86 Best universities for Physics in Canada

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Canada ranked based on their research performance in Physics. A graph of 46.1M citations received by 1.41M academic papers made by 86 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.

1. University of Toronto

Ontario | Toronto

For Physics

#11 in North America

#16 in the World

Enrollment: 27,651
Founded: 1827

2. University of British Columbia

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Physics

#30 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 71,201
Founded: 1908

3. McGill University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#38 in North America

#65 in the World

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

4. University of Alberta

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#40 in North America

#71 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

5. University of Waterloo

Ontario | Waterloo

For Physics

#44 in North America

#80 in the World

Founded: 1957

6. McMaster University

Ontario | Hamilton

For Physics

#59 in North America

#147 in the World

Enrollment: 27,965
Founded: 1887

7. University of Calgary

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#63 in North America

#158 in the World

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

8. Queen's University

Ontario | Kingston

For Physics

#66 in North America

#166 in the World

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

9. Western University

Ontario | London

For Physics

#68 in North America

#171 in the World

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

10. University of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#71 in North America

#196 in the World

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

11. University of Ottawa

Ontario | Ottawa

For Physics

#76 in North America

#215 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

12. Laval University

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Physics

#98 in North America

#301 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1852

13. Dalhousie University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#108 in North America

#354 in the World

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

14. Simon Fraser University

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Physics

#109 in North America

#356 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

15. University of Manitoba

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Physics

#110 in North America

#357 in the World

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

16. University of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan | Saskatoon

For Physics

#111 in North America

#361 in the World

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

17. University of Victoria

British Columbia | Victoria

For Physics

#117 in North America

#382 in the World

Enrollment: 15,999
Founded: 1963

18. University of Guelph

Ontario | Guelph

For Physics

#120 in North America

#410 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

19. Concordia University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#130 in North America

#443 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1974

20. Carleton University

Ontario | Ottawa

For Physics

#131 in North America

#454 in the World

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

21. Polytechnic School of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#136 in North America

#475 in the World

Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

22. York University

Ontario | Toronto

For Physics

#138 in North America

#481 in the World

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

23. University of Sherbrooke

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Physics

#142 in North America

#499 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1954

24. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John's

For Physics

#158 in North America

#570 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1925

25. Ryerson University

Ontario | Toronto

For Physics

#173 in North America

#638 in the World

Enrollment: 38,950
Founded: 1948

26. University of Quebec in Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#178 in North America

#650 in the World

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

27. University of Windsor

Ontario | Windsor

For Physics

#181 in North America

#663 in the World

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

28. University of New Brunswick

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Physics

#182 in North America

#666 in the World

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

29. Ontario Tech University

Ontario | Oshawa

For Physics

#235 in North America

#1041 in the World

Founded: 2002

30. University of Regina

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Physics

#240 in North America

#1061 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1911

31. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#242 in North America

#1073 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1974

32. Royal Military College of Canada

Ontario | Kingston

For Physics

#260 in North America

#1185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

33. Lakehead University

Ontario | Thunder Bay

For Physics

#270 in North America

#1270 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1965

34. Brock University

Ontario | St. Catharines

For Physics

#274 in North America

#1299 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Founded: 1964

35. Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario | Waterloo

For Physics

#280 in North America

#1330 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1911

36. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Quebec State | Trois-Rivieres

For Physics

#283 in North America

#1342 in the World

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

37. Laurentian University

Ontario | Greater Sudbury

For Physics

#297 in North America

#1450 in the World

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

38. Trent University

Ontario | Peterborough

For Physics

#312 in North America

#1541 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1963

39. University of Lethbridge

Alberta | Lethbridge

For Physics

#314 in North America

#1552 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Founded: 1967

40. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

Quebec State | Chicoutimi

For Physics

#315 in North America

#1555 in the World

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

41. University of Winnipeg

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Physics

#354 in North America

#1899 in the World

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

42. Saint Mary's University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#359 in North America

#1934 in the World

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

43. HEC Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#361 in North America

#1946 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1907

44. St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia | Antigonish

For Physics

#390 in North America

#2120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 1853

45. University of Northern British Columbia

British Columbia | Prince George

For Physics

#393 in North America

#2138 in the World

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

46. University of Moncton

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Physics

#402 in North America

#2203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1864

47. University of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown

For Physics

#447 in North America

#2451 in the World

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

48. Acadia University

Nova Scotia | Wolfville

For Physics

#449 in North America

#2466 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1838

49. Bishop's University

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Physics

#458 in North America

#2516 in the World

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

50. University of Quebec in Rimouski

Quebec State | Rimouski

For Physics

#471 in North America

#2598 in the World

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

51. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Quebec State | Rouyn-Noranda

For Physics

#476 in North America

#2619 in the World

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

52. Mount Allison University

New Brunswick | Sackville

For Physics

#481 in North America

#2653 in the World

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

53. University of Quebec in Outaouais

Quebec State | Gatineau

For Physics

#514 in North America

#2796 in the World

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

54. University of Quebec

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Physics

#546 in North America

#2992 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Founded: 1968

55. Brandon University

Manitoba | Brandon

For Physics

#551 in North America

#3015 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1899

56. Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia | Sydney

For Physics

#663 in North America

#3630 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1974

57. Mount Saint Vincent University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#674 in North America

#3666 in the World

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

58. British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Physics

#677 in North America

#3684 in the World

Founded: 1960

59. MacEwan University

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#725 in North America

#3837 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1971

60. Thompson Rivers University

British Columbia | Kamloops

For Physics

#730 in North America

#3855 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1970

61. Nipissing University

Ontario | North Bay

For Physics

#760 in North America

#3983 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1992

62. Quest University Canada

British Columbia | Squamish

For Physics

#786 in North America

#4104 in the World

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

63. Mount Royal University

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#788 in North America

#4108 in the World

Founded: 1910

64. Trinity Western University

British Columbia | Langley

For Physics

#830 in North America

#4266 in the World

Enrollment: 7,475
Founded: 1986

65. University of the Fraser Valley

British Columbia | Abbotsford

For Physics

#855 in North America

#4345 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1974

66. Vancouver Island University

British Columbia | Nanaimo

For Physics

#863 in North America

#4363 in the World

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

67. Royal Roads University

British Columbia | Victoria

For Physics

#866 in North America

#4374 in the World

Founded: 1995

68. Kings University in Canada

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#996 in North America

#4895 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1979

69. Algoma University

Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie

For Physics

#1001 in North America

#4906 in the World

Enrollment: 1,600
Founded: 2008

70. Concordia University of Edmonton

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#1108 in North America

#5281 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1921

71. Redeemer University College

Ontario | Ancaster

For Physics

#1134 in North America

#5382 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 910
Founded: 1982

72. National School of Public Administration

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Physics

#1139 in North America

#5390 in the World

Founded: 1969

73. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

British Columbia | Surrey

For Physics

#1146 in North America

#5416 in the World

Founded: 1981

74. St. Thomas University - Canada

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Physics

#1147 in North America

#5417 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1910

75. OCAD University

Ontario | Toronto

For Physics

#1191 in North America

#5573 in the World

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

76. University of King's College

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#1216 in North America

#5637 in the World

Founded: 1789

77. SAIT Polytechnic

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#1236 in North America

#5692 in the World

Founded: 1916

78. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#1381 in North America

#6102 in the World

Founded: 1962

79. College of the North Atlantic

Newfoundland and Labrador | Stephenville

For Physics

#1395 in North America

#6127 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 17,000
Founded: 1997

80. University of Saint-Boniface

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Physics

#1425 in North America

#6189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1818

81. Capilano University

British Columbia | North Vancouver

For Physics

#1472 in North America

#6304 in the World

Founded: 1968

82. University Canada West

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Physics

#1549 in North America

#6476 in the World

Founded: 2005

83. Ambrose University

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#1552 in North America

#6489 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1921

84. Crandall University

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Physics

#1561 in North America

#6522 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1949

85. University of Sainte-Anne

Nova Scotia | Pointe de l'Eglise

For Physics

#1579 in North America

#6587 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1890

86. Emily Carr University of Art and Design

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Physics

#1596 in North America

#6627 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1925

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

Physics subfields in Canada

Acoustical Engineering69

Applied/Engineering Physics31

Astrophysics and Astronomy68

Atomic and Molecular physics48

Condensed Matter Physics49

Materials Science74

Medical Physics26

Nanotechnology57

Nuclear Physics56

Optical Engineering67

Quantum and Particle physics80

Theoretical Physics49