Many Canadian universities rank amongst the top 100 universities in the world offering some of the world’s most sought-after degrees. Moreover the country itself offers a diverse and multicultural environment conducive to international students.

To help you with your decision, we have listed the top 10 most sought-after degrees and programs in Canada, their career prospects, and a list of of the top 5 universities in each discipline.

1. Economics, Business Studies, Management and Entrepreneurship

The various fields of specialisation that fall within this category include, Accounting, Finance, Insurance, Banking, Marketing, Business Administration, Business Management and Business Entrepreneurship.

Career Prospects:

Getting a degree in any one the mentioned specialties can lead to distinguished positions, as Chief Executive, Administrator, Supervisor, Marketer and more, within a business environment.

Top Canadian Universities for Economics and Business Studies:  

i)   University of Toronto

ii)  University of British Columbia

iii) University of Alberta

iv) York University

v University of Montreal

2. Information Technology (IT) & Computer Science

This is a field that encompasses a wide array of courses specially combined to provide you with the essential knowledge, skills and competence required to manage, operate and utilise information technology and its associated infrastructure to serve enterprise needs.

Career Prospects:

It is becoming almost impossible to find a modern entity devoid of its dependency on computer and information technology. Thus, career prospects are quite wide, available and promising in the long-term.

Top Canadian Universities for IT & Computer Science:

i)   University of British Columbia

ii)  University of Waterloo

iii) University of Toronto

iv) University of Alberta

v)  Simon Fraser University

3. Clinical Medicine and Healthcare

Areas of specialisation include Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, among many others.

Career Prospects:

Clinical medicine and healthcare are two service areas in high demand owing to the need to cope with the consequences of our increasingly complex modern lifestyle.

Top Canadian Universities for Clinical Medicine & Healthcare:

i)   University of Toronto

ii)  McGill University

iii) University of British Columbia

iv) McMaster University

v)  University of Montreal

4. Engineering

The following are the major specialties of Engineering – Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Biomedical.

Career Prospects:

The field of Engineering is expanding rapidly and increasingly responsible for technological advancement. This means that new opportunities keep propping up for those who have acquired the latest training.

Top Canadian Universities for Engineering:

i)   University of Toronto

ii)  University of Waterloo

iii) University of Alberta

iv) University of British Columbia

v)  McGill University

5. Education

The following specialties are some of the popular in education – Elementary, Middle School, High School, Special Education, Instructional Coordination and Education Administration.

Career Prospects:

More and more opportunities are opening up for educationists in all spheres due to an ever expanding population and greater demand for literacy.

Top Canadian Universities for Education:

i)   University of Toronto

ii)  Queen’s University

iii) University of British Columbia

iv) McGill University

v) Simon Fraser University

6. Law and Criminal Justice

There is a growing need in the for individuals educated in the disciplines of  Law, Crime, Investigation, Prosecution, Security, Crime-Prevention and Forensics.

Career Prospects:

Fresh brains, new skills and new approaches are required to cope with crimes that are becoming more complex. This means that new opportunities keep on emerging.  

Top Canadian Universities for Law and Criminal Justice:

i)   University of Toronto

ii)  University of British Columbia

iii) McGill University

iv) York University

v) University of Montreal

7. Social Work and Human Service

Social work and human service encompasses areas such as community work, community development, community sensitisation, advocacy and campaign programs.

Career Prospects:

To handle over 7 billion people across the globe requires a lot of social work and human service. As the population grows so is the demand for social and community workers.

Top Canadian Universities for Social Work and Human Service:

i)   University of Toronto

ii)  University of British Columbia

iii) McGill University

iv) McMaster University

v)  University of Montreal

8. General Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.)

Some of the many notable professions in this field of science include Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Specialised Research and Laboratory Technology.

Career Prospects:

There isn’t a single industry that doesn’t depend on scientists for its development and advancement. Career opportunities are plenty and spread across diverse industries.

Top Canadian Universities for General Science:

i)   University of Toronto

ii)  University of British Columbia

iii) McGill University

iv) Universite De Montreal

v)  University of Waterloo

9. Psychology and Psychiatry

Clinical Psychology (or Psychiatry), Counseling Psychology, Criminal Psychology and Child Psychology are amongst the many areas requiring psychologists and psychiatrists.

Career Prospects:

Most businesses which require dealing with people have units in psychology and require psychologists as consultants and advisors. Thus, career opportunities in this area is increasing.

Top Canadian Universities for Psychology and Psychiatry:

i)   University of Toronto

ii)  University of British Columbia

iii) McGill University

iv) University of Western Ontario

v)  University of Montreal

10. Arts and Humanities

Creative Arts, Liberal Arts and Humanities are important in helping us explore and express ourselves and in the same breadth help others do the same. They help to advance freedom, meaning and dignity to life.

Career Prospects:

Every organisation needs specialists in the arts and humanities to make organisations more humane, habitable, lively and fulfilling.

Top Canadian Universities for Arts and Humanities:

i)   University of Toronto

ii)  University of British Columbia

iii) McGill University

iv) University of Western Ontario

v)  University of Montreal

Choosing a degree with the foresight of the career it will lead to requires pragmatism and the balancing various variables including your passion, education and ability to pursue the same. Equipped with the right information, you will be empowered to make the best decision.