Four universities in Canada have achieved a prestigious milestone by earning a place among the top 100 globally in the newly released 2026 QS World University Rankings. According to this year’s ranking, McGill University has moved ahead of the University of Toronto to become the highest-ranked university in Canada. Let us discuss all about these top Canadian universities which ranked in the QS 2026 list in detail.
So, let us begin!
| University | QS 2026 Global Rank |
| McGill University | 27 |
| University of Toronto | 29 |
| University of British Columbia | 40 |
| University of Alberta | =94 |
The QS World University Rankings, published annually by global higher education consultancy Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), are one of the most widely respected and referenced university rankings internationally.
Canada’s Leading Universities In The QS Rankings
McGill University
- Overall Rank: 27
- Overall Score: 88.9
The first and one of the top Canadian universities which ranked in the QS 2026 list is the McGill University.
McGill University, located in Montreal, Quebec, has made a notable jump from 29th place last year. As an English-language institution in a French-speaking province, McGill offers a unique academic and cultural experience. This year, it overtakes the University of Toronto as Canada’s top-ranked university in the QS rankings.
McGill earned particularly strong marks 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 held the distinction of being Canada’s top university in the QS rankings since 2019, consistently ranking in the global top 30. The only exception was in 2023, when it temporarily dipped to 34th.
Although it has moved down slightly from 25th to 29th place this year, it remains a global leader in sustainability and continues to perform well across several key indicators.
| 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
UBC remains one of Canada’s most prestigious institutions, though it dropped slightly from last year’s 38th position. Based in Vancouver, UBC is renowned for its strong performance in sustainability, academic reputation, and international engagement.
| 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
The last and another one of the top Canadian universities which ranked in the QS 2026 list is the University of Alberta.
The University of Alberta, based in Edmonton, has improved its global standing by two spots. This marks its highest QS ranking since 2018. The university is well regarded for its contributions to research and international collaboration.
| 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 Are Other Canadian Institutions Ranked Globally?
| University | Province | QS 2026 Rank |
| University of Waterloo | Ontario | =119 |
| Western University | Ontario | 151 |
| Université de Montréal | Quebec | 168 |
| McMaster University | Ontario | =173 |
| Queen’s University | Ontario | 191 |
| University of Calgary | Alberta | 211 |
| University of Ottawa | Ontario | =219 |
| Dalhousie University | Nova Scotia | 283 |
| Simon Fraser University | British Columbia | =308 |
| York University | Ontario | 333 |
| University of Victoria | British Columbia | =358 |
| University of Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan | 378 |
| Concordia University | Quebec | =465 |
Guidelines For Studying In Canada As An International Student
If you’re planning to study in Canada, keep in mind that only Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) are authorized to accept international students. Always check the official government list before applying.
Upon receiving admission, you’ll be issued a Letter of Acceptance, which is necessary for applying for a study permit. You’ll also need to provide proof of financial support and potentially other documentation depending on your province of study.
| 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 |
You’ll also need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL), depending on where you’re studying. Each province has its own process for issuing these documents.
In most cases, applicants will also be asked to submit biometrics, attend a medical exam, and provide police certificates if required.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Opportunities
Apart from the top Canadian universities which ranked in the QS 2026 list, there are certain PGWP opportunities as well that the applicants must know about.
Graduating from an eligible Canadian DLI can make you eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This open work permit allows you to gain valuable Canadian work experience and is often a stepping stone to permanent residency.
PGWPs are valid for a period equivalent to the length of your study program, up to a maximum of three years. However, PGWPs are only issued once per lifetime and not all DLIs or programs are eligible, so it’s important to confirm before enrolling.
What Makes QS Rankings Important?
The QS World University Rankings assess institutions globally across a variety of key performance indicators, helping students and academics evaluate quality worldwide.
For the 2026 edition, QS reviewed more than 1,500 universities. Rankings are calculated based on the following weights:
- 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%)
- Sustainability (5%)
These rankings play a major role in helping students decide where to study and assist universities in measuring global competitiveness.
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