Best Architecture Universities in Canada 2025 – QS World University Rankings

Best architecture universities in Canada 2025 - QS World University rankings

1. University of Toronto

UT was founded in 1827 and is considered to be the renowned center of education and research in Canada. Campuses and affiliated institutions provide education for more than 97,000 students, of whom more than 27,000 are foreigners.  UT consistently holds high positions in international rankings. For example, it occupies 18th in the Times Higher Education world ranking. UT's excellence is confirmed by its outstanding achievements in the field of science and innovation: on the basis of the university, such discoveries as insulin, stem cells and the glycemic index were made.

The university's $1.1 billion research fund contributes to the economic development of Canada in the amount of $15.7 billion. UT plays an active role in supporting entrepreneurship and startup development. The list of notable UT alumni includes 5 Canadian prime ministers, 14 Supreme Court justices and Canada's first female astronaut, actor Donald Sutherland, director David Cronenberg. Over its rich history, UT has educated and graduated 10 Nobel Laureates, 5 Turing Prize laureates, 94 Rhodes Scholars and one Fields Medal winner, confirming the status of a leading world educational institution.

2. University of British Columbia

Founded in 1908, Canada's leading university is located in Vancouver. UBC has two campuses: in Vancouver and Okanagan. In total, more than 44,000 students study at UBC, and about 2,300 teachers work. The university offers more than 500 bachelor's and master's degree programs. The infrastructure includes a 24-hectare farm for research and organic agriculture, and its own nuclear physics laboratory. Scientists and students are conducting research on the mass of galaxies and the impact of climate change on marine life. The campus also has a botanical garden, the Nitobe Japanese Garden, the Chan Shun Concert Hall, and 210 interest clubs.

Staff, faculty and alumni have received 7 Nobel Prizes and 64 Olympic medals. UBC is a member of the Association of Universities of Canada U15. The University includes various research centers and institutes: the Institute of Public Health, the Vannier Institute, the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, the Center for Computational Medicine. UBC is known for its achievements in the field of architecture, positioning high in the rankings of the best universities in the world and Canada, and in the rankings for architecture and sustainable development. Also it has the BC Hydro Energy Smart Award, Earth Award, and the award for outstanding achievements in the field of construction.

3. McGill University

This research academy was founded in 1821 in Montreal, Quebec. The university is named after James McGill, a Scottish businessman who left financial support for its establishment. Currently, the university has more than 39,000 students on two campuses: the main one is located in the center of Montreal on the slope of Mount Royal, and the second one is located in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, 30 km from the main one. The university offers more than 300 studying programs, has already graduated 12 Nobel Laureates, 148 Rhodes Scholars, 159 Laurent fellows among its graduates and teachers.

At the university, all teachers are professional architects, holders of Bachelor of Architecture degrees in Canada, having accreditation of the Canadian Council for Architectural Certification (CA CB). In addition to it, in the USA they are recognized by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). The university offers one of the smallest undergraduate classes among all Canadian institutions of architecture and one of the rarest graduate architecture programs. Many university publishers have become famous architects and teachers, for example, Moshe Safdi, founder of Habitat 67.

4. University of Waterloo (UW)

Located deep in Ontario, in the center of Toronto, UW was founded in 1956 and has been continuously developing since then. The university includes 6 academic departments. Currently it has about 36,000 students, of whom 6,200 are graduate students, and 12% are foreigners. UW holds one of the leading positions in the rankings of higher education institutions in Canada, also it is an active member of the Association of Colleges of Canada and the European Union of Universities. 54 academicians of the British Royal Society, 4 Nobel laureates in chemistry and one in physics work at UW. UW stands out as the only educational institution in Canada offering an optics program in English. The university is famous for its extensive professional preparation program, which is one of the largest in the world.

The university campus covers a vast area of 404 hectares, including 3 main campuses, 6 faculties, 4 colleges and 10 schools. There are 4 libraries, a museum and a Student Life Center on site. The faculties provide studying a wide range of sciences, including engineering, mathematics, natural sciences, art, natural sciences and applied health sciences. The UW Faculty of Engineering is considered one of the most prestigious and reputable in Canada.

5. Toronto Metropolitan University

Founded in 1948, TMU has the status of a public educational institution, which was named after Egerton Ryerson, a prominent figure in the educational sphere of the early 19th century. TMU is located in the heart of cosmopolitan Toronto and accepts foreign students from 146 countries — their number exceeds 45,000 people. The university offers a wide range of studying programs in various fields: art, science, business, communications, design, social work, engineering and architecture. TMU's faculties include many departments and schools — for example, continuing education programs through the Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education.

The Faculty of Architecture of the University provides Bachelor's Degree in Architectural Science (BArchSc), Master's and Doctoral degree (MArch, PhD) in Architecture, Construction Science (MBSc, MASc, PhD). The faculty is located in the center of Toronto and actively cooperates with leading specialists, government agencies and developers.

The university has four student residences, the main campus is located in the Garden district.

6. University of Alberta

The University of Edmont is an advanced educational institution, opened in 1908, today offering more than 200 bachelor's degrees and 170 master's programs. Alberta has 5 campuses. Also it is officially a member of the Association of Universities of Canada U15, positions high in world rankings and recognized as one of the leaders in the field of higher education. The university library is considered one of the largest in the country, including more than five million volumes. Alberta conducts research in various fields, among which are engineering, natural sciences, humanities and the arts. The university actively cooperates with local and international companies and organizations, and thanks to its reputation and high level of education attracting foreign students.

The Faculty of Architecture offers an extensive program in architecture and urban planning on all five campuses. This faculty consists of sixteen departments and two colleges where students can receive education at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. The faculty is considered one of the leading architectural educational centers, providing high-quality preparation programs in this field.

7. University of Calgary (UC)

UC is a public university, focused on research. Located in the city of Calgary, it was founded in 1966 and throughout its existence has been formed from 14 faculties, more than 85 research institutes and centers. Annually, UC is chosen by more than 33,000 students and 6,000 doctoral students. Over the years, the university has already graduated over 155,000 highly qualified specialists, including former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Canadian astronaut Robert Sirk. UC positions high in numerous world university rankings, including The Times Higher Education, and is considered one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Canada, ranking 7th nationally.

The Faculty of Architecture provides an opportunity to take a three-year accredited professional program. The course is based on an innovative approach to design and sustainable development. Students study various disciplines, including design studio, building sciences, lighting and others. The faculty offers a generous scholarship program for students and a variety of additional education opportunities for graduates, including Block Week courses, a series of Design matters lectures and study abroad programs in Barcelona, Tokyo and Zurich. After successful completion of the program, students can continue their studies and obtain a master's degree in environmental design (MEDes).

8. Montreal University

Founded in 1878, the University is located in the city of Montreal, in the province of Quebec, deservedly considered one of the leading French-speaking educational institutions in the world. Today it teaches about 67,000 students. Also it is among the top 100 universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings. MU is a member of the prestigious association of Canadian universities U15, uniting the most reputable educational institutions in Canada. MU ranks tenth among Canadian universities in terms of the number of Nobel Prize winners and has the largest library of Francophone studies in North America.

The MU Faculty of Architecture includes 3 main schools: architecture, Design, Urban Planning and landscape architecture. 250 teachers offer students 23 educational programs aimed at studying the human impact on the environment and its influence on it. The faculty actively cooperates with local and international companies, providing students with the opportunity to complete internships. Additionally, the faculty maintains close relationships with other MU departments, giving students the opportunity to study various aspects of architecture and urban planning.