Compare the Best Universities to Study in Canada for International Students
Universities Ranking and International Student Reviews
Find out all you need to know about studying in Canada including the best universities and cities in Canada according to international students.
UniAdvisor provides ranking and reviews of the best universities in Canada based on international student experience, reviews and graduate jobs data.
Why Study in Canada?
There are approximately 100 universities in Canada - a similar number to the UK, and a much smaller number compared to the USA (which has over 4,000!). Canada is an extremely popular destination for international students for a number of reasons:
• It offers world-class education at a fraction of the cost of the US.
• It provides more flexibility in specialization compared to the UK.
• It has a diverse population and the potential to stay and work after studying.
As a country, Canada is enormous and home to both city and vast countryside. Many of the universities are very far from each other, although there are some clusters. This means that just because your friend is going to Canada doesn’t mean you’re likely to see them!
The cities that many universities are in (e.g. Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto) are widely conisdered to be some of the most pleasant ‘livable’ cities in the world.
Some Canadian universities are nowhere near cities and can be hard or expensive to travel to and from.
Canada can be seen as a hi-brid between the flexibility of the US univeristy system, and the specificity of the UK university system.
Canada’s university system is not centralised, so the requirements and deadlines will vary from province to province, as well as from university to university.
Every University is Different
In Canada, each university has its own entrance requirements and will assess you on an individual basis. However, graduation from a secondary school and good academic standing are typically the minimum requirements for undergraduate study. Below, we’ll talk about some general trends in Canadian university entry requirements, but because each university has their own method, it’s important to look them up and fully understand them before you apply.
High School Transcript/ Diploma/ IB/ A Level etc.
Canadian universities will generally accept international diplomas. In fact, high achievement on the IB Diploma can even translate to university credits. For the IB, most Canadian universities have similar requirements (at least three HL passes out of six passed subjects; a minimum number of diploma points ~28). However, for particular subjects, these requirements may be more stringent, or may have subject-related requirements.
Language Tests
You will need to prove your proficiency in English or French (depending on the language your university operates in. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and IELTS is a world-recognized language assessment to ensure you have the required English skills to survive in a English-only educational environment. If you’ve had English as your medium of instruction at high school, you can apply for a waiver, which would mean you don’t need to take this test - check with your college counsellor if you’re unsure (e.g.: If you recently transferred to an English or French-speaking international school).
Standardized Tests
As a rule of thumb, Canadian universities do not normally require SATs or ACTs, unlike their US counterparts. However, there are some exceptions, notably the University of Toronto. Because Canadian universities (like UK universities) admit students with different academic profiles and grades depending on the course/ program of study, some programs require higher scores in the SAT/ACT than others.
Provinces in Canada
Alberta is in the ‘prairies’ - like British Columbia, it borders the Rockies and therefore draws hikers and skiiers from all over the world (although this could be said for most of Canada). Similar to British Columbia again, Alberta has both metropolitan cities like Edmonton and Calgary, as well as picturesque natural beauties like Banff and Jasper.
British Columbia has both coastline and mountains, which is a big draw for adventurers. It has both big cities (Vancouver) and quaint old towns (Victoria), as well as a thriving wine region!
Manitoba is the polar bear campital of the world, and it’s one of the best places to see the Northern lights. Need we say more?
New Brunswick is very small and very close to the US state of Maine, meaning it has a beautiful coastline and connects to the Appalachian Range.
Newfoundland and Labrador is also relatvely small population-wise. It’s known for glaciers and whale-watching, and is another place where it’s possible to see the Northern Lights!
Nova Scotia is small but relatively populous. The province is known for its history, seafood and wildlife (puffins and seals).
Ontario is the most populated province in Canada. It boasts natural beauties such as Niagara Falls, as well as lakes and forests.
Prince Edward Island is very small in both size and population. It is known for its seafood and as the setting of the novel Anne of Green Gables!
Quebec is primarily French-speaking and has French-influenced culture and history. It is the largest province and second largest in terms of population size. Beautiful old architecture can be found in Montreal, and a step back in time to cobbled streets in Old Quebec.
Saskatchewan is landlocked, and is known for its rich agricultural industry. The province is known for hunting, fishing and hiking. The campus of Sasatchewan is considered one of the most beautiful in Canada.
