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Best universities for psychology degrees in Canada 2024

Explore the top universities in Canada for psychology degrees using data from the Times Higher Education World University Rankings

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November 7 2023
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Top 6 universities in Canada for psychology

Scroll down for the full list of best universities for psychology in Canada

Canada psychology rank 2024Psychology rank 2024 UniversityCity
110 University of TorontoToronto
217 University of British ColumbiaVancouver
328 McGill UniversityMontreal
=4101–125 Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby
=4101–125 University of WaterlooWaterloo
=4101–125 Western UniversityLondon

View the Times Higher Education's World University Rankings for Psychology 2025 here.

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Canada is a popular study destination for international students because of the number of high-quality universities and lower tuition fees compared with other anglophone countries.

The benefits of studying psychology in Canada include access to some of the world’s best research institutions, reasonable living costs and the opportunity to experience life in a multicultural society.

As for post-degree prospects, psychologists are in high demand in Canada, and are also among the highest paid workers in the country in 2020. For international students, there are also multiple options for staying and working in the country after graduating.

Below are the best universities in Canada for psychology degrees.


Best universities in the world for psychology degrees
Best universities for psychology degrees in the US
Best universities for psychology degrees in Australia
Best universities for psychology degrees in the UK


3. McGill University

McGill University is the oldest university in Montreal and one of just three English-language universities in Quebec.

The first psychology course was taught at McGill in 1850 by W. T. Leach, and the first psychological laboratory was established in 1910 by William Dunlop Tait.

Psychology at McGill is offered as either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science programme and as a joint programme across both. Students within each of these courses have the opportunity to study across a range of courses including the psychology of bilingualism, health psychology and hormones and behaviour. Students are also given the opportunity to conduct their own research projects.

The graduate programme admits about 100 students and offers tracks in both clinical and experimental psychology.

The McGill Psychology Students’ Association organises a range of academic events, lecture series and social events throughout the year for psychology students. The group even publishes a journal of undergraduate research.


What can you do with a psychology degree?


2. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university which was established in 1908.

Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate majors at UBC, with students choosing either the bachelor of arts or the behavioural neuroscience programme.

Students will begin their course by studying an introduction to the discipline. From the second and third years, students will be able to specialise in courses such as psychology of sport and cultural psychology.

The master's in psychology is a 24-month programme that requires all students to complete a thesis and present it at the university’s annual Psychfest.

Research is focused around several major areas in the field: behavioural neuroscience, clinical, cognitive science, quantitative methods, developmental, health, and social psychology.

Each year, UBC’s psychology department partners with the Psychology Students’ Association to host events ranging from faculty-student socials, workshops on CV writing and career building, to panels on pursuing graduate studies.

1. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto’s department of psychology offers a broad bachelor of science degree designed to give students a foundation across the entire discipline.

Alongside this general grounding, the University of Toronto continuously updates the psychology curriculum to incorporate new research and address new challenges in the field, including neuro-ethics and intergroup relations.

The undergraduate Psychology Students’ Association is made up of a group of elected students with many roles, including serving as a liaison between staff and students and providing a social network.

The unified graduate programme in psychology at the University of Toronto is conducted across all three of its campuses: Mississauga, Scarborough and St George. Adjunct faculty from associated hospitals and institutions participate in the programme and supervise graduate students.


Top universities in Canada for psychology degrees 2024

Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2024 results. 

Canada psychology rank 2024Psychology rank 2024 UniversityCity
110 University of TorontoToronto
217 University of British ColumbiaVancouver
328 McGill UniversityMontreal
=4101–125 Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby
=4101–125 University of WaterlooWaterloo
=4101–125 Western UniversityLondon
=7126–150 University of CalgaryCalgary
=7126–150 McMaster UniversityHamilton
=7126–150 University of OttawaOttawa
=7126–150 York UniversityToronto
=11151–175 Dalhousie UniversityHalifax
=11151–175 University of MontrealMontreal
=11151–175 Queen’s UniversityKingston
=14176–200 University of AlbertaEdmonton
=14176–200 Université LavalQuebec City
=14176–200 Université du QuébecQuebec City
=17201–250 University of ReginaRegina
=17201–250 University of VictoriaVictoria
=19251–300 Carleton UniversityOttawa
=19251–300 Concordia UniversityMontreal
=21301–400 University of GuelphGuelph
=21301–400 University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon
=21301–400 Toronto Metropolitan UniversityToronto
=21301–400 University of WindsorWindsor
=25401–500 Lakehead UniversityOntario
=25401–500 Memorial University of NewfoundlandNewfoundland and Labrador
=27501–600 University of LethbridgeLethbridge
=27501–600 University of New Brunswick UNBFredricton
=27501–600 Ontario Tech UniversityOntario

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