5. University of Montreal
Immersed in the vibrant city of Montreal and committed to its global mission, the University of Montreal stands as a prominent research institution. Collaborating with its affiliated schools, Polytechnique Montreal (engineering) and HEC Montreal (business), the University of Montreal forms one of the largest university complexes in North America.
Renowned for its research endeavors, the University of Montreal attracts an impressive annual research funding of over $500 million, solidifying its position as one of Canada’s top three university research hubs. Within its halls, several distinguished laboratories have emerged, including MILA, a world-leading research center in deep learning; the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), recognized for its exceptional productivity in the field; and the Centre de recherche en droit public (CRDP), the preeminent public-law research center in Canada.
Comprising 14 faculties and affiliated schools, the University of Montreal boasts a student body of over 66,500 and is home to 2,400 professors and researchers. Its alumni roster shines with accomplished individuals such as Roger Guillemin, co-recipient of the 1977 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; Louise Arbour, former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda; Joanne Liu, international president of Doctors Without Borders; and the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau, one of Canada’s most prominent prime ministers.
The University of Montreal embodies a legacy of excellence and remains steadfast in its pursuit of knowledge, making significant contributions to academia, research, and the global community.
University of Montreal is the number 5 on our list of 2023 top 10 best universities in Canada. The university ranks 111th in 2023 World University rankings, 126-150th in 2022 World reputation rankings and 42nd in 2023 Impact rankings.
6. University of Alberta
Founded in 1908 in the capital city of Alberta, Edmonton, the University of Alberta is a renowned public research university nestled on the outskirts of the picturesque North Saskatchewan River valley.
Encompassing approximately 50 blocks of the city, the university boasts a sprawling main campus comprised of 150 buildings, spread across four distinct campuses. The vibrant city of Edmonton is a cultural hub, hosting notable events like the world’s second-largest fringe theatre festival, a lively folk music festival, and the university’s own ‘festival of ideas’.
Dedicated to agricultural research, the South Campus of the University of Alberta houses a sprawling 32,516m2 sports center, accommodating a variety of sports clubs, 14 varsity teams, and even serving as the training facility for the Canadian women’s national basketball team. Located just an hour’s drive away in the rural town of Camrose, the Augustana Campus offers a unique residential learning environment focusing on liberal arts and sciences.
In line with Edmonton’s French-speaking community, the university provides French instruction at the Faculté Saint-Jean, offering courses in arts, science, education, commerce, engineering, nursing, conservation, and environmental sciences. Furthermore, Enterprise Square, situated in downtown Edmonton, serves as a hub for various activities and houses the prestigious Alberta School of Business among other facilities.
Setting itself apart, the University of Alberta is the sole institution in Canada to offer programs in native studies, enabling students to delve into the indigenous experience encompassing language, culture, history, and more. Additionally, the university garners recognition for its groundbreaking research in paleontology, boasting a faculty comprising world-renowned experts in the field of dinosaur studies.
The university ranks 118th in 2023 World University rankings, 126-150th in 2022 World reputation rankings and 7th in 2023 Impact rankings.