University of Toronto

Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is renowned for its innovative teaching approach and ground-breaking discoveries. But, while its ivy-clad stone walls might be steeped in history, Toronto itself caters for the youth. The city is full of hip eateries, independent cafes and live music venues, granting you plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in Canadian culture.

Prefer to hit the books? The U of T boasts 44 different libraries, making it the fourth largest library system in North America.

World University Rankings: 18th

Percentage of international students: 25%

Undergraduate programs: the University of Toronto offers over 700 undergrad programs in a range of topics, including mathematical sciences, humanities, engineering, music and many more.

Graduate programs: they also have over 300 post-graduate programs, providing students with the tools needed to excel in virtually all industries.

Student societies: whatever hobbies you're hoping to pursue outside of the classroom, you're bound to find something that interests you among the U of T's 1,000+ clubs and activities.

McGill University

Based in Montreal, McGill University has a prestigious reputation that attracts thousands of international students from across the globe every year.

And as a little bit of trivia for sports fans, students from the university helped invent basketball and another team of alumni took part in the first-ever ice hockey match in 1875.

World University Rankings: 30th

Percentage of international students: 30.5%

Undergraduate programs: McGill has more than 300 undergrad degrees, and its medical program is known as the best in Canada.

Graduate programs: choose from over 400 masters in more than 80 departments.

Student societies: there are over 260 student groups to keep you busy — you can even hop on a broomstick and give Muggle Quidditch a try!

University of British Columbia

Having produced three Canadian prime ministers, eight Nobel laureates and nineteen Olympic gold athletes, the University of British Columbia certainly helps its students develop bright futures. Also, it has recently invested billions of dollars in several state-of-the-art facilities, including a laboratory for particle and nuclear physics and a traditional Japanese botanical garden.

The university sits in downtown Vancouver, where hypothetically, you can surf in the Pacific Ocean and ski at Whistler all in the same day.

World University Rankings: 37th

Percentage of international students: 33%

Undergraduate programs: the institution offers 41 undergraduate degrees in various subjects, such as IT, science, liberal arts and linguistics.

Graduate programs: UBC has one of the largest graduate student populations among Canadian universities with over 300 post-grad programs in nearly every academic field.

Student societies: its societies run the gamut from anime appreciation to beer brewing, and the campus is equipped with several world-class sports centres to help you keep fit.

Université de Montréal

This super-sized university is the second largest in Canada and comprises of thirteen faculties, over sixty departments and two affiliated schools. The main campus is nestled in the heart of French-speaking Montreal, an eclectic city that merges cobblestone streets with cutting-edge skyscrapers and has quick access to several major U.S. cities, including Washington D.C. and New York.

World University Rankings: 88th

Percentage of international students: 23%

Undergraduate programs: while the Université de Montréal does have 650+ undergrad and post-grad degrees available, they are in French, so you need to be fluent in the language.

Graduate programs: UBC has one of the largest graduate student populations among Canadian universities with over 300 post-grad programs in nearly every academic field.

Student societies: lectures, workshops, shows and exhibitions are available all year round, as well as a vast variety of student organizations and the use of a fully equipped sports centre.

University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is in Edmonton, one of the northernmost cities in the world and known as "Canada’s Festival City" as it hosts over thirty celebrations every year, covering sport, music, theatre and more. The uni is renowned for its palaeontology research, and the campus includes several museums displaying a mammoth collection of dinosaur bones and meteorites.

World University Rankings: 125th

Percentage of international students: 28%

Undergraduate programs: there are over 200 undergraduate programs available in the humanities, creative arts, business, engineering and health sciences.

Graduate programs: 500+ graduate programs.

Student societies: hone your passions or discover new social circles with more than 425 student-run societies covering academic, recreational, political and cultural interests.

McMaster University

Situated in Hamilton, Ontario, the Waterfall Capital of Canada, McMaster University is a stunning campus bordered by waterways, greenery and woodland trails. Close to Niagara Falls and Toronto, the city blends a cosmopolitan vibe with rustic charm and has a flourishing local arts community.

World University Rankings: 80th

Percentage of international students: 20%

Undergraduate programs: McMaster has a wide selection of undergrad programs focusing on medicine, engineering and business, and biological sciences.

Graduate programs: they also offer more than a hundred masters programs across health sciences, humanities, social sciences, business and engineering.

Student societies: with over three hundred clubs on campus and facilities like an Olympic sized salt-water pool and rock-climbing gym, this university truly has something for everyone.