84 Best universities for Physics 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 Physics. A graph of 34.6M citations received by 1.25M academic papers made by 84 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

#31 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 20,893
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

#68 in the World

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

5. University of Waterloo

Ontario | Waterloo

For Physics

#43 in North America

#77 in the World

Enrollment: 35,900
Founded: 1957

6. McMaster University

Ontario | Hamilton

For Physics

#60 in North America

#145 in the World

Enrollment: 27,965
Founded: 1887

7. University of Calgary

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#63 in North America

#157 in the World

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

8. Queen's University

Ontario | Kingston

For Physics

#64 in North America

#160 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

#74 in North America

#206 in the World

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

11. University of Ottawa

Ontario | Ottawa

For Physics

#84 in North America

#232 in the World

Enrollment: 42,027
Founded: 1848

12. Laval University

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Physics

#99 in North America

#297 in the World

Enrollment: 45,000
Founded: 1852

13. University of Manitoba

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Physics

#107 in North America

#347 in the World

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

14. Simon Fraser University

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Physics

#108 in North America

#349 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1965

15. Dalhousie University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#110 in North America

#351 in the World

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

16. University of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan | Saskatoon

For Physics

#111 in North America

#353 in the World

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

17. University of Victoria

British Columbia | Victoria

For Physics

#116 in North America

#375 in the World

Enrollment: 15,999
Founded: 1963

18. University of Guelph

Ontario | Guelph

For Physics

#124 in North America

#409 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1964

19. Polytechnic School of Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#127 in North America

#429 in the World

Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1873

20. Concordia University

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#131 in North America

#437 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1974

21. Carleton University

Ontario | Ottawa

For Physics

#137 in North America

#473 in the World

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

22. York University

Ontario | Toronto

For Physics

#141 in North America

#489 in the World

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

23. University of Sherbrooke

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Physics

#143 in North America

#495 in the World

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1954

24. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John's

For Physics

#156 in North America

#552 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1925

25. University of New Brunswick

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Physics

#172 in North America

#628 in the World

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

26. University of Windsor

Ontario | Windsor

For Physics

#178 in North America

#642 in the World

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

27. University of Quebec in Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#185 in North America

#686 in the World

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

28. Ryerson University

Ontario | Toronto

For Physics

#195 in North America

#745 in the World

Enrollment: 38,950
Founded: 1948

29. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#233 in North America

#1009 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Founded: 1974

30. University of Regina

Saskatchewan | Regina

For Physics

#240 in North America

#1051 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1911

31. Ontario Tech University

Ontario | Oshawa

For Physics

#243 in North America

#1056 in the World

Founded: 2002

32. Royal Military College of Canada

Ontario | Kingston

For Physics

#253 in North America

#1131 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1876

33. Lakehead University

Ontario | Thunder Bay

For Physics

#272 in North America

#1268 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1965

34. Brock University

Ontario | St. Catharines

For Physics

#276 in North America

#1280 in the World

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

35. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

Quebec State | Trois-Rivieres

For Physics

#280 in North America

#1296 in the World

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

36. Wilfrid Laurier University

Ontario | Waterloo

For Physics

#290 in North America

#1358 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1911

37. Laurentian University

Ontario | Greater Sudbury

For Physics

#296 in North America

#1397 in the World

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

38. Trent University

Ontario | Peterborough

For Physics

#310 in North America

#1489 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1963

39. University of Lethbridge

Alberta | Lethbridge

For Physics

#311 in North America

#1498 in the World

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

40. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

Quebec State | Chicoutimi

For Physics

#313 in North America

#1517 in the World

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

41. Saint Mary's University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#351 in North America

#1854 in the World

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

42. HEC Montreal

Quebec State | Montreal

For Physics

#369 in North America

#1970 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1907

43. St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia | Antigonish

For Physics

#372 in North America

#2009 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Founded: 1853

44. University of Winnipeg

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Physics

#374 in North America

#2016 in the World

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

45. University of Moncton

New Brunswick | Moncton

For Physics

#383 in North America

#2076 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1864

46. University of Northern British Columbia

British Columbia | Prince George

For Physics

#419 in North America

#2281 in the World

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

47. Acadia University

Nova Scotia | Wolfville

For Physics

#428 in North America

#2346 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1838

48. University of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown

For Physics

#452 in North America

#2476 in the World

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

49. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Quebec State | Rouyn-Noranda

For Physics

#471 in North America

#2542 in the World

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

50. Mount Allison University

New Brunswick | Sackville

For Physics

#474 in North America

#2549 in the World

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

51. University of Quebec in Rimouski

Quebec State | Rimouski

For Physics

#476 in North America

#2564 in the World

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

52. Bishop's University

Quebec State | Sherbrooke

For Physics

#487 in North America

#2632 in the World

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

53. University of Quebec in Outaouais

Quebec State | Gatineau

For Physics

#502 in North America

#2727 in the World

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

54. University of Quebec

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Physics

#534 in North America

#2908 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Founded: 1968

55. Brandon University

Manitoba | Brandon

For Physics

#561 in North America

#3033 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1899

56. Mount Saint Vincent University

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#640 in North America

#3445 in the World

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

57. British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia | Burnaby

For Physics

#653 in North America

#3503 in the World

Founded: 1960

58. Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia | Sydney

For Physics

#662 in North America

#3534 in the World

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

59. MacEwan University

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#724 in North America

#3776 in the World

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

60. Thompson Rivers University

British Columbia | Kamloops

For Physics

#737 in North America

#3816 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1970

61. Nipissing University

Ontario | North Bay

For Physics

#755 in North America

#3873 in the World

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

62. Mount Royal University

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#813 in North America

#4117 in the World

Enrollment: 12,577
Founded: 1910

63. Trinity Western University

British Columbia | Langley

For Physics

#818 in North America

#4143 in the World

Enrollment: 7,475
Founded: 1986

64. Vancouver Island University

British Columbia | Nanaimo

For Physics

#845 in North America

#4236 in the World

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

65. University of the Fraser Valley

British Columbia | Abbotsford

For Physics

#851 in North America

#4244 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1974

66. Quest University Canada

British Columbia | Squamish

For Physics

#878 in North America

#4347 in the World

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

67. Royal Roads University

British Columbia | Victoria

For Physics

#899 in North America

#4450 in the World

Founded: 1995

68. Algoma University

Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie

For Physics

#986 in North America

#4766 in the World

Enrollment: 1,600
Founded: 2008

69. Kings University in Canada

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#1002 in North America

#4829 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Founded: 1979

70. National School of Public Administration

Quebec State | Quebec City

For Physics

#1076 in North America

#5093 in the World

Founded: 1969

71. Redeemer University College

Ontario | Ancaster

For Physics

#1086 in North America

#5138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 910
Founded: 1982

72. Concordia University of Edmonton

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#1117 in North America

#5235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1921

73. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

British Columbia | Surrey

For Physics

#1127 in North America

#5273 in the World

Founded: 1981

74. St. Thomas University - Canada

New Brunswick | Fredericton

For Physics

#1188 in North America

#5473 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1910

75. OCAD University

Ontario | Toronto

For Physics

#1198 in North America

#5495 in the World

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

76. SAIT Polytechnic

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#1258 in North America

#5660 in the World

Founded: 1916

77. College of the North Atlantic

Newfoundland and Labrador | Stephenville

For Physics

#1406 in North America

#6096 in the World

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

78. University of Saint-Boniface

Manitoba | Winnipeg

For Physics

#1417 in North America

#6133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 989
Founded: 1818

79. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Alberta | Edmonton

For Physics

#1422 in North America

#6139 in the World

Founded: 1962

80. Capilano University

British Columbia | North Vancouver

For Physics

#1430 in North America

#6156 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1968

81. University of King's College

Nova Scotia | Halifax

For Physics

#1443 in North America

#6182 in the World

Founded: 1789

82. University Canada West

British Columbia | Vancouver

For Physics

#1466 in North America

#6258 in the World

Founded: 2005

83. Ambrose University

Alberta | Calgary

For Physics

#1539 in North America

#6448 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1921

84. University of Sainte-Anne

Nova Scotia | Pointe de l'Eglise

For Physics

#1554 in North America

#6518 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1890

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 Engineering68

Applied/Engineering Physics29

Astrophysics and Astronomy66

Atomic and Molecular physics48

Condensed Matter Physics50

Materials Science74

Medical Physics26

Nanotechnology57

Nuclear Physics53

Optical Engineering67

Quantum and Particle physics79

Theoretical Physics46