83 Best Art & Design schools in Canada

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Canada ranked based on their research performance in Art & Design. A graph of 4.74M citations received by 254K academic papers made by 83 universities in Canada was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. University of Toronto

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#4 in North America

#5 in the World

Enrollment: 27,651
Founded: 1827

2. University of British Columbia

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Art & Design

#18 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 20,893
Founded: 1908

3. McGill University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#30 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Enrollment: 37,888
Founded: 1821

4. University of Alberta

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#33 in North America

#43 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

5. University of Waterloo

Ontario | Waterloo

For Art & Design

#51 in North America

#91 in the World

Enrollment: 35,900
Founded: 1957

6. University of Calgary

Alberta | Calgary

For Art & Design

#53 in North America

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 33,000
Founded: 1966

7. Simon Fraser University

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Art & Design

#58 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

8. York University

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#61 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 53,000
Founded: 1959

9. University of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#63 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Enrollment: 66,972
Founded: 1878

10. Western University

Ontario | London

For Art & Design

#66 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 21,836
Founded: 1878

11. University of Ottawa

Ontario | Ottawa

For Art & Design

#70 in North America

#134 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

12. McMaster University

Ontario | Hamilton

For Art & Design

#73 in North America

#139 in the World

Enrollment: 27,965
Founded: 1887

13. Queen's University

Ontario | Kingston

For Art & Design

#87 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Enrollment: 30,386
Founded: 1841

14. University of Victoria

British Columbia | Victoria

For Art & Design

#101 in North America

#220 in the World

Enrollment: 15,999
Founded: 1963

15. Carleton University

Ontario | Ottawa

For Art & Design

#104 in North America

#237 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 9,109
Founded: 1942

16. Dalhousie University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#107 in North America

#248 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Enrollment: 30,867
Founded: 1818

17. Laval University

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Art & Design

#109 in North America

#259 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1852

18. University of Manitoba

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Art & Design

#116 in North America

#277 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 29,800
Founded: 1877

19. University of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan | Saskatoon

For Art & Design

#119 in North America

#300 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 20,953
Founded: 1907

20. Concordia University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#123 in North America

#327 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1974

21. University of Guelph

Ontario | Guelph

For Art & Design

#124 in North America

#328 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

22. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John's

For Art & Design

#143 in North America

#409 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1925

23. University of Quebec in Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#148 in North America

#430 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1969

24. Ryerson University

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#163 in North America

#472 in the World

Enrollment: 38,950
Founded: 1948

25. Polytechnic School of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#176 in North America

#503 in the World

Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

26. Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario | Waterloo

For Art & Design

#187 in North America

#551 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1911

27. Brock University

Ontario | St. Catharines

For Art & Design

#192 in North America

#565 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Enrollment: 18,824
Founded: 1964

28. University of New Brunswick

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Art & Design

#201 in North America

#595 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 32,036
Founded: 1785

29. University of Windsor

Ontario | Windsor

For Art & Design

#207 in North America

#608 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 16,092
Founded: 1857

30. University of Regina

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Art & Design

#222 in North America

#673 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1911

31. University of Sherbrooke

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Art & Design

#249 in North America

#789 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1954

32. Trent University

Ontario | Peterborough

For Art & Design

#274 in North America

#852 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1963

33. University of Lethbridge

Alberta | Lethbridge

For Art & Design

#284 in North America

#888 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 8,059
Male:Female: 42:58
Founded: 1967

34. HEC Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#285 in North America

#891 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1907

35. University of Winnipeg

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Art & Design

#310 in North America

#1011 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1871

36. Ontario Tech University

Ontario | Oshawa

For Art & Design

#312 in North America

#1029 in the World

Founded: 2002

37. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

Quebec State | Montreal

For Art & Design

#330 in North America

#1111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1974

38. Laurentian University

Ontario | Greater Sudbury

For Art & Design

#344 in North America

#1166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 9,323
Founded: 1960

39. Lakehead University

Ontario | Thunder Bay

For Art & Design

#356 in North America

#1212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1965

40. St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia | Antigonish

For Art & Design

#363 in North America

#1250 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 1853

41. Royal Military College of Canada

Ontario | Kingston

For Art & Design

#388 in North America

#1361 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

42. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Quebec State | Trois-Rivieres

For Art & Design

#403 in North America

#1431 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1969

43. University of Northern British Columbia

British Columbia | Prince George

For Art & Design

#406 in North America

#1443 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Enrollment: 28,609
Founded: 1990

44. Saint Mary's University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#414 in North America

#1492 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 7,281
Founded: 1802

45. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

Quebec State | Chicoutimi

For Art & Design

#415 in North America

#1494 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1969

46. Acadia University

Nova Scotia | Wolfville

For Art & Design

#439 in North America

#1578 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1838

47. MacEwan University

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#480 in North America

#1709 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1971

48. University of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown

For Art & Design

#483 in North America

#1724 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 4,336
Founded: 1969

49. Mount Saint Vincent University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#488 in North America

#1749 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 4,050
Founded: 1873

50. Bishop's University

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Art & Design

#533 in North America

#1895 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Enrollment: 2,756
Founded: 1843

51. University of Moncton

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Art & Design

#539 in North America

#1921 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1864

52. Mount Allison University

New Brunswick | Sackville

For Art & Design

#549 in North America

#1971 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 72,100
Founded: 1839

53. University of Quebec in Outaouais

Quebec State | Gatineau

For Art & Design

#585 in North America

#2103 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1981

54. Brandon University

Manitoba | Brandon

For Art & Design

#590 in North America

#2119 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1899

55. Thompson Rivers University

British Columbia | Kamloops

For Art & Design

#618 in North America

#2268 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1970

56. Mount Royal University

Alberta | Calgary

For Art & Design

#633 in North America

#2331 in the World

Enrollment: 12,577
Founded: 1910

57. Nipissing University

Ontario | North Bay

For Art & Design

#648 in North America

#2398 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 4,838
Founded: 1992

58. Royal Roads University

British Columbia | Victoria

For Art & Design

#663 in North America

#2471 in the World

Founded: 1995

59. Kings University in Canada

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#668 in North America

#2486 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1979

60. Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia | Sydney

For Art & Design

#672 in North America

#2510 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Enrollment: 3,500
Founded: 1974

61. Vancouver Island University

British Columbia | Nanaimo

For Art & Design

#683 in North America

#2557 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Enrollment: 16,000
Founded: 1969

62. University of Quebec in Rimouski

Quebec State | Rimouski

For Art & Design

#690 in North America

#2582 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 5,000
Founded: 1969

63. Trinity Western University

British Columbia | Langley

For Art & Design

#691 in North America

#2583 in the World

Enrollment: 7,475
Founded: 1986

64. St. Thomas University - Canada

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Art & Design

#773 in North America

#2924 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1910

65. University of the Fraser Valley

British Columbia | Abbotsford

For Art & Design

#774 in North America

#2931 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1974

66. OCAD University

Ontario | Toronto

For Art & Design

#817 in North America

#3104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 4,827
Founded: 1876

67. University of Quebec

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Art & Design

#829 in North America

#3164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Founded: 1968

68. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

British Columbia | Surrey

For Art & Design

#881 in North America

#3403 in the World

Founded: 1981

69. Quest University Canada

British Columbia | Squamish

For Art & Design

#996 in North America

#3880 in the World

Enrollment: 420
Male:Female: 51:49
Founded: 2007

70. British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Art & Design

#1027 in North America

#4038 in the World

Founded: 1960

71. University of King's College

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#1052 in North America

#4137 in the World

Founded: 1789

72. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Quebec State | Rouyn-Noranda

For Art & Design

#1061 in North America

#4185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1970

73. University of Saint-Boniface

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Art & Design

#1064 in North America

#4191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 989
Founded: 1818

74. National School of Public Administration

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Art & Design

#1102 in North America

#4360 in the World

Founded: 1969

75. Algoma University

Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie

For Art & Design

#1107 in North America

#4376 in the World

Enrollment: 1,600
Founded: 2008

76. Concordia University of Edmonton

Alberta | Edmonton

For Art & Design

#1136 in North America

#4492 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1921

77. Redeemer University College

Ontario | Ancaster

For Art & Design

#1137 in North America

#4494 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 910
Founded: 1982

78. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Art & Design

#1214 in North America

#4799 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 1,700
Founded: 1925

79. Capilano University

British Columbia | North Vancouver

For Art & Design

#1269 in North America

#4994 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1968

80. University of Sainte-Anne

Nova Scotia | Pointe de l'Eglise

For Art & Design

#1276 in North America

#5027 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1890

81. Ambrose University

Alberta | Calgary

For Art & Design

#1324 in North America

#5244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1921

82. Crandall University

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Art & Design

#1336 in North America

#5291 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1949

83. NSCAD University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Art & Design

#1354 in North America

#5369 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1887

The best cities to study Art & Design in Canada based on the number of universities and their ranks are Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Edmonton.