Which Canadian City is the Best for Study?

Based on a Shiksha Study Abroad poll, Toronto is the most preferred Canadian city by Indian students. Followed by Vancouver, Ottawa, and Montreal. Key factors include quality education, job opportunities, cultural diversity, and student-friendly environments in each city.

There is no doubt that Canada is a popular study destination among Indian students. A strong economy, multiple top universities and immigrant-friendly policies are the key reasons to study in Canada. There are multiple student cities in Canada, such as Toronto and Vancouver, but which city attracts them the most? To understand students’ aspirations, we conducted a poll asking, "Which Canadian City Would You Love to Study in?”.

61% of total respondents mentioned that Toronto is their first choice. The poll result is really interesting. It will help you understand the recent trends and which city in Canada students want to study in. In this article, we will break down the poll results in easy words and the reasons behind choosing the option.

Canada Student City Poll Results

A total of 433 students participated in this Shiksha Study Abroad poll. This is offering their valuable insights. With this detailed breakdown of poll results, you can understand the mood of new students, current trends and priorities among those aspiring to pursue higher education in Canada.

This result clearly shows that Toronto is the top choice as a Canadian study destination, with 61% of votes, followed by Vancouver with 17% of votes. Interestingly, the race for third and fourth place was a close call. Ottawa secured 12% of the votes, which is slightly more than Montreal's 10%.

Toronto

A lot of students choose Toronto for so many reasons, and each one makes the city feel special. You get great education, big job chances, friendly cultures, and easy travel around the city. So let’s talk about these things in simple way.

You already know that Toronto is home to some of Canada’s universities, the University of Toronto (U of T), York University, and Toronto Metropolitan University. These places offer many in-demand courses, good research options, and very strong teaching quality. That’s why so many students feel Toronto is a big center for learning. You can also see more details in the top universities in Toronto list.

Vancouver

Around 17% of students said they want to study in Vancouver, because the city gives a mix of good education and beautiful nature. Vancouver has top universities, University of British Columbia (UBC)) and Simon Fraser University (SFU). Both of these universities offer many courses for international students. You can check out some of the top universities in Vancouver to know more.

Vancouver is also known as one of the most livable cities in the world. Students get a very high quality of life here. But you should remember that cost of living in Vancouver is a bit high, especially the accommodation part.

Ottawa

Almost 12% of students said they wish to study in Ottawa, which is the national capital of Canada. Ottawa is one of the safest big cities, so students feel secure and comfortable here. But safety is not the only reason students choose this city.

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) and Carleton University are two well-known universities in the city. Ottawa also gives many career options. Since it is the capital, you can find internships and jobs in public administration, law, policy, and similar fields because the Canadian federal government works from here.

Ottawa is also a bilingual city, where people speak both English and French. International students can learn both languages, which makes them more valuable in the Ottawa job market.

Montreal

Nearly 10% of students want to study in Montreal universities. The QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2025 says Montreal is the best student city in Canada and #10 in the world. Montreal is Canada’s second-largest city with around 3.6 million people and the biggest city in Quebec.

Best Student Cities in Canada 2026