As an international student you’re likely looking for a study abroad destination that offers you both a great student lifestyle, but as importantly an excellent standard of education with globally recognised institutions. Canada ranks within the top 10 strongest higher education systems in the world according to Universitas 21 and is home to seven top 200 institutions (QS World University Rankings 2021). It’s little wonder that many students consider Canada for their studies, including for undergraduate and postgraduate business degrees. In this article, we take you through the top 10 business schools in Canada and some of the best institutions for business degrees in Canada. 

To put together our list of the best business schools in Canada we have made use of the QS World University Rankings 2021 and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. This is with specific reference to the ranking institutions enjoy globally and specifically for business-related degrees, including MBA qualifications. 

Find out more about the top-ranked universities in Canada. 

University of Toronto 

Canadian institutions more than hold their own globally for business degrees. This is certainly the case for the University of Toronto, which sits comfortably within the world’s top 25 as per the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. The university is rated as the number one institution in Canada and has a global ranking of 18, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. The university also plays host to 19,000 undergraduate and just over 4,000 postgraduate international students. 

The QS World University Rankings 2021 concur with the aforementioned assessment and place the institution at number 25 in the world and 38th globally for business degrees. The rankings also have the University of Toronto as the number one university in Canada overall. Located in one of Canada’s most well-known cities, Toronto, the university also gives students the option of 44 libraries and the choice of more than 1,000 student organisations to join. 

Find out what makes Canada so unique for international students. 

University of British Columbia 

Located on the picturesque west coast of Canada, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is home to 18,283 international students who hail from 166 countries. This means that just over 28 per cent of students studying at the university’s Vancouver campus are from international backgrounds. Added to this is the fact that the university boasts three Canadian Prime Ministers and eight Nobel Prize winners among its alumni. 

If you’re looking for an institution In Canada that enjoys a world-renowned reputation then UBC is a good choice. The QS World University Rankings 2021 place it in third place overall in Canada and 45th in the world. However, it does have one of the top-rated business schools in Canada and this is reflected in its second-place ranking by the QS World University Rankings 2021 for business schools. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 places the university at 28th globally for business qualifications and second in the country as one of the best international business schools in Canada. 

Make sure that you don’t miss out on reading about the top five things to do in Canada.

McGill University 

The university calls the vibrant city of Montreal home, where you’ll hear both English and French widely spoken. In 2019 the student cohort at McGill was more than 30 per cent international and over 10 per cent of all students enrolled at the university were pursuing PhD qualifications. With a history dating back to 1821, the institution has a reputation for excellent research, including 201 members of the Royal Society of Canada calling McGill home. 

If you’re looking for one of the best undergraduate business schools in Canada, postgraduate too for that matter, then McGill should be on your list. It’s a top 50 global university as per the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 and 82nd in the world for business degrees. The QS World University Rankings 2021 have McGill in second spot overall in Canada and at 68th in the world for business degrees. 

You may be wondering what the post-study work options are, our guide to the Canadian work permit may help. 

University of Alberta 

If you are thinking of studying for an MBA in Canada then you have to consider the University of Alberta. The university is regarded amongst some of the best business schools in Canada for an MBA. If you did decide to study here you’d be amongst a 40,000 strong student community, with students coming from over 156 countries. Further, you’ll be able to call Edmonton home, which is the capital of the province of Alberta. It is known for its good climate, exciting festivals and vibrant cultural life. 

The university is considered a top 150 institution by the QS World University Rankings 2021 and a top 10 university for business in Canada. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 have the university at number six overall in Canada, 4th in the country for business qualifications and within the top 100 institutions globally for the same. 

Get more information on the higher education system in Canada and how the grading system works. 

University of Montreal 

The University of Montreal is widely considered to be one of the most international universities in Canada. Over 10,000 international students study here with guidance from a staff that includes 2,300 professors and 2,600 lecturers. In addition, the university enjoys an enviable reputation amongst employers, with the institution ranked in the top 50 globally by the Global University Employability Ranking. 

Having a business degree that will open doors for you internationally is important and with a top-five ranking for business qualifications as per the QS World University Rankings 2021 and a top 100 global ranking for the same by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, the University of Montreal does tick a few of those crucial boxes.  

If you’re interested in finding out how Canadian universities rank for medicine and law, check out our guides to the best medical schools in Canada and the top law schools in the country. 

Other notable Canadian universities for business

Some of the other universities in the country that boast some of the best business schools in Canada include:

• McMaster University 
• University of Waterloo
• Western University 
• University of Ottawa 
• University of Calgary 

With a better idea of the best business schools in Canada, you are in good shape to make an informed choice. However, if you’re still a bit confused about what you want to do, you may find our guide to studying an MBA helpful or our take on the differences between a master’s degree and an MBA. Take some time to explore your options using our course matcher tool.