Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada

You currently have eyes skimming through a well-resourced article on the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada. Chances are you are a student looking to live your dream of finding a full-time career in the medical field among other benefits.

We believe you wish to achieve that in schools with a track record of producing world-class and successful medical practitioners in their various fields of expertise and contribute in no small measure to improving the general quality of human lives.

If the above, is true of what you seek then this article is for you. It captures only the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada with remarkable strides in the past decades.

These schools have not just a serene and well-equipped medical facility to serve every students interest but also have the best of staff, offers accredited programs with honorary certificate recognized anywhere in any hospital and healthcare facility in the world.

They also have a wide range of departments to fit every students passion while providing an environment for both local and international students to thrive and compete fairly for academic excellence in their various medical fields.

Also, these institutions have very large campuses that support the yearly large numbers of admitted students from all over the globe inspite the high tuition for international students.

Without further ado, below is our list of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada.

Also Read: Top 10 Optometry Schools in Canada

List of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada

1. McGill University 

McGill University is a renowned world-class public institution that was founded in 1821 and is located in Quebec, Canada. This University is probably the best of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada.

Holding a degree from this institution go beyond opening many doors for a successful Medical career in many state, federal or private medical facilities,

McGill University has two campuses: one in Montreal and the Macdonald campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue with English as the main language of instruction, and French as second dominant tongue. Though about half of the population of Montreal speaks French as a first language.

The institution have a large number of foreign students, comprising up-to one-fourth of the student body, with students hailing from more than 150 countries.

The university is made up of 10 faculties and schools among which is the Faculty of medicine – that offer around 300 programs of study, to help prepare health professionals and scientists to excel and also build healthier communities.

The university has affiliations with multiple teaching hospitals, and its medical school is known as the oldest in Canada.

McGill’s research is conducted at over 40 McGill research centers – such as the McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, etc – and at other affiliated institutes and hospitals.

The first artificial blood cell created is one among the research achievements by the McGill University, a true feat of one of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada.

2. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public institution in Ontario, Canada that was founded in 1827. It is about the second of Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada with 80 percent of its students studying at the undergraduate level.

The institute has three campuses at St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough all located in Toronto. The school also boasts of thousands of foreign students due to its reputation, from over 160 countries and regions attend the University and with majority of the international students being Chinese, and Indians.

The University of Toronto’s academic division is focused on a range of disciplines, such as applied science and engineering, medicine, public health etc. With around 700 undergraduate programs and over 200 master’s and doctoral programs.

The primary language of instruction is English and The Temerty Faculty of Medicine as referred to is the medical school of the University of Toronto and was founded in 1843, with faculty based in Downtown Toronto and is one of Canada’s oldest institutions of medical studies.

The University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine mission statement claims to be at the forefront of life-changing health research and innovation, doing what can’t be done.

One major innovation of credit to the University of Toronto is insulin, which was discovered by researchers in the 1920s, a true attribute of only the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada.

The University’s Banting & Best Diabetes Centre is named after two of these researchers, one of whom eventually won the Nobel Prize in physiology for this work.

3. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is a prestigious public institution and a ineffable name among the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada located in Vancouver, the Canadian province of British Columbia.

The University was established in 1908 but started running in 1915 and has two main campuses – the Vancouver campus and the Okanagan campus situated in Kelowna.

This school also have a remarkable number of international students, with about 36 percent of the school entire student population  in both of it campuses as international.

The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine considers applications from diverse backgrounds and gives no preferences to particular degree programs or institution making it a destination among the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada.

The school is known for their commitment in creating a diverse community of people and instill this diversity in their future medical doctors so as to help them keep up with the diversity so they can cope in any community they will end up serving.

The UBC Faculty of Medicine also is keen on delivering highly innovative programs in the areas of health and life sciences via a province-wide delivery model.

Variety of programs are available for undergraduates, graduates and postgraduate levels, including in public and continuing professional education initiatives.

The main language of instruction at UBC is English and this institution have good research facilities, some of which include Canada’s national TRIUMF subatomic physics laboratory, the Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention as well as the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm.

4. McMaster University

McMaster University is a pace-setter public institution founded in 1887, and located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The university has international students hailing from more than 75 countries, making it not just a popular and a destination place o learning but one of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in Canada.

The university has six main academic divisions – engineering, health sciences, humanities, science, social sciences and the school of Medicine established in 1965 and renamed the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine in 2004, offers major programs in undergraduate, postgraduate and graduate medical education. – and the primary language of instruction is English.

Students looking to be enrolled in this institution must complete at least three years of post-secondary experience prior to admission into the medical faculty to study this program.

The program which is three years in length and goes for 11 months of the year is designed to build medical students with a wide range of human health problems and with early exposure to patients.

McMaster University hones another sterling attribute of top 20 best medical schools in Canada which include providing opportunities for students to gain education and experience in less civilized Northern Canadian areas or in an international setting away from the environment they are used to.

The School of Medicine, use many research facilities like the University’s teaching hospitals and ambulatory care at the McMaster University Medical Centre division of Hamilton Health Sciences, and other clinical teaching units at several of the major Hamilton hospitals and community health-care centres as well to conduct researches.

The university also has its own nuclear reactor, which is used to enhance research by both staff and students.

An even more sterling phenomenon and fact about McMaster’s university is that one-fifth of Albert Einstein’s brain sits in a jar in one of the school’s laboratories where a McMaster neuroscientist studies it alongside other specimens.

5. University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is another one of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada and it is a public institution located in the province of Alberta in Western Canada with an historic ambience that depicts it time of establishment in 1908.

The university has a large population found in its five campuses, four of which are in the city of Edmonton, and the fifth in Augustana Campus, located roughly an hour away from Edmonton in the rural city of Camrose.

The university offers studies in a range of disciplines, such as arts, business, engineering and medicine, with english as the main language of instruction, with the exception of the university’s Campus Saint-Jean, where French is the primary language.

Over 20 percent of the University of Alberta student body is made of international students, and the school has affiliate with major research institutions, such as the multidisciplinary National Institute for Nanotechnology.

The University of Alberta’s Faculty of medicine makes possible everything from financial aid, state-of-the-art facilities, medical research to innovative classroom technology, etc through philanthropy giving.

The University’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is a resident to many world-class research groups, centres and institutes.

Some of the departments in the Faculty include:

• Anesthesiology and pain medicine
• Biochemistry
• Biomedical engineering
• Critical care medicine
• Dentistry and dental medicine
• Laboratory and pathology medicine
• Medicine genetics
• Department of Medicine
• Obstetrics
• Oncology
• Ophthalmology and visual sciences
• Pediatrics
• Pharmacology
• Physiology
• Psychiatry
• Radiology and diagnostics
• Surgery

The university also has more than 400 research, teaching and legal agreements with schools and other organizations around the world, an attribute peculiar to the top 20 best medical schools in Canada.

6. Universite de Montreal

The University of Montreal is also a public institution and undeniably one of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada that traces as far back as 1878 when it was founded.

The university is also affiliated with two schools after breaking out of Université Laval, these affiliated institutes are: Polytechnique Montréal, an engineering school, and HEC Montréal, a business school all in Canada.

About one-fourth of the student body across all three institutions studies at the graduate level.

UdeM, as the school is nicknamed, has more than a dozen academic divisions across the social, natural and health sciences, as well as arts and humanities disciplines.

The primary language of instruction is French, although several graduate programs accept English-speaking students – such as doctoral programs in biochemistry, neurosciences and pharmacology.

The Faculty of Medicine at the institute is a pioneering institution dedicated to education and research based on ACTIVE participation in the advancement of knowledge and with this comes The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer as one of its research centres.

7. University of Calgary

As a student of medicine student in the University of Calgary, you will start working with real patients within your first few weeks of the program.

This university run a three-year doctor of medicine degree, which are few in North America and a compelling force by the top 20 best medical schools in Canada .

The school is committed to patient-centered and presentation-based learning approach, but also offer a scholarship program, which supports the enrolment and presents opportunities for future MD students from traditionally under-represented groups throughout Alberta to record success.

The school also ensures equitable advancement in health and wellness by grooming a community of diverse physicians who lead through discovery, innovation, care delivery, education, and knowledge implementation.

Some Department in the institution include General internal medicine, Rheumatology etc.

8. University of Ottawa Rankings

Ranked as #215 in Best Global Universities, the University of Ottawa is renowned and reputable for their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of academic excellence qualifying it among the top 20 best medical schools in Canada.

The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine is founded on education and research, wherein scientific knowledge and expertise is impacted by researchers, to students and students are also engaged in researches to address societal health care challenges and also to bring meaningful contribution to improve services such as, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

The Faculty is now recognized as a national and world leader in medical education and research for these efforts, and our students graduate with the skills and experience necessary to expertly address the health care needs of a global population.

The Faculty of Medicine has 12 clinical departments.

9. Western University (University of Western Ontario)

The Western University is located in London, Ontario called the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. This is agreeably one of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada with an ultra-modern learning ambience with cutting-edge technology for students.

This medicine school is combined with the dental school of the University of Western Ontario, and makes one of 17 medical schools in Canada and one of six in Ontario.

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University has a high flying reputation for excellence, since it was founded in 1881 and the inclusion of the dental school in 1964.

The staff wing of this institute are dedicated and have recorded medical breakthrough and discoveries, as well as commitment to social responsibility and encourages affinity for strategic partnerships.

Today, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is one of the leading and recognized Canadian centre of outstanding education and research towards improving and shaping health care for the next generation.

10. Dalhousie University Rankings

Dalhousie University is a recognized citadel of academic excellence and as one of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada it is ranked #314 in Best Global Universities.

Dalhousie Medical School plays a vital role in promoting better health and wellbeing of communities.

Students, residents, faculty and staff of this institution are actively involved in partnerships and programs that build good and strong connections with the communities as well as provide meaningful benefits to them.

Some of the department of the Faculty of Medicine in Dalhousie University are:

• Biochemistry and molecular bio
• Critical medicine
• Anesthesia, pain management and perioperative medicine
• Diagnostic radiology
• Family medicine
• Medicine neuroscience
• Microbiology and immunology
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Ophthalmology and visual sciences
• Pathology
• Pediatrics

11. University of Manitoba

The Max Rady College of Medicine is a medical college of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and is one of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada launched in 1883 as the Manitoba Medical College, it is the first medical school of the Prairie province.

Medical students in the Max Rady College of Medicine are exposed to experience diverse environments and explore various opportunities in research while attaining the skills and professional attributes to serve in future practice.

This institute ensures that medical student, engage with communities through service learning programs, participate with clinicians in co-curricular clinical activities and also have the opportunity to leverage the benefits of participating in national and international exchange programs.

12. Université Laval

Université Laval is one of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada with over 60 departments and sub-schools.

UL faculties attract world-renowned professors which are readily available and accessible to provide students with both knowledge and experience as well as a stimulating learning, research, and creative environment where student success remains first on the ladder of priorities.

New ideas and excellence are the core values of Université Laval, thouh French is the main language of instruction in this institute and over the years, the school has graduated over 335,000 individuals, each of whom are successful and an asset to their community and society as a whole.

The Université Laval, has faculties in medicine, nursing and pharmacy

13. Queens University – Canada

The Queen’s School of Medicine is another laudable name of one of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada and a unit of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University at Kingston.

This school is responsible for research, undergraduate and graduate education in Medicine. The educational program which earns students an MD degree is central to the purpose of the faculty.

Departments in this tertiary institution include

• Allergy and immunology
• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• General internal medician
• Geriatric medicine
• Neurology
• Nephrology
• Palliative medicine and more

14. University of Saskatchewan

The undergraduate medical education program in the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan is a four-year program leading to the Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree.

This state of the-art, and brilliantly integrated facility enables collaboration among students, faculty and researchers in all health science fields of study.

The building is home to the Leslie and Irene Dubé Health Sciences Library, technology-equipped lecture theatres, classrooms and research laboratories, meeting and breakout rooms,

After medical school, graduates enter into a residency program offered by the College of Medicine in primary or specialty care areas. Residency training vary between two years for certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada to four or six years for certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Following successful completion of residency training leads to careers in many diverse fields including the following:

15. University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo is located in Ontario, Canada and is by far one of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada

The school is known to have a history of the most lucrative (and most competitive) School of Medicine in Canada.

The University of Waterloo has a wide range of medical courses including optometry which have a duration of 4 years to earn a degree.

There also offer many postgraduate programs such as OD/MSc research programs, doctorates, and masters.

The school has a track record of contributing efficiently to a number of medical health researches and studies that has ultimately improved the quality of lives.

16. York University – Canada

York University is a promising institution focused on training family and community doctors in an integrated setting with aims to promote care beyond the walls of hospital facilities.

The school is passionate to create greater health equity for diverse communities in the Toronto Area and underserved communities across Canada, as well as over a million Ontarians who do not have access to primary care.

This school is well known for its interdisciplinary approach to research, teaching, and learning which is a quality of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada which provides a solid foundation for a modern medical school.

York possesses significant depth and breadth of academic programming and research and its Faculty of Health involves one of Canada’s largest Nursing and Nurse Practitioner programs, as well as an outstanding bachelor and graduate degrees in psychology, kinesiology and health sciences, health informatics, global health, health studies, health policy and management, critical disability studies, and neuroscience.

17. University of Victoria

Contribute to breakthroughs in medical science. The Division of Medical Sciences in the University of Victoria recruits top-ranked faculty to implement a multidisciplinary neuroscience graduate program, which is a breakthrough contribution for one of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada while obtaining significant external research funding.

The UVic departments and research centres, has made ground-breaking contributions to medical sciences, addressing some of society’s most pressing healthcare needs, such as the prevention and treatment of cancer, handling neurological disorders and diseases, and genetic disorders.

The neuroscience graduate program, coupled with a cutting-edge environment inspires innovative discovery with world-class neuroscience researchers in well-equipped research laboratories to provide hands-on training opportunities that lead to fulfilling careers in research, medicine, forensics, or social services.

18. Simon Fraser University

SFU is a sterling and reputable university and one of the top 20 best medical schools in Canada to create a program where medical students and residents learn in team-based primary care settings, which are patient-centered and consider social, environmental, and prevention contexts.

The medical school will be based in Surrey, with place-based learning opportunities across the province.

SFU’s Faculty of Health Sciences offers some of Canada’s most comprehensive and integrated programs and has a strong reputation for producing world-class innovative research.

19. University of Sherbrooke

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Universite de Sherbrooke is one of top 20 best medical schools in Canada and provides on-going educational opportunities to those students seeking advanced degrees.

Sherbrooke is comprised of two Universities and three colleges making it very student-friendly. In fact, of the 150,000 people that make up the community, 20% of Sherbrooke’s population are students.

Established in 1961, the Université de Sherbrooke’s Faculty of Medicine MD Program is instructed in French only.

20. University of Guelph

While U of G does not have a human medical school, it does offer the only Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in Ontario.

The College of Biological Science is a globally-recognized academic faculty with a mission to expand the understanding of life, from DNA to cells to complex ecosystems. It produces intrepid and interdisciplinary research in a student-centred learning environment that encourages and promotes comprehensive understanding of the systems that govern life.