351 Best Universities & Colleges in Canada for International Students (2026)

Indian students are drawn to Canada for universities that combine strong research programs, paid co-op opportunities, and clear pathways to permanent residency. Choices are also influenced by province-wise tuition and living costs and PR-friendliness.

Here are a few reasons why many students choose Canada:

• Top Universities in Canada: You can choose McGill University (27), University of Toronto (29), University of British Columbia (40), and University of Alberta (90) when planning to study in Canada.
• Affordable Tuition Compared to the USA or UK: Undergraduate programs cost around CAD 20,000-45,000 per year (INR 13-29 lakh), and postgraduate programs range from CAD 18,000-55,000 per year (INR 12-36 lakh).
• Reasonable Living Costs: Students can manage living expenses with CAD 10,000-15,000 per year (INR 6.5-9.75 lakh) depending on the city.
• Post-Graduation Work Opportunities: International graduates can work in Canada for up to 3 years after finishing their studies, which helps gain work experience and potentially apply for permanent residency.

The top universities in Canada cover a wide range of subjects, including engineering, business, science, and healthcare, and attract students from across the world.

Below is a list of the top 10 universities in Canada according to QS Rankings 2026:

(Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-rankings)

Let’s get into the details of all 10 best universities in Canada listed above. We will discuss their tuition fee, acceptance rates, and more:

#27 McGill University

McGill University ranks first among the top 10 universities in Canada, and many international students choose it for its focus on medicine, life sciences, and economics. Being located in Montreal also gives students access to a bilingual and culturally active city.

• Acceptance Rate: 46.3
• Popular Programs: Medicine, Engineering, Life Sciences, Economics
• Tuition Fee (UG/PG): CAD 25,000-48,000 per year (₹16.25-31.2 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Jan 15 (UG), varies by subject for PG
• Useful Link:https://www.mcgill.ca/

#29 University of Toronto

Instead of focusing on a single field, the University of Toronto offers depth across almost every major discipline. It supports one of Canada’s largest research budgets and runs three campuses, each with a different academic focus.

• Acceptance Rate: 43%
• Popular Programs: Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Medicine
• Tuition Fee (UG/PG): CAD 45,000-60,000 per year (₹29.25-39 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Jan 15 for UG
• Useful Link: https://www.utoronto.ca/

#40 University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia appeals to students who want strong academics along with an outdoor-focused lifestyle. Its Vancouver campus is known for sustainability research and environmental studies, while its programs in engineering and science are popular.

• Acceptance Rate: 52.4%
• Popular Programs: Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, Life Sciences
• Tuition Fee (UG/PG): CAD 35,000-55,000 per year (₹22.75-35.75 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Jan 15 (UG), varies for PG
• Useful Link:https://www.ubc.ca/

#94 University of Alberta

The University of Alberta was founded in 1908 and is located in Edmonton, in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is a member of Canada’s U15 Group of Research Universities and is widely known for its work in energy research, health sciences, and artificial intelligence.

• Acceptance Rate: 52% for UG and 60% for PG
• Popular Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences, Business
• Tuition Fee (UG/PG): CAD 28,000-45,000 per year (₹18.2-29.25 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Jan 15 (UG), varies by program for PG
• Useful Link:https://www.ualberta.ca/

#119 University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo is counted among the best universities in Canada for students who want practical exposure along with academics. Its co-op system allows students to work in paid roles during their degree.

• Acceptance Rate: 53%
• Popular Programs: Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics
• Tuition Fee (UG/PG): CAD 40,000-65,000 per year (₹26-42.25 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Feb 1 (UG), varies for PG
• Useful Link: https://uwaterloo.ca/

#151 Western University

Western University counts Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro among its alumni, along with several Rhodes Scholars. It is one of the best universities in Canada, known mainly for business, medical sciences, social sciences, and law, with the Ivey Business School being one of its strongest academic units.

• Acceptance Rate: 58%
• Popular Programs: Business (Ivey), Medicine, Social Sciences, Law
• Tuition Fee (UG/PG): CAD 30,000-50,000 per year (₹19.5-32.5 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Jan 15 (UG), varies by program for PG
• Useful Link:https://www.uwo.ca/

#168 Université de Montreal

Students choose the University of Montreal for its wide range of French-taught programs and its strong reputation in health sciences and artificial intelligence research. The university enrols around 67,000 students in total, including more than 10,000 international students from over 140 countries.

• Acceptance Rate: 57%
• Popular Programs: Health Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Social Sciences, Business
• Tuition Fee (UG/PG): CAD 20,000-35,000 per year (₹13-22.75 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Feb 1 (UG), varies by program for PG
• Useful Link:https://www.umontreal.ca/

#173 McMaster University

If you are interested in health and science, McMaster University can be a good option. The university is well known for its problem-based learning model in both medicine and engineering.

• Acceptance Rate: 59%
• Popular Programs: Medicine, Health Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences
• Tuition Fee (UG/PG): CAD 35,000-55,000 per year (₹22.75-35.75 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Jan 15 (UG), varies by program for PG
• Useful Link:https://www.mcmaster.ca/

#191 Queen's University

Queen’s University offers a more traditional campus experience with smaller class sizes. It is listed among the top universities in Canada for business and engineering programs, and is known for its close alumni network.

• Acceptance Rate: 35%
• Popular Programs: Business, Engineering, Law, Arts & Sciences
• Tuition Fee (UG/PG): CAD 35,0000-55,000 yearly (₹22.75-35.75 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Jan 15 (UG), varies for PG
• Useful Link:https://www.queensu.ca/

#211 University of Calgary

The University of Calgary was founded in 1966 and is located in Calgary, close to Canada’s energy and innovation hub. It is known for strong programs in engineering, energy studies, business, and health sciences, with a clear focus on applied research.

• Acceptance Rate: 10-20%
• Popular Programs: Engineering, Energy Studies, Business, Health Sciences
• Tuition Fee (UG/PG): CAD 25,000-40,000 per year (₹16.25-26 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Jan 15 (UG), varies by program for PG
• Useful Link: https://www.ucalgary.ca/

Canada has 19 universities ranked in the global top 550 for engineering, with the University of Toronto leading the country at QS Engineering Rank 17 in 2025.

Here is the list of the top engineering universities in Canada based on QS Engineering Subject Rankings:

Canada places 4 business schools within the global top 100 MBA rankings, and they remain popular for their strong employability outcomes.

Below is a list of the top MBA universities in Canada as per QS Global MBA Rankings:

These are some of the top universities in Canada for management, ranked within the global top 200, led by UBC’s Sauder School of Business at QS Management Rank 35 in 2026.

As per QS Business Master’s in Management Rankings 2026, the leading management universities in Canada are listed below:

Admission to Canadian universities focuses more on academic performance and high test scores in IELTS/TOEFL.

Most institutions look for a balanced profile and the following criteria:

Eligibility Criteria

Universities first check if your education level matches the program.

• For bachelor’s degrees: You must complete senior secondary school with the required subjects and passing marks.
• For master’s degrees: You need a recognised bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Subject background: Courses like engineering and science usually need maths or related subjects to be studied earlier.
• Work experience: Management and MBA programs in Canada prefer students with one to three years of job experience.
• Co-op eligibility: Some programs offer co-op options for international students, which require maintaining full-time student status and sometimes additional documentation.

Entrance Exams

Some programs ask for exam scores to understand your academic level.

• SAT or ACT: Required by a few universities for undergraduate courses. SAT scores range from 1200 to 1450, while ACT scores range from 26 to 33.
• GRE: Asked mainly for engineering and science master’s programs. Accepted scores usually fall between 300 and 325.
• GMAT: Most business schools look for scores between 550 and 700.

English Language Requirements

You must show that you can study in English without difficulty.

• IELTS: The best universities in Canada accept an overall score between 6.5 and 7.0.
• TOEFL iBT: Accepted scores usually range from 85 to 100.
• Duolingo English Test: Many universities accept scores between 110 and 125.

Documents Required 

Your application is reviewed mainly through these documents.

• Academic transcripts: Mark sheets and certificates from school or college showing all subjects and grades.
• SOP: A short note explaining why you chose the course and how it fits your future plans.
• LOR: Written by teachers or employers to explain your skills and learning ability.
• Resume or CV: A simple summary of your education, projects, internships, and work experience.
• Passport: Important for identity verification.
• Proof of funds (GIC for Indian students applying via SDS): For eligible Indian students, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate must be shown to cover the first year of living expenses.

On average, undergraduate programs in Canada cost between CAD 20,000 and CAD 45,000 per year (₹13 lakh to ₹29.25 lakh), while postgraduate programs range from CAD 18,000 to CAD 55,000 per year (₹11.7 lakh to ₹35.7 lakh).

Below are the approximate numbers of Canadian universities falling into different tuition fee ranges:

Note: All INR conversions are approximate, calculated at ₹65 = 1 CAD.

Canada provides a mix of government-funded and university-level scholarships to support international students with tuition and living costs. 

Below we have listed some popular scholarships in Canada, along with who can apply and how much funding they offer:

You need to consider factors like course quality, career opportunities, and tuition fees when choosing from the 300+ universities in Canada.

The key factors to consider when finalising a university in Canada:

• Program Strengths: Look for Canadian universities that are highly ranked or known for your chosen field, whether it’s engineering, business, or the arts.
• Tuition and Living Costs: Compare total costs, including tuition, housing, and other living expenses, as these can vary across cities.
• Post-Study Work Opportunities: Consider whether the university supports international students with co-op programs or connections to Canadian companies.
• Research and Lab Facilities: For STEM students, check if the university has strong research labs, funding, and collaboration opportunities.
• Location and Lifestyle: Think about the city’s climate, safety, transport, and cultural environment to ensure it fits your lifestyle.

Finding the best university in Canada can be tricky with so many choices and varying programs. Students often get confused about which universities offer strong courses in their field and which locations balance the cost of living with opportunities. Taking the time to research each option carefully can make the whole process smoother and less stressful.

Yocket Premium helps students cut through the confusion by offering tailored university suggestions, detailed program insights, and scholarship information. You can track application deadlines, compare universities, and even reach out to alumni for guidance.