Top Universities in Canada

26 universities in Canada are featured among the world’s best in the edition of QS World University Ranking. Three  are in the global top 100, the other nine Canadian universities are ranked in the top 300. Here are the worlds top 11 universities of Canada.

1.University of Toronto

The University of Toronto, Established in 1827, is one of the best top ten universities, is up two places at 25^th in the world this year. The  University has around 102,431 enrolled students, with 91,245 full-time equivalent enrollments at its 3 campuses in Toronto and is known for its research innovations, such as the discoveries of insulin and stem cells.

2.McGill University

McGill University is an English-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821 by royal charter, the university bears the name of James McGill, a Scottish merchant, whose bequest in 1813 established the University of McGill College. McGill University has approximately 39,000 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students. Specifically, there are about 27,000 undergraduate students and 10,000+ graduate students. A significant portion of the student body, around 27%, is international, with over 12,000 international students from 147 countries. This university is 29th ranked in the world universities

3.University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is ranked 38^st in the world this year but remains the third-highest-ranked university in Canada. It is located in Vancouver and Kelowna in British Columbia, In 2025, The University of British Columbia (UBC) has a total enrollment of around 72,692 students across its Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. This includes both undergraduate and graduate students. Specifically, UBC Vancouver has 60,944 students, and UBC Okanagan has 11,748 students. A UBC PAIR report notes that UBC welcomed nearly 73 thousand students in the 2024-25 academic year. adding  17,225 international students from 162 countries.

4.University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo, founded in 1957, located in Ontario, now ranked 115th in the world this year is one of the youngest of these top universities in Canada. Today it has 37,726 students, with 41% of its graduate students coming from outside Canada.

5.The University of Western

The University of Western Ontario, founded in 1878,  is located in London, Ontario, ranking 120nd in the world alongside Belgium’s University of Antwerp. Previously known as the University of Western Ontario, the university now has around 42,148 students. This includes 5,720 international students from 126 countries. Western is also known as one of Canada’s largest universities. 

6.Université de Montréal

Université de Montréal, established in 1878 is Canada’s highest-ranked Francophone university, ranking 159^th in the world and one of the top 10 employers in the Montreal region. It is one of the most active Canadian universities in research, with research revenue of more than half a billion dollars. Université de Montréal (UdeM) has over 69,000 students.

7.McMaster University

The McMaster University, founded in 1887 in Toronto but relocated to Hamilton, Ontario in 1930, is ranked 176nd this year in the world. McMaster is home to 70 research centers and institutes and is particularly known for its medical school.

8.University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is a vital, engaged, and vibrant center for human understanding and advancement — offering a superior educational experience. Credit goes to our staff, faculty, and students, across all departments, services, and faculties and to our partners in the public and private sectors. Their work on the issues facing society, and their commitment to delivering a learning experience of the highest caliber, are why the University of Ottawa is gaining increasing recognition for research and academic excellence, and for our positive contribution to the local community and the country at large. The University is always interested in receiving applications from those who wish to join its academic staff. Although applications cannot be accepted for a specific position once the deadline has passed, your application will be retained for future postings.

9.Queen’s University at Kingston

Queen’s University at Kingston, commonly known as Queen’s University or simply Queen’s, is a public research university in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Queen’s holds more than 1,400 hectares of land throughout Ontario and owns Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England

10.University of Calgary

The University of Calgary, founded in 1966, now ranked 198nd in the world in 2025, down on last year but it’s a top-10 Canadian university. The  university has 5 campuses, adding one in Qatar, and has been the birthplace of several significant inventions, including the neurochip

11.University of Alberta

The University of Alberta was founded in 1908, South Korea’s Korea University is ranked 98^th in the world and is mainly based in the city of Edmonton. The university educates around  over 46,201 students from 150 countries and has an annual impact of CA$ $19.4 billion on Alberta’s economy.