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New data from The IRCC (department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) revealed that, as of 31 December 2020, there were 530,540 international students holding Canadian study permits. If we keep in mind the global pandemic, this number is huge.
A survey conducted by the Canadian Bureau For International Education revealed that the top three reasons international students choose Canada for were:
- The quality of the Canadian education system,
- Canada’s reputation as a tolerant and non-discriminatory society,
- And Canada’s reputation as a safe country.
In the same survey, 60% of international students said they plan to apply for a permanent residence in Canada after graduation.

The CBIE’s International Student Survey, has found that 93% of international students are satisfied with their educational experience in Canada and 96% of them would recommend Canada as a study destination. Almost all students (95%) stated that they are succeeding in meeting the academic demands of their program.
In Canada, three provinces have the most foreign students: Ontario, British Columbia, followed by Quebec. These three provinces alone account for 83% of the total foreign students in Canada.
We have ranked universities in this article based on six factors:
- International students’ ratio: International students can add diversity to a university, enriching the experience of other students on campus.
- International Faculty ratio: It’s the proportion of faculty members (professors, assistants…) that are international.
- Employer reputation: This is a complex index, but it can “simply” be defined as employers who identify at least one university in the country producing excellent graduates.
- Academic reputation: The international recognition and brand awareness.
- University ranking worldwide.
- Location : Because you will not study all day and will have to entertain yourself, we believe that the location of the university is essential. Universities that are located in cities and places that are known for their diversity and tolerance will get a bonus.
We collected data from four well-known platforms: QS ranking, THE ranking (Times Higher Education), Shanghai Ranking and USNEWS ranking.
If you are thinking about studying in Canada, here is our 20 best universities in Canada for international students:
#1. University of Toronto
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto has evolved into Canada’s leading institution of learning, discovery and knowledge creation. The university has 27,536 international students from an overall of 84,158. There are 4,248 international faculty staff of an overall of 9,881.
- Official website: utoronto.ca
- Admission deadline: January 13, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 7.0
#2. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia attracts more than 50,330 students, of which 15,399 are international. UBC’s global alumni network has more than 370,000 individuals, representing 148 countries. UBC counts 8 Nobel laureates and 71 Rhodes Scholars among its alumni, including three Canadian prime ministers.
- Official website: ubc.ca
- Admission deadline: January 15, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.0
#3. McGill University
McGill University attracts thousands of international students from over 150 countries every year, and the highest percentage of PhD students of any Canadian research university.
- Official website: mcgill.ca
- Admission deadline: February 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5
#4. University of Montreal
With its affiliated schools, Polytechnique Montreal (engineering), and HEC Montreal (business), University of Montreal is one of the largest university complexes in North America. The university of Montreal has over 55,540 students and 2,400 professors and researchers.
- Official website: umonteral.ca
- Admission deadline: February 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum TCF (French language) required score: Varies.
#5. McMaster University
With students and faculty from 98 countries worldwide and 70 international academic exchange agreements in place, McMaster welcomes international perspectives. It is the only Canadian host site of a United Nations University (The Institute for Water, Environment, and Health- UNU-INWEH).
- Official website: mcmaster.ca
- Admission deadline: Varies but not before January 13, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
#6. University of Alberta
Home to nearly 39,500 students, including more than 9,690 international students from over 150 countries, the university of Alberta fosters a supportive and multicultural atmosphere within a vibrant research environment. The university of Alberta is home to world-leading facilities such as Canada’s National Institute for Nanotechnology and the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology.
- Official website: ualberta.ca
- Admission deadline: March 22, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
#7. University of Waterloo
The university of Waterloo is home to some 37,970 students of which 10,269 are internationals, The university is located in the city of Waterloo, Canada’s largest and most dynamic city. It’s also home to residents from 200 cultural backgrounds.
- Official website: uwaterloo.ca
- Admission deadline: February 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
#8. Western University
Western University is located in London, Canada. The city, which is known as The Forest City, is home to nearly 400,000 residents. It is a hub for higher education, medical research, manufacturing, and technology. Western University has 28,309 students, of which 6,314 are internationals. More than half of its faculty staff are internationals, too.
- Official website: uwo.ca
- Admission deadline: February 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
#9. University of Calgary
As a major Canadian research-intensive institution, the University of Calgary has 14 faculties, 53 departments and more than 200 academic programs. The University of Calgary also has 77 Canada Research Chairs and is home to 85 research centers building knowledge in areas including health, social sciences, business, and energy and the environment.
- Official website: ucalgary.ca
- Admission deadline: January 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
#10. University of Ottawa
Home to more than 38,380 students, of which more than 8,880 are internationals. One third of the faculty staff are internationals.
- Official website: uottawa.ca
- Admission deadline: April 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 5.
#11. Queen’s University
- Official website: queensu.ca
- Admission deadline: February 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 7.5.
#12. Dalhousie University
- Official website: dal.ca
- Admission deadline: No less than February 15, 2022
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 3.5.
#13. Simon Fraser University
- Official website: sfu.ca
- Admission deadline: April 15, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
#14. University of Victoria
- Official website: uvic.ca
- Admission deadline: January 31, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
#15. University Laval
- Official website: ulaval.ca
- Admission deadline: February 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Requires TCF (French proficiency).
#16. University of Saskatchewan
- Official website: usask.ca
- Admission deadline: May 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
#17. Concordia University
- Official website: concordia.ca
- Admission deadline: March 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
#18. York University
- Official website: yorku.ca
- Admission deadline: March 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.0.
#19. University of Guelph
- Official website: uoguelph.ca
- Admission deadline: March 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
#20. Carleton University
- Official website: carleton.ca
- Admission deadline: April 1, 2022.
- Admission page and requirements: here.
- Scholarships: here.
- Minimum IELTS required score: 6.5.
If this is your first visit to mastere.tn, then we think you might like to read these posts:
TOP 50 Most Prestigious Scholarships to Study in Canada
Canada Universities Scholarship Programs : The complete List
The Complete Scholarships list to Study Medicine or Dentistry in Canada
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