20 Best Universities In British Columbia For International Students 2025

British Columbia is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Canada. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 20 universities and colleges in British Columbia, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 20 universities in British Columbia, University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University are the top-performing schools in British Columbia. This list covers both public and private institutions in British Columbia.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in British Columbia. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in British Columbia.

How do I get admission to the best universities in British Columbia?

Applying to the universities in British Columbia involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in British Columbia to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in British Columbia?

Tuition fees at British Columbia’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 7,932 CAD to 73,100 CAD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 1,150 CAD to 67,600 CAD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in British Columbia!

As we cover the best universities in British Columbia for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in British Columbia for International Students

Established in 1908, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is the oldest and most prestigious university in British Columbia. It has distinguished itself as a global centre for research and learning. Over its century-long history, UBC has produced numerous outstanding individuals, including Nobel laureates, prime ministers, and prominent world leaders and artists. In addition, the university is home to several research institutes and world-class facilities, including the world’s largest particle accelerator and the first Max Planck Institute in North America.

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a public research university in Burnaby City, Canada. The university places great emphasis on research, especially in sustainability. It styles itself as one of the world leaders in research, knowledge development, and sustainability. Due to its focus on research, SFU offers one of Canada’s best graduate and postgraduate programs. Discoveries made by some of its students have been vital to solving global challenges.

The University of Victoria (UVic) is one of Canada’s top research-intensive educational institutes, with a history that can be traced back to the establishment of Victoria College in 1903. Granting degrees since 1963, the university has more than 20,000 students studying at its campus in Victoria. UVic is committed to engaging with the local community, fostering diverse perspectives from indigenous and international communities, and driving sustainability initiatives. It aims to positively affect society through its research, particularly in the areas of environment and sustainability, health and wellness, and technology’s impact on the human experience. UVic is also committed to encouraging scholarship led by the indigenous population across different disciplines and research highlighting social justice and equity.

Trinity Western University (TWU) is a private Christian university. It has two campuses in Langley and Richmond, British Columbia. TWU is Canada’s largest privately funded Christian university and offers programs at all levels of study in diverse areas. The university has an active sports culture and supports athletics at the varsity, club, and intramural levels for both women and men.

University of Northern British Columbia is a small public university in Prince George, a serene city in British Columbia filled with spectacular landscapes and lush greenery. The university has a reputation for spearheading sustainable initiatives and is colloquially known as Canada’s Green University. In addition to its focus on sustainability, the university is research-intensive in its approach, hoping to bring new knowledge to its students and help solve pressing global and local issues.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is one of the biggest post-secondary educational institutes in the province. It opened with courses on engineering, health, and business but has since expanded to offer programs in diverse fields. The institute has trained specialists and innovators who shape society. It aims to provide an excellent education that produces graduates embarking on relevant and future-proof careers. The programs emphasize practical components, including real-world skills and industry training, which make the graduates ready to immediately join the workforce.

Initially founded as Cariboo College in 1970, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has developed into a comprehensive and influential institution of higher learning in British Columbia. It is named after the convergence of two rivers in Kamloops, a renowned Canadian sporting city that also houses the university’s main campus. The university aims to become a learner-centred, sustainable university serving indigenous, local, and international students through flexible study programs and outstanding research.

Vancouver Island University is a public university located on Canada’s west coast. Established as a youth training center providing trade and vocational training, it has grown its offerings and expanded to become Vancouver Island University, a full-fledged university offering degree programs across various disciplines. About 12,000 students study at its three campuses, including a diverse population comprising about 12 percent indigenous and 12 percent international students.

As an iconic institution in New Brunswick with a unique history, the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) styles itself as ‘the home of transformation.’ The university came into being from the determination of citizens of the Fraser Valley to possess a higher education institution within the region. Initially, the provincial government did not accept the request of the Fraser Valley citizens. However, their persistence in having a post-secondary educational facility led the government to establish a vocational college in the region. This vocational later evolved to become the University of the Fraser Valley.

Ever since becoming the University of the Fraser Valley, the university has displayed tremendous growth, becoming one of the largest universities in the region with five campuses spread across diverse locations in Canada. The university has especially distinguished itself in its ease of registration and the quality of student-faculty interaction.

Founded in 1981 to strengthen vocational education in Canada, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has grown into one of the largest and most influential institutions in British Columbia. It has campuses across five locations in British Columbia and offers a wide range of vocational and bachelor’s programs. Furthermore, KPU is Canada’s only polytechnic university. It is a university where ‘thought meets action,’ with curricula tailored towards applied and vocational programs. As a result, the university places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and the development of technical skills.

Royal Roads University (RRU) is among the universities aiming to transform higher education in Canada. It is among the global leaders in online and blended education. RRU’s strong history in using adaptive education models derives from its development of professional courses. The university noticed that working individuals desired professional courses to elevate their careers. As a result, it created flexible and adaptable programs that combine online mode with periodic face-to-face learning sessions.

In addition, RRU hopes to nurture individuals with the courage to transform the world. It believes a learning environment that adapts to students’ needs is best suited for producing innovative and passionate individuals.

Emily Carr University (ECU) is a global leader in art, media, and design. It is one of the few universities in North America that focuses solely on art and design. The university merges practice, research, and theory, ensuring students receive a comprehensive art education that enables them to thrive in a competitive environment. Furthermore, the faculty of ECU comprises award-winning creators and industry experts with tons of experience in the art and design field.

Capilano University (CapU) had modest beginnings when it first opened in 1968, offering classes at night in the West Vancouver Secondary School classrooms. It has since expanded to three different campuses in the region. CapU’s main campus in North Vancouver, located amidst verdant forests and fresh mountain air, was the first to be opened. Its second campus, in the village of Sechelt, is surrounded by mountains, forests, and the sea, benefitting the communities of the Sunshine Coast. The latest campus is located in the historic Shipyards building in Lonsdale, opening opportunities for community outreach and flexible program offerings. CapU also offers courses through the Ts̓zil Learning Centre in partnership with the Líl̓wat Nation, which owns and operates the center. The university offers undergraduate programs across several disciplines at its different idyllic centers.

University Canada West is a relatively young private university located in Vancouver, specializing in business and technology. It designs its programs to reflect the latest knowledge, trends, and practices in the fields of business, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The programs are focused on building students’ careers and are available at its two campuses in Vancouver, as well as online, to cater to students who need some flexibility.

Langara College was opened in 1965 as a part of Vancouver Community College. Five years later, Langara started offering classes at its West 49th Avenue campus, which remains its main campus even today. The institute expanded its offerings over the years and became an independent public college in 1994. Primarily seen as a pathways college, the university provides programs to help students continue their education, start their careers, and grow professionally. About half of the students studying at its Vancouver campus are enrolled in university transfer courses.

LaSalle College, a leading art and design college in Vancouver, is a member of the LCI Education network, comprising 23 campuses across five continents. LaSalle offers diplomas, certificates, and undergraduate degree programs in applied arts and design. Students benefit from small classes with opportunities for individual attention, access to advanced technology, and leading experts as teachers. The institute has the vision to become one of the best creative arts providers in the country. LaSalle College Vancouver is particularly renowned for its program in video game design, which is considered one of the best in the country.

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) is a private research institute originating in New York but with multiple campuses around the globe. Due to the high demand for NYIT courses by Canadians, a Vancouver campus was created to provide Canadians with easy access to some of the institute’s courses and programs. As a result, the New York Institute of Technology Vancouver is the Vancouver campus of the New York Institute of Technology and its official Canadian branch.

North Island College (NIC) is a community college in Canada designed to provide accessible and affordable education to communities in northern Vancouver Island and the coast of British Columbia. It is among the few comprehensive community colleges in Canada and delivers transformational education through its four campuses, spread across various locations on Vancouver Island.
The College has a unique history, starting in 1975 as a portable college comprising a mobile trailer and some converted school buses. As a result of this history, NIC has built a reputation for delivering outstanding distance education.

The College of New Caledonia (CNC) is a community college with six campuses spread across diverse locations in the central regions of British Columbia. It was created in 1969 as a vocational school to cater to the educational needs of residents in the central or interior regions of British Columbia. While it has developed into a respectable college, CNC still holds true to its initial goals by exhibiting a strong sense of duty to the interior region of British Columbia. One of the distinguishing qualities of CNC is its dedication to maintaining small class sizes to facilitate an engaging and personal learning environment.

College of the Rockies is a small public community college in British Columbia created to serve the residents of the Rocky Mountain Trench region. The college operates through five regional campuses, with the city of Cranbrook housing the main campus. Over the years of its operation, the College of the Rockies has developed into an upstanding institution which values quality over quantity. As a consequence, the college has maintained its small size, preferring value-based development over expansive growth. In addition, it utilizes small class sizes in educating its students with a focus on interactive practice-based learning.