Top 10 Public Universities in Canada to Study in (2025)

List of Top 10 Public Universities in Canada for Students

If you have already decided to study in Canada, then you must be aware of its top-ranking universities. Although there are public colleges in Canada which are less expensive as compared to private institutions. However, one of the benefits of public universities is that they make higher education easy and accessible. Thus, in this section, we have provided a list of public universities in Canada for international students.

• University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is considered one of the best public universities in Canada, with all the time high ranking. It is one of Canada’s leading research universities with undergraduate and graduate courses. However, the University of Toronto's acceptance rate is 43%

• McGill University

McGill University is one of the oldest and best public university in Canada. This university has an amazing campus life and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. However, the McGill University acceptance rate is 46.3% for international students.

• University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is another well-known university that attracts a large number of students from all over the world. UBC has an enriching experience that prepares the students for professional success. However, the UBC acceptance rate is 52.4%

• University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is one of the top public universities in Canada for its strong academic background and campus life. It is known for its remarkable contributions in the fields of energy, health sciences, and environmental studies. However, the University of Alberta QS ranking 2025 is 96.

• University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo is one of the leading institutions to study major courses. It has the facilities for high-quality education and encourages innovation and research. Further, there are several internship opportunities through which students gain a lot of real-world experience.

• University of Montreal

The University of Montreal is a major French-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various disciplines including arts, science, engineering, medicine, and law. However, the University of Montreal's acceptance rate is 57%

• University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is a bi-lingual public university known for its high quality of education and research. It is one of the cheap public university in Canada. However, with a focus on bilingualism and multiculturalism, the university provides opportunities to develop fluency in the English and French languages.

• McMaster University

McMaster University is known for its innovative teaching methods and is considered one of the best public universities in Canada. The University is committed to promoting creativity, critical thinking, and student collaboration. However, the McMaster acceptance rate is 58.7%

• Queen's University at Kingston

Queen’s University at Kingston is one of the oldest Canadian public university, known for its robust traditions and academic excellence. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines. However, the Queen’s University at Kingston acceptance rate is 89%

• York University

York University is one of the best public university in Canada offering a diverse range of programs. It is known for its affordable and high-quality education. In recent years, this university has become a popular choice for students.

Overall, these are the top 10 public universities in Canada with their fees, intakes, and major courses they offer. However, in the next section, we will discuss the cost of studying at Public universities in Canada.

Study at Top Public Universities in Canada

Connect with Our Experts at Gradding.com.

Get a Consultancy Now

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Canada

Studying at public university in Canada is generally more affordable due to government funding. However, it is still important for students to know about the cost of studying at public universities in Canada. The cost varies on different factors such as program level and the institution. Thus, the table will let you know about the fees for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in public universities in Canada.

This is the average tuition fee for both courses in the public universities of Canada. In the next section, let’s have a look at the application process for the public universities in Canada.

Application Process for Public Universities in Canada

The application process for public universities in Canada involves several steps. However, there can be variations among the colleges, but a general procedure remains the same. Thus, in this section, we will let you know about the basic process for applying to public universities in Canada. Further, if you have concerns regarding the application process then you can connect with our study abroad consultants for all your queries.

1. Visit the official website of the public university where you intend to study in Canada.

2. Review the details of your university and the course you wish to pursue in Canada. Understand the requirements, program structure, and any additional information provided. Also, you can use our college predictor and course finder tools on our website as it will help you in your study abroad journey.

3. Select the intake period for your desired program and complete the online application form.

4. Fill out all the details with the relevant data and information.

5. Submit the necessary documents as said by the university to facilitate your application.

6. Pay the application fee to get enrolled into the Canadian public university. The payment details are given on the website only.

7. Submit your completed application through the website portal.

8. After some time, if your application will get accepted you will receive an offer letter from your preferred university.

9. Once you have got the offer letter, proceed to apply for a Canadian student visa. This is one of the most important steps when planning to study in Canada.

Overall, this is the procedure for getting enrolled into the public universities in Canada. Further, the next section will cover some of the important requirements to study in public universities.

Requirements to Study at a Canadian Public University

There are certain requirements that students need to fulfil when planning to study in public universities in Canada. Thus, some of the basic needs are mentioned below in the English language tests and documents.

English-Language Tests

There are several English language tests that students need to take for proving their English proficiency. Some of them are mentioned below:

• IELTS
• PTE
• TOEFL
• CELPIP
• TEF (For french)
• DELF (For french)

Documents Required

For getting into the public universities in Canada, several documents are required which are as follows:

• Academic Transcripts
• CV/Resume
• English Proficiency Scores
• Letters of Recommendation (2-3)
• Portfolio
• Personal Statement
• Evidence of Scholarship
• Passport
• Bank Statements
• Statement of Purpose

These are the important requirements for getting enrolled into the public universities in Canada. Furthermore, the next section will talk about the scholarships for public universities in Canada.

Scholarships for Public Universities in Canada

Each of the public universities in Canada has its own scholarship options which are accessible either at the time of entrance or during study. However, we have listed some of the scholarships in the below table with their required amount.

These are some of the top scholarships to study in public universities in Canada. Our last section will let you know why to study at these universities.

Study in Canada with Upto 2 Lakh Scholarship!

Claim a Scholarship Now!!

Why Study at Public Universities in Canada

Pursuing your education at public universities in Canada can be rewarding for international students in terms of academic and employment opportunities. Thus, this section has provided some of the main reasons that why you should study in Canadian public universities.

• Globally Recognized Degrees: The public universities in Canada offer students internationally recognized degrees that increase the chances of students employment.

• Highly-Ranked Universities: There are top public universities in Canada offering excellent research opportunities to students, that build up students profile and ensure their academic success.

• Affordable Tuition Fees: The Canadian public universities have lower tuition fees than private institutions. Also, the Universities in Canada provide students with several scholarship options.

• Large Size Classrooms: The class size is large in the public universities in Canada. However, the universities focus on providing exceptional and practical education to students.

Conclusion

To conclude we discussed about the public universities in Canada, intakes, the fees application process, requirements, and benefits. Further, we also had a brief look at the list of the top public universities in Canada for your betterment. Still, if you are facing any doubts in choosing the appropriate university then we’re here for you! Connect with our study abroad consultants in Delhi and make your dream come true to study in a Canadian public university.

FAQs:

1. How Many Public Universities Are There in Canada?

There are 96 public universities in Canada offering over 15,000 academic courses. Some of the top institutes include the University of Toronto and McGill University.

2. Which Are the Public Universities in Canada for Masters?

Some of the public universities in Canada for masters are:

1. University of British Columbia

2. University of Calgary

3. University of New Brunswick

4. University of Lethbridge

3. Which University Has the Lowest Tuition Fee in Canada?

Some of the universities which have low tuition fees are as follows:

• University of Guelph
• University of Manitoba
• University of Saskatchewan
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Bow Valley College
• Humber College
• Simon Fraser University
• Algonquin College

4. Which Intake is Best for Canada Student Visa?

Fall intake in Canada is the most popular intake to pursue higher education abroad according to Canadian universities. In most of the cases, there are a maximum number of seats in this intake.