26 best universities in Vancouver, British Columbia 2025

The application process is generally online, with document evaluation taking time. Aspiring learners should initiate this process around September or October, and no later than November, to meet application deadlines. Application acceptance for the fall semester typically concludes by February or early March.

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

Work-Study Options

Foreign students are allowed to work part-time, up to 20 hours a week, usually earning about 12 CAD per hour.

Scholarships and Grants

Financial aid is available for students with high academic performance and language proficiency (minimum IELTS 7.0). Postgraduate students can apply with their research projects.

Under-18 Student Requirements

Younger international students need an official guardian and must have their certificates validated by authorized organizations.

Accommodation Choices

Students can opt for host family living or boarding accommodations, often residing on campus.

Post-Graduation Opportunities

Graduates can remain in Canada for one to three years to pursue employment in their field or an academic career.

• Kwantlen Polytechnic University: Founded in 1981 by the Government of British Columbia, it offers over 200 programs, including diplomas, bachelor's degrees, certificates, and citations.

• University of British Columbia: Ranked as the 37th best university globally by THE (Times Higher Education) in 2022, offering diverse programs allowing students to obtain Bachelor's, Master's, and vocational degrees. This educational institution is located near Vancouver's southwest coast.

• Simon Fraser University: A leading institution with over twenty-four thousand students, it's situated in Burnaby, downtown Vancouver, and Surrey. Foreign students can take effective programs for bachelor's, co-education specialist, master's, and postgraduate degrees. Simon Fraser is also noted for being a popular filming location for film and TV.

The tuition fee varies, which is stipulated by the chosen curriculum and institution. For example, Vancouver Island University typically charges international attendees about 14,000 CAD per year, while the University of British Columbia can exceed 45,000 CAD. Note that these tuition figures do not include living expenses during the study period.

Determining the "best" institution is subjective, hinging on individual goals and needs. Maclean's magazine's annual rankings, accessible online, offer insights into various options. Regardless of the choice, the quality of education at Vancouver's top academic centers is widely acknowledged for its excellence.

If you plan to study at one of the colleges or universities in Vancouver, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A valid passport,  
• A diploma and transcript of your high school or post-secondary education,  
• Confirmation of English proficiency: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAEL, etc., 
• Confirmation of financial stability.

Some universities conduct teaching in two languages, French and English, so knowledge of both languages may be required.

When a decision on pursuing higher education in Canada is made, please apply to the university in advance, at least a year before the beginning of studies. Typically, the application is filled in online.

In recent years, the city has become an increasingly important center for industries such as software development, biotechnology, aerospace, video game development, animation studios, television production, and the film industry. Universities offer preparation courses, allowing students to get a job after completing studies.

Notable companies located in the city or with local offices include Telus Corp, Jim Pattison Group, Citizens Bank of Canada, Hootsuite, Pixar Canada, Tenke Mining, Goldcorp Inc. and HSBC Bank. During studying or holidays, students are provided with the opportunity to participate in Internships.

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