Canada offers one of the best experiences for international students. With some of the top-ranking universities in the world and a wide variety of programs provided, thousands of out-of-country learners visit the country each year. However, this fact has caused the competition between hopeful applicants to increase and acceptance rates to decrease. So, we’ve compiled the universities with the lowest acceptance rates in Canada. This way, you can prepare for the challenging odds and pursue your desired education.
Universities in Canada with Low Rates of Acceptance
1. York University
York University is one of the largest universities in Canada, with over 53,450 students, 9,600+ of whom are international students from over 150 countries. The institution has a vast number of faculties, which allows it to offer different programs. These study programs range between numerous subjects, from health sciences to law school education.
Its film, law, and business schools are ranked among the best in the country and have widespread international recognition. However, you must remember that events such as labor strikes have become a constant issue at this institution.
2. Western University
Western University is a public research institution in Ontario, Canada, with a low acceptance rate of below 35%. With nearly 35,000 students, this house of studies has expanded from its initial four schools. The school also has over 4,698 international students from over 100 countries. It started by offering programs in law, medicine, divinity, and the arts.
Over time, it has grown considerably, and numerous smaller colleges have merged with this more prominent institution to form its modern version. Six libraries are within campus grounds, so students can enjoy their study and research time while staying on campus.
3. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto was one of the first in the country, founded in 1827. It started with the name King’s College and was formed by eleven colleges, which are very independent of each other. Aside from the main campus in Toronto, there are two more campuses in neighboring cities. Numerous research achievements have been achieved at this Canadian institution.
Some of the listed accomplishments are insulin research and production, which significantly improved the treatment of diabetes. Its approach to social sciences is also widely recognized, and its school communication and literary criticism are considered among the best in the world.
4. McGill University
McGill University is a well-known Canadian higher institution with a low acceptance rate in Montreal, Quebec. The school was founded in 1821 and has two campuses in Montreal. Its main faculties are in the subjects of arts, medicine, management, and engineering. It offers over 300 different programs at all higher education levels.
Despite its location in Quebec, all classes are taught in English, with few optional courses taught in French. For international students, the only program that requires knowledge of French is McGill’s law program.
5. Queen’s University
Queen’s University was founded in 1841 by a mandate made by Queen Victoria. It’s a public research institution located in Kingston, Ontario. Approximately 31,000 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. The school has one of the biggest collections of books and archives, with six libraries throughout its campus. Furthermore, it has made a huge investment in modernizing the available options, now including e-books and digital files.
6. University of Alberta
This university is located in Edmonton, Alberta, and it’s one of the most research-focused institutions in the country. The University of Alberta is one of the biggest universities, with four campuses in Edmonton and over 30,000 students. International students from over 100 countries attend this institution despite the inclement weather in the area.
There’s an important focus on development and agriculture, which has greatly benefitted the area and the country thanks to different innovations made at the University of Alberta.
7. University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is named after its location, Waterloo, Ontario. This Canadian institution, which has low acceptance rates, comprises six faculties and offers various academic programs. One of the things that makes it attractive for both national and international students is the great number of research programs available.
Moreover, it has a rich history spanning more than 113 years and is now host to some of the world’s most cutting-edge academic institutions, laboratories, and libraries. These allow students to be on the road toward innovation with hands-on research.
8. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is one of the country’s most prestigious higher education schools. With three prime ministers as alumni, including the current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, its reputation is among the best in the continent. Furthermore, the institution highly values research and innovation.
These achievements have led this renowned school to develop numerous ambitious graduate programs, which are highly focused on diverse projects. Some of the areas that stand out are nuclear and quantum physics studies. The first Max Planck Institute in the continent was established here.
9. University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is unique because it’s the largest higher education institution in the world, and its programs are taught in both English and French. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the quality of its programs makes it a desirable option for students worldwide. Some of the fields studied at this Canadian school include law, medicine, social sciences, and management. International students form more than 15% of the student body, and the total population of the institution is estimated at over 48,000 students.
10. University of Montreal
We end our list of universities in Canada with the lowest acceptance rates with the University of Montreal. It is located in Montreal, Quebec, and classes are taught in French. This school and its sister institutions, HEC Montréal and Polytechnique Montréal, are at the heart of Quebec’s academic landscape. It’s a big institution offering over 600 programs, including over 70 doctoral programs.
With over 67,000 undergraduate and graduate students, this institution has expanded exponentially since its days as a satellite school. For the past years, the university has steadily ranked among the best in Canada.
Studying in Canada is an excellent option for most students because even the universities with the lowest acceptance rates provide outstanding opportunities for admission. It has often been established that the real problem at certain Canadian universities is not getting in but staying in the program. This fact is due to the high demands made by the faculty, who want their students to be challenged and motivated to pursue academic excellence.
We hope this article on Canadian universities with the lowest acceptance rate was helpful. Also, make sure to check out our Canada Page and the Available Programs in Canada for more information about studying in the country!
