Canada is one of the largest economies with one of the best-developed healthcare systems in the world. The university system is made up of many great institutions and, for students interested in studying public health, the amount of choice can be confusing. As such, we will discuss just five of the best universities in Canada for prospective students of public health!
Is Public Health in Demand in Canada?
The Public health field in Canada is continuously expanding, especially with the ongoing pandemic and increasingly aging population. Thus, a career in public health is one of the best opportunities to fulfill this demand. Public health specialists in Canada can expect to earn around $80,548 annually, though this depends on the level of study and experience.
See: Work Opportunities in Canada
How Many Years is Public Health Course in Canada?
It takes about 1.5 to 3 years to complete a Master’s in Public Health in Canada. Students from around the world can pursue this program in any of Canada’s top institutions like the University of Toronto, or the University of British Columbia. For example, it takes about 3 years to complete a Master of Public Health at the University of Toronto if studying full-time. To be eligible for this program, you must have completed a 4-year bachelor’s degree in a related field with a minimum overall aggregate of 85%.
See Also: Grading System in Canada
Top Universities for Public Health in Canada
1. McMaster University
Located in the city of Hamilton, McMaster University is home to one of the best public health programs in Canada. The university itself is one of the most important in Ontario with over 30,000 students in attendance. While it is one of the smaller universities in Ontario, McMaster punches above its weight in many areas – the university is ranked in the top 150 worldwide in the 2022 QS rankings.
One of the university’s expertise in public health. The Faculty of Health Sciences offers one of the best Public Health masters in the country. Students interested in public health can choose between a thesis or practical work while studying the key public health topics of today. While there is no public health doctorate at McMaster, this master’s can be an excellent stepping stone into health policy and similar doctoral programs.
The university’s campus is one of the busiest in Canada. With 30,000 students, the college is always abuzz with activity. From the over 300 student clubs, the campus newspaper, radio station, as well as the many sports teams, there is always something to get involved in on the campus.
2. University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is one of the most important third-level institutions and an excellent school for public health in Canada. It is the largest French-English bilingual university in the world with a huge variety of high-quality courses. As of today, the university ranks in the top 250 in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings.
For students that are interested in studying public health, the School of Epidemiology and Public Health offers the best choice of courses. Some of these courses include degrees in public health, population health risk assessment, as well as epidemiology. There are also doctoral options available with this school.
The city of Ottawa is also well worth exploring if you get the chance. The Canadian Museum of History, the National Gallary of Canada, and the Mer Bleue Bog are all well worth visiting if you are studying at the University of Ottawa.
See Also: The University of Ottawa Acceptance Rate
3. University of Toronto
Located in the largest city in all of Canada, the University of Toronto is well known for the quality of its graduates. The university is regarded as one of the best in Canada and as one of the best in the world. Currently, the University of Toronto is ranked as the best university and also a top school for public health in Canada. It also places in the top 20 universities worldwide, according to the Times Higher Education rankings.
For prospective students of public health, the University of Toronto has a small number of excellent options. These options include masters in public health, biostatistics, and bioethics, just to name a few. The university also offers a doctorate in public health that builds on the knowledge students attain at the master’s level. All of these degrees are offered and taught by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.
While students are studying at the university, they should take time to explore the city of Toronto. Home to the CN Tower, the Toronto Zoo, and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the city is vast and never lacks things to do.
Click Here to See: The Best Scholarships in Toronto for International Students
4. University of Montreal
One of the largest french speaking colleges in Canada, the University of Montreal is famous for the excellence of the courses it offers. The University of Montreal is a leading institution for public health in Canada that currently teaches over 40,000 students at both an undergraduate and graduate level. As of today, the university is ranked as one of the best in Canada and as one of the 100 best universities in the world (according to the Times Higher Education rankings).
The School of Public Health at the university is regarded as one of the best in the country. For students that want to study public health, the school offers a variety of great options that include public health, bioethics, epidemiology, and biostatistics. The University of Montreal also offers a doctoral program in public health for students that want to specialize even further.
The university is also home to many international students which are given plenty of support by the college. Nearly a third of the college’s population is made up of international students, who can link up with other students through the international clubs on the campus.
5. McGill University
Another university that is well known for the quality of its public health programs is McGill University. Located in Quebec and home to over 40,000 students, McGill University is a recognized university for public health in Canada and has earned a reputation for being one of the most rigorous research universities in the country. This is illustrated in the QS World University Rankings, which put McGill University in the top 30 universities in the world.
For students interested in studying in public health, the Faculty of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health should be the first place to look into. Students that take part in this program get to choose between taking time to study in a research environment or medical practice. This choice gives students the chance to specialize in a variety of areas and learn what specifically interests them.
The universities we have discussed are just a few of the institutions in Canada that offer students the chance to study public health. While these are just a few of the many great colleges in Canada, we hope we have given you some ideas about where you should go if you want to start your career in public health in Canada. The cost of studying in Canada may be high for international students, however, you can check out our website on fully funded scholarships to help pay for tuition and other study expenses.
We hope that this article on Universities for Public Health in Canada was helpful. If you are interested in knowing more, check out the Canada Programs for International Students!
