The top subjects for international students in Canada

Canada continues to attract the attention of international students. With 11 universities in the top 200 globally (QS World University Rankings 2025), 1,040,985 international students called Canada their academic home in 2023. This marks a 29 per cent increase from 2022 and a 200 per cent growth in the last 10 years. The question is, what subjects are the most popular at undergraduate and postgraduate level? We’ve got some answers and guide you through the top choices, where students are studying and what you can expect. This may help you choose a suitable study path. 

Where are students studying in Canada?

To begin with, you may be curious about where most international students study in Canada. Most students make their academic homes in either Ontario (52 per cent) or British Columbia (20 per cent). Not surprising, as some of Canada's most well-known and highly-rated cities are found in these provinces. These include Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa. Other provinces favoured by international students include Alberta (six per cent) and Quebec (11 per cent). 

Canadian institutions hold their own on global rankings and ratings. The QS World University Rankings 2025 reveal that 11 universities in the country rank within the top 200 globally. This includes three institutions within the top 50 worldwide. These are:

• University of Toronto (25)
• McGill University (29)
• University of British Columbia (38)

Discover what makes Canada such a popular study destination. 

What are the most popular subjects in Canada?

To discover the most popular subject in Canada for international students, we have used IDP student demand data and information from higher education providers in the country. We’ve looked at both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications to give you a sense of the similarities and differences in choices. Here is a summary of the subjects and degrees receiving the most attention.

You will notice that while there is a mix of subject types, popular choices lean heavily towards STEM qualifications. We now take a closer look at some of the most popular disciplines. 

Get more information on the higher education system in Canada. 

Health and medicine

Subjects related to health professions and medicine top the list of the most searched-for and desired degrees. This includes nursing, dentistry and public health. Canada is home to some of the world’s top institutions in these areas, with the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024 listing seven institutions in the top 100 worldwide. These include:

• University of Toronto (9)
• McGill University (26)
• University of British Columbia (34)
• McMaster University (36)

With the average employment rate for students with a graduate degree at just over 75 per cent (Statistics Canada), the value of obtaining a qualification is clear. In addition, fields in health and medicine are known to have above-average employment rates and higher salaries, especially as there continues to be a skills shortage in many specialisations in the sector.  We’ve summarised the average salaries and expected employment growth in the table below:

*Source: jobbank.gc.ca 

Read more about the most in-demand jobs in Canada. 

Engineering

Engineering remains a consistently popular degree choice for international students. There are many engineering specialisations, but civil and mechanical engineering remain top selections at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. An engineering degree may also open opportunities for work in many sectors, from construction and mining to technology and manufacturing. With an engineering degree, a graduate can expect a starting salary of about 60 to 80 per cent of the median graduate wage. 

The prospects for civil engineers in Canada over the next six years remain good, with an expected 26,000 vacancies available. The market is likely to be competitive, with graduates in the field projected to number over 30,000. The average hourly rate for a civil engineer can be as high as CAD 75 per hour. Where you live and work can also make a difference to your employment prospects, with provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia offering more opportunities in the sector. 

As a mechanical engineer, you can expect to earn an hourly rate of approximately CAD 45, which can rise to CAD 69 with more experience. The overall prospects for mechanical engineers are not as strong as some other disciplines, with an estimated 12,700 vacancies expected over the next six to seven years, but 16,000 potential job seekers. For most provinces, the employment potential is moderate to good. 

If you’re looking for the top institutions for engineering, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, these are:

• University of Toronto (28)
• University of British Columbia (30) 
• McGill University (51-100)
• University of Waterloo (51-100)

Learn more about how to apply to study in Canada. 

Business studies/management and accounting

International students continue to show an interest in business and finance-related fields. At the undergraduate level, a business studies/management qualification comes out top. Many students select the qualification due to its versatility and applicability to several career options. Some of the roles that graduates can fulfil with a business studies/management degree are:

• Business analyst
• Business development manager 
• Data analyst
• Risk manager 
• Project manager 
• Management consultant

Let’s take a closer look at two roles from the above list. Firstly, as a business analyst, the job prospects in most Canadian provinces remain good, especially in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta. You can expect to earn an average hourly rate of CAD 42, which can rise to a high of CAD 63 per hour.  The seven-year projection for the role is an estimate of 145,000 roles. If you become a data analyst, about 30,000 roles will be created over the next five years, according to projections. The average hourly rate is about CAD 45, but this can increase to over CAD 75 with experience. 

Accounting and careers in the field are also favoured by international students in Canada. It is important to remember that you will need to be professionally accredited and earn a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation over and above your degree. The outlook for roles in accounting in provinces like Quebec, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta is all considered good. Top institutions for a degree in accounting, according to QS, include: 

• University of Alberta (101-150)
• Queen’s University at Kingston (101-150)
• University of Montreal (101-150)

According to figures from the Canadian government, there are over 220,000 roles for accountants in the country. Over 88,000 new roles are expected over the next seven years. However, a shortfall is projected for suitable candidates, meaning it is a scarce skill and valuable qualification.

Find out more about how much it costs to study in Canada. 

Computer science 

Another STEM-related field that sees many applications from international students every year in Canada is computer science. The qualification is a good foundation for entry into different roles within the technology sector. Some of the jobs computer science graduates take up include:

• Systems analyst
• Software engineer 
• Cyber security analyst
• Applications developer
• Games developer

Many students choose to pursue a master’s degree in the subject, with a focus on one of the above specialisations. One of the more common career paths is in software engineering. In Canada, the average hourly rate is CAD 51, but this can be as much as CAD 81 per hour, depending on your expertise. Most Canadian provinces show good to excellent job prospects for graduates in the field, with over 100,000 jobs for software engineers available in 2021/2022. This is expected to grow by almost 44 per cent by 2031.

Now that you have a sense of some of the most popular subjects for international students in Canada, you may want to further your research. Explore our guide to student accommodation in Canada and discover more about how much tuition costs.