The 10 Best Universities in Canada for 2020

An illustration of an international student sitting on a bench outdoors, studying at a Canadian academic institution.

It’s that time again! Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has released its annual World University Rankings for 2020. QS used six simple metrics to determine a university’s overall performance.

The metrics are as follows:

  • Academic Reputation (40%)
  • Employer Reputation (10%)
  • Faculty/Student Ratio (20%)
  • Citations per faculty (20%)
  • International faculty ratio/International student ratio (5% each)

Overall, 26 Canadian universities landed on the World University Rankings for 2020, which includes 1,001 universities from around the world. While you can find a full list of the 26 universities here, these are the 10 best universities in Canada for 2020.


Photograph of Queen's students

Courtesy of Queen’s University.

10. Queen’s University

Global Rank: 239

Located in beautiful Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s University held steady as the 10th best university in Canada and 239th in the world. One of Canada’s oldest universities, Queen’s ranks 4th among medical-doctoral universities in Canada and is a highly regarded research institution.

Want to learn more? Read our partner school spotlight on Queen’s.

A modern glass-fronted university building rises up out of a group of leafy trees. (University of Calgary)

Image Credit: Jgcab, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

9. University of Calgary

Global Rank: 233

The University of Calgary is one of Canada’s top five research universities, with 77 Canada Research Chairs and 85 research buildings. Alberta’s largest public university also scores high for its enterprising campus atmosphere and international faculty.

 

Aerial photo of Western University campus

Courtesy of Western University

 

8. Western University

Global Rank: 211

London, Ontario’s Western University rose three spots to 211th in the world. One of the reasons for this is Western achieves the highest score among Canadian universities for the citations per faculty member indicator (77th). Western also has three programs – Nursing, Philosophy, and Psychology – that rank among the Top 50 programs in the world.

Want to learn more? Read our partner school spotlight on Western.

A landscape view of modern university buildings (lots of steel and glass)

Image Credit: Victor Vucicevich, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

7. University of Waterloo

Global Rank: 173

Like Western, the University of Waterloo is ranked in the top 100 globally for the citations per faculty member indicator. UW is recognized as one of Canada’s most innovative universities over the past 25 years and has one of the largest co-op education programs in the world.

A red brick building at the back of a lush green lawn, framed by leafy green trees (Edwards Hall, McMaster University)

Image Credit: jockrutherford from Owen Sound, ON, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

6. McMaster University

Global Rank: 140

Hamilton, Ontario’s McMaster University climbed six spots in the world rankings (140th) and is regarded as the 6th best university in Canada for 2020. McMaster is known for its prestigious medical school. However, it’s also one of Canada’s top three research-intensive universities and is the only Canadian host of a United Nations University – The Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

A young man and a woman walk on a busy cobblestone street in Montreal, Quebec.

Image Credit: Pedro Szekely from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

5. Université de Montréal

Global Ranking: 137

The French-speaking Université de Montréal jumped quite a bit in this year’s rankings – it’s up one spot among Canadian universities and 12 spots in the world rankings(137th). The university ranks among the global top 100 institutions in the field of life sciences and medicine, and its pharmacy and pharmacology schools are 48th in the world.

Curious about studying in Montreal? Here are some great reasons to try it!

A tall, modern concrete building on the University of Alberta campus

Image Credit: WinterE229 WinterforceMedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

4. University of Alberta

Global Ranking: 113

Located in the city of Edmonton, the University of Alberta is one of Canada’s top-ranked universities thanks in large part to its research focus and a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs. QS ranks the university high in academic reputation and international education, with over 7,800 international students in its student body.

 

A skyline view of a mix of university buildings, framed by a clear blue sky and red and green foliage. (UBC)

Image Credit: jimmy thomas from Seattle, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

3. University of British Columbia

Global Ranking: 51

As Western Canada’s highest-ranked institution, the University of British Columbia is also among QS’ Top 100 universities in the world. QS gives special attention to UBC’s geography, mineral and mining engineering, and sports-related programs. However, employer reputation and overall academic reputation also help put UBC into Canada’s Top 3.

Intent on the West Coast but keeping your options open? These six Vancouver institutions should be on your list.

A winter view of the McGill University campus in Montreal

Image Credit: Laslovarga, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2. McGill University

Global Ranking: 35

In this year’s rankings, Montreal’s McGill University tied with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for the 35th best university in the world. McGill’s high ranking is partly based on its international education standing, as international students account for close to 25% of the university’s total student population.

A snowy landscape, with university and downtown office buildings on the horizon. (Toronto in winter)

Maksim Sokolov (Maxergon), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1. University of Toronto

Global Ranking: 29

The birthplace of insulin and stem cell research, the University of Toronto nabs the #1 spot. Tied for 29th in the world, alongside the Australian National University, U of T has the highest scores among Canadian universities for academic and employer reputation. The University of Toronto has over 74,000 students, making it Canada’s largest university.


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