Thanks for visiting TopUniversities.com today! So that we can show you the most relevant information, please select the option that most closely relates to you.
Your input will help us improve your experience.You can close this popup to continue using the website or choose an option below to register in or login.
Already have an account? Sign in
Save
Top Universities in Canada by Province 2013/2014
By Laura Bridgestock
Updated March 5, 2016 Updated March 5, 2016To see the updated version of this article, for 2014/15, click here.
If you’re looking to study at one of the top universities in Canada, there’s a fairly strong chance you’ll have considered studying in either Toronto or Montréal. One Anglophone and one Francophone, these are the two largest cities in Canada, and both offer an impressive selection of world-leading universities – including Canada’s two highest-ranked, the University of Toronto and McGill University.
More broadly, the provinces within which Toronto and Montréal are based – Ontario and Quebec – each boast an extensive selection of world-class universities. However, this eastern side of Canada doesn’t have a complete monopoly on high quality higher education. Indeed Canada’s third highest-ranked university, the University of British Columbia, is way over on the west coast, in Vancouver.
Here’s a quick overview of the top universities in Canada by province, based on the QS World University Rankings® 2013/14.
Top Universities in Ontario
Ontario has rather a lion’s share of the top universities in Canada. Towards the east of the country, it’s Canada’s second largest province by area and most populous by far, home to around 40% of Canadians. It’s also home to Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, and the country’s largest city, Toronto. The latter is known for its international diversity, thriving cultural scene, busy financial district – and strong selection of universities.
The top universities in Ontario are:
Top Universities in Quebec
To the north of Ontario, Quebec is Canada’s largest province by area, second largest by population, and the only province in which French is the sole official language. The province capital is Quebec City, and largest city is Montréal – the second largest city in Canada, and dubbed its ‘Cultural Capital’. Montréal is home to several of the best universities in Canada, including the world-famous McGill – until recently the country’s highest-ranked, but narrowly overtaken by the University of Toronto in the QS World University Rankings 2013/14.
The top universities in Quebec are:
Top universities in British Columbia
Canada’s westernmost province, British Columbia (or BC) is popular among snowsports fans, as the home of Whistler Blackcomb, North America’s largest ski resort. While not quite offering the same number of world-class universities as Ontario or Quebec, it does boast three entries within the QS World University Rankings. These include one institution in province capital Victoria and two in largest city Vancouver – a particularly attractive study destination for those keen to combine city life with close proximity to both coast and mountains.
The top universities in British Columbia are:
Top universities in Alberta
East of British Columbia, Alberta is the most populous of Canada’s three ‘prairie provinces’. Its capital, Edmonton, and largest city, Calgary, are each home to one of Canada’s top-10 universities. Calgary in particular has a reputation for being a pleasant place to live, having been named one of the world’s cleanest cities and a leader on environmental sustainability. Edmonton’s claims to fame include North America’s largest mall, and a year-round cultural program which justifies its nickname ‘the Festival City’.
The top universities in Alberta are:
Other top universities in Canada
Given that Ontario and Quebec are home to the largest segments of the Canadian population, it’s unsurprising that these two provinces are Canada’s leaders when it comes to universities. As detailed above, British Columbia and Alberta also have strong offerings – and there are also several other Canadian provinces with at least one university ranked among the world’s best.
Here, then, are the best of the rest:
This article was originally published in October 2013 . It was last updated in March 2016
Want more content like this Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed.
The former editor of TopUniversities.com, Laura oversaw the site's editorial content and student forums. She also edited the QS Top Grad School Guide and contributed to market research reports, including 'How Do Students Use Rankings?'
+ 1 others
saved this article
+ 2 others saved this article
Share via
Share this Page
Our expert teams can help start your academic journey by guiding you through the application process.
Related Articles Last year
The world's top 100 universities
Top universities in France
Ranked: The top 100 universities in the USA
Top 10 universities in India
Top universities in the UK
Top universities in Australia
Most Shared Last year
The world's top 100 universities
Ranked: The top 100 universities in the USA
QS World University Rankings methodology: Using rankings to start your university search
Top universities in the UK
Top universities in Australia 2021
Top 10 universities in London
Most Read Last year
The world's top 100 universities
Ranked: The top 100 universities in the USA
Top universities in the UK
Top universities in Canada
Top universities in Australia 2021
Top 10 universities in London