Eight Canadian universities have placed in the top 200 universities worldwide, with the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and McGill University in the top 50 in this well-known university ranking system.

While the three Canadian universities in the top 50 each dropped marginally, four of the eight Canadian universities in the top 200 improved their position on the list. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is among the world’s best-known lists of its kind, and is highly regarded for its reliability.

At number 22 in the world, the University of Toronto is the highest-placed Canadian institution on the list. Excluding institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom, it ranked second in the world after the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Universities in the United States and the United Kingdom consistently dominate university ranking lists. However, it is important to note that these top institutions are usually older and well-established, and receive significant amounts in private donations and endowments. In contrast, Canada’s public university system competes strongly, considering funding comes almost exclusively from government budgets and comparatively low tuition fees.

There are several world university ranking lists, all of which compare various different metrics to compile their rankings. The Times Higher Education ranking rates universities in each of five categories: performance in teaching, research, journal citations, international outlook, and income from industry. The first three categories are weighted more heavily (income from industry accounts for only 2.5 percent of the total score). Consequently, the ranking places more emphasis on teaching and research.

Income from industry is one area in which Canadian universities are not as competitive as other institutions around the world. This may be attributed to the fact that, contrary to some other countries, the commitment to public education in Canada is more ingrained into policy and society. Alex Usher, president of education consulting agent Higher Education Strategy Associates, has explained that high marks for industry income can be attributed to the fact that universities may be owned by a company. In Canada there are no globally-competitive universities owned and operated by for-profit corporations.

Rankings are not the only consideration

University rankings can be the first step in searching for the best university match. Ranking lists can give a picture of education in a particular country; if a country has several highly-ranked institutions in a list, it may be assumed that higher education is a priority in that country. With eight countries ranked in the top 200 worldwide — and considering that it is estimated there are more than 26,000 universities in the world — Canada holds its position as a leader in higher education. As of July 2016, Canada has the fourth-highest number of universities in the listings of the top 100 universities worldwide.

However, leading education experts caution against relying too strongly on rankings. Michelle Stack, associate professor of educational studies at the University of British Columbia, is skeptical of the assessment factors included. Other important considerations for international students — such as cost, community involvement, work placement opportunities, quality of life, and a welcoming attitude towards international students — are not a factor in the Times Higher Education ranking system. “What’s not looked at are things like community engagement,” Dr Stack said. “What about a university that is doing good work in [Vancouver’s] Downtown Eastside?”

Dr Stack, who has written a book on the rise of global ranking lists (Global University Rankings and the Mediatization of Higher Education), said that focusing exclusively on top-ranked schools “is a detriment in the long term, because our system has been one of saying that you can go to different universities that are all equally worthy. It depends on what [the student’s] goals are.”

So, how to decide on a university?

Education rankings may be the first resource potential international students turn to when beginning their study planning. They are thoroughly researched by teams of experts, and are a quick reference point compared to scouring numerous institution websites. Other lists are also popular — such as the QS rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (both of which rank four Canadian universities in the top 100).

Nevertheless, potential students should consider whether income from industry is important to someone who wants to focus on academic pursuits, and whether citation rankings are important to someone who is looking for opportunities for work placement and hands-on experience.

Another important consideration is lifestyle. A university is a new home for a student, potentially for years to come. Individuals looking to study abroad would be wise to consider the community and culture of their intended destination, as well as the academic prestige.

To learn more about your options for studying in Canada, click here. There is also a range of tools and resources available for prospective students in Canada, including Canada School Search and School Match Canada.

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