Top Ranked Universities in Canada 2024
Canada is one of the most sought after countries for study abroad options for international students and is home to several leading universities in the world. According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, some top universities in Canada are University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Montreal, McMaster University and many more.
All aspiring candidates are required to appear for English proficiency exams like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo English Test and other entrance exams such as GRE/GMAT and SAT.
According to the Reuters report, there were more than 800,000 foreign students with active visas in Canada in 2022. The top subjects/industries for international students in Canada are Commercial Banking, Finance, Technology, Research, Entertainment, Economics, Trade and many more.
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Top Universities in Canada: Highlights 2023
Usually, the duration of regular undergraduate
Canada is one of the most sought after countries for study abroad options for international students and is home to several leading universities in the world. According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, some top universities in Canada are University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Montreal, McMaster University and many more.
All aspiring candidates are required to appear for English proficiency exams like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo English Test and other entrance exams such as GRE/GMAT and SAT.
According to the Reuters report, there were more than 800,000 foreign students with active visas in Canada in 2022. The top subjects/industries for international students in Canada are Commercial Banking, Finance, Technology, Research, Entertainment, Economics, Trade and many more.
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Top Universities in Canada: Highlights 2023
Usually, the duration of regular undergraduate courses in most of the top-ranked universities in Canada is of 3-4 years and graduate and post-graduate courses is of 2 years.
The application deadline for winter enrolment in majority of the universities in Canada is around September 1st. Whereas, summer enrolments starts around January 15. Usually there are 3 intakes for university admissions in USA and these are; Fall(September), Winter(January) and Summer(May).
PARAMETERS |
STATISTICS |
Number of universities in Canada |
100+ |
Cost of courses in Canada |
Annual tuition fee: UG - INR 12.9 L - 48.5 L PG – INR 5.2-59.2L Annual living costs: INR 3.5L – 11.5L |
Top subject areas |
Commercial Banking, Finance, Technology, Research, Entertainment, Economics, Trade and more |
Entrance exams required |
|
English proficiency exams required |
|
Work permit required in Canada |
1-2 years |
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Top-ranked Universities in Canada:
QS World University Rankings is a globally recognized top university ranking body that publishes annual rankings of universities on the basis of eight key indicators like Employability, ROI, Entrepreneurship and Alumni outcomes, Thought leadership, and Class & faculty diversity and new parameters like sustainability, employment outcomes and international research network. There are other renowned ranking bodies like US News and World Report that rank universities on Alumni giving rate average, Class size, Graduation rate performance and more.
Given below is the list of top Universities in Canada as mentioned in the prominent rankings.
University |
QS Global Rankings 2024 |
U.S. News and World Report Rankings 2023 |
#21 |
#18 |
|
#30 |
#54 |
|
#34 |
#35 |
|
#111 |
#136 |
|
#112 |
#191 |
|
#114 |
#300 |
|
#141 |
#156 |
|
#182 |
#175 |
|
#189 |
#138 |
|
#203 |
#215 |
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Top Universities in Canada: QS World University Rankings
In the QS World University Rankings, it can be observed that University of Toronto is best university in Canada position and McGill University as well as University of British Columbia have constantly retained their position in the top universities in Canada.
University |
QS Global Rankings 2024 |
QS Global Rankings 2023 |
QS Global Rankings 2022 |
#21 |
#34 |
#26 |
|
#30 |
#31 |
#27 |
|
#34 |
#47 |
#46 |
|
#111 |
#110 |
#126 |
|
#112 |
#154 |
#149 |
|
#114 |
#172 |
#170 |
|
#141 |
#116 |
#111 |
|
#182 |
#242 |
#235 |
|
#189 |
#152 |
#140 |
|
#203 |
#237 |
#230 |
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Top Universities in Canada: Admission Requirements
The exact admission requirements for the universities in Canada differ according to university of choice. However, there are some basic entry requirements for admission into best universities in Canada.
Admission requirements for undergraduate course in a university in top-ranked university in Canada are:
- Transcript
- Standardized test scores
- SAT or ACT
- English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, PTE Academic)
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Copy of valid passport
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Admission requirements for graduate course in a university in top-ranked university in Canada are:
- Academic transcripts from bachelor’s degree studies
- Test scores
- GRE/GMAT
- TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, or PTE Academic
- Statement of purpose
- Research proposal
- Recommendations from professors
- Copy of your valid passport
- Proof of finances — unless you apply separately for assistantships or fellowships, you will need to show funding to cover the full cost of your education (subtracting any available scholarships)
- 3-5 years of work experience
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Check out the table below to have a general idea of the eligibility requirements required to study in Canada.
University |
English Proficiency Exam Score |
Admission Requirements |
IELTS: 6.5-7.5 TOEFL: 100.0 & Above Duolingo: 120.0 & Above |
GRE/GMAT: Accepted SAT: Accepted |
|
IELTS: 6.5-7.5 TOEFL: 90.0-100.0 PTE: 65.0 & Above |
GRE/GMAT: Accepted SAT: Accepted |
|
IELTS: 6.5-7.5 TOEFL: 80.0-100.0 PTE: 65.0 & Above |
GRE/GMAT: Accepted SAT: Accepted |
|
IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 90.0 & Above PTE: 61.0 & Above |
GRE/GMAT: Accepted SAT: Accepted |
|
IELTS: 7.0-7.5 TOEFL: 90.0-100.0 PTE: 63.0-68.0 |
GRE/GMAT: Accepted SAT: Accepted |
|
IELTS: 6.0-8.0 TOEFL: 83.0-107.0 Duolingo: 115.0 & Above PTE: 58.0 & Above |
GRE/GMAT: Accepted SAT: Accepted |
|
IELTS: 6.5 & Above |
GRE/GMAT: Accepted SAT: Accepted |
|
IELTS: 6.5-7.5 PTE: 59.0-75.0 TOEFL: 86.0-105.0 |
GRE/GMAT: Accepted SAT: Accepted |
|
IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 86.0-92.0 PTE: 63.0-70.0 |
GRE/GMAT: Accepted SAT: Accepted |
|
IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 86.0 & Above PTE: 60.0 & Above |
GRE/GMAT: Accepted SAT: Accepted |
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Top Universities in Canada: Scholarships Offered:
Opting to study abroad is a major step that student take for their career and managing the expenses including the tuition fee and living costs play a deciding factor in this decision. Here is where scholarships dive in and help students study in their dream college by cutting down a portion of their expenses. Here are some scholarships offered by the top universities in Canada that are available for international students:
- Shastri Research Students Fellowships
- Hani Zeini Scholarship
- Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
- International Major Entrance Scholarships
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Top Universities in Canada: Visa Requirements
All international students require a Canada Student Visa in order to study in a university in Canada. All candidates aiming for studying in Canada university must follow the proper application process to apply for Canadian Student Visa. Additionally, students are required to pay the visa application fee, as applicable.
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Top Universities in Canada: Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate and average GPA play a very crucial role when it comes to university admissions and applicants must keep them in mind before applying in a university. Given below are the acceptance rate as well as the average GPA required for top universities in Canada:
University |
Acceptance Rate |
Average GPA |
43% |
3.0 GPA |
|
46.3% |
3.2 GPA |
|
52.4% |
3.0 GPA |
|
58% |
2.8 GPA |
|
53% |
3.7 GPA |
|
58% |
3.0 GPA |
|
57% |
3.3 GPA |
|
63% |
3.0 GPA |
|
58.7% |
3.7 GPA |
|
35% |
3.0 GPA |
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Is studying at Top Universities in Canada expensive?
According to the table given below, the average annual tuition fee for UG courses in top Canadian universities is nearly 25-30 Lakh and for PG courses, it is above 30 Lakh. Hence, studying in a top-ranked Canadian university can be considered expensive.
University |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
Cost of Living (Approximate) |
UG: INR 35.7 L - 40.1 L PG: INR 15.3 L – 78.3 L |
INR 11L |
|
UG: INR 16.2 L - 40.2 L PG: INR 11 L - 52.9 L |
INR 5.5L |
|
UG: INR 25.2 L - 35.4 L PG: INR 5.6 L - 45.5 L |
INR 10L |
|
UG: INR 16.9 L - 26.2 L PG: INR 5.3 L - 59.2 L |
INR 6L |
|
UG: INR 25.7 L - 40.5 L PG: INR 9.4 L - 39.6 L |
INR 6.5L |
|
UG: INR 22.2 L - 33.1 L PG: INR 7.9 L - 34.1 L |
INR 13.5L |
|
UG: INR 12.9 L - 15.7 L PG: INR 6.5 L - 17.8 L |
INR 3.5L |
|
UG: INR 12.4 L - 21.5 L PG: INR 5.2 L - 33.7 L |
INR 8L |
|
UG: INR 25.5 L - 37.8 L PG: INR 7 L - 58.9 L |
INR 7.5L |
|
UG: INR 22.2 L - 48.5 L PG: INR 9.2 L - 40.5 L |
INR 11.5L |
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Top Universities in Canada: Salary
The salary offered by any university determines the Return on Investment (ROI) that students get as a placement offer in return for investing some amount of money to attend a college and eventually, for the completion of a degree. Mentioned below are the average placement salary offered to students at the top universities in Canada along with the first-year tuition fees.
University |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
Average Salary |
UG: INR 35.7 L - 40.1 L PG: INR 15.3 L – 78.3 L |
CAD 104,622 |
|
UG: INR 16.2 L - 40.2 L PG: INR 11 L - 52.9 L |
CAD 27,103 |
|
UG: INR 25.2 L - 35.4 L PG: INR 5.6 L - 45.5 L |
CAD 231,730 |
|
UG: INR 16.9 L - 26.2 L PG: INR 5.3 L - 59.2 L |
CAD 126,370 |
|
UG: INR 25.7 L - 40.5 L PG: INR 9.4 L - 39.6 L |
CAD 67,000 |
|
UG: INR 22.2 L - 33.1 L PG: INR 7.9 L - 34.1 L |
CAD 146,152 |
|
UG: INR 12.9 L - 15.7 L PG: INR 6.5 L - 17.8 L |
CAD 47,430 |
|
UG: INR 12.4 L - 21.5 L PG: INR 5.2 L - 33.7 L |
CAD 170748 |
|
UG: INR 25.5 L - 37.8 L PG: INR 7 L - 58.9 L |
CAD 134,159 |
|
UG: INR 22.2 L - 48.5 L PG: INR 9.2 L - 40.5 L |
CAD 57,822 |
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Top Universities in Canada: Post-work Study Permit
Post-work study permit is one of the most crucial factors for students aiming to pursue higher studies in Canada. In Canada, a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) may be valid anywhere between eight months and up to three years. The length of permit depends upon the length of the study program completed in Canada and cannot be longer than the length of degree of choice. All students who have graduate from a designated learning institution and want to stay in Canada temporarily to work are eligible for post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
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Top Universities in Canada: A Comparison
Check out a comprehensive comparison of the top universities in Canada:
University |
Current Year Ranking (QS Global MBA Rankings 2024) |
Placement Data |
Acceptance Rate |
University of Toronto |
#21 |
CAD 104,622 |
43% |
McGill University |
#30 |
CAD 27,103 |
46.3% |
University of British Columbia |
#34 |
CAD 231,730 |
52.4% |
University of Alberta |
#111 |
CAD 126,370 |
58% |
University of Waterloo |
#112 |
CAD 67,000 |
52.4% |
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