Several Top Canadian Universities Enter Global Top 100 in Subject Rankings; Key Study Permit Application Process Explained
Canadian Universities' Subject Strength Gains International Recognition
Recently, the highly anticipated QS World University Rankings by Subject released its latest results. This ranking aims to help students worldwide pinpoint top universities excelling in specific subject areas, based on their academic interests and career aspirations.
This year's ranking covers 55 specific subjects, grouped under five core academic areas: Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and Social Sciences and Management.
The data reveals that Canadian higher education institutions stand out in multiple fields. Here's a look at the performance of some top Canadian universities within the global top 100 across the five broad subject areas (partial list):
- University of Toronto: Ranked within the global top 20 in all five areas. Notably, it placed 14th in Life Sciences and Medicine, Arts and Humanities, and Social Sciences and Management; 17th in Engineering and Technology; and 20th in Natural Sciences, showcasing strong comprehensive capabilities.
- University of British Columbia (UBC): Also entered the global top 35 in all five areas, with particularly strong showings in Arts and Humanities (19th), Social Sciences and Management (20th), and Natural Sciences (22nd).
- McGill University: Ranked within the global top 50 across all five areas, with Life Sciences and Medicine (27th) and Arts and Humanities (36th) being areas of strength.
- University of Waterloo: Renowned for its strength in Engineering and Technology (47th) and Natural Sciences (72nd).
- McMaster University: Ranked 59th globally in Life Sciences and Medicine.
- University of Alberta: Placed 86th globally in Life Sciences and Medicine.
The QS rankings allow students to filter not only by broad area but also by the 55 more specific subjects (such as Data Science, Civil Engineering, Nursing, Economics, etc.) to find the most suitable institution.
The ranking methodology relies on five key indicators: Academic Reputation (based on survey responses from global academics), Employer Reputation (based on global employer evaluations of graduates from specific universities), Research Citations per Paper, H-index (measuring the productivity and impact of scholars or departments), and International Research Network (assessing research collaboration with other higher education institutions).
Studying in Canada: Study Permit Application Guide
For international students attracted by the academic excellence of Canadian universities and planning to pursue higher education in Canada, successfully obtaining a Study Permit is a critical step. Below are the main requirements and the basic process for applying for a study permit:
Core Application Materials
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI): You must obtain an official acceptance letter from a DLI recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL): This is a recently implemented requirement (except for Quebec). It is typically requested by the DLI from the relevant provincial or territorial government and then provided to the student.
- Proof of Sufficient Funds: Evidence of having enough money to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation costs. For 2024 onwards (excluding Quebec), a single applicant must demonstrate at least CAD $20,635 for living expenses (in addition to tuition and travel). This amount increases if family members are accompanying (e.g., $25,690 for 2 people, $31,583 for 3 people, with an additional $5,559 for each extra member). Scholarships can be included as part of the proof of funds.
- Valid Passport and Travel Documents.
- Photos meeting requirements.
- Payment of relevant application fees.
Application Process Overview
- Research and School Selection: Identify career goals, research suitable programs, and select DLIs offering them. Important: If planning to work in Canada after graduation, verify if the program and DLI are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). If planning to bring a spouse who wishes to work, check the latest eligibility criteria for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) (currently primarily limited to spouses of Master's, PhD, or students in select professional degree programs).
- Apply to School and Obtain Acceptance: Submit applications to chosen institutions. Upon acceptance, the school will issue an LOA.
- Prepare Study Permit Application Documents: Gather all the required documents listed above.
- Obtain Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL): Contact the DLI where you've been accepted to understand and cooperate with the process for obtaining the PAL/TAL.
- Apply Online for Study Permit: In most cases, applications are submitted online via the IRCC website. The system will generate a personalized document checklist based on your answers; upload all required documents accordingly.
- Subsequent Steps and Approval: After submission, you may need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo), undergo a medical examination, and/or provide police certificates. If approved, you will receive a Letter of Introduction and either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (depending on nationality). You must present the Letter of Introduction to a border services officer upon arrival in Canada to receive your official Study Permit.
Conclusion
The outstanding performance of Canadian universities in global subject rankings offers high-quality educational choices for international students. Concurrently, clearly understanding and adhering to the latest study permit application requirements and procedures is crucial for a smooth start to your study journey in Canada. Prospective students are advised to plan early, conduct thorough research, and complete the application process step-by-step.
Friendly reminder: There are many pathways to immigrate to Canada. We recommend first using UNA AI to generate an objective and neutral immigration plan, so you can gain an initial understanding of the possible immigration pathways and their requirements, and then choose to proceed with one-on-one consultations with a licensed Canadian immigration consultant partnered with UNA.
Canada Changes How Super Visa Income Requirements for Parents and Grandparents Are Calculated, with New Rules Taking Effect on March 31
The Canadian federal government announced in Ottawa on March 20, 2026, that it will change how income requirements are calculated for the Parents and Grandparents Super Visa starting March 31, 2026. The new policy, to be implemented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is intended to make it easier for more families to qualify while ensuring that family members receive adequate financial support during their stay in Canada. Under the updated rules, a host’s income will no longer be assessed based only on the tax year immediately preceding the application. Instead, hosts may qualify by meeting the requirement in either of the two preceding tax years. In addition, if the host and co-signer have already met the required minimum percentage of income, the income of the visiting parent or grandparent may also be used to make up the remaining amount. IRCC said that all applications already in processing as of March 31, 2026, as well as those submitted on or after that date, will be assessed under the new criteria.
03/21/2026
Ontario Resumes Provincial Immigration Invitations for Master’s and PhD Graduates, with Over 1,100 Candidates Invited
On March 18, 2026, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted its third round of invitations of the year and completed six targeted draws on the same day, issuing a total of 1,243 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Among them, 1,107 ITAs were issued through the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams, marking the first invitations under these two streams since September 17, 2024. The draws mainly targeted international student graduates and foreign workers with Canadian work experience in specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) occupations. At the same time, Ontario also issued 136 ITAs through its Employer Job Offer streams. These invitations came as the province moves ahead with a major restructuring of its immigration system, with several current categories scheduled to be revoked on May 30, 2026, and replaced by a new framework.
03/20/2026
Canada’s Latest Express Entry French-Language Draw Issues 4,000 Invitations, With Cut-Off Score Falling to 393
On March 18, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through the Express Entry system to candidates with French-language proficiency. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required in this round was 393, dropping below the 400-point threshold and marking a notable development in recent French-language category-based draws. This selection was not only the 17th Express Entry draw of 2026, but also the third consecutive day of invitations this week, and the third draw this year targeting candidates with French-language ability. Although only three French-language draws have been held in 2026 so far, the category has already received 18,000 ITAs, ranking second among all draw types after the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
03/19/2026
Latest Express Entry CEC Draw Issues 4,000 Invitations, With Score Dropping to the Lowest Level in 18 Months
On March 17, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through an Express Entry draw targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required in this round was 507, marking a further decline compared with recent CEC draws and representing the lowest cut-off score for the category in the past 18 months. As Canada continues in 2026 to focus more heavily on candidates already in the country, applicants with Canadian work experience are emerging as one of the main beneficiary groups in the Express Entry system.
03/18/2026
Latest Express Entry Draw Issues 362 Invitations to Provincial Nominees
On March 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 362 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) through the Express Entry system. In this round, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 742 and to have created their Express Entry profile before 8:35 p.m. UTC on October 5, 2025. This was the 15th Express Entry draw of 2026 and the sixth targeted draw for provincial nominees this year. Overall, IRCC’s selection pattern in 2026 continues to show a clear preference for candidates already in Canada, particularly those with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience. For more information on past Express Entry draws, readers can visit UNA’s dedicated page.
03/17/2026
British Columbia Invites Two Types of Entrepreneur Immigration Candidates in Latest Draw, Issuing Invitations Under Both Base and Regional Streams
British Columbia recently held a new draw under the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) program of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), issuing invitations to eligible candidates under both the Base and Regional streams. Those invited were mainly business applicants planning to establish a new business in British Columbia or acquire and expand an existing one. In this round, the minimum invitation score was 117 for the Base stream, with 7 invitations issued, while the minimum score for the Regional stream was 129, with fewer than 5 invitations issued. Since the start of 2026, British Columbia has completed five entrepreneur-category draws, reflecting the province’s continued steady pace in attracting business immigrants and supporting regional economic development.
03/16/2026
Canada Eases Hiring Limits for Low-Wage Temporary Foreign Workers in Rural Areas
The Canadian federal government has announced a temporary easing of rules for rural employers using the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Under the new policy, eligible rural employers in participating provinces and territories will not only be allowed to maintain their current number of low-wage temporary foreign workers, but will also be able to increase the cap on these workers from 10% to 15% of their total workforce. The move is being seen as a targeted policy adjustment aimed at addressing persistent labour shortages in rural and remote communities. However, the measure will apply only in provinces and territories that choose to participate, and the federal government has not yet released a list of those jurisdictions.
03/14/2026
Canada’s Immigration Reform Bill C-12 Passes Key Legislative Stage, Expanding Powers Over Work Permits, Study Permits, and Permanent Residence Documents
Bill C-12, introduced by the federal government, has become one of the most significant immigration reform measures in Canada in recent years. According to public legislative records, the bill, titled the Strong Borders Act, passed third reading in the Senate on March 12, 2026, and is now listed on the official legislative tracker as “awaiting royal assent.” The immigration-related provisions of the bill are concentrated in three main areas: granting the Governor in Council broader authority to pause, terminate, or alter immigration applications and issued documents; reshaping asylum eligibility rules in Canada; and expanding the scope of personal information sharing between the immigration department and other government institutions. For international students, work permit holders, permanent resident visa applicants, and potential refugee claimants, the bill could bring substantial and far-reaching changes once it formally comes into force.
03/13/2026
Northwest Territories Opens Employer-Driven and Francophone Immigration Streams, First EOI Draw Set for March 25
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) officially opened its Employer-Driven and Francophone Streams on March 9, 2026. The Employer-Driven Stream has transitioned to an Expression of Interest (EOI) selection model, with its inaugural draw scheduled for March 25, when up to 65 eligible candidates will be invited to submit full applications. The Francophone Stream will continue accepting direct applications on a first-come, first-served basis. For the 2026 cycle, the federal government has allocated 197 nomination spaces to the Northwest Territories.
03/11/2026
Canada Introduces Two New Facilitated Work Permit Pathways for Youths from Taiwan and Portugal
Canada has recently introduced two new facilitated work permit pathways under the International Experience Canada (International Experience Canada, or IEC) program for young people from Taiwan and Portugal. These are the TGPI program for Taiwanese youth and the Inov Contacto program for Portuguese youth. Both new pathways offer employer-specific work permits and include tailored arrangements in terms of program structure, financial support, and eligibility requirements. At the same time, applicants from Taiwan and Portugal may still continue to apply under the regular criteria for the IEC Young Professionals category. The new policy suggests that Canada is further expanding youth talent exchange and short-term employment cooperation with specific countries and regions through bilateral youth mobility arrangements.
03/10/2026
