Come Study in Two Canadian Cities Ranked Best in the World for Students

Canada has long been known as a destination for international students seeking high-quality education in a welcoming and diverse environment. Recently, a new list by Helpful Professor has ranked the best places to study across the world, and two Canadian cities are prominently featured on this list, including one ranking at the very top. 

How it works

The Helpful Professor looked at over 1,300 universities worldwide, with researchers gathering data and using multiple sources across the web to compile the list. For 2023, the list is based on seven factors:

1. Number of universities in the city
2. Average university score within that city
3. Average international students per university
4. Cost of living
5. Freedom 
6. Safety
7. Friendliness 

Each of the seven ranking factors is given a score out of 10. Higher marks are awarded to those who perform well in each factor. As you will see below, Canada performed exceptionally well in all areas, making it one of the best destinations to study worldwide for 2023. 

First place: Montreal

This year, Helpful Professor lists Montreal as the best city in the world to study in. The list explains, “Montreal provides an enriching experience, exposing students to the city’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity.” For one, Montreal is home to several world-class universities, including McGill University, Université de Montréal and Concordia University, which are consistently ranked among the top universities in both Canada and the world. These universities offer high-quality education and research opportunities to students who are looking to further their studies. Montreal is also a multicultural city with a diverse population that speaks both French and English. This provides students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures and languages, making their university experience more enriching.

Second place: Vancouver

Vancouver tied for second place with Tokyo, both cities behind Montreal by just one point. But it’s no surprise that Vancouver managed to nab a high score of 7 for “Average University Score.” The city is home to the University of British Columbia (UBC), a public university that consistently ranks in the top 20 public universities in the world. Simon Fraser University (SFU), located in Burnaby, is known for its frequent appearances in blockbuster films such as Fantastic Four, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, and Antitrust. With its large population of international students worldwide, and particularly in East Asia, Vancouver also took home a 9 out of 10 for the “Average International Students Per University” category alongside Toronto. 

Other Canadian cities that made it to the list include Toronto in 20th place, Edmonton in 25th, and Ottawa and Calgary tied for 41st. 

Come and study in Vancouver, as we are ranked the best in the world for students!

The Vancouver School Board (VSB) is the largest school district in British Columbia, Canada, and serves over 50,000 students across 106 schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The VSB and its staff members are responsible for providing education to students in Vancouver, including public schools, alternate programs, Indigenous Education, and international education programs. In addition, the district provides numerous programs and services to full-time Adult Education students. 

The VSB is committed to providing a high-quality education to all students, regardless of their age, background or ability. They also recognize the importance of providing students with a well-rounded education that includes academic and extracurricular activities. The district offers a range of programs and services to support student learning, including music and arts programs, athletics, and outdoor education. The district’s mission is to “enable students to reach their intellectual, social, aesthetic and physical potential in challenging and stimulating settings which reflect the worth of each individual and promote mutual respect, cooperation and social responsibility.” 

Quick Facts: Students

The VSB and its district currently have…

• 28,000 elementary students
• 19,000 secondary students
• 2,100 self-identified Indigenous students from nations located across Canada
• 1,200 international students
• 2,500 Adult Education students
• 2,500 students in distributed learning programs
• 5,000 French Immersion students
• 10,000 students who take summer school courses 

Within these populations of students,

• Roughly 44% speak a second language other than English at home
• 140 languages have been identified in the Vancouver School District schools
• 2,200 daily meals are served to students in school meal programs 

Quick Facts: Schools, Programs & Services

The VSB and its district currently have…

• 89 elementary schools, including 12 annexes 
• 18 secondary schools
• 1 Vancouver Alternate Secondary School
• 1 Adult Education school
• 1 distributed learning school (Vancouver Learning Network)

Currently, the Vancouver School District’s programs include…

• Early and Late French Immersion
• Intensive French
• Mandarin Bilingual
• Fine Arts
• Indigenous Focus School
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Montessori
• Learning Services Support programs (ranges from remedial to enrichment)

Today, the VSB plays a critical role in educating thousands of students in the city of Vancouver. The district’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and its focus on providing a well-rounded education, make it an important institution in the community. It remains dedicated to providing the best possible education to all students and is a vital part of the education system in British Columbia.

See here for more information on the Vancouver School Board. 

Sources: Canada has the two best cities in the world to study in, The Best Cities To Study In Across The World, Vancouver School Board