Four Canadian universities have earned spots among the world’s top 100, according to a new global university ranking.
According to the 2026 QS World University Rankings, McGill has overtaken University of Toronto as the top-ranked Canadian university.
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| University | QS 2026 Global Rank |
| McGill University | 27 |
| University of Toronto | 29 |
| University of British Columbia | 40 |
| University of Alberta |
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) are global higher education experts known for their QS World University Rankings, one of the most widely referenced international university rankings.
Top universities in Canada according to the QS World University Ranking
McGill University
- Overall rank: 27
- Overall score: 88.9
McGill, an English-language university in Montreal, Quebec, moved up two spots from last year’s ranking (#29), surpassing University of Toronto as Canada’s top educational institution.
The university rated particularly well in sustainability, employment outcomes, academic reputation, and employer reputation.
| Factor | Score |
| Citations per Faculty | 72.4 |
| Academic Reputation | 98.1 |
| Faculty/Student Ratio | 67.3 |
| Employer Reputation | 93.5 |
| Employment Outcomes | 98.9 |
| International Faculty Ratio | 88.6 |
| International Student Ratio | 93.5 |
| International Research Network | 92.9 |
| International student diversity | 69.6 |
| Sustainability | 96.3 |
University of Toronto (U of T)
- Overall rank: 29
- Overall score: 88.5
The University of Toronto has been the top Canadian university in the QS World University Rankings since 2019. It has consistently been in the QS top 30 universities in the last five years, with the exception of 2023, when it was ranked in 34th place.
This year, U of T moved to 29th position, a dip from last year’s position at 25.
Like last year, it ranked number one overall in the QS world rankings for sustainability.
This year, U of T also ranked highly in academic reputation, employment outcomes, employer reputation, and international student diversity.
| Factor | Score |
| Citations per Faculty | 68.8 |
| Academic Reputation | 100 |
| Faculty/Student Ratio | 45.7 |
| Employer Reputation | 99.1 |
| Employment Outcomes | 99.4 |
| International Faculty Ratio | 97.9 |
| International Student Ratio | 97.5 |
| International Research Network | 97 |
| International student diversity | 98 |
| Sustainability | 100 |
University of British Columbia (UBC)
- Overall rank: 40
- Overall score: 85.5
Although third on the list of top Canadian universities, UBC has fallen a few spots as compared to last year’s ranking (#38).
UBC has consistently ranked between 34th and 50th place in recent years of the QS World Rankings.
This year, it ranked fifth overall in the QS world rankings for sustainability, and also did well in other factors such as academic reputation, employer reputation and international research network.
| Factor | Score |
| Citations per Faculty | 70.9 |
| Academic Reputation | 99.6 |
| Faculty/Student Ratio | 34.7 |
| Employer Reputation | 96.5 |
| Employment Outcomes | 84.9 |
| International Faculty Ratio | 98.5 |
| International Student Ratio | 79.8 |
| International Research Network | 96.6 |
| International student diversity | 81.7 |
| Sustainability | 98.5 |
University of Alberta
- Overall rank: =94
- Overall score: 70.1
Located in Edmonton, Alberta, this public research university moved up two positions as compared to last year’s ranking. This is the highest it’s been ranked by QS World University Rankings since 2018.
It was seen favourably in factors such as international faculty ratio, international research network, and sustainability.
| Factor | Score |
| Citations per Faculty | 71.5 |
| Academic Reputation | 70.9 |
| Faculty/Student Ratio | 44.6 |
| Employer Reputation | 53 |
| Employment Outcomes | 77.1 |
| International Faculty Ratio | 99.4 |
| International Student Ratio | 78.6 |
| International Research Network | 94.5 |
| International student diversity | 80.6 |
| Sustainability | 90.7 |
How did other Canadian universities rank worldwide?
| University | Province | QS 2026 Rank |
| University of Waterloo | Ontario | |
| Western University | Ontario | 151 |
| Université de Montréal | Quebec | 168 |
| McMaster University | Ontario | |
| Queen’s University | Ontario | 191 |
| University of Calgary | Alberta | 211 |
| University of Ottawa | Ontario | |
| Dalhousie University | Nova Scotia | 283 |
| Simon Fraser University | British Columbia | |
| York University | Ontario | 333 |
| University of Victoria | British Columbia | |
| University of Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan | 378 |
| Concordia University | Quebec |
Applying for a Canadian study permit
If you’re thinking about pursuing higher education in Canada as an international student, there are some things to keep in mind.
Only Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) are authorized to accept international students, so you need to choose a program from the federal government’s list of DLIs.
If you apply to your institution of choice and are accepted, you will receive a Letter of Acceptance. You will need this – plus other required documents such as proof of financial support – to apply for a study permit.
The amount of funds you as a single applicant, studying outside of Quebec will need — on top of travel and tuition costs—is $20,635 CAD. The funds you are required to present may change according to the size of your family and are also set to rise annually.
| Number of family members (including the study permit applicant) | Funds required (in CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $20,635 |
| 2 | $25,690 |
| 3 | $31,583 |
| 4 | $38,346 |
| 5 | $43,492 |
| 6 | $49,051 |
| 7 | $54,611 |
| For each additional family member above 7 | Add $5,559 |
Other required documents include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL). The process of getting this varies from province to province. It’s best to check with your DLI for details.
After submitting your application you will be issued with a temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization if your application has been improved.
You may need to provide your biometrics, undergo an immigration medical exam, and/or provide one or more police certificate(s).
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Applying for a post-graduation work permit
A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students who have graduated from an eligible Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to gain valuable work experience in Canada.
This is an open work permit, meaning those who have it can work for any employer. They are only issued once in a student’s lifetime.
It is typically valid for a period equal to the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years. This work experience can also count toward eligibility for permanent residency programs, such as the Canadian Experience Class under Express Entry.
Not all DLIs and programs make students eligible for PGWPs. To be eligible, students must meet general eligibility requirements in addition to requirements based on their study program.
About the QS World University Rankings
The QS World University Rankings evaluate universities around the world using a mix of academic, professional, and global impact indicators.
For the 2026 edition, QS assessed over 1,500 institutions.
The ranking is based on the following key metrics: academic reputation (30%), employer reputation (15%), faculty-student ratio (10%), citations per faculty (20%), international faculty and student ratios (5% each) employment outcomes (5%), international research network (5%), and sustainability (5%).
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