86 Best universities for Physics in Canada

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Canada ranked based on their research performance in Physics. A graph of 48.7M citations received by 1.44M 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

#15 in the World

Enrollment: 102,431
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

#66 in the World

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

4. University of Alberta

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#39 in North America

#70 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

5. University of Waterloo

Ontario | Waterloo

For Physics

#44 in North America

#83 in the World

Founded: 1957

6. McMaster University

Ontario | Hamilton

For Physics

#59 in North America

#150 in the World

Enrollment: 27,965
Founded: 1887

7. University of Calgary

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#63 in North America

#159 in the World

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

8. Queen's University

Ontario | Kingston

For Physics

#66 in North America

#173 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Enrollment: 35,612
Founded: 1841

9. Western University

Ontario | London

For Physics

#67 in North America

#174 in the World

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

10. University of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#71 in North America

#199 in the World

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

11. University of Ottawa

Ontario | Ottawa

For Physics

#74 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

#305 in the World

Enrollment: 56,000
Founded: 1852

13. Dalhousie University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#108 in North America

#355 in the World

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

14. University of Manitoba

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Physics

#109 in North America

#360 in the World

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

15. Simon Fraser University

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Physics

#110 in North America

#361 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

16. University of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan | Saskatoon

For Physics

#111 in North America

#364 in the World

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

17. University of Victoria

British Columbia | Victoria

For Physics

#116 in North America

#389 in the World

Enrollment: 15,999
Founded: 1963

18. University of Guelph

Ontario | Guelph

For Physics

#120 in North America

#415 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

19. Concordia University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#130 in North America

#448 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1974

20. Carleton University

Ontario | Ottawa

For Physics

#131 in North America

#457 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

#480 in the World

Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

22. York University

Ontario | Toronto

For Physics

#138 in North America

#491 in the World

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

23. University of Sherbrooke

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Physics

#142 in North America

#503 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

#575 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1925

25. University of New Brunswick

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Physics

#169 in North America

#630 in the World

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

26. Ryerson University

Ontario | Toronto

For Physics

#170 in North America

#631 in the World

Enrollment: 38,950
Founded: 1948

27. University of Quebec in Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#178 in North America

#653 in the World

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

28. University of Windsor

Ontario | Windsor

For Physics

#182 in North America

#675 in the World

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

29. Ontario Tech University

Ontario | Oshawa

For Physics

#234 in North America

#1037 in the World

Founded: 2002

30. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#238 in North America

#1069 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1974

31. University of Regina

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Physics

#239 in North America

#1072 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1911

32. Royal Military College of Canada

Ontario | Kingston

For Physics

#260 in North America

#1219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

33. Lakehead University

Ontario | Thunder Bay

For Physics

#267 in North America

#1279 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1965

34. Brock University

Ontario | St. Catharines

For Physics

#271 in North America

#1311 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Founded: 1964

35. Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario | Waterloo

For Physics

#278 in North America

#1343 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1911

36. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Quebec State | Trois-Rivieres

For Physics

#281 in North America

#1356 in the World

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

37. Laurentian University

Ontario | Greater Sudbury

For Physics

#297 in North America

#1473 in the World

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

38. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

Quebec State | Chicoutimi

For Physics

#311 in North America

#1560 in the World

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

39. Trent University

Ontario | Peterborough

For Physics

#312 in North America

#1565 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1963

40. University of Lethbridge

Alberta | Lethbridge

For Physics

#314 in North America

#1575 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Founded: 1967

41. University of Winnipeg

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Physics

#353 in North America

#1944 in the World

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

42. HEC Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#358 in North America

#1962 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1907

43. Saint Mary's University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#360 in North America

#1968 in the World

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

44. University of Northern British Columbia

British Columbia | Prince George

For Physics

#388 in North America

#2163 in the World

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

45. St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia | Antigonish

For Physics

#389 in North America

#2164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 1853

46. University of Moncton

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Physics

#403 in North America

#2244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1864

47. University of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown

For Physics

#443 in North America

#2478 in the World

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

48. Acadia University

Nova Scotia | Wolfville

For Physics

#450 in North America

#2507 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1838

49. Bishop's University

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Physics

#453 in North America

#2530 in the World

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

50. University of Quebec in Rimouski

Quebec State | Rimouski

For Physics

#466 in North America

#2607 in the World

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

51. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Quebec State | Rouyn-Noranda

For Physics

#469 in North America

#2616 in the World

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

52. Mount Allison University

New Brunswick | Sackville

For Physics

#480 in North America

#2690 in the World

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

53. University of Quebec in Outaouais

Quebec State | Gatineau

For Physics

#510 in North America

#2816 in the World

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

54. University of Quebec

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Physics

#547 in North America

#3046 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Founded: 1968

55. Brandon University

Manitoba | Brandon

For Physics

#548 in North America

#3051 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1899

56. Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia | Sydney

For Physics

#646 in North America

#3607 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1974

57. Mount Saint Vincent University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#667 in North America

#3672 in the World

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

58. British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Physics

#676 in North America

#3706 in the World

Founded: 1960

59. Thompson Rivers University

British Columbia | Kamloops

For Physics

#711 in North America

#3828 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1970

60. MacEwan University

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#714 in North America

#3833 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1971

61. Nipissing University

Ontario | North Bay

For Physics

#753 in North America

#4001 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1992

62. Mount Royal University

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#775 in North America

#4093 in the World

Founded: 1910

63. Quest University Canada

British Columbia | Squamish

For Physics

#782 in North America

#4129 in the World

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

64. Trinity Western University

British Columbia | Langley

For Physics

#834 in North America

#4320 in the World

Enrollment: 7,475
Founded: 1986

65. Royal Roads University

British Columbia | Victoria

For Physics

#836 in North America

#4324 in the World

Founded: 1995

66. University of the Fraser Valley

British Columbia | Abbotsford

For Physics

#852 in North America

#4367 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1974

67. Vancouver Island University

British Columbia | Nanaimo

For Physics

#856 in North America

#4375 in the World

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

68. Kings University in Canada

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#992 in North America

#4904 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1979

69. Algoma University

Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie

For Physics

#1001 in North America

#4929 in the World

Enrollment: 1,600
Founded: 2008

70. Concordia University of Edmonton

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#1096 in North America

#5270 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1921

71. National School of Public Administration

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Physics

#1122 in North America

#5364 in the World

Founded: 1969

72. Redeemer University College

Ontario | Ancaster

For Physics

#1139 in North America

#5422 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 910
Founded: 1982

73. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

British Columbia | Surrey

For Physics

#1147 in North America

#5443 in the World

Founded: 1981

74. St. Thomas University - Canada

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Physics

#1148 in North America

#5445 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1910

75. OCAD University

Ontario | Toronto

For Physics

#1174 in North America

#5541 in the World

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

76. University of King's College

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#1228 in North America

#5683 in the World

Founded: 1789

77. SAIT Polytechnic

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#1233 in North America

#5698 in the World

Founded: 1916

78. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#1363 in North America

#6073 in the World

Founded: 1962

79. College of the North Atlantic

Newfoundland and Labrador | Stephenville

For Physics

#1394 in North America

#6139 in the World

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

80. University of Saint-Boniface

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Physics

#1416 in North America

#6193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1818

81. Capilano University

British Columbia | North Vancouver

For Physics

#1467 in North America

#6299 in the World

Founded: 1968

82. University Canada West

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Physics

#1511 in North America

#6407 in the World

Founded: 2005

83. Ambrose University

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#1548 in North America

#6494 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1921

84. Crandall University

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Physics

#1561 in North America

#6533 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1949

85. University of Sainte-Anne

Nova Scotia | Pointe de l'Eglise

For Physics

#1582 in North America

#6600 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

#6628 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 Science75

Medical Physics26

Nanotechnology57

Nuclear Physics56

Optical Engineering67

Quantum and Particle physics80

Theoretical Physics49