According to statistics, there are 600,000 Chinese students studying abroad. In Canadian universities, there are 500,000 international students from all over the world, and among them, 186,000 are Chinese students studying in Canada. This number means that nearly one-third of Chinese international students choose Canada, and nearly one-third of the international students on Canadian campuses are Chinese. From the 96 universities across Canada, which ones have the most Chinese students? Let’s take a look at the Canadian universities that are most popular with Chinese students.
University of Toronto，UofT
For four years, the University of Toronto has topped the Maclean'smagazine's ranking as Canada's top school by reputation. It is also an honorary representative of Canadian universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE). In 2019, it ranked 21st in the world. Reputation had risen from 22nd to 19th in 2018.
As for the majority of Chinese students, how do they choose a university? If your marks are high enough, choosing a university with a high ranking is better. After all, the reputation of the university is very important for students who intend to return to China for work, which is also the first thing employers look at. The universities we have listed below also have considerable advantages in this regard, and thus have become the top choices for Chinese students.
In addition, the headquarters of the University of Toronto is located in the heart of Toronto. As the liveliest metropolis in Canada, studying here will definitely ensure a vibrant experience in your life abroad. Of course, living costs will also be higher.
According to statistics, 65% of international students in 2018-2019 are from China. So, it is not difficult to establish your own circle of friends. Having other Chinese-speaking students around you can help you adapt to the new environment.
University of British Columbia，UBC
Founded in 1908, UBC ranks 37th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE), second to the University of Toronto. If the main campus of the University of Toronto is like the hub of the universe, then UBC would be paradise in another realm. There will be no need to endure the winter temperatures of minus 30 degrees on the east coast of Canada. Vancouver's livability is better than you think. As many as 5,000 Chinese students are studying abroad, accounting for one-third of the total number of international students.
UBC's business school is ranked number one on MacLean's' 2019 rankings. It also offers a Bachelor + Master of Management Double Degree, which can be completed in four and a half years. Also, Biomedical Engineering and Urban Forestry are also distinctive specialty programs offered.
UBC is more than 40 minutes away from downtown Vancouver by bus. However, the UBC campus is pretty much a small city on its own, with condos, supermarkets, liquor shops, and an anthropological museum. If you like sports, UBC has a Chinese sports team that you can participate in; and Whistler in the northwest has a great hiking location with a ski resort that can be reached by car in just a few hours.
McGill University
Founded in 1821, McGill University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Canada. In its heyday, it was known as the "Harvard of the North." Ranked 35th on the QS World University Rankings, it is the only Canadian university following the University of Toronto.
However, the above rankings are all comprehensive rankings. If you specifically want to look at the medical science program alone, McGill is definitely the top choice in Canada. It has always been the number one medical doctoral university in Canada. It has trained the most Nobel Prize winners and Rhodes Scholars in Canada. The thirteen libraries and the four reference libraries on campus form one of Canada's largest library networks, and the Redpath Museum on campus is one of Canada's oldest natural science museums.
The city, Montreal, where McGill University is located, was rated by QS as the best city for students in 2017. Although the university is located in a French-speaking area, international students account for 32.6% of the total number of students. The main campus is located in the city centre, close to major museums and cultural institutions. The Quebec government's substantial funding for culture has provided Montrealers with the highest level of cultural life.
McGill established their Language Centre (McGill University, English and French Language Programs, EFLP) in 1980, and launched a conditional admission program in 2013. Applicants who meet academic requirements but fail to meet the language requirements can go to the language centre to study before starting their undergraduate program.
Memorial University of Newfounland，MUN
The University of Newfoundland is located in the most eastern marine province of the North American continent - Newfoundland and Labrador. The natural scenery is an eye-opener. The capital, St. John's, is home to MUN's main campus. Founded in 1925, this university ranks seventh overall in Canada. MUN is indeed a key university in the marine provinces, and its star program, marine engineering, ranks first in North America.
Why leave North America to go to school on an island? Because tuition is really cheap! International tuition fees are about one-fifth that of the University of Toronto. International students need to pay only $10,000 a year, and the rent is even lower than that of big cities. If your English scores do not meet the entry requirements, you can first apply for the Intensive English Program (IEP), which is specially created by MUN. Small classes with less than 18 students ensure good class interaction. IEP students can also experience all the campus facilities.
Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University was founded in 1963 and was named after Simon Fraser, a Canadian explorer of the nineteenth century. SFU is a medium-sized comprehensive university specializing in liberal arts and sciences. It has maintained its top ten rankings of Canadian universities and was rated as the strongest comprehensive university in 2019 by MacLean's magazine. SFU's undergraduate programs have always been well-known for their wide-ranging practicality, especially in the field of science and technology, keeping pace with the forefront of the times. In the fall of 2019, a new sustainable energy engineering program will be opened. It covers renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, and similar hot topics in the fields of clean energy production, sustainable agriculture, etc. It is clear that the establishment of this program fully caters to the sustainable development model of Canada and the world. Graduates are bound to become high-demand talents in related fields.
SFU will also start a more promising postgraduate program - visual computing. This is also Canada's first postgraduate program in this subject. Keywords such as computer vision, man-machine interaction, virtual reality technology, medical imaging, auto-piloting, etc. are all research areas of this project. SFU's Computing and Graphics and Computer Vision majors rank 13th in the world. This promising new project is obviously worthy of attention.
At the same time, the three campuses can definitely meet your desires for natural scenery and urban life. The Burnaby campus will soon be completed with a $55 million student centre covering 100,000 square feet. It is believed to provide an unforgettable learning experience for international students.
According to statistics, since 2011, the number of Chinese students on Simon Fraser's campuses has accounted for more than half of the total number of international students, which is about 2,700. This is also due to the close cooperation between Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Fraser International College (FIC). Students who have high school grades and English scores that do not meet the SFU admission criteria can go to FIC to complete the preparatory courses and English training. This is a great way to pave the way for undergraduate admission. So, if you are not sure about whether your scores can get you in, come see what Simon Fraser has arranged for you!
