Top 10 Worst Universities for International Students in Canada (2023)

Table of contents

Table of contents

• introduction
• University in Canada
• How our ratings were determined
• Top 10 Worst Universities for International Students in Canada
• Other things to consider

introduction

The last thing you want to do as an international student is spend your hard-earned savings or those of your family on tuition at a school in Canada that just isn't worth it. Yes, there are some world-class campuses in Canada and many very good schools, but there are also some schools that you might want to avoid. They can be mediocre in terms of education and offer low but high tuition. Or it could just be low-ranking colleges that aren't giving you the future job opportunities you desire.

University in Canada

There are two types of post-secondary education in Canada; college and university.

Employees:

• He focuses on business and technology.
• Good option for students looking for work; Health and care, digital technology and computer programming, broadcasting, aviation, animation, hospitality, agriculture, commerce, applied engineering, applied science, etc.
• Usually lasts 1 to 3 years
• It mainly offers diplomas, certificates and associate degrees to graduates; However, some universities award bachelor's degrees

Universität:

• Focus on science and theory.
• Good option for students looking for work; Medicine, business administration and business administration, teaching, law, politics, psychology, engineering, natural sciences etc.
• Usually takes more than 4 years to complete
• It offers graduate degrees (BA, MA, PhD etc.)

College tends to be more expensive than college. This is because university programs are generally longer than college programs and universities tend to be more prestigious.

There are currently 97 universities in Canada, but only 26 are recognized by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Ranking. That means only 26 Canadian universities are worthy of competing on a global scale.

How our ratings were determined

When compiling this list, we only evaluated the top 26 universities in the QS World Ranking. We did this because a university that is not recognized by QS is unlikely to offer a worthwhile education, no matter what the price.

Please note that the universities we have included in this list are still widely recognized in Canada and are the worst in the country.ouronly reviews.

We determined which universities to include in this list by comparing them to a Canadian university that is average in terms of cost and international reputation: McMaster University.

McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario has a QS world ranking of 144 and an overall score of 51.5. This means it is considered a respected Canadian university, but not as respected as universities like the University of Toronto, McGill or the University of British Columbia. Also, McMaster University is not as expensive as Canada's top schools, making it a good comparison to see the value of a degree versus lower ranked universities.

Using McMaster as an example, our rating of Canadian universities looks like this:

We will also include a short article detailing other important information such as location, graduate employability, scholarship availability, percentage of international students, etc. For example;

McMaster is located just one hour from Canada's largest city, Toronto. This means McMaster graduates will have greater access to one of Canada's most desirable job markets. It also means they have more opportunities to connect with people and businesses that interest them while they're still in school. The campus itself is in the center of Hamilton, a metropolitan area, so access to necessities is not an issue.

McMaster tends to have good student satisfaction ratings. In 2019 they took 4th place^Isnot Canada.[1]McMaster ranks 98th^Isglobally for graduate employability.[2]19% of McMaster's student body are international students.[3]Scholarships are available.

Now that we've looked at the basis for our ranking of which Canadian universities are the worst in terms of value, let's find out what are the 10 worst universities for international students in Canada, with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst.

Top 10 Worst Universities for International Students in Canada

10. University of Toronto

You may be surprised to see the University of Toronto, Canada's highest ranking university, on this list. It is known worldwide for its intense academic activity, innovative research and motivated student body, 34% of which are international students. Why are we adding this list?

Well, that might be a controversial decision, but we ranked the University of Toronto #10 on cost grounds. The University of Toronto is the most expensive university in Canada. Undergraduate tuition starts at $40,000 and can go up to $110,000 per year. Not only is the tuition expensive, but so is the cost of living (food and housing) since the campus is in downtown Toronto.

Is it worth the price now? Probably. It offers a large number of programs giving the student a lot of freedom to choose the one that best suits their interests. Graduates have higher levels of employability than graduates from other Canadian institutions. And because it's in the heart of Toronto, students have ample opportunities to network and connect with potential future employers. It's a great university to attend...eyou have money for it.

If cost is an issue, there are many other excellent Canadian universities with similar services that are more affordable. McGill University in Montreal or the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Both are from Canada^{Dakota do Norte}e 3^thirdbest universities

9. York University

Another university in downtown Toronto, York University, is #9 for similar reasons, it's more expensive. However, the big difference between York and the University of Toronto is that York is one of the lowest ranked Canadian universities in the QS World Report. It's not even in the top 500. Additionally, University of York graduates aren't as in demand: They have an employability rate of just 301-500, compared to the University of Toronto, whose graduates rank 16th.

While that doesn't sound very encouraging, there are a number of benefits to studying at York University. Like the University of Toronto, York is located in Canada's largest metropolis. Studying here allows students to make connections with local individuals and companies that could one day help them find a job.

8. Carlton University

Located in Canada's capital, Ottawa, Carlton is a well-known university. Unfortunately, it is not one of the best Canadian universities. He is ranked 601-650 in the QS world rankings, which is pretty low.

So why number 8? The cost of attending Carlton just doesn't match his world rankings. The tuition fees, while not as bad as some institutions, are a bit higher, as is the dormitory. Also, Carlton doesn't offer as many programs as other universities. They still have a wide range of specializations, but more specialized subjects are not offered. Maybe that's why the graduates are between 301 and 500 in terms of employability?

The Carlton definitely has some downsides, but there's one big plus, and that's the location. The Ottawa location means the Carlton is within walking distance of the Canadian Parliament (head of state) buildings and most embassies. This is great for students who want to work in government, be it the Canadian government or their home country government. There are many internship, learning and collaboration opportunities in Ottawa. Carlton is also very close to the province of Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking province.

7. Ryerson University

Ryerson, another Toronto-based university, earned a spot at #7. This university is the lowest ranked Canadian university in the QS World Report.

Overall, it's not a bad university, but it's certainly not as prestigious as some of the other institutions in Canada. Like Carlton University, Ryerson does not offer as many programs as other universities. It offers programs like science, engineering, business, etc. but it is particularly known for the arts; Architecture, media, fashion design and related subjects. If these types of programs interest you, Ryerson could be a good fit for you, but beware if these areas aren't your primary focus.

The monthly fee is a bit high considering the rating, but that's probably due to the location.

6. University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan is ranked 6th. This university was a bit difficult to rank for as it ranks in the top 500 global ratings (great!), but it still ranks on the bottom end when it comes to Canadian universities. It is also difficult to categorize as there is a wide range of tuition fees. Most programs tend to be fairly cheap (around $28,000), but some can cost as much as $70,000.

One feature that we believe is a barrier to international students, especially those on a budget, is that this university does not offer comprehensive program fees but pays per course. As the price of each course can vary, it is very difficult to know what you will be attendingAs a matter of factspend on your education.

Another disadvantage of this university is that the programs offered are very limited. This university only offers 80 undergraduate degrees, while most others offer at least 100 if not more than 200.

In terms of location, the province of Saskatchewan and the city of Saskatoon are not known for their burgeoning job markets, particularly in more theoretical fields. At least the cost of living is a little lower...

5. University of Ottawa

With a QS ranking of 279, the University of Ottawa is one of Canada's most respected institutions. Why is it number 5 on our list? Price. With average tuition ranging from $30,000 to $52,000, it's not too expensive, but there are higher-tier universities for the same or similar amount. For example Western University, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia. Additionally, University of Ottawa graduates only rank between 301 and 500 on employability, while graduates from the universities listed above are considered more employable.

A major attraction of the University of Ottawa is that it is a bilingual university, offering degrees in both English and French. Few universities in Canada offer this. And as we said at Carlton University, depending on your field of study, having the campus in downtown Ottawa can be beneficial.

Be prepared to bear the cost of living in central Ottawa, however, as student housing at the University of Ottawa can cost as much as $20,000 per year.

4. University of Sherbrooke

As one of Canada's lowest ranked universities, this French language view is only for prospective students who already have a working knowledge of the French language. If you don't currently speak French, don't bother applying.

Well, for anyone who speaks French, this could be a good option. Especially people from France or Belgium who get a discount on tuition fees. And since this university is located in Quebec, the tuition fees are already much lower than in other Canadian provinces.

Overall not bad as long as you have the necessary language skills to be successful here.

3. University of Quebec

Another French-speaking institution, the University of Quebec, can be a good option for those who are already fluent in French or are very close to it. Like the Université de Sherbrooke, students from France and Belgium already receive very cheap tuition fees.

Now you may be wondering why this university is number 3 and Université de Sherbrooke is number 4 even though Université de Sherbrooke has a lower QS world ranking. We did this because this university, the University of Quebec, is one of the few Canadian universities that does not offer scholarships. Every other university on this list does. Even if the tuition fees are reasonable, it still helps to get financial support from the school itself. Since there is none at the University of Quebec, it ranks 3rd.

*NOTE: Scholarships may be made available to students through sources not affiliated with the University of Quebec

2. Eintracht University

Ranked 477th in the QS World Ranking, Concordia University is one of the top 500 universities in the world. This university is generally considered acceptable. Its graduates are not considered as employable as those of other Canadian universities (ranking 301-500 for employability) but they are still considered well educated in Canada and many international students still choose Concordia for their education. Approximately 33% of the school population are international students.

However, the reason Concordia is #2 on this list is that due to COVID-19, all Concordia residences are closed and no meal plans are offered. This puts extra pressure on international students, who not only have to adjust to life in a new country (perhaps speak a second language) and get used to working at college, but also need to find accommodation, transport and meals. or buy your own meals.

If you live close to campus with your family this university may be a good fit for you, but if you are traveling here alone you are probably better off attending a school in your location. more physically connected and through student support programs.

1. All Canadian universities not listed in the QS World Ranking

As mentioned earlier, there are 97 universities in Canada.Only 26 of these universities are listed in the QS World Ranking. If a university is not listed in the QS World Ranking, it does not rank among the best universities in the world. Even universities that do poorly in the QS World Ranking are still ranked higher than an institution that is not ranked.

Because of this, we are required to rank all Canadian universities that have not been ranked as Worst Universities for International Students in Canada.

Other things to consider when choosing a university in Canada

We hope this list will serve as a guide and help you choose your Canadian university.

Also, consider other factors when choosing your university, such as: B. which university is best for your specific program, student satisfaction, student life and the city where the university is located. Also consider personal needs. Would you like to be with other people from your home country? Perhaps a big city with cultural enclaves is right for you. Is fitness an important part of your life? Check which colleges have recreation centers, racetracks, etc. School will be your main focus during your stay in Canada, but don't neglect other important areas of your life.

PREVIOUS ARTICLE: Top 10 Worst Canadian Universities for International Students in 2020

The last thing you want to do as an international student is spend your hard-earned savings or those of your family on tuition at a school in Canada that just isn't worth it. Yes, there are some world-class campuses in Canada and many very good schools. But there are also some schools that are better avoided. While they are average in terms of educational offerings, they come with high tuition fees. Or it could just be very basic colleges or universities where international students still have to pay thousands of dollars in tuition which may not be the best investment for the future.

So let's find out what the worst isRate secondary schools in Canadathey are! Note that the first in our ranking is the worst. So let's start at 10^Isworst school in terms of educational value, moving up to #1 worst. Ready?

Before we present our top 10 worst deals, it's worth pointing out that our benchmark data to see what value a degree from these universities offers, the University of Alberta Edmonton, with a QS world ranking of 113, is what they stand for brings the top. Schools in Canada but not as high as universities like the University of Toronto and UBC or McGill and Waterloo. The U of Alberta is also not as expensive as the best schools in Canada, so it's a good comparison to see the value of a degree from other lower-ranked universities in the country. Our benchmark tuition fees at the U of Alberta are as follows:

Please note that we offer two options showing costs if you choose to live off campus. (Perhaps you have relatives in Canada who can take you in.) Living in a dormitory is basically possible for all bachelor's courses and degrees; Therefore, always ask your university about this option, no matter what courses you want to take.

Here are our top 10 worst deals for education value in Canada:

10. University of Manitoba - Winnipeg, MB

by James Teterenko /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

Astonished? Yes, UMB has had a good reputation in the past, particularly in areas like architecture, but keep in mind that this is a cost compared to world rankings in education quality research. Let's see how the school's ranking and its tuition compare to our baseline at the University of Alberta:

What about the U of Manitoba QS World Rankings? It's well below the U of A ranking of 113. Down at 601-650. And you actually pay more for an engineering degree at the U of Manitoba! So if you are considering studying applied sciences in Canada, be aware that the U of M is not the best deal.

In both cases, if you look at the Hard Sciences programs and the Arts programs, you get significant savings compared to the U of A if you live off campus. Is it worth saving? 500 points below U from A in the QS university ranking?

You decide.

9. Carleton University – Ottawa, ON

von Peregrine981 /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

A bit like Rodney Dangerfield, Carleton complains that they don't get the respect they deserve. Never like at the top of local rankingsMacleansThey have an average to not-so-bad reputation in Canadian university rankings and perhaps political science is among their top faculties. That's understandable for a university that's only a 15-minute drive from Parliament Hill and the many, many government agencies and departments scattered across the nation's capital.

This isn't a bad university, but let's look at their ranking in the QS survey, which was 651-700, which is below the University of Manitoba and well behind top schools like UBC or U of T.

The next step is to check the table below and see how much you pay in tuition to attend Carleton:

Note that while Carleton Engineering is slightly cheaper than the U of Alberta or U of Manitoba programs, it is still quite expensive. And their science and art degrees are only a few thousand dollars a year cheaper. All this with a ranking hundreds of points below Alberta's U.

The issue of value, or lack thereof, is a little clearer in Carleton's case of cost versus quality.

8. Memorial University - St. Louis. St. John's, Hollanda

[public domain]

At the risk of frozen cod from the stormy waters hitting the Newfoundland Gulf of St. on March 8^Isplace in our ranking of the worst university offers. And of course, the first thing we were told was that we hadn't found a fishing boat, but a floating platform drilling for oil using state-of-the-art deep-sea technology. However, we should consider the monument because, as you will see, its cost is not too high, but its rank is an issue.

It's small, but not that small, with just under 20,000 students and campuses in places you've never heard of, like Corner Brook or Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador, as well as the main campus in St. Louis. johns It is an innovative campus with a student-centred approach and very high research performance according to QS.

And who knows? It could one day be recognized as an unmissable option for students from all over the world. For the time being, however, the numbers speak a different language. Its ranking is 701-750 in the QS Top Rankings poll and it's low, very low. Let's see what the costs are:

Keep in mind that St. John's Newfoundland is not a big city and it can be difficult to find off-campus rentals, although you can certainly try, but the residency plan may be the best deal.

As far as the quality of education goes, yes, tuition at Memorial is significantly cheaper than at the University of Alberta. If you don't mind a big drop in rankings and recognition for your title, go for it. But if you want a degree that will help you in your career no matter where you live and work, Memorial may not be the school of choice.

7. University of Windsor - Windsor, ON

by Ken Lund /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0

This is a school that has invested heavily in innovation, mainly in research laboratories, and has gained ground in its ranking and recognition. Still, it ranks 651-700 in the QS ranking, which is a far cry from ranking the best schools in Canada.

The good news is that it is a relatively affordable place to study at an Ontario university. Let's get to the costs:

These are very reasonable levels of education, especially considering engineering costs include room and board. If you're not worried about name recognition and world rankings, Windsor isn't too bad. But for anyone thinking about a degree they can use in the world's major business hubs, they should look elsewhere.

6. Ryerson University – Toronto, ON

by Union Front /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

Let's go! The campus is right in the center of Toronto, near the best shopping and less than a dozen blocks from the Toronto Islands ferries. Its buildings are ultra modern and it's a really cool place! What's up with these guys at QS? This is what they say about Ryerson in their QS assessment report:

Ryerson is the most searched university in Ontario for available places.
Culturally diverse and inclusive.
Third-party funded research has doubled in the last four years.

Unfortunately, none of this is enough (at least not yet) for the school to overcome its dismal 801-1000 rating in the QS survey.

And it's not cheap either. These are the tuition fees for international students:

Oh. These are basically US-level costs for engineering students when the cost of living (including meals) is added.

Of course you can live off campus. In Toronto, one of the most expensive cities in Canada, where 6 people share 3 rooms and 15 subway stops from campus in a very small space, which can save some money. If living in Toronto was cheaper, and if Ryerson was a little cheaper and more internationally recognized, he wouldn't be on this list.

But for now, it's earned its place with expensive tuition and a ranking that can't be compared to the cost of studying there.

5. Lakehead University – Thunder Bay, ON

by attack/Wikimedia Commons/CC-POR 2.5

This smaller university is of course located in Thunder Bay at the western end of the Great Lakes. Hence his name. If you don't like long car journeys and worry about bears going to the bathroom in the middle of the forest, you'll have to take a plane to reach a major urban center. East of Toronto or West of Winnipeg.

There is a Paleo DNA lab and a Biorefining Research Institute which look impressive but you won't find the variety of courses you take at our former universities. Especially those from Ryerson, U of Manitoba or Carleton.

Although it doesn't score in the QS rankings, it ranks 601-800 in the Times Higher Education rankings.

How much does it cost for an international student to study there?

For a smaller university in the middle of nowhere they also have a campus in Orillia which is a bit closer to Toronto and has little to no international recognition, these fees are not cheap. At Memorial University or the University of Windsor, for example, you would be in better hands in terms of value. That's why Lakehead is our 5th^Isworst college offer

4. University of Sherbrooke - Sherbrooke, QC

by Zbeen1329 /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0

Sherbrooke is a beautiful mid-sized town in what is known as Quebec's Eastern Townships, a rolling hill and farmland with a strange ski hill approaching as you head east on the Autopista (freeway) from Montreal and near the Vermont border. . But this is a French language school where you will have trouble taking your courses in English. If you're fluent in French or French is your first language, schools in Quebec (plus a handful of English-speaking universities like McGill) are a viable option. For a medium-sized university, it reportedly invests heavily in research and has more than 70 research chairs. But the question is, is U of Sherbrooke good value for money?

The accommodation options are varied, from cooperatives, apartments or renting a room at home. This means that unless you can share a room and significantly reduce the rent, you must assume that these levels of education do not include room and board costs, which add up to a minimum of CAD$10,000 for an 8-month academic year .

How is University of Sherbrooke rated? If you look at the last 6 years or so it's a disappointing drop, from a QS score of around 400 in 2014 to 651-700 in 2019. If you want to study in French and are ready for a less recognized one Paying for school, so maybe U of Sherbrooke isn't such a bad option. But there are better deals in Quebec and certainly in Canada.

3. Bishops University – Sherbrooke, QC

von Jason Paris /Wikimedia Commons/CC POR 2.0

Driving south from Sherbrooke will bring you to the town of Lennoxville, which is a short drive away. (It's essentially a suburb of Sherbrooke and legally part of the city, albeit culturally distinct.) Here's a smaller English-language liberal arts college with an emphasis on education and business administration that's struggling somewhat in an academic environment in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment.

A quiet rural location with chic brick buildings (and even a golf course) is fine, but given the cost of studying there, is that enough? Most of the students are from other places so almost all live in the dorm and interestingly it ranked first for student satisfaction and also 12th in a 2019 Maclean survey.^Isin the Maclean Graduate Ranking. But try to find it in an international ranking system like the QS or the Times Higher Education ranking.

How much does it cost to study and live there?

You will likely be living in a dorm, so add CAD$4,000 to CAD$5,000 for an 8-month academic year to the off-campus tuition in the table above. For a school with little research and applied science programs, this is not an economic cost.

Yes, it's popular with students for the sense of community it creates, like a throwback to the old days when campus life was simpler and a little bit simpler. Do you need this to prepare for the world of work in the 2020s?

2. University of Winnipeg – Winnipeg, MB

Leek KrazyTea /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

U of Manitoba's younger brother is also located in Winnipeg. Established just over 50 years ago, it is also a liberal arts college like Bishop's. Undergraduate faculties are as follows: arts; business operation; Education; kinesiology and applied health; and science. Outside of specific areas of healthcare (other than medicine and dentistry) there is little research and very little applied science.

Despite being a small school with a high faculty-to-student ratio, it doesn't even rank in the QS or Times Higher Education rankings. It ranks 15th in the Maclean Ranking of Undergraduate Universities.^Is.

What are the costs for internationals? Let's see:

Winnipeg is relatively cheaper than cities like Toronto or Vancouver, so off-campus living can be relatively cheap by Canadian standards, especially if you're sharing accommodation. This is one of the cheapest schools on our list in terms of tuition fees, but that also reflects the lack of international ranking and relatively limited course offerings.

If you are looking to get a cheap chemistry or education degree, this could be your option. However, for a quality education, it may be best to look elsewhere.

1. Universidad Mount Saint Vincent – ​​​​​​Halifax, NS

[public domain]

This small university in leafy Halifax offers tuition that isn't the cheapest and a range of courses that are interesting but far from the widest range of small to mid-sized post-secondary schools in all of Canada. Its ranking is at the bottom in the Maclean poll we use and if you look up the school in the QS or Times Higher Education polls you get nothing. It's not even there, unlike some of our unranked schools like the U of Winnipeg that show up on QS and THS.

It offers some courses that, interestingly, are not offered in the same way at many other Canadian universities, such as a degree in Public Relations or a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Halifax has nice weather in the summer, but you'll be there in the fall, winter, and part of the spring, so North Atlantic storms that throw a few feet of wet snow on the city will be closer to some of your everyday experiences. . .

How much is the whole scoop of wet cold stuff?

You'll pay over $28,000 CAD to get an education degree from one of the lowest ranked universities in Canada, with the exception of course community colleges, which mostly offer degrees and certificates instead of full bachelor's degrees. .

Does that sound like good value for money? If you want to study Public Relations and you like the idea of ​​living in Halifax, then maybe this is it. Otherwise, Canada has much better value for you as an international student.

Did you really find what you were looking for at any of these schools? Of course you could. But when it comes to international rankings and recognition, don't expect too much for the money you'll have to spend as an international student.