10 Best Canadian Architecture Schools

Canada is known for hosting some of the world’s best educational institutions. Today, we’ll focus on the most renowned Canadian architecture schools, curated from data by Archareer and Univariety.

Top 10 Canadian Architecture Schools

1. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia, located in Vancouver, offers architectural programs at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. These programs are part of the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture. QS World University Rankings place the University of British Columbia number one on its list of Canadian schools for architecture.

 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia

2. University of Toronto

The Daniels Faculty of Architecture at the University of Toronto is the second most renowned among Canadian schools for architecture. They offer multiple undergraduate and graduate programs. Examples of the latter include Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Urban Design, and Master of ARchitecture. A large part of the appeal behind UofT’s architectural programs is the surrounding area. Toronto is one of Canada’s most architecturally-renowned cities.  

Location: Toronto, Ontario

3. McGill University

In Canada, architecture schools tend to lie in cities known for their beautiful structures. That’s certainly the case with McGill University, located in Montreal — a city known for its stunning churches and residences ranging in style from Art Deco to Gothic Revival and everything in between. At the Peter Guo-Hua Fu School of Architecture, programs include a Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, and several post-professional research programs. The school is also known for its solid (but highly competitive) financial assistance programs for architectural students.

Location: Montreal, Quebec

4. University of Waterloo

Among the best Canadian architecture schools, the University of Waterloo has a reputation for its tough curriculum. The institution’s architecture school is made up of about 500 students. These students undergo rigorous training that makes the University of Waterloo one of the most challenging to graduate from. Among the University of Waterloo’s architectural offerings are an undergraduate program and several at the graduate level. As with most of the top Canadian architecture schools, sustainable building is a key component of the curriculum for these programs.

Location: Cambridge, Ontario

5. Carleton University

Carleton University offers several courses, including Architectural Studies and Architectural Conservation and Sustainability Engineering. The acclaimed curriculum of these programs has contributed to Carleton’s globally high-ranking position. These programs are part of the Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism. Students participating in the Master of Architecture stream at Carleton have participated in a Barcelona study tour for four years as part of the program’s first-year immersion experience.

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

6. Université de Montréal

The Université de Montréal is North America’s primary French-speaking educational institution. It offers two architectural degree programs. These are the Bachelor of Science in Architecture and the Master of Architecture. For students who already have architectural qualifications, the Université de Montréal also offers a Ph.D. program in the field.

Location: Montreal, Quebec

7. Ryerson University

Ryerson University isn’t just considered one of the best Canadian architecture schools, it’s also one of the best Canadian universities. The school’s architectural undergraduate program allows students to choose from three specialties in their fourth year; architecture, building science, and project management. Ryerson also offers graduate programs in architecture and building science.  

Location: Toronto, Ontario

8. University of Calgary

In Canada, architecture schools aren’t just confined to the east and west-coast. The University of Calgary is also one of the best Canadian architecture schools, ranking in the top 10 of most lists. Its architecture programs are operated through the Faculty of Environmental Design. The school’s Master of Architecture program is a three-year affair focusing on design and sustainability. 

Location: Calgary, Alberta

9. Université Laval

Another Quebec-based entry on this list is the Université Laval’s undergraduate and graduate programs in architecture. The school’s declared mission is to encourage a balance between modern design and respect for history, something that can certainly be seen in the most successful architectural pieces of Laval.  

Location: Côte de la Fabrique, Québec

10. Dalhousie University

Last but certainly not least, we have the Dalhousie University in Halifax. The school offers both Bachelors and Masters of Architecture programs. These programs are part of the school’s three-part track for architects. The track includes study at another institution, followed by a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies and Master of Architecture.

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia