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13 Top Public Universities In Canada: Top Courses, Tuition Fee, Admission Process & More

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It's no surprise that many overseas students pick Canada as their destination for higher education. 28 Canadian universities are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2023. The country offers great quality and variety, with 15,000 academic programs offered by 96 public universities in Canada. Apart from the traditional in-class lectures, public universities employ a variety of practical teaching and training methods. 

It includes research-based projects, internships, group activities, one-on-one mentoring, etc. This helps you implement the concepts you learn, thereby making you stand out in employability assessments. This blog details the top Canada public colleges wherein you can choose to pursue the course of your choice. 

Table Of Contents

Top 13 Public Universities In Canada

31 universities of Canada are listed among the best educational institutions by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023. We have chosen the top 13 public universities in Canada based on the quality of education, student-tutor ratio, international student experience, and employability score, amongst several other factors. We have detailed them below.

1. University of Toronto

University of Toronto is one of the top universities in the world for research opportunities 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 undergraduate levels. International students who are willing to study in the 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.

University of Toronto World Ranking 2024

34

QS World University Ranking 2023

34

Course Duration

1-4 years

Course Offered

M.Eng in Civil 

Master of Nursing

MBA

BBA, etc

Average Tuition Fee

13,650 CAD/8,36,000 INR-63,768 CAD/39,05,700 INR per annum

2. University of Waterloo

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.

University of Waterloo World Ranking 2024

154

Course Duration

1-3 years

Course Offered

Master in Civil Engineering

PhD in Civil Engineering

Bachelor in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor of Computer Science, etc

Average Tuition Fee

45,000 CAD/27,56,100 INR-66,000 CAD/40,42,300 INR for two terms

3. York University

York university is one of the cheap public universities in Canada for international students and 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.

York University World Ranking 2024

456

Course Duration

1-3 years

Course Offered

Master of Finance

BBA

MBA

B.E in Computers

M.A. in Economics, etc

Average Tuition Fee

38,000 CAD/23,27,400 INR-100,500 CAD 61,55,365 INR per annum 

4. Queen’s University

Queen’s university is one of the top universities in Canada, with a total number of 25,260 students from over 100 countries. It is highly opted for public relations courses in Canada.  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.

Course Duration

2-5 years

Course Offered

LLM

M.Sc in Cancer Research

PhD in Neuroscience, etc

Average Tuition Fee

55,567 CAD/33,39,408 INR per annum

5. McGill University

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.

McGill University World Ranking 2024

31

Course Duration

2-5 years

Course Offered

Masters in Civil Engineering

Bachelor in Accounting

Bachelor in Computer Science, etc

Average Tuition Fee

883.23 CAD/54,095 INR-900.38 CAD/55,145 INR per credit

6. Western University

Western University 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, child and youth development, neuroscience, global health equity and social innovation, wind engineering and, among others. 

Western University World Ranking 2024

172

Course Duration

1-3 years

Course Offered

Master of Professional Education

B.Sc in Financial Modelling

Master of Data Analytics, etc

Average Tuition Fee

12,196 CAD/7,47,000 INR-11,70,800 CAD/7,17,11,000 INR per annum  

7. University of Ottawa

University of Ottawa 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.

University of Ottawa World Ranking 2024

237

Course Duration

1-3 years

Course Offered

B.Sc in Statistics

M.A. in Economics

Master in Computer Science

B.Sc in Nursing, etc

Average Tuition Fee

14,600 CAD/8,94,000 INR-77,345 CAD/47,37,000 INR per annum  

8. Trent University

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.

Course Duration

1-3 years

Course Offered

BBA

Postgraduate Certificate in Marketing and Entrepreneurship

B.Sc in Biomedical Science, etc

Average Tuition Fee

19,110 CAD/11,70,500 INR-26,209 CAD/16,05,200 INR per annum  

9. Dalhousie University

Dalhousie university falls under the list of public universities in Canada. It has a diverse mix of students worldwide, 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 limitations as per immigration regulations.

Dalhousie University World Ranking 2024

308

Course Duration

1-3 years

Course Offered

B.Sc in Nursing

Master in Computer Science

BBA, etc

Average Tuition Fee

14,564 CAD/8,92,000 INR-41,830 CAD/25,62,000 INR per annum

10. University of Regina

University of Regina is ranked number one among comprehensive universities in international research collaboration by Resource Infosource Inc. It tops the list of list of public colleges in Canada for research-intensive courses. 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. 

University of Regina World Ranking 2024

1001-1200

Course Duration

1-3 years

Course Offered

Bachelor of Health Studies

Bachelors in Finance

Bachelor of Human Resource Management, etc

Average Tuition Fee

27,780 CAD/17,01,450 INR-36,114 CAD/22,11,900 INR per annum

11. University of New Brunswick

University of New Brunswick has campuses in Saint John and Fredericton. It falls in the list of top Government universities in Canada. It has the best student-to-faculty ratio in Canada and is known to offer excellent academic value for international students. Upon completion of course, you will be able to utilize the job placement opportunities to work at some of the best companies in the world.

University of New Brunswick World Ranking 2024

701-750

Course Duration

1-3 years

Course Offered

Master of Applied Cyber Security (MACSec)

Master of Computer Science (MCS), etc

Annual Tuition Fee

13,747 CAD/8,34,700 INR-26,381 CAD/16,00,770 INR per annum

12. Conestoga University

Conestoga University is one of the fastest-growing public universities in Canada with low tuition fees. It is ranked one of the top universities for applied research in Canada and is in the Canada public colleges list. The courses are inclined to make the students job-ready so you will receive hands-on training through projects and other activities throughout your course of study.

Course Duration

1-4 years

Course Offered

Computer Application Security (Optional Co-op)

Bachelor in Computer Application, etc

Annual Tuition Fee

For Non-Co-op – 17,262 CAD/ 10,46,800 INR per annum

For Co-op - 18,130 CAD / 10,99,420 INR per annum

13. University of Windsor

University of Windsor has some of the best tutors in Canada which is why it is one of the best public colleges in Canada for international students. The award-winning and globally recognised tutors impart practical education that develops the skills and enhances the knowledge to implement the concepts in real-life. Lab activities, group and one-on-one mentorship, internship will mould you to stand apart in the professional market.

University of Windsor World Ranking 2024

751-800

Course Duration

1-4 years

Course Offered

Honours Certificate Civil

Master of Data Analytics

MBA, etc

Average Tuition Fee

23,036 CAD/13,90,000 INR-55,658 CAD/34,08,900 INR per annum

 

Also Read

 

How to shortlist a university?

Are you eligible to study in Canada? Find out here

Admission Process In Public Universities In Canada

As an international student you must follow the admission process to enroll and study at a public university in Canada. The procedure might be slightly different at every university, but a few steps remain the same across all public universities in Canada. We have listed them below for your reference.

  • Log on to the official website of the public university you want to study in Canada.
  • Check the details of the course you want to study in Canada.
  • Select the in-take and load the student application form.
  • Fill the online form.
  • Attach the documents required by the university to evaluate your application.
  • Pay the application fee on the university website if enquired and submit your application.
  • After careful evaluation, if your application is accepted by the university you will receive an offer letter from that public university in Canada.
  • Apply for Canadian student visa.

Wrapping up 

You are now equipped with all the basic information about all the top Canada public colleges. You can check the university's official website to select the course and specialization you want to study based on your educational goals. It is crucial to choose the right specialization in order to ensure that the course curriculum fulfils your study requirements. Certain Canadian universities also offer elective subjects through which you can customize your course curriculum. You can utilize this benefit to be laser-focused towards your educational goals. If you require help choosing the best public universities in Canada for the right course and specialization you want to pursue, connect with our Yocket counsellors today!

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Top Public Universities In Canada

What does public university mean in Canada?

What is the difference between public and private universities in Canada?

What are the advantages of public universities for international students?

Is there a free university in Canada?

Which are the cheap public universities in Canada?

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