Universities and Colleges in Canada - Ranking, Courses & Cost

Home to around 600,000 Indian students, Canada is one of the hottest study abroad destination for international students, housing some of the best universities in the world, with the likes of University of Toronto, University of British Columbia & McGill University all ranking among the top 50 universities in the world. Canada is known for offering a high standard of living, a diverse and inclusive environment, affordable education & a higher ROI, thus, it comes as no surprise why most Indian students are usually so eager to pack their bags. 

International students planning to study in Canada are now required to maintain a minimum bank balance worth CAD 22,895 (INR 15.17 L), to apply for the Canada Study Visa, per a latest press release by the Canadian Government. Earlier this figure used to be CAD 20,635 (INR 12.93 L).  The minimum funds required are subject to change depending on family size & the location where students opt to live over their studies. The change comes into effect from Sep 1 2025, for all international students planning to pursue their higher education in the country. 

Here’s all you need to know about Studying in Canada

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Why Study in Canada?

Each year thousands of international students from all over the world come to study at various Canadian universities. Canada offer various scholarships and work opportunities to help you with your education. Top universities in Canada are known globally for their high-quality education and research. A few of the reasons to study in Canada for Indian students include the presence of world-class universities, cultural diversity, affordable education, vibrant campus life, etc. Below are top reasons why Canada could be a dream destination for students-   

• Top Ranking Universities- As per the QS World University Rankings 2026, the three top uni in Canada are in the top 50 universities in the world.  
• English Taught Programs- Some top best universities in Canada offer all its programs in English which makes it easier for international students. 
• Affordability- Tuition fee for most courses in Canada is lower compared to USA, UK, Australia, etc. Also there are more chances to get granta and scholarships in Canada. 

To know more about the same, check out: Canada Student Visa Guide

Top Courses to Study in Canada 

The popular courses in Canada are Engineering, Healthcare & Medicine, Business Management, Law, HR Management, Architecture, etc. Below is a list of the top colleges in Canada offering various courses.  

Top Courses	Count of Universities
UG Diploma	98
BBA	94
BSc	84
BA	83
BTech	83
UG Certificate	71
MS	63
PG Certificate	58
MBA/PGDM	56

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Top Universities in Canada 

Canada is home to some of the most highly-ranked and top-rated universities of the world. There is a high demand for various courses to study in Canada for international students due to the country being home to some top colleges. According to QS Rankings, metrics on which the universities are ranked are Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty/Student Ratio, Citations per faculty and International Faculty Ratio.

Here we have given a list of top ranked universities in Canada by QS World Ranking 2026 and Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026-.  

University	QS World Ranking 2026	Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026
University of Toronto	#29	#1
McGill University	#27	#2
University of British Columbia	#40	#3
University of Alberta	#94	#4
McMaster University	#173	#5
University of Waterloo	#119	#6
University of Montreal	#168	#7
University of Calgary	#211	#8
Western University	#151	#9
University of Ottawa	#219	#10

Best Engineering Universities in Canada 

Canada has some of the best universities/colleges in the world for engineering. Here we have listed some of the top colleges in Canada for Engineering based on QS World University Subject Rankings 2025. 

University	QS - Engineering & Technology 2025
University of Toronto	#17
University of British Columbia	#31
McGill University	#45
University of Waterloo	#47
University of Alberta	#112
University of Montreal	#133
University of Calgary	#192
Queen’s University at Kingston	#207
McMaster University	#227
Western University	#257

Best Universities in Canada for Business & Management 

Canada is known for its high-quality education and top-graded Business and Management schools. Here we have listed some of the top colleges in Canada for Business and Management based on the QS World University Subject Rankings 2025:

University	QS - Business and Management 2025
University of Toronto	#33
University of British Columbia	#49
McGill University	#60
Western University	#86
University of Montreal	#108
University of Alberta	#149
Queen’s University at Kingston	#151-200
York University	#151-200
University of Calgary	#251-300

Admissions Requirements for International Students in Canada 

International students applying for Canadian universities need to meet both the course-specific and general admission requirements. The admission requirements will vary from university to university. Here we have given the general admission requirements for international students applying for Canadian universities. 

• Completed application form 

• Academic transcripts of class 12 

• Bachelor’s degree (for master courses) 

• GRE/GMAT 

• English Language proficiency 

• Resume 

• Work Experience 

• Must be enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) 

• Must provide proof of financial ability to pay your tuition fees, living expenses & that of any other visiting family member 

• Obey the law, & have no past criminal record 

• Must be in good health & clear a medical exam (if asked) 

• Prove to relevant authorities that you will leave the country, post the expiry of your student visa  

Entrance Exams Accepted by Universities in Canada 

International students must meet the minimum requirements of Canada universities in globally accepted entrance exams. Top Universities in Canada may ask to submit scores of GRE and GMAT including English language proficiency for their postgraduate courses.  

Entrance Exam	Count of Universities
GRE	34
GMAT	34

English Language Requirements by Universities in Canada 

Canada is an English-speaking country, and universities in Canada require international students to prove their proficiency in the English language. Here we have given some English language exams accepted by some most prestigious universities in Canada. 

English Language Exams	Count of Universities
IELTS	175
TOEFL	170
PTE	160
Duolingo	145

Cost of Studying in Canada 

The cost of studying in Canada for Indian students will include the tuition fees and accommodation costs. On average, students need INR 30 Lakh - INR 40 Lakh to study in Canada. However, the starting tuition fee can be around INR 10 lakh. The cost of living and tuition fee will depend on various factors such as program and location of accommodation. 

The tuition fees for international students at public universities in Canada may vary from those of domestic students. Also, the tuition fees for international students will depend on the type of course and level of study. 

First-Year Tuition Fee Range	Count of Universities
Max INR 10 L	105
Max INR 20 L	169
Max INR 30 L	175
Max INR 40 L	175
INR 40 L+	17

Did you know? Studies in Canada just became more affordable than ever before. 

Cost of Living in Canada 

The cost of living in Canada will depend on the type of accommodation and location of your accommodation. Here is a requirement for a minimum bank balance for a Canada student visa. As per Numbeo, an Indian student requires around INR 88 K - INR 1.71 L per month for living expenses. 

Expenses in Canada	Monthly Cost
Accommodation	CAD 700 – CAD 1,500 (INR 44.9 K – INR 96.3 K)
Food & Groceries	CAD 200 - CAD 400 (INR 12.8 K – INR 25.6 K)
Transportation	CAD 80 - CAD 150 (INR 5.1 K – INR 9.6 K)
Utilities	CAD 150 - CAD 300 (INR 9.6 K – INR 19.2 K)
Personal Expenses	CAD 100 - CAD 300 (INR 6.4 K – INR 19.2 K)

Did you know? Studies in Canada just became more affordable than ever before. 

Check out the video below to know more:

Scholarships in Canada

Top universities in Canada offer several scholarships to Indian students. Some scholarships are given by the university itself, meanwhile, some are given by external funding agencies. Here we have given some of the most popular scholarships given by top universities in Canada.

University Name	Name of Scholarship
University of Manitoba	International Undergraduate Student Bursary International Undergraduate Student Scholarship
University of Toronto	Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program – Bachelors in Engineering Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program – BA in Architecture
York University	Presidential International Scholarship of Excellence The Goldberg Leadership Award of Excellence

Job Opportunities after Studying in Canada 

As per Statistics Canada reports, the weekly salary in Canada is CAD 1,290 (INR 85 K approx). As per Glassdoor.com, the average salaries in Canada ranges between CAD 40 K - CAD 73K (INR 26.49 L to INR 48.35 L) per year. The fast-growing industries in Canada are Technology, Agriculture, Healthcare, and Real Estate.  

High-Paying Jobs in Canada	Average Annual Salary in CAD	Average Annual Salary in INR
Physician	CAD 202,689	INR 1.34 Cr
Anesthesiologist	CAD 212,643	INR 1.40 Cr
Surgeon	CAD 240,877	INR 1.59 Cr
Psychiatrist	CAD 155,337	INR 1.02 Cr
Software engineering manager	CAD 144,258	INR 95.56 L
Chief marketing officer	CAD 141,496	INR 93.73 L
Cardiologist	CAD 102,545	INR 67.93 L
Orthodontist	CAD 73,409	INR 48.63 L

Kanishka Gambhir02-17-2026 12:31