It's no surprise that so many overseas students pick Canada as their destination for higher education. 26 Canadian universities are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2022, including three in the top 60. The country offers great quality and variety, with 15,000 academic programs offered by 96 public universities in Canada. Small universities with intimate learning settings to huge research-intensive universities with world-class reputations make up our higher learning institutions. Across a wide range of programs graduates develop their critical thinking, research, and leadership abilities. So, Let’s take a look over at the public universities in Canada for international students.
Table of Contents: |
Top 10 Public Universities in Canada
Many of Canada's universities are known for supporting international cooperation and recruiting international students and faculty, so you can expect a cosmopolitan culture on campus. Listed below are some of the best public universities in Canada.
University of Toronto is a world’s top research-thorough university, driven to create and innovate. This multi-campus university provides education to over 93,000 students with over 23,000 international students and also offers 980 programs at the graduate and under-graduate levels. International students who are willing to study in this best public universities in Canada will have the opportunity to learn from work with outstanding thought leaders through a multidisciplinary network of teaching and research faculty.
Location |
Toronto, Canada |
Application Fees |
180 CAD |
Courses Offered |
Master of Nursing, B.S.C Data Science, MBA, BBA, B. Com, M.A Economics, Master of Architecture |
Tuition Fees |
58,160 CAD to 66,110 CAD |
Suggested: Complete guide to pursue Masters in Canada for international students!
The University of Waterloo is one of the first universities in the world to give undergraduate students access to state-of-the-art computers. It is one of the top public universities in Canada offering 100 undergraduate degrees along with 190 graduate programs with an excellent academic syllabus and goes the further mile to make sure its students are well- prepared to challenge the unsettling tasks of the real world.
Location |
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada |
Application Fees |
125 CAD |
Courses Offered |
Bachelor in Statics, B.C.S, M.A Economics, Master of Taxation, Master of Architecture, Master of Management Science, B.A.Sc. Electrical Engineering |
Tuition Fees |
40,900 CAD to 61,300 CAD per year |
Suggested: Study in Canada after 12th for international students!
It is one of the cheap public universities in Canada for international students and a home to 28 research centres and 11 faculties. It includes Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, Faculty of Science, Glendon College, Schulich School of Business, Lassonde School of Engineering, Faculty of Education and among others. The university features a great platform and innovative educational opportunities for international students to succeed well in their expressive careers.
Location |
Toronto, Canada |
Application Fees |
130 CAD |
Courses Offered |
Master of Finance, M.B. A, B.B.A, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, B.Eng. Computer Engineering, M.A Economics, B.S.C Bio Technology |
Tuition Fees |
29,000 to 37,000 CAD |
Queen’s university is one of the top universities in Canada, with a total number of 25,260 students from over 100 countries. It offers many undergraduate degree programs, over 125 graduate courses, and more than 140 online courses in its 8 faculties and schools. The university welcomes and supports students from all countries and backgrounds to a safe, vibrant and supportive community.
Location |
Ontario, Canada |
Application Fees |
Undergraduate program: 156 CAD Graduate program: 110 CAD |
Courses Offered |
Executive MBA, Bachelor’s in software design, Master of Finance, B.S.C in Psychology, MBA, Bachelor of Computer Science |
Tuition Fees |
Bachelor’s program: 28,000 CAD Master’s program: 22,000 CAD |
McGill University is Canada's top ranked university known for offering the best medical institutes in Canada. It offers different undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various subjects, such as business analytics, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, architecture, chemistry and anthropology. The university claims to have 400+ programs through its 50 research centres and institutes.
Location |
Montreal, Canada |
Application Fees |
125.71 CAD |
Courses Offered |
M.A Economics, B.Eng. Civil Engineering, Master of Computer Science, B.com Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, B.Sc. Computer Science |
Tuition Fees |
18,000 CAD to 50,000 CAD |
It is one of the affordable public universities in Canada that focuses on research-oriented tasks and has united with different universities and institutes for integrated programs. The university permits research in areas including musculoskeletal health, sustainability and green energy, materials and biomaterials, child and youth development, neuroscience, global health equity and social innovation, environmental imaging, philosophy of science, wind engineering and, among others. It also ensures cross-disciplinary participation of students in diverse extra-curricular activities to raise their talents and develop team soul.
Location |
London, Ontario, Canada |
Application Fees |
125 CAD |
Courses Offered |
Master of Professional Education, Bachelor of Engineering Science, Masters of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Financial Modelling, Master of Data analytics |
Tuition Fees |
36,155 CAD to 49,971 CAD |
It is the public universities in Canada for international students offering a wide variety of academic programs through its multiple faculties which are well-regarded for their quality of education and ranking in respective fields including faculty of science, faculty of engineering, faculty of law, faculty of health sciences, Telfer school of management and among others. The university has approximately 8,332 international students from 150 countries, accounting for 30% of the student population.
Location |
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
Application Fees |
100 CAD |
Courses Offered |
B.Sc. Statistics, M.A Economics, B.Sc. Computer Science, Master of Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, M.Sc. Management, MBA |
Tuition Fees |
26,000 CAD |
Trent university is one of the cheapest public universities in Canada for international students offering certificate, degree, diploma and knowledge in diverse fields like accounting, anthropology, arts and science, African studies, archaeology and biology. It also supports international students by providing facilities in terms of academics, finances, housing and health insurance.
Location |
Peterborough, Canada |
Application Fees |
Research programs: 100 CAD Professional programs: 125 CAD |
Courses Offered |
BBA, Postgraduate certificate marketing and entrepreneurship, B.Sc. Biomedical Science, Postgraduate certificate human resource management, M.Mgmt |
Tuition Fees |
21,385 CAD – 24,000 CAD |
Dalhousie is a public university in Canada, having a diverse mix of students around the world, with over 115 countries signified. The university offers 147 undergraduate degrees and diplomas, 84 graduate programs, and 7 professional programs. To work while studying in Canada this university permits international students to work in limitation as per the immigration regulations.
Location |
Halifax, Canada |
Application Fees |
70- 115 CAD |
Courses Offered |
B. Com, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Computer Science, M.Sc. Business, Bachelor of Management, BBA, B.com International Business |
Tuition Fees |
12589,62 CAD to 43624.34 CAD |
University of Regina is ranked number one among comprehensive universities in international research collaboration by Resource Infosource Inc. It offers 120 UG programs and 78 PG Degrees in over 15 disciplines, which include social work, health, business administration, engineering, media, and many more. International students from about 90 countries are studying in this university, which covers 17.7% of the total student population.
Location |
Regina, Canada |
Admission Fees |
75 CAD |
Courses Offered |
Executive MBA, BBA, Bachelor in Psychology, Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Health studies, Bachelors in Finance, Bachelor of Human resource management, Master of Nursing |
Tuition Fees |
154,215 CAD - 181,095 CAD |
Above are the mentioned public universities for international students following the Canadian education system. You’ll see that the cost can vary from city to city, both for tuition fees and other accommodation services. So, if you’re functioning on a tight budget. Explore various scholarship opportunities for international students in Canada to make your study abroad dream come true.
Frequently Asked Questions about Top Public Universities in Canada
Ques. What does public university mean in Canada?
Ans. Public universities in Canada are Govt. subsidized, like there are many top government universities in Canada. Whereas, private universities in Canada rely on different factors to cover up operating costs.
Ques. What is the difference between public and private universities in Canada?
Ans. Public universities & colleges in Canada are higher education institutes that are funded by state governments. On the other hand, private universities and colleges rely on students’ tuition fees and grants to fund their academic programs.
Ques. What are the advantages of public universities for international students?
Ans. The advantages of public universities are:
- Large student populations
- Major academic programs
- Student activities
- Amazing networking opportunities
- Student resources
Ques. Is there a free university in Canada?
Ans. There is no free university in Canada for international students. However, a student can look for various scholarship options offered by universities to cover the complete cost of studying and living in Canada.