Looking for the best schools to study in Canada as an international student can be very daunting. You need to decide the kind of school you want to study in Canada and the next step is choosing where to apply. Canada has one of the best study destinations for international students in the World.
Why is Canada always attracting students from all countries in the world? The answer is simple: Canada is home to most of the top universities and colleges in the world. Furthermore, the cost of living and the affordable cost of studying in Canada along with the straightforward visa process makes the admission process easier for international students. Being a country with such a friendly atmosphere for students regardless of their nationality, color or race makes it a safe Heaven for International students to pursue their higher education.
There are a number of factors you need to consider to make the right choice. While there are no specific rules for choosing a college or university in Canada, this post can help make the process easier for you.
In this post, I will show you the Top 10 schools in Canada to consider as an international student.
Top Colleges to consider
Here are some top Canadian schools to consider as an international student
1. Concordia University
Brought forth by the merger of two main universities, Sir George Williams University and Loyola College, Concordia University was established in 1974. The University is a public research university located at the heart of the world-class city of Montreal, Canada. Concordia University is recognized for its flexible approach to learning, and for its commitment to examining societal issues from a broad perspective through its teaching and research. The university is among the top universities and institutes in Quebec and in Canada for international and domestic students alike.
The university is committed to innovation, creativity, and brilliance in the education sector. The university comprises multiple faculties and includes the faculties of Arts and Science, Fine Arts, the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, the John Molson School of Business, a School of Graduate Studies, and a Centre for Continuing Education. Concordia University has nearly 48,000 students pursuing their educational and research goals at the university (2018), making the university among the most sought-after in the country.
Concordia University is spread across two campuses, Loyola Campus and Sir George Williams Campus, with the latter being considered the main campus. The university is distinguished by its four faculties, a graduate school numerous centers, colleges, and institutes.
2. University of Victoria (UVic)
The University of Victoria (UVic) is a leading public research university in Canada. The origin of the university dates back to 1903 when it was referred to as Victoria College. Popularly known as UVic, the university is situated in the city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.
The university has specialized in eight areas of research that include culture and creativity, climate and energy, health and life sciences, data science and cyber-physical systems, ocean science and technology, global studies and social justice, mathematics, and computer science, and indigenous research. Further, the university has partnered with the government, industries, and research organizations for research and development initiatives. The University of Victoria is on the mission to tackle world problems through technology and social development.
3. University of Waterloo (UWaterloo)
The University of Waterloo is a public research institution that came into existence in the year 1957. In the early 1960s, Waterloo became one of the first universities in the world to give undergraduate students access to state-of-the-art computers. Waterloo offers more than 100 undergraduate degrees along with 190 graduate programs. In addition, the University has 6 faculties and 12 faculty-based schools to administer its academic programs. Located in the heart of Canada’s technology hub, the University offers a great platform for graduates to deepen their work-based learning. This university was also one of the first to introduce the ‘co-op’ or the co-operative programme outside of engineering. Co-op programmes combine classroom teaching with practical training methodologies.
Waterloo’s main campus is in Ontario, covering around 1000 acres of land. It also operates three satellite campuses in Canada and four affiliated university colleges including Conrad Grebel University College, Renison University College, St. Jerome’s University, and St. Paul’s University College.
4. York University
Back in 1959, the York University Act led to the establishment of a non-denominational institution called York University. It takes the third spot among the largest universities of Canada and became an independent unit in 1965 while being affiliated with the University of Toronto in its initial years.
When York University came into existence, the York Board of Governor decided that there would be a residential college named Glendon College. Earlier, the university emphasized on liberal education in arts and science but it paved way for three additional faculties that include education, engineering, and medicine by the late 60s. Today, York University is home to around 55,700 students and 7,000 faculties and staff across the world. This school is highly recommended for international students who intended to study in Canada.
5. University of Windsor
The University of Windsor is a public research university situated in Windsor, Canada. Being the southernmost university in Canada, it was established in the year 1857. The university offers 190 undergraduate degrees and 65 graduate and doctoral degrees across nine faculties including the Faculty of Education, Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Law, Nursing, Science, Human Kinetics, and Odette School of Business. The research faculty of the university has spread its focus over health, entrepreneurship, and natural science research.
The campus is located close to the United States covering 51 hectares of land and adjacent to the residential neighborhood. Some of the academic programs including the Executive and Professional Education program and Social Work are moved to the downtown core. The CAW Student Center houses the bookstore and food court to cater to the student’s needs. Further, St. Denis Center at the southern end of the campus is home to athletic and recreational facilities including the weight room and swimming pool for students.
6. McGill University
Established in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canada’s top-ranked medical doctoral university. It has been consistently ranked as one of the best universities worldwide. With students from 150 countries, it is one of the most diverse educational institutes. Out of its 41,000 students, 12,800 or 31% are international students. It is an open research university with the highest percentage of Ph.D. students in any Canadian research university. Also, international students have their own international student association at the university. The university boasts 400+ programs through its 50 research centers and institutes. The main campus of the university is located in downtown Montreal that is considered one of the most friendly cities for the international student population.
7. University of Toronto (U of T)
The University of Toronto, since its inception in 1827 has developed into Canada’s leading institution of learning, it represents a historic building of over 100 years old discovery and knowledge creation. The university proudly boasts to be one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, driven to invent and innovate. UToronto, as it is famously called is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen’s Park. It is a global leader in research and teaching and has a significant footprint, both in Canada and around the world which makes it one of the best schools to study as an international student. With some of the most celebrated architecture and beautiful green spaces in the Greater Toronto Area and Mississauga, UToronto offers an extraordinary environment in which to learn and work. Its campuses are situated in one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments.
8. The University of British Columbia (UBC)
Established in 1908, the University of British Columbia is an open research university. Based on the founder of the university, Henry Marshall Tory, a medal of his name was brought into existence in 1941. Recently, the university is recognized as the most international university in North America. It has a motto that says, “It is Yours”. This motto was declared in 1915 and commits to support innovation of ideas, discovery, and learning. The motive is to encourage the students and create new concepts that bring remarkable changes to the world. By the 20th century, the university began to offer a degree in the field of nursing, agriculture, and engineering. Also, it introduced the American model of specialization and a research thesis.
Located in Point Grey, the university comprises two campuses, one in Vancouver and the other in Okanagan.
9. University of Alberta (UofA)
Established in 1908, the University of Alberta is a public research university that is located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The university offers a range of academic and professional programs leading to undergraduate and graduate-level credentials, along with a strong focus on research. The university has 18 faculties which are further divided into schools that teach various courses/subjects.
The University of Alberta, Canada, comprises five campuses, including North Campus, South Campus, Campus Saint-Jean, Augustana Campus, and Enterprise Square. Located on the banks of the River North Saskatchewan, North Campus is the main campus that is spread across 200 acres of land.
10. University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba is the oldest university in Western Canada and one of the country’s top research institutions. We have more than 29,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and more than 145,000 alumni living in 140 countries. Located in the heart of Canada, the province of Manitoba is known for its pristine nature, beautiful landscape, vibrant culture, and friendly people.
It is no news that Canada is one of the best Study and work destinations. There are many world-class schools in Canada to study as an international student and you can get confused not knowing which one to choose. Canada is also a good place to study if you are looking for a cheap school to study. I believe that the information shared in this post will help you make a well-informed decision.