Ontario, the wealthiest part of Canada, is home to many excellent universities for students interested in public health. As such, it can be difficult to decide with so many good options.
While it may be difficult to choose from excellent universities, prospective students aiming to pursue public health programs are assured of the best academic resources and opportunities, not only in Ontario but also in Canada at large.
Ontario offers several programs tailored to equip learners with the skills required to excel in the public health sector.
With this in mind, we will discuss just five of the best universities for students interested in studying public health in Ontario!
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in Ontario
1. University of Ottawa
Located in the capital city of Canada, the University of Ottawa is a recognized public health school in Ontario and one of the best educational institutions in the entire country. Ranked as one of the top 200 universities in the world by the Times World University Rankings, the school has a lot to offer to prospective public health students.
The School of Epidemiology and Public Health is one of the most important schools within the Department of Medicine. The school caters mostly to graduate students, offering some public health courses with topics such as epidemiology, risk assessment, and global public health.
Students who complete any of these courses may also be eligible to take part in a master’s with the university. They can apply their skills and work in several public and private institutions.
The University of Ottawa is also well known for its lively campus atmosphere that boasts over 100 student clubs, covering hobbies and interests from athletics, art, and a whole host of other activities. With such a vibrant environment, there is always something to get involved with on campus.
2. University of Waterloo
Founded in 1959 as an affiliate of the University of Western Ontario, the University of Waterloo has grown in importance in the decades since its founding. With over 40,000 students enrolled at all levels, the university is one of the largest in Ontario. It also performs well on global rankings, with the QS World University Rankings placing UW as one of the top 150 universities in the world.
The School of Public Health Sciences is a top school for public health in Ontario and is one of the most reputable in Canada. The school offers courses from bachelor’s up to Ph.D., each of which tackles important topics in public health such as aging, biostatistics, and health informatics. With such a breadth and depth of experience at the school, students can be confident that they are learning from the best and will gain the skills needed to succeed in this field.
Beyond the classroom and academics, the university also encourages students’ entrepreneurial dreams. The Velocity program remains one of the largest free startup incubator programs in the world, giving students the capital and experience they need to develop and test exciting new products and ideas.
3. Western University
Western University, also known as the University of Western Ontario, is one of the best universities for public health in Ontario and has stood as one of the most important in the region for nearly 150 years. As of today, the QS World University Rankings place the university as one of the top 200 universities in the world.
Public health is offered to students studying at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. The master’s program in public health is the most relevant degree to students interested in this field. In this program, students will learn the theory and practices of public health, including biostatistics, epidemiology, and health promotion. Completing this degree gives graduates the chance to continue their studies at the university by taking part in one of the Ph.D. programs available at the university.
The campus of Western University is one of a kind. Many of the buildings on the campus were designed using a beautiful Gothic style, making the campus one of the most aesthetically pleasing in the country.
4. University of Toronto
The most well-known and highly regarded university for public health in Ontario is the University of Toronto and for good reason. Currently, the university teaches over 60,000 enrolled students, making it one of the largest universities in Ontario. The university has also achieved high scores on global rankings; for example, the Times World University Rankings rank the university as one of the top 20 in the world.
The Dalla Lana School of Public Health has grown into the largest public health faculty in the country since the 2003 SARS crisis. The school offers several master’s degrees that improve graduates’ skills and their prospects of working in this challenging field. Students can study subjects such as epidemiology, community medicine, and environmental health, among others at a master’s level.
Student life at the university is exceptional, with a strong sense of community considering the size of the campus. Home to one of the oldest student magazines in the country, as well as a campus radio station. Both of these activities, as well as the many student clubs, help build a sense of comradery between the many students who attend the university.
5. Lakehead University
Since its creation in 1965, Lakehead University has earned a strong reputation across Canada and the world. Today, the university is home to nearly 7,000 full-time students, meaning it is one of the smaller universities in the region.
Even so, Lakehead is an excellent institution for public health in Ontario and has a lot to offer students interested in public health. The Master of Public Health, available at the university through a mixture of in-person and online teaching, is regarded as one of the best in the country. Students can choose to specialize in fields such as nursing, gerontology, and epidemiology, among others.
With this in mind, there are several excellent options in Ontario for prospective students of public health. The five universities discussed above each offer unique options that help students to develop their skills and knowledge.
FAQS About Studying Public Health in Ontario
Is Ontario a Good Place for International Students?
Canada is generally considered a dream destination for international students and Ontario is one of the most popular provinces for international students, offering them great cultural immersion as well as access to some of the world’s top universities. Not only are international students immersed in a culturally diverse environment with world-class education offered, but they are also allowed the chance to work as they study, allowing them to earn as they pursue their education. There are a large number of universities offering various programs in Ontario, as well as throughout Canada, and you can see the available courses in this list of available courses in Canada. In case you would like to browse more, you can check out our list of all available courses.
In conclusion, each institution in Ontario has something unique to offer. As you make your decision, you can be confident that the above top universities can equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in public health and make notable contributions where you choose to practice.
We hope this article on Universities for Public Health in Ontario was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in Canada and Available Programs for International Students to learn more!
