit legallises the move from their home country to Canada for the purposes of study. All aspirants must meet the strict requirements set by the Canadian government to receive the student permit. Some of the requirements include:
- Adequate academic achievements and transcripts
- Proof of Sufficient funds to study, stay and travel within the country: Candidates must provide a minimum proof of having CA $22,895 in addition to their annual tuition fees.
- Appropriate reasoning for their choice to study in Canada.
- Adequate proof of ties to the home country. (Required to prove the student’s intent to travel back after their studies)
Work Opportunities
As an international student, you will be permitted to work while studying in Canada, provided you meet certain criteria set by the federal government. Additionally, if your course-work is eligible, you can also apply for the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), which allows you to work in Canada after graduating from a degree programme. Here are certain requirements you need to know about working in Canada:
- All international students, enrolled in a full-time degree programme are eligible to work in Canada while they complete their studies.
- They can only work for 24 hours per week during their term and full-time during regular breaks.
- Students must be enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution to be eligible for working while studying
- Costs to Study at Best Universities in Canada
As a top study destination, the costs to study will consist of a multiple factors including tuition fees, administrative costs, accommodation costs and transportation costs (if living off-campus). Let’s check out the table below for a brief understanding of the costs to study at any one of the best universities in Canada.
| Item | Average Costs (in CAD) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Degree | CA $36,000/year |
| Postgraduate Degree | CA $21,100/year |
| Accommodation and Travel Costs | CA $22,895 |
Note: The costs listed above have been highlighted to provide a cost reference to study in any one of the top universities in Canada. Therefore, the actual costs will differ between universities and degree programmes and levels.
Among the top 3 study destinations in the world, Canada has consistently ranked as a top choice among international students, and for good reasons! As can be seen from the different lists of the best universities in Canada, students wil be able to choose from a variety of degree programmes and courses that will lead to lucrative career opportunities across different industries.
However, admission to any one of the top universities is also a competitive task, as students from around the world wish to get a Canadian degree across different academic disciplines.Therefore, a good preparation is key to enrolling in your desired degree programme at your desired university this year. So why wait! Connect with AECC Counsellors today and get free expert guidance to study at the best universities in Canada.