Because of the exceptionally high level of education that is offered in Canada, many students from other countries around the world now have the goal of completing their education in Canada. Over the course of time, universities in Canada have earned a global reputation for excellence in teaching as well as in research across the globe. As a result of their high rankings among the top institutions in the world, several of these educational establishments continue to entice the brightest and most capable students from other countries to enroll in the esteemed degree programs they offer.

As a necessary step in getting ready to study in Canada, students from other countries who are interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or Ph.D. in research studies should familiarize themselves with the types of schools that are typically the first choice for international students.

This article contains a comprehensive list of the first fifty universities and research institutions in Canada that are considered to be the most sought after, as well as a discussion of the numerous scholarship and funding opportunities that are made available by each of these institutions.

A List of the Top 50 Universities in Canada

1.) University of Toronto

This university is located in Toronto, Canada.  Established in 1827, it has an enrollment of over 40,000 students both local and international students. This university is a public research university, and the first institution of higher learning in upper Canada. Official website: www.utoronto.ca

2.) University of British Columbia

This institution is located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Vancouver British Columbia. It has an enrollment of over 30,000 students both local and international. This university is known to embrace innovation and transforms ideas into actions and has been opening doors of opportunity for people with the curiosity, drive and vision to shape a better world. Official website: www.ubc.ca

3.) McGill University

This institution was founded in 1821 and it currently has over 25,000 students. Located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Montreal, this university offers degree and diplomas in several fields of study, with the highest average entering grades of any Canadian university. Most students are enrolled in the six largest faculties namely arts, science, education, engineering and management. official website: www.mcgill.ca

4.) University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo is located in Waterloo, Ontario and currently with a population of 30,000 students. This university was mainly established to fill the need to train engineers and technicians for Canada’s growing postwar economy. official website: www.uwaterloo.ca

5.) Simon Fraser University

The Simon Fraser university institution is located in the city of Burnaby, British Columbia. it is a large university with over 30,000 students. This research university is consistently ranked as Canada’s top comprehensive university and named to the times higher education list of 100 world universities under 50 years. Official website: www.sfu.ca

6.) University of Alberta

The University of Alberta, also known as U of A or UAlberta, is located in the city of Edmonton, Alberta. This university has a very selective admission policy based on students’ past academic records. Founded in 1908, the university has been a major economic driver in Alberta, it impacts on Alberta’s economy is estimated at $12.3 billion annually.  Official website: www.ualberta.ca

7.) York University

York university is located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Toronto, with an enrollment of over 40,000 students. this university also provides academic and nonacademic facilities to both local and international students. Several of York’s programs have gained notable recognition both locally and internationally. York houses Canada’s oldest film school, which has been ranked the best in Canada. Official website: www.yorku.ca

8.) University of Calgary

This institution is located in the metropolis of Calgary, it is a large university with over 25,000 students both local and international students. This institution was founded in 1966 and it has a sponsored research revenue of $380.4 million. This institution maintains close ties to the petroleum and geoscience industry through the department of Geosciences and Schulich school of engineering. Official website: www.ucalgary.ca

9.) McMaster University

This institution is located in Hamilton, Ontario, with a population of over 20,000 students. This institution operates six academic faculties: the DE Groote school of business, engineering, health sciences, humanities , social sciences and sciences. It is a member of U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada.  official websites: www.mcmaster.ca

10.) University of Montreal

University of Montreal (Universite de Montreal) was founded in 1878, and is located in the metropolis of Montreal. It has a population of over 45,000 students. It is a very popular institution in Canada and it offers more than 650 undergraduate programs, including 71 doctoral programmes. official website: www.umontreal.ca

11.) Western University

The university is ranked number 144 in the world and it is located in the medium city of London, Ontario. The western university has over 33,000 students both local and international. Founded in 1863, the first four faculties were arts, Divinity, law and medicine. official website: www.uwo.ca

12.) University of Victoria

This institution was founded in 1963 and it is located in the small city of Victoria, British Columbia. it is ranked 149 in the world, with a population of fewer than 30,000 students. This institution is home to Canada’s first and only indigenous law degree program along with dedicated research centers for indigenous and environmental law.  Official website: www.uvic.ca

13.) Queen’s University

The queen’s university is located in Kingston Ontario. Founded in 1841, this school admission rate range is 40% – 50% making this Canadian higher education organization an averagely selective institution. It has over 20,000 students both local and international. Official websites: www.queensu.ca

14.) University of Laval

This university is ranked 192 in the world and it was established in 1852. It has over 40,000 students and its selection admission policy is based on entrance examinations and previous academic records. It is located in Quebec City, Quebec. Official website: www.ulaval.ca

15.) Toronto Metropolitan University

This university is located in the metropolis of Toronto. This institution was established in 1948 and has a large enrollment of over 20,000 students both local and international. This university operates seven academic divisions/faculties, the faculty of arts, the faculty of community services, the faculty of engineering, the faculty of science, the creative school, the Lincoln Alexander school of law, and the ted rogers school of management. Official website: www.torontomu.ca

16.) University of Guelph

This public institution was founded in 1964, and it is located in Ontario. It has a large enrollment rate of over 25,000 students. This comprehensive public research university employs 830 full-time faculty staffs as of 2019, and it offers 94 undergraduate degrees, 48graduates programs, and 6 associate degrees in many different disciplines.  Official website: www.uoguelph.ca

17.) Carleton University

The Carleton university is located in Ottawa. Founded in 1942, with over 30,000 students enrolled. Its admission selection is strictly based on academic records and grades. This institution is a dynamic research and teaching institution with exciting programs and strong community of staff, faculty and students.  Official websites: www.Carleton.ca

18.) Dalhousie University

This institution is located in the city of Halifax, nova scotia. It is a prestigious university in Canada and it was founded in 181. It is ranked 268 in the world ranking and has a large enrollment of over 15,000 students. This university offers more than 4,000 courses, and 180 degree programs in 12 faculties and is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada.  Official websites: www.dal.ca

19.) University of Saskatchewan

The university of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatchewan. This is institution was founded in 1907 and has over 20,000 students both local and international. It is ranked 278 in the world ranking. This university is one of the top research –intensive, medical doctoral universities in Canada, and is home to world leading research in area of global importance, such as water and food security and infectious disease Official website: www.usask.ca

20.) University of Ottawa 

The university of Ottawa Canada is a highly rated institution and has a large enrollment of over 45,000 students. Founded in 1848, this university is ranked 279 in the world ranking and also provides different scholarships for both local and international students. It is located in Ottawa, Ontario. Official website: www.ottawa.edu

21.) Concordia University

This institution was founded in 1974 and it is located in the metropolis of Montreal, Quebec. It has a selective admission policy which is based on students’ past academic records and grades. It has a large enrollment rate of over 45,000 students, providing scholarship opportunities for both international and local students. Official website: www.concordia.ca

22.) University of Manitoba

The university of Manitoba was established in 1877 and it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Canada. It is ranked 314 in the world ranking and it has over 25,000 students enrolled. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment and also scholarship programs. It is located in Winnipeg. Official website: www.umanitoba.ca

23.) Universite du Quebec a Montréal

One of the ten provincial public universities in Quebec. It was founded in 1969, and it is located in the metropolis of Montréal Quebec. It is officially recognized by the ministry of education Canada and it has a large enrollment of over 40,000 students both local and international. This French speaking institution is managed by six faculties namely: Arts, Education, communication, political science, law, science and social sciences. Official website: www.uquam.ca

24.) Memorial University of Newfoundland

This university is located in the small city of St john’s Newfoundland and Labrador. This institution is ranked 408 in the world ranking and it has over 15,000 students enrolled. it is officially recognized by the department of advanced education, skills, and labor. This university offers certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and post graduate programs, as well as online courses. Official website: www.mun.ca

25.) University of Sherbrook

This university was founded in 1954 and it has a branch campus in Longueil. It has a large enrollment of over 40,000 students both local and international, and it is ranked 566 in the world ranking. This institution is located in Sherbrook, Quebec and it is affiliated with the Christian-catholic religion.  Official website: www.usherbrooke.ca

26.) University of New Brunswick

This institution is an award-winning, prestigious university in Canada. Established in 1785, it ranked 576 in the world ranking and has an enrollment range of over 10,000 students. Its scholarship program is open to international students from all around the world. Notable alumni of this university are sir john Douglas Hazen, frank McKenna, Biane higgs etc. Official websites: www.unb.ca

27.) Brock University

The brock university is located in the city of St Catherine, Ontario. It ranked 613 in the world ranking and has a branch campus in Hamilton. It has over 10,000 students both local and international and it is officially recognized by the ministry of education, Canada. This university is the only university in Canada in a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Official website: www.brocku.ca

28.) Wilfrid Laurier University

This university was founded in 1911, and it is located in the city of waterloo, Ontario. This university has a branch campus in Brantford, which is officially recognized by the ministry of training, colleges, and universities of Ontario. It has a large enrollment of over 10,000 students. Official websites: www.wlu.ca

29.) University of Windsor

The university of Windsor is ranked 675 in the world ranking and it was established in 1857. This prestigious institution is located in the city of Windsor, Ontario, and it has over 18,000 students both local and international. Its scholarship and fellowship programs are open to both local and international students. Official website:  www.uwindsor.ca

30.) University of Regina

This university is located in the small city of Regina, Saskatchewan. Established in 1911, this prestigious university has over 13,000 students and it is accredited and officially recognized by the ministry of education. Its selective admission process is based on students’ past admission records. Official websites: www.uregina.ca

31.) University of Lethbridge

This university is ranked 790 in the world ranking and it is located in the city of Lethbridge, Alberta. this prestigious also has branch campuses in the following locations: Calgary, Edmonton. Which are officially recognized by the university of advanced education of Alberta. It has over 8,000 students both local and international. Official website: www.ulethbridge.ca

32.) British Columbia Institute of Technology

The institute is ranked 826 in the world ranking and it is located in the small city of Burnaby, British Columbia. It has a large enrollment of over 15,000 students and it offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s degrees in several areas of study. Official website: www.bcit.ca

33.) Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal

This institute was founded in 1873. It is one of the oldest institutes in Canada, and it is located in the metropolis of Montreal, Quebec. This institute has been officially recognized by the ministry of education. it has a small range of over 4,000 students. Official website: www.polymtl.ca

34.) University of Winnipeg

The university of Winnipeg is located in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Established in 1871, this institution is ranked 938 in the world ranking and has a medium enrollment of over 8,000 students. This university also provides several academic and non-academic facilities for students. Official website: www.uwinnipeg.ca

35.) Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi

One of the ten provincial public universities in Quebec. This institute is ranked 1005 in the world ranking and 35 in the country ranking. Established in 1969, this French-speaking university is located in the city of Chicoutimi, Quebec. It has a medium size enrollment of 6,000 students both local and international. Official websites: www.uqac.ca

36.) HEC Montreal

This institution is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the metropolis of Montreal, Quebec. Established in 1907, this institution has over 10,000 enrolled students both local and international. This university is a university business school whose reputation is to train leaders in teaching and research. Official website: www.hec.ca

37.) University of Quebec

The University of Quebec is an umbrella system of ten provincially run public universities in Quebec, Canada established in 1968. It is located in the city of Quebec. It has a large enrollment of over 40,000 students both local and international and it is accredited and officially recognized by the ministry of education. it is ranked 1082 in the world ranking and 37 in the country ranking. Official website: www.uquebec.ca

38.) Trent University

The Trent university is located in the city of Peterborough, Ontario. Founded in 1963, this university has an enrollment of over 7,000 students. This institution has a selective admission policy which is based on students past academic records and grades. Trent University is currently ranked 1141 in the world ranking and 38 in the country ranking. Official website: www.trentu.ca

39.) Acadia University

The Acadia university is ranked 1163 in the world ranking and 39 in the country. Established in 1838, this prestigious institution is located in the town of Wolf Ville, Nova Scotia, and has a small enrollment of fewer than 5,000 students both local and international. Official website: www.acadiau.ca

40.) Lakehead University

The Lakehead university is located in the city of thunder bay Ontario. Founded in 1965, this university is ranked 1223 in the world ranking and 40 in the country ranking. This institution has over 7,000 enrolled students which are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in different areas of studying. Official websites: www.lakeheadu.ca