Oldest Universities In Canada: Top 14

Top 14 Oldest Universities In Canada: Canada is a lovely country located in the far north of the continent of North America. The Canadian government places high importance on education, as the country has a state-run public education system that is offered, funded, and overseen by the federal, provincial, and local governments. Canada has a reputation for providing high-quality education at its tertiary institutions.

For ages, Canada’s founding universities have been renowned for delivering education and instruction to students. Not all, however, have stood the test of time. The top ten oldest Canadian universities that are still active today are listed below.

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Top 14 Oldest Universities In Canada By Year of Establishment (With Pictures)

1. University Of New Brunswick Established in 1785: The University of New Brunswick is a non-profit public higher education school located in Fredericton, New Brunswick’s urban setting. In addition, there is a branch campus in Saint John. This 235-year-old Canadian institution is known for offering courses and programs that lead to officially recognized higher education degrees in a range of subjects, including pre-bachelor, bachelor, master’s, and doctorate degrees.

Most Oldest Universities in Canada
Most Oldest Universities in Canada

The institution has a stringent admissions policy that is based on a student’s previous academic record and grades. It is a selective university, with a 70-80% acceptance rate. International students, on the other hand, are encouraged to apply. Students have access to a library, dorms, athletic facilities, financial aid and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and remote learning opportunities, and administrative services.

2. University Of King’s College Established in 1789: The University of King’s College is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the medium-sized city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It’s a small (coeducational) Canadian higher education institution that offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees like bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a variety of fields.

What was Canada's first college or university?
What was Canada’s first college or university?

This 231-year-old Canadian university has a stringent admissions policy that is based on entrance exams as well as applicants’ previous academic records and ratings. Admissions applications are accepted by students from all around the world. UKC offers a wide range of academic and non-academic facilities and services to students.

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3. Saint Mary’s University Established in 1802: This non-profit public higher-education institution is one of the country’s oldest and is located in the medium city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. SMU is a medium-sized coeducational Canadian higher education school that offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in a range of fields, including pre-bachelor degrees, bachelor degrees, master degrees, and doctorate degrees.

Oldest Universities In Canada
Oldest Universities In Canada

This 218-year-old Canadian institution has stringent admissions requirements based on students’ previous academic records and ratings. This Canadian higher education institution is considered selective, with admittance rates of 60-70%. International students are encouraged to apply for admission, and they have access to a wide range of academic and non-academic facilities and services.

4. Dalhousie University Established in 1818: Dalhousie University is a public, non-profit university in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is a huge coeducational Canadian higher education institution with official recognition. Dalhousie University offers courses and programs in a variety of fields that lead to officially recognized higher education degrees like pre-bachelor degrees, bachelor degrees, master degrees, and doctoral degrees.

What is the #1 university in Canada?
What is the #1 university in Canada?

This 202-year-old Canadian university has a stringent admissions process that is based on applicants’ prior academic achievements and evaluations. The University is considered selective, with admittance rates of 60-70%. Application for admission is open to students from all around the world. Dalhousie University provides a wide range of academic and non-academic facilities and services to its students.

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5. University de Saint Boniface Established in 1818: The Université de Saint-Boniface is a private, non-profit institution in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is a small coeducational University in Canada that offers courses and programs that lead to officially recognized higher education degrees in a range of subjects, including pre-bachelor degrees, bachelor degrees, and master degrees.

What are the three oldest universities?
What are the three oldest universities?

This 202-year-old Canadian university has a stringent admissions process that includes entrance exams as well as past academic records and ratings. The Canadian university is somewhat selective, with an admittance rate of 60-70%. Applicants from all over the world are encouraged to apply. Students can take advantage of USB’s academic and non-academic facilities and services.

6. McGill University established in 1821: McGill University is not only one of Canada’s oldest, but also one of its most prestigious, placing fourth among the country’s best universities. This non-profit public higher-education institution is located in the city of Montréal, Quebec, with a branch campus in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec. McGill University is a large coeducational university that offers several courses and programs that lead to valid higher education degrees in a variety of subjects.

What is the oldest universities in Canada?
What is the oldest universities in Canada?

This 199-year-old Canadian university has a stringent admissions policy based on entrance examinations as well as applicants’ previous academic records and ratings. International students are invited to apply. McGill University provides students with a library, housing, athletic facilities, financial aid and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, and administrative services.

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7. University Of Toronto Established in 1827: The University of Toronto, located in the city of Toronto, Ontario, is one of Canada’s oldest universities. The university is Canada’s top university, ranking #1 in the country. This large public, the non-profit university offers courses and programs that lead to officially recognized higher education degrees in a range of subjects, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.

Applicants are encouraged to apply from all over the world. Students of the institution have access to academic and non-academic facilities and services such as a library, accommodation, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

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8. Acadia University Established in 1838: Acadia University is a non-profit, small public university in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. This prestigious institution of higher learning provides a wide range of courses and programs leading to valid higher education degrees in a variety of subjects. The admittance requirements for this 182-year-old Canadian university are demanding, based on previous academic achievements and ratings.

The school is considered selective, with an admittance rate of 60-70%. Students from all around the world submit applications for admission. A library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning options, as well as administrative services, are among the academic and non-academic facilities and services available to AU students.

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9. Mount Allison University Established in 1839: Mount Allison University is a small Canadian coeducational university. This non-profit public university, located in the midsize town of Sackville, New Brunswick, offers courses and programs leading to legally recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a variety of fields.

This 181-year-old Canadian university has stringent admittance standards based on previous academic achievements and evaluations. Admission is open to students from all around the world. Students can also use MTA’s library, accommodation, sports facilities, financial aid and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, and administrative services.

10. Queen’s University Established in 1841: Queen’s University (QU) is a large post-secondary educational institution in Kingston, Ontario. It is one of Canada’s oldest universities, having been officially recognized by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities of Ontario. This public, non-profit university offers a variety of courses and programs leading to legally recognized higher education degrees, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in a variety of areas.

This 178-year-old Canadian university has stringent admissions requirements based on previous academic achievements and evaluations. With acceptance rates ranging from 40 to 50%, this Canadian higher education institution is somewhat selective. Admissions applications are accepted by students from all around the world. QU offers a wide range of academic and non-academic facilities and services to students.

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11. Université Laval: Université Laval is one of the oldest institutions in Canada and is situated in the cosmopolitan city of Quebec. It was established in 1663 through the issuance of a royal charter. It started off as a training facility for priests who would later be deployed to New France. With four Canada Excellence Research Chairs and a research team devoted to advancements on projects like Crispr, cancer screening, and the ebola vaccine, it is one of the nation’s scientific centres.

Oldest university in Toronto
Oldest university in Toronto

With over 500 different courses and a professional staff of over 5000 people, the institution offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. It has drawn students from all around the world and has produced more Canadian prime ministers than any other university.  The university’s stunning campus is complemented by welcoming amenities that enhance the on-campus experience for students.

12. The University of Western Ontario: One of Canada’s oldest universities is the University of Western Ontario, usually referred to as Western University. Bishop Isaac Hellmuth established the Western University in London, Ontario, which at first only housed the faculty of the arts, medicine, divinity, and law.

What was Canada's first college or university?
What was Canada’s first college or university?

There are now 17 faculties at the institution, including those for music, law, social sciences, commerce, health sciences, engineering, and others. More than 500 distinct undergraduate programs and over 160 postgraduate and doctorate programs are available via the institution. The QS World University Rankings for 2021 place Western University in position 201.

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13. The University of Manitoba: The University of Manitoba was the country’s first institution of higher learning in the west and is also one of the nation’s oldest. The sole institution with a focus on conducting research in the Canadian province of Manitoba was created in 1877.

Oldest Universities in Canada by foundation year
Oldest Universities in Canada by foundation year

24 faculties, along with 3 colleges, make up the institution. Across several schools, colleges, and faculties, this university’s prospective students have access to more than 100 distinct study options. 140 different nations are home to the university’s more than 1,45,000 alumni. 140 different nations are home to the university’s more than 1,45,000 alumni. Based on the QS World University Rankings 2022, the Medical School of Manitoba is ranked anywhere between 601-650 globally.

14. University of Windsor: The University of Windsor’s founding occurred in September of 1857, when the first class of students arrived at Assumption College, the school that would later become its forerunner. The University of Windsor became the first independently run degree-granting school in southwest Ontario in 1963. Since then, the University has experienced tremendous expansion, both in terms of academic programs offered as well as in terms of student enrollments and campus size, with almost 16,000 students currently enrolled at Windsor on a full- and part-time basis.

What is the first largest university in Canada?
What is the first largest university in Canada?

An affiliation with Universities Canada (AUCC), the International Association of Universities (IAU), the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, and other national academic organizations may be found at this public research university in Canada. Iona College and Canterbury College are key partners of the university. By placing #1111 in the USN Best Global Universities and #601–800 in the THE World University Rankings for the year 2022, the university has a stellar reputation on a global scale.

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Conclusion

Canada is unquestionably among the popular places for higher education due to its high standards, quality of education provided, friendliness to international students, and comparatively lower school costs when compared to peers in other countries. This is not just a list of Canada’s 10 oldest universities, but also a list of institutions with excellent standards and high international rankings.