Top Universities in Canada for International Students: A Guide 2026

Canada has always been one of the most educated countries. Approximately 63 percent of young adults aged between 24 and 34 years have attained post-secondary education, and this makes Canada the second highest in OECD countries after South Korea. It is this good academic culture that makes the Canadian universities have worldwide recognition regarding the quality of teaching, research work, and support of students.

To Indian students and parents considering studying abroad, Canada has been found very attractive by the secure atmosphere, the availability of work after graduation and internationally recognised degrees. Canadian universities provide an ideal combination of both academic excellence and student-friendly living in their cutting-edge research laboratories to multicultural campuses.

These are the best universities in Canada that can be considered by international students and particularly by their Indian counterparts.

Top Universities in Canada

1. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto (U of T) is one of Canada’s most prestigious public research universities and a global academic powerhouse. It holds the #18 position according to the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Global Universities rankings.

Location:The main St. George campus sits in downtown Toronto. The university also operates two additional campuses in Mississauga and Scarborough.

Top Courses:The University of Toronto offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across disciplines. Some of its most sought-after courses include:

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Business Administration
• Medicine
• Law

Average Tuition Fees:

• Domestic students: CAD 6,000–15,000 per year
• International students: CAD 25,000–40,000 per year

Accommodation Expenses:

CAD 6,000 and CAD 12,000 per year on-campus

CAD 700 to CAD 2,000 per month off-campus

Student Population:

The university enrolls over 97,000 students, including more than 27,000 international students.

International Student Percentage:International students make up over 27% of the total student body.

Key Highlights:

• Member of the Association of American Universities (AAU)
• Alumni network of over 550,000 graduates worldwide
• Annual research funding exceeding CAD 2 billion

2. University of British Columbia (UBC)

The University of British Columbia is a leading public research university with campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna. Founded in 1908, UBC is ranked #35 globally by U.S. News & World Report 2026.

Location:

UBC’s main campus is located in Vancouver, a dynamic coastal city known for its high quality of life.

Top Courses:

UBC offers more than 200 programs. Popular fields include:

• Business Administration
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Forestry
• Medicine

Average Tuition Fees:

• Undergraduate:
• Domestic: CAD 16,000
• International: CAD 40,000
• Graduate:
• Domestic: CAD 18,000
• International: CAD 45,000

Accommodation Expenses :

• CAD 6,000 and CAD 12,000 per year on-campus
• CAD 700 to CAD 2,000 per month off-campus

Student Population:

UBC has over 60,000 students, with around 28% coming from outside Canada.

Key Highlights:

• Member of APRU and Universities Research Association
• Home to 8 Nobel laureates and 70+ Rhodes Scholars
• Alumni network of 400,000+ across 140 countries

3. McGill University

Located in Montreal, McGill University is one of Canada’s oldest and most respected institutions, established in 1821. It is widely recognized for its academic rigor and multicultural campus.

Location:

Montreal, Quebec — a bilingual, culturally rich city with over 4 million residents.

Top Courses:

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Law
• Engineering
• Business

Average Tuition Fees:

• Undergraduate (international): CAD 20,000–30,000 per year
• Graduate (international): CAD 25,000–35,000 per year

Accommodation Expenses :

• CAD 6,000 and CAD 12,000 per year on-campus
• CAD 700 to CAD 2,000 per month off-campus

Key Statistics:

• Total students: 40,000+
• International students: 32%
• Student-faculty ratio: 15:1
• Acceptance rate: 48%

4. University of Alberta

The University of Alberta UoA is a top-ranked public research university based in Edmonton and consistently places among the world’s top 150 universities.

Location:

Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city, with a population of over one million.

Top Courses:

• Nursing
• Petroleum Engineering
• Mining and Mineral Engineering
• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Instrumentation Science and Technology

Average Tuition Fees:

• Undergraduate: CAD 40,000 per year
• Graduate: CAD 20,000 per year

Accommodation Expenses :

• CAD 6,000 and CAD 12,000 per year on-campus
• CAD 700 to CAD 2,000 per month off-campus

Key Highlights:

• Total students: 40,000+
• International students: 37%
• Annual research funding exceeds CAD 500 million

5. McMaster University

McMaster University is a research-intensive public university located in Hamilton, Ontario, and frequently ranks among the top 100 universities worldwide.

Location:

Hamilton, Ontario — a growing city with over 500,000 residents.

Top Courses:

• Business
• Engineering
• Health Sciences
• Humanities & Social Sciences
• Science

Average Tuition Fees (Graduate):

• Domestic: CAD 30,992 per year
• International: CAD 42,992 per year

Accommodation Expenses :

• CAD 6,000 and CAD 12,000 per year on-campus
• CAD 700 to CAD 2,000 per month off-campus

Key Statistics:

• Total students: 35,500
• International students: 20%

Note - Choosing from a universities in Canada list is not just about rankings and courses, it’s also about affordability. The cost of rent, food, transportation, and daily essentials can vary widely across Canadian cities. Understanding the Living Expenses in Canada for International Students will help you plan your overall study budget more realistically and avoid financial surprises after arrival.

6. Université de Montréal (UdeM)

Université de Montréal is one of the largest French-language research universities in the world, with a strong global reputation.

Location: Montreal, Quebec.

Top Courses:

• Arts and Humanities
• Business
• Education
• Engineering
• Health Sciences

Average Tuition Fees (International): CAD 21,000–52,000 per year

Accommodation Expenses :

• CAD 6,000 and CAD 12,000 per year on-campus
• CAD 700 to CAD 2,000 per month off-campus

Key Highlights:

• Total students: 67,000
• International students: 25%
• Languages of instruction: French and English

7. University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo is globally recognized for innovation, research, and its highly respected co-op education system.

Location:

Waterloo, Ontario.

Top Courses:

• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Business
• Health Sciences
• Arts and Humanities

Average Tuition Fees :

• Domestic: CAD 10,000–15,000 per year
• International: CAD 25,000–35,000 per year

Accommodation Expenses :

• CAD 6,000 and CAD 12,000 per year on-campus
• CAD 700 to CAD 2,000 per month off-campus

Key Highlights:

• Total students: 30,000+
• International students: 22%
• Over CAD 200 million in annual research funding
• Strong paid co-op opportunities

8. University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is Canada’s largest bilingual university, offering programs in both English and French.Location:Ottawa, Ontario — Canada’s capital city.Top Courses:

• Engineering
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Education
• Arts and Social Sciences

Average Tuition Fees (International Engineering):

Around CAD 25,000 per year

Accommodation Expenses :

• CAD 6,000 and CAD 12,000 per year on-campus
• CAD 700 to CAD 2,000 per month off-campus

Key Statistics:

• Total students: 40,000+
• International students: 20%+
• Acceptance rate: 42%

9. Western University

Western University, located in London, Ontario, is a well-established public research institution with a strong academic reputation.Location:London, Ontario — one of the largest cities in the province.

Top Courses:

• Arts and Humanities
• Business
• Education
• Engineering
• Health Sciences

Average Tuition Fees:

• Undergraduate: CAD 20,000 per year
• Graduate: CAD 25,000 per year

Accommodation Expenses :

• CAD 6,000 and CAD 12,000 per year on-campus
• CAD 700 to CAD 2,000 per month off-campus

Key Highlights:

• Total students: 31,000+
• International students: 20%
• Acceptance rate: 58%
• Average GPA requirement: 85%

Conclusion

Canada stands tall as a global education hub, offering internationally ranked universities, world-class research facilities, and diverse academic programs. Many Canadian institutions boast Nobel laureates, influential alumni, and strong industry connections.For international students, Canada offers an excellent balance of quality education, reasonable tuition costs, and post-study opportunities. When choosing a university, it’s essential to align your academic interests, career goals, and budget.This guide to the best universities in Canada by international rankings aims to help you make an informed decision and take the next confident step in your study-abroad journey.

FAQs

What makes Canada a favorite study destination among Indian students?

Canada has world recognised degrees, secure cities, post-study working possibilities, and an accommodating environment to foreign students.

How much does it cost on average to study in Canada as an Indian?

The average cost of tuition is between CAD 15,000 and 35,000/per year depending on the university and program and not including the living costs.

Is research and innovation good in Canadian universities?

Yes, a lot of Canadian higher education institutions are members of the leading research networks in the world and are characterized by good cooperation with the industry.

Which are the cheapest  cities in Canada among the Indian students?

Cities such as Winnipeg, Edmonton, Halifax and Montreal are the cheaper ones than Toronto and Vancouver.

Are Indian students permitted to work part time in Canada?

No, the international students are eligible to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic session and full time during holidays.

Do Canadian universities require English proficiency on admission?

In most universities, it is mandatory that they show evidence of English proficiency by taking recognised tests, but different universities have different requirements.

What Canadian universities are the best in business and management studies?

York, UBC and McGill are well renowned universities with regard to business and management courses.

Are there scholarships to Indian students in Canadian universities?

Yes, there are several colleges that offer global students merit and need based scholarships.

Is long  term career development worth studying in Canada?

The attractive future in Canada is due to its good employment situation, work authorization after the study, and immigration opportunities.

At what time of the year are Indian students expected to apply to Canadian  universities?

Preferably, one should start the applications 10-12 months before the planned admission to prepare time to do exams, visas, and finances.