There are several reasons why students are encouraged to pursue a degree in physics at Canadian universities. In this blog post by Shemen Fallah Immigration, we introduce the best universities in Canada for physics in 2025. Read on to learn more.
Why Study Physics at Canadian Universities?
Some of the main reasons to study physics in Canada include:
International Reputation of Universities: Canadian universities are globally recognised for their strong physics programs and often appear in reputable international rankings. This reflects Canada’s commitment to providing high-quality education and research.
Research Opportunities at the Master’s Level: Graduate students can engage in innovative research in areas such as quantum computing, particle physics, astrophysics, and condensed matter physics.
Emphasis on Teamwork and Interdisciplinary Studies: The Canadian education system encourages collaboration across departments and institutions, giving students broader perspectives and enhancing their problem-solving skills.
Diverse Financial Options: Scholarships and teaching assistant positions are available to graduate students, helping to reduce the financial burden of pursuing an advanced degree.
The Best Universities in Canada for Physics
The tables below show the top 10 universities in Canada for physics based on global and national rankings. This information helps students identify the leading Canadian universities and compare them on an international scale.
The data is based on the latest rankings published by Times Higher Education (THE), QS, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Each ranking system uses its own methodology, with different factors influencing the final results.
Top 10 Universities in Canada for Physics (Times Higher Education)
| University | Canada Rank | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 1 | 25 |
| University of British Columbia | 2 | 52 |
| McGill University | 3 | =72 |
| University of Waterloo | 4 | 101-125 |
| University of Alberta | 5 | 126-150 |
| University of Victoria | 6 | 176-200 |
| University of Montreal | 7 | 201-250 |
| University of Saskatchewan | 8 | 201-250 |
| Memorial University of Newfoundland | 9 | 251-300 |
| University of Quebec | 10 | 251-300 |
This ranking is based on the latest tables published by Times Higher Education. THE focuses on academic quality and diverse teaching metrics but does not include employer-specific criteria and may not cover all specialized institutions.
Top 10 Universities in Canada for Physics (QS)
| University | Canada Rank | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 1 | 30 |
| University of British Columbia | 2 | 39 |
| McGill University | 3 | 67 |
| University of Waterloo | 4 | =75 |
| University of Montreal | 5 | 151-200 |
| University of Alberta | 6 | 201-250 |
| McMaster University | 7 | 251-300 |
| Queen’s University at Kingston | 8 | 251-300 |
| University of Calgary | 9 | 251-300 |
| University of Ottawa | 10 | 301-350 |
QS rankings give more weight to student-focused metrics such as staff-to-student ratio, international recruitment, and employer reputation. They balance quantitative and qualitative data but place less emphasis on research compared to some other rankings.
Top 10 Universities in Canada for Physics (ARWU)
| University | Canada Rank | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| University of British Columbia | 1 | 51-75 |
| University of Toronto | 2 | 51-75 |
| University of Waterloo | 3 | 51-75 |
| Queen’s University at Kingston | 4 | 101-150 |
| McGill University | 5 | 151-200 |
| Simon Fraser University | 6 | 201-300 |
| University of Alberta | 7 | 201-300 |
| University of Montreal | 8 | 201-300 |
| University of Victoria | 9 | 201-300 |
| Carleton University | 10 | 301-400 |
ARWU rankings focus on the presence of elite faculty and the academic success of graduates. They do not directly assess the quality of teaching or other aspects of university performance.
This article helps students understand different university rankings and make an informed decision about pursuing physics studies in Canada.