Every year, a large number of students come from different parts of the world to get higher education in Canada and this year also, we can see the rush of overseas students in Canadian cities and universities. The University of Toronto (U of T) in Toronto and the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver are the two popular universities in Canada, which host both domestic and overseas students.
While planning for studying in Canada many students like to compare different universities in that country. So, here, we will provide a comparison between the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia.
Global Ranking
Both universities come under the top 40 universities in the world in the recently released QS World University Rankings 2025. The University of Toronto has got higher ranking than the University of British Columbia but there is not so much difference. The University of Toronto ranks #25 whereas the University of British Columbia ranks #38 among 1500 universities in the world. But, each of these universities can be above in some of the courses.
Acceptance Rate for International Students
Acceptance rates of both universities for international students are almost similar. According to online sources, the acceptance rate of the University of Toronto is 51-60% whereas the acceptance rate of the University of British Columbia is 54%/
Academic Excellence and Reputation
These two institutions; the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia are recognized worldwide for their standards and quality of education. The University of Toronto is one of the oldest universities in Canada founded in 1827; this university has always been listed among the best universities in Canada and internationally and nowadays, it is the number one university in Canada and to study abroad. It is most renowned for its research and has particularly strong traditions in medicine, engineering, and the humanities. Rotman School of Management and the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto may be of interest.
UBC, founded in 1908, is also one of the most selective and highly ranked universities often ranking second in Canada after the University of Toronto. It is most famous for its research outcomes, especially within the environmental sciences, forestry, and earth sciences. UBC’s Sauder School of Business and the Faculty of Medicine are also very reputable.
Campus and Location
The campuses of U of T and UBC possess very distinct environments. U of T is situated in the downtown area of Toronto, which is the largest city in Canada. The urban environment provides plenty of cultural, career, and leisure possibilities. St. George campus: this is the main campus and it adopts a combination of historical and contemporary buildings in a very active environment.
However, UBC is located in Vancouver, situated on the Point Grey Peninsula in British Columbia. The campus is situated near the ocean and mountains so the environment is more relaxed, the nature is amazing. Vancouver itself has a temperate climate, multicultural population, and opportunities to engage in outdoor physical activities. While the campus is situated in a rather quiet and country-like area, this can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy life and exercising, yet Vancouver has its perks of city life as well.
Research Opportunities and Facilities
Both universities offer research excellence but may have varying research interests and while planning to study in Canada, you can choose according to your research interest. U of T is particularly strong in Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, and Business. It has affiliated institutes and research hospitals for students interested in the sciences and health-related majors.
Environmental and sustainability research is one of the areas where UBC shines, which is explained by its location. For instance, the university has several research institutes such as the Biodiversity Research Centre, and the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability. UBC site also provides different advantages in marine and forestry sciences due to the location of the university.
Student Life and Extracurriculars
Student activities at the University of Toronto are lively since over 1000 student groups and associations exist in the university. Being located in a city, students have a unique opportunity to use all the potential of Toronto in terms of cultural, entertainment, and career opportunities.
UBC provides a more homely-like environment with over 350 organizations coming out of student clubs and activities and an emphasis on outdoor activities due to the campus location. The university also has a good social life with events, recreation, and people feeling togetherness on the campus. UBC is smaller than U of T in terms of student population, so it can be easier to create close-knit groups.
Prices of Student Housing
The prices of University of Toronto housing and the prices of the housing for students of the University of British Columbia are close to each other; however, UBC student accommodation can be found at a bit smaller rate.
The prices of U of T accommodations start from CAD 10,000 and go up to 15,000 per academic year. On the other hand, prices of University of British Columbia housing start from CAD 8,000 and go up to CAD 14,000 per academic year.