Last Updated on July 29, 2023
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Best Medical Universities to Study at in Canada
Are you thinking of pursuing a medical career? Medicine is known to be the noblest profession of them all. Job opportunities in healthcare are in abundance especially in a post-pandemic world – not to mention it’s one of the highest-paying professions.
With many great medical universities around the world, why should you choose to study in Canada? Apart from ranking as the third-best country to study medicine globally, Canada also caters to international students’ long-term goals with exciting postgraduate programs and visa options to help them stay in the country and practice as healthcare professionals – guaranteeing a brighter future for them and their families.
Be a part of one of these top medical universities’ alumni when you graduate with a world-class medical degree.
Best Medical Universities in Canada
International students who want to study in Canada may only enroll at Designated Learning Institutions (DLI). The good news is that all of Canada’s top schools featured below are DLIs that readily welcome international students to learn, grow, and flourish in their careers.
1. McGill University
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Global University Ranking: #49
Number of International Students: 9, 227
McGill University is favourably located in Quebec, Canada. The university has two campuses: the downtown campus in Montreal and the Macdonald campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. Quebec is Canada’s biggest and predominantly French-speaking province. However, the primary language of instruction at McGill is English.
The university is affiliated with multiple teaching hospitals, and its medical school is the oldest in Canada. The creation of the first artificial blood cell is among the research achievements associated with the university.
2. Toronto University
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Global University Ranking: #18
Number of International Students: 15, 067
U of T is probably the most well-known education institution in Canada and a popular choice for international students who study in Canada. You will be surrounded by a large multicultural environment, both in classrooms, as well as in the city.
An advantage of studying at a designated university in Ontario is the option of applying for permanent residency through the International Student Stream once you graduate as a medical professional with arranged employment.
3. University of British Columbia
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Global University Ranking: #30
Number of International Students: 16, 626
UBC has two main campuses – the Vancouver campus and the Okanagan campus located in Kelowna. UBC students’ favorite hangout spots include the Pit Pub, Stanley Park, and Wreck Beach. Not to mention taking a trip to Whistler during winter break for action-packed fun in the snow such as skiing and snowboarding.
UBC also boasts impressive alumni including Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. First-year international students can opt to enroll in the Vantage One program which aims to help students improve their English, in part by stretching their first year of study from eight to 11 months.
4. McMaster University
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Global University Ranking: #126
Number of International Students: 4, 160
McMaster University is favorably located near the edge of Lake Ontario and close to the US border for a quick trip to The Big Apple if you’re feeling adventurous. The university’s international students hail from more than 75 countries, and its full-time faculty members come from more than 55.
Themed accommodation is available at the university such as an all-female community, a healthy active living community, and a global perspectives community (learn more in the video above). In addition, if you’re interested in neuroscience you’ll be able to study the brain of the late, great Albert Einstein that’s currently in a jar in one of the school labs at McMaster.
5. Queen’s University
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Global University Ranking: #379
Number of International Students: 2, 984
Queen’s University is suitably situated in Kingston and a 10-minute walk to downtown and market square. The university is highly-ranked as one of the best medical universities in Canada for its exceptional student experience. It has the most clubs of any Canadian university as well as more than 220 international exchange programs. Not to mention a Harry Potter reading room.
According to the Dean of the medical faculty, Queen’s four-year Undergraduate Medical Program is designed to provide a variety of innovative learning opportunities that will prepare international students to be highly desired postgraduate trainees and outstanding practicing physicians.
5 Benefits of Studying in Canada
1. Affordable tuition fees
Affordability is a big deciding factor for many international students when choosing a study destination. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between quality and affordability when you study in Canada. Out of all the popular study destinations such as the USA and Australia, Canada offers a wide range of study programs with reasonable tuition fees. An undergraduate program costs on average between CAD $13, 000 – $20, 000 and a master’s degree ranges from CAD $17, 000 – $25, 000 annually.
2. Scholarships in Canada
Scholarships to study in Canada are available for international students who want to pursue postgraduate degrees. The merit-based scholarships award students by covering their tuition fees, accommodation, and certain living expenses.
Here are a few exciting scholarships in Canada that you may qualify for:
| Scholarships for International Students in Canada | |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | Tell me more |
| Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan | This scheme identifies students with high intellect from Commonwealth countries applying to programs of advanced study and research at the Master and Ph.D. level The award comprises travel, living allowance, and the compulsory tuition fees |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS) | The program promotes excellence in graduate studies at the masters and doctoral levels in all graduate disciplines in Ontario Universities like the UT. |
| Shastri Indo-Canadian Institutes | Offers various fellowships at different levels from graduate to post-doctorate and from research to training fellowships for Indian students. |
3. Get a part-time job
While tuition fees are your primary expenditure when you study abroad, there are other costs involved such as your accommodation and living expenses. The good news is that you don’t have to solely rely on your savings when you study in Canada. International students are allowed to work 20-hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during vacations.
That means you can get a great part-time job to fund some (not all) of your expenses. Or simply earn pocket money to spend on concert tickets, camping trips with friends, and a daily cappuccino from Tim Hortons.
4. Apply for a Post-Graduate Permit
What happens after you graduate with a medical degree in Canada? Head back home? You don’t have to when you have the incredible opportunity of staying and kick-starting your career right here in the Great North. A Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students to work anywhere in Canada for up to 3 years!
Healthcare professionals are in-demand in Canada, especially registered nurses, physicians, and occupational therapists. Working in Canada’s healthcare industry will allow you to gain significant work experience and earn a high paying salary. At the same time, it paves the way to an easy route to permanent residency.
5. The Ultimate Canadian Experience
Just how big is a moose? What does poutine taste like? How fun is it to make snow angels? You can only find out in Canada.
From European architecture, The Great Outdoors, snow sports, vibrant cities, to epic nightlife – there’s just so much to do and see. Making new friends won’t be a problem either. Canadians are known to be some of the friendliest and most welcoming people in the world! Canada is so much more than higher education, it’s an adventure waiting to happen.
Requirements to Study in Canada
Letter of Admission/Acceptance
When you decide on a medical university in Canada that speaks the loudest to you, you need to enroll in a study program. If you are accepted into the program you will get a letter of acceptance which is a required document when you apply for your study permit.
Student Permit and Visa
To qualify for a Canadian study permit, you need to:
- Be enrolled at a designated learning institution
- Show proof of funds to cover your tuition fees, living costs, return travel
- Have no criminal record
- Be in good health (you might need to complete a medical exam)
To study in Canada you need a student permit that costs $150 (CAD). If you are required to provide biometrics, there is an additional charge of $85. The price of your permit includes your visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) which allows you to enter Canada and leave for holidays.
Student Direct Stream
If you live in China, India, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal, or Vietnam, you may be able to get your study permit within 20 calendar days through the Student Direct Stream. These countries have an agreement with Canada that allows for faster visa processing times.
