Top Universities in Canada 2026

For decades now, Canada has been one of the top study destinations for international students. Its postgraduate work opportunities, coupled with the impeccable academic excellence maintained by the top universities in Canada, are among the many reasons why Canada has become one of the study destinations in the world. From numerous scholarship opportunities to academic excellence backed by different global awards and recognitions, cement the reputation of the following list of the top universities in Canada mentioned in is article.

In this article, we will talk about the best universities in Canada for international students and why the number of international students choose to enrol at these institutions every year. Certain features place Canada on the international student attention attraction list. Among the top-ranking universities in Canada are the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia, which rightfully boast of their reputation for world-class education and research facilities.

Let's learn more about these top universities in Canada and which of these universities you should choose for your higher studies in Canada.

Top Universities in Canada 2026

Whether it is graduation, post-graduation or Doctoral degrees, Canadian Universities have the right combination of challenging academics and wholesome experiences that prepare their graduates for a fruitful career in the globalised world. Here is the list of the best universities in Canada.

McGill University

Established in 1821, McGill University has been recognised as one of the top universities in Canada for several years by different ranking institutions, and for good reason. McGill University also hosts the second-largest hospital-based research facility in Canada at the McGill University Health Centre. McGill offers a variety of globally recognised programmes across various disciplines such as arts, education, engineering, medicine, law and much more.

McGill University Highlights

• The latest data reflect that over nearly 30% of the overall student enrolment at the university was international students from around 150 countries.
• Over its lifetime, a total of 149 Rhodes Scholars have also called McGill University their alma mater.
• McGill University has over 325,000 alumni who currently reside in around 185 countries, making their mark across different sectors and industries.

University of Toronto

With three campuses scattered across the Greater Toronto area, i.e. St George, Mississauga and Scarborough, the University of Toronto (U of T) has maintained its reputation as a top university in the world for international students. Across different global university ranking lists, the University of Toronto has been consistently ranked among the top 30.

University of Toronto Highlights

• Nearly 30,000 students enrolled across the three campuses of U of T are international students, travelling from nearly 175 countries and territories.
• U of T received research funds amounting to CA $1.54 billion from different sectors combined and has been recognised as the no.1 university in Canada for research-based start-ups.
• Nine Nobel Laureates, among other notable award winners, call the University of Toronto their alma mater.

University of British Columbia

Established as a world leader in teaching, learning and research, the University of British Columbia (UBC) has been opening doors to people with the curiosity, vision and the drive to make the world a better place, since 1915. UBC has been ranked by various ranking institutions as one of the top universities in Canada for higher studies among international students.

University of British Columbia Highlights

• With 8 Nobel Laureates, 75 Rhodes Scholars, 66 Olympic Medals and 3 Prime Ministers calling the University of British Columbia their alma mater, the university is a one-stop shop for leaders and winners across all sectors and industries.
• With two main campuses located in Vancouver and the Okanagan Valley, the University of British Columbia also have regional bases in Hong Kong and India to facilitate local connections and partnerships for research and learning development.
• 27.7% of the students in the Vancouver campus and 19.7% of the Okanagan campus students are international students.

University of Alberta

With 5 campuses across 2 cities, the University of Alberta has been recognised as a top institution for research and innovation in the world. In fact, among all the best universities in Canada, the University of Alberta ranks 4 as a research university, with an annual research funding of CA $600 million.

University of Alberta Highlights

• The University of Alberta offers over 200 undergraduate and 500+ graduate programmes to both domestic and international students.
• Nobel Prize winner Dr Michael Houghton calls the University of Alberta his alma mater, along with 78 Rhodes Scholars.
• The University of Alberta has also been recognised as one of the top 2 universities in Canada for employment rate, a result of the different programmes for internships and career mentorship.

University of Waterloo

Established in 1957, the University of Waterloo is considered to be one of the top universities in Canada for its academic excellence and co-op programmes. With a focus on changing the world and a drive for entrepreneurship, the University of Waterloo prides itself on launching over 1,000 ventures to solve the world’s most complex problems.

University of Waterloo Highlights

• The third woman in history to win a Nobel Prize was a Physics and Astronomy professor, Donna Strickland.
• According to the latest data, 18% of undergraduate and 42% of graduate students are international students at the University of Waterloo.
• The University of Waterloo offers over 120 co-op programmes, through which students gain up to 2 years of work experience by the time they graduate, with most finding employment within 6 months of graduation.

Western University

Established in 1878, Western University boasts of maintaining the highest second-year retention rate at 92.6%. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programmes across 12 faculties, including medicine, business and management, law, engineering and more.

Western University Highlights

• Western University is a founding member of the U15, the most distinguished group of research universities in Canada.
• The university has been able to attract international students from over 134 countries from around the world through its variety of academic programmes and academic excellence.
• Western University boasts of a 93.5% employability rate within 6 months of graduation and a global alumni network of 383,000 graduates settled across 160 countries.

Université de Montréal

Established in 1878, the Université de Montréal is a predominantly French institution; therefore, fluency in the language is a must if you plan to study at this university. With a focus on research and academic excellence, thousands of students choose to pursue their higher studies at this prestigious university.

Université de Montréal Highlights

• Université de Montréal, along with its affiliate institutions HEC Montréal and Polytechnique Montréal, has been classed as the leading hub for education in Quebec.
• Université de Montréal is also recognised as one of the top 3 universities in Canada by volume of research.
• Through 13 faculties and schools and 2 affiliated schools, Université de Montréal offers over 600 programmes to nearly 11,000 international students.

McMaster University

First founded in 1887 in Toronto, McMaster was moved to Hamilton through the gifts and contributions of its alumni. In fact, the Hamilton Hall at McMaster University campus was named after the people of Hamilton who had raised CA $500,000 to establish the McMaster Campus. Popularly recognised for its excellence in medicine and health, McMaster University has been a top spot for higher studies for around 250,000 alumni from around 145 countries.

McMaster University Highlights

• The university promotes a problem-based student-centred approach to learning, calling it the McMaster Method.
• McMaster University has also successfully set up more than 70 research centres, promoting a cross-disciplinary research methodology that reaches for the stars.
• Two alumni and a faculty member at McMaster University have been awarded three different Nobel Prizes.

Queen’s University at Kingston

With an average entering grade of 91%, Queen’s University at Kingston has been one of the top universities in Canada for decades. The Queen’s University has also been recognised for its Sustainability Impact by Times Higher Education and recognised for its research and academic excellence by different ranking lists.

Queen’s University at Kingston Highlights

• The Queen’s University boasts of having the highest graduation rate in Canada at 89%, proving that the students excel in their academics.
• More than 95% of the students are employed within 6 months of their graduation, a sign of the employability that students possess after graduating from Queen’s.
• A Queen’s University faculty member won a Nobel Prize in Physics, while an alumna won a Nobel Prize in Economics.

University of Calgary

Established in the year 1966, the University of Calgary has maintained its reputation as one of the top universities in Canada by focusing on being the “entrepreneurial university of Canada”. With four main campuses and over 38,000 students enrolled in its programmes, the University of Calgary is known to offer over CA $22 million in scholarships and financial aid.

University of Calgary Highlights

• The University of Calgary offers more than 250 programmes across different disciplines, like Engineering, Business and Management, Computer Science and IT and more.
• The University of Calgary is also consistently ranked among the best universities in Canada for research and academic excellence by different ranking lists.
• Students from over 140 countries around the world choose to get their university education and degree from the University of Calgary.

Admission Requirements at Top Universities in Canada

For any international student planning to pursue higher studies at one of the best universities in Canada, it is extremely important to be prepared for the admission process as well. Here are the admission requirements you should be aware of when applying to these universities in Canada in this academic year:

Undergraduate Requirements

• Candidates should possess valid academic transcripts from a recognised board of education in their home country and must have earned a minimum of 60% in their final board examinations.
• While not necessary, candidates are encouraged to prepare for the SATs and ACTs. These scores can position candidates as well-prepared and academically meritorious in front of the university and give them an edge over other candidates. However, not all universities may consider these tests; therefore, check the individual university requirements before attempting these tests.
• All international students whose first language is any other than English Language, must provide a valid score through English Language Proficiency (ELP) tests like IELTS Academic, TOEFL, PTE Academic, Duolingo or any other accepted by Canadian universities.
• Applicants may also be required to submit two Letters of Recommendation as part of their application process. They must connect with at least two teachers/professors who witnessed their academic performance at their previous academic institution.
• Applicants may also be required to either submit a Statement of Purpose or answer questions asked by the individual universities during the application process. Candidates are advised to prepare and teach themselves to properly create statements that properly reflect their motivations behind studying at the respective institutions.

Graduate Requirements

• All graduate programme applicants must ensure that they possess a valid undergraduate degree, i.e. a Bachelor’s, in the relevant field of study as per the programme they wish to pursue.
• Candidates may be required to submit GRE or GMAT scores as part of their application form. It is important to check the individual admission requirements defined by the top universities in Canada for international students.
• Like undergraduate applicants, ELP test scores through popular tests like IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Duolingo or any other must be submitted by all international students whose first language is any other than English.
• At the graduate level, candidates will be required to submit at least 2-3 Letters of Recommendation provided by their professors who witnessed their academic performance at the previous university/college.
• Depending on the university/college, students may be required to submit a Statement of Purpose highlighting their motivation to study a particular course at a particular university.
• Some universities offering degree programmes like Architecture and design courses may require applicants to submit a portfolio of their work or potential designs

The top universities in Canada listed here are some of the highly sought after institutions by international students seeking quality education and diverse academic opportunities abroad. For Indian students, these universities represent a pathway to globally recognised degrees and valuable international exposure, enhancing their career prospects significantly. Meanwhile, the Canadian colleges provide a range of certificate courses to undergraduate programme and pathways tailored to meet the academic and professional goals of all international students. Connect with AECC Counsellors today and get expert guidance in choosing the right Canadian university for you!