Engineering is not only study of 45 subjects but it is moral studies of intellectual life
Prakhar Srivastav
What comes to your mind first when it comes to selecting the best university for engineering in Canada?
Is it purely rankings or their wide range of degree programs or research specializations?
What if we tell you, you could get them all at five of the country's best universities for engineering programs.
Here's what you will gain at the end of the article:
What to know before applying to these universities
- Overall university and faculty reputation
- Range and specialized engineering programs
- Research and industrial opportunities
- Tips to increase your acceptance rate
🎓University of Toronto
Located in Ontario, the University of Toronto is currently ranked the #1 university in Canada for engineering.
According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2024, the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering of this public research university is placed 17th globally under the Engineering & Technology category.
Prospective students will study the following core engineering degrees here:
There are two unique features of the experience of studying engineering at the U of T.
Firstly, students get to explore an undeclared undergraduate programme (known as TrackOne) before deciding on the major of their engineering degree in their second year.
Secondly, the Engineering Science degree acts as a pathway for more niche and specialised fields of engineering in the last two years of their studies such as:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biomedical Systems Engineering
- Energy Systems Engineering
- Machine Intelligence
- Engineering Mathematics, Statistics and Finance
- Engineering Physics
- Robotics Engineering
Technically, 14 engineering specializations are offered at this university.
Besides having the oldest university engineering society (founded in 1885) in Canada, this global education institution also has a strong research background and a supportive career centre for engineering students.
Students can not only apply for funding support for their summer research programs but also participate in global, groundbreaking projects. In 2022, a team of University of Toronto engineering students launched Canada’s first-ever experimental hybrid rocket.
They could also participate in paid work experience programs with key engineering corporations before their graduation.
Notable examples include the Professional Experience Year Co-op Program (PEY Co-op) and the Engineering Summer Internship Program (ESIP).
🎓University of British Columbia
The UBC has two campuses in the province of British Columbia — one in Vancouver (main), and another in Okanagan.
Ranked #2 engineering university in Canada, this higher learning institution is also placed 49th globally for engineering according to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025.
Under the School of Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, both UBC campuses have different core engineering programs:
Vancouver
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Geological Engineering
- Integrated Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mineral Engineering
Okanagan
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Every student will have to complete a foundational first year before selecting their specialisation in the second year.
Depending on their engineering programs, they can opt for a dual degree, or choose different electives, minors, and concentrations according to their interests. For instance, there are engineering students who minor in arts or management.
Additionally, the faculty also takes pride in its wide range of research and development commitments, especially those of which include heavy participation of its own students and academic professionals.
A few examples include the University of British Columbia's dedication to sustainable engineering through the Smart Hydrogen Energy District (SHED) project and its collaboration with local and international industrial partners on AI-powered “Smart” Robots for efficient and conducive construction.
🎓University of Waterloo (UWaterloo)
Next, let's talk about Canada's largest engineering school, the University of Waterloo, which is also located in Ontario.
Founded in 1959, this global education institution is ranked #3 among Canada's best universities according to Maclean's University Rankings 2025.
According to the official statistics released by the university, over 10,900 engineering students enrolled in 2023.
Specified engineering programs like chemical engineering, civil and structural engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, and mechanical engineering are currently ranked top five in Canada.
The faculty offers 14 professional engineering degrees:
- Architectural Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Geological Engineering
- Management Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Nanotechnology Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Systems Design Engineering
It's important to note that UWaterloo students will directly enter and study their chosen major (as shown above) right from their first year, where different degrees have different specialization modules. For instance, architectural engineering students can choose between building structures specialization and building systems specialization.
The university also maintains close strategic research partnerships with close to 800 Canadian companies and 300 international companies, especially in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, and many more.
Fun fact: Did you know the research funding in 2023 for the school of engineering at UWaterloo reportedly exceeded 79.3 million Canadian dollars (CAD)?
🎓McGill University
A public university in Montreal, Quebec that was founded in 1821, McGill University is also well known for its established faculty of engineering. Overall, this higher learning institution is ranked 45th in the World University Rankings 2025.
The faculty offers 6 engineering departments as follows:
By engineering subject, their Mining and Materials Engineering ranks among the top 5 engineering programs in the world.
When it comes to research and industrial opportunities, there is the McGill Engine Centre that offers substantial funding, connection, and coaching to make every research idea a reality — especially through industrial partnerships with companies worldwide.
Under each department, there are also specialized centres and technology institutes for the smooth facilitation of research studies and policies:
- Brace Centre for Water Resources Management
- Centre for Systems, Technologies and Applications for Radiofrequency and Communication (STARaCom)
- Centre for Intelligent Machines (CIM)
- McGill Centre for Innovation in Storage and Conversion of Energy (McISCE)
- McGill Institute for Aerospace Engineering (MIAE)
- McGill Institute for Advances Materials (MIAM)
- McGill Metals Processing Centre
- Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design (TISED)
🎓University of Alberta
According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), the University of Alberta is ranked #5 among Canadian universities.
With five departments under the faculty of engineering, future Canadian and international students will enrol in the following engineering degrees:
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Process Control Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Nanoscale Systems Design
- Software Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Nanoengineering
- Engineering Physics & Nanoengineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
The main four pillars of research at this faculty are energy and minerals, resilient infrastructure, climate and the environment, as well as emerging and advanced technologies (like artificial intelligence).
At the University of Alberta, engineering students can choose between a conventional four-year degree program or a 5-year co-op program (Mandatory completion of 20 months of hands-on training and practical experience with industry partners before graduation).
They can use this opportunity to learn more about the career prospects and earnings of the Canadian engineering industry.
Enhance Your Acceptance Rate To Top Universities
Now that you have reviewed the details of the best 5 Canadian universities to study an engineering program, it's time to take a few more steps to draw closer to your dream.
When it comes to applying to study at universities with such top rankings, it could mean two things — a competitive acceptance rate and pricey annual tuition fees.
To increase your chances of being accepted, there's no shortcut but to score well in your high school examinations or foundational programmes consistently, especially your Math and Science subjects.
After all, securing high grades is not just for the sake of enrollment by the high entry requirements, but also to improve your opportunity to secure a potential scholarship to worry less about your tuition expenses.
Every top university mentioned above offers a wide range of scholarships and financial aid to well-deserving, best students upon acceptance.
If you are considering enrollment in an engineering program soon, we highly recommend you start getting ready now by taking additional private tutoring with an experienced tutor, be it math, physics, or both. It would also be worth working on relevant soft skills!
At Superprof, you can find the best Math or Science tutor near you in just a few clicks. Depending on each student's learning preferences, you can even choose between face-to-face lessons or online lessons from your current city (like Quebec or Waterloo)
Head to the Superprof Canada homepage and indicate your desired subject to learn (Science/Maths), and your current location in Canada (north or southern part) to start browsing a selection of tutors' profiles.
Take your time to read the personal information of each tutor regarding their qualification, years of tutoring experience, teaching methodology, past students' reviews, and hourly rates (in terms of CAD per hour) before deciding.
Once you are ready, you can contact them directly via the messaging feature to book your first lesson with them. Perhaps, you can start your lessons in January to kickstart the new year.
With the best guidance, you will certainly score good grades and achieve success no matter which university program you plan to apply to, whether it's to Waterloo, Quebec, Alberta, Toronto or Vancouver.
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