Canada is a beautiful country with clean cities, picturesque landscapes, and awe-inspiring oceans. It’s also home to stunning universities that attract thousands of international students every year. To showcase these academic institutions, we’ve put together a list of the most beautiful universities in Canada.
Courtesy of Quest University.
Quest University
Quest University opened its doors in 2007 as Canada’s first independent, not-for-profit, and secular university. It’s located in Squamish, British Columbia and has breathtaking views of the mountains and the glacier-carved valley. The campus is fairly small but the views are big. You can sit on a balcony while you study and look out over the Rocky Mountains. Or you might choose to simply enjoy the modern architecture of the newly constructed buildings.
Wherever you find yourself on campus, there’s no doubt that Quest University is not only one of the newest, but one of the most beautiful universities in Canada.
Courtesy of The University of British Columbia.
University of British Columbia
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, the University of British Columbia’s campus is internationally recognized for its extraordinary beauty. It truly has it all: cultural gems like the Chan Centre for Performing Arts, modern architecture like the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Sauder School of Business buildings, and beautiful old limestone architecture like the Theology building. The campus even has its own skatepark. But, what brings it all together is how it seamlessly fits into its natural surroundings. The campus sits on 3,000-acres, so it’s no wonder it has attracted many nature lovers throughout the decades!
Courtesy of Royal Roads University.
Royal Roads University
Located in Colwood, British Columbia, one of the buildings on Royal Roads University’s campus is so stunning you may think it looks like Professor Xavier’s mansion from X-Men. Well, that’s because it is. Hatley Castle and Hatley Park are all part of the university’s campus. In this park, you’ll find many stunning gardens, including a Japanese Garden. The campus also has phenomenal views of the ocean.
For all of these reasons and more, it’s no wonder Royal Roads University carved out a spot on our list.
Courtesy of Mount Royal University.
Mount Royal
Located in Calgary, Alberta, Mount Royal’s campus is a wonderful blend of country club and art gallery. The modern buildings are architecturally stunning, and the surrounding grounds are scenic. In the middle of the campus is a pond and a beautiful amphitheatre. Not only is this a great study location, but it’s also a wonderful venue for casual events.
If this university wasn’t already impressive enough, there’s a new Campus Master Plan that will continue to enhance Mount Royal’s campus over the next 20 to 30 years. They plan to improve Lincoln Park and create a new central gathering space and student centre. Keep your eyes peeled for these transformations!
Courtesy of the University of Manitoba.
University of Manitoba
Located in Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba has a historic and beautiful campus. Founded in 1877, it’s the oldest university in Western Canada. The Manitoba Agriculture College was built in 1906 and one of its original buildings is still part of the university’s campus. In fact, the Administration Building was built in 1912 and remains the centrepiece of the campus today. In addition to the heritage buildings, there are also beautiful modern constructions, most notably the ARTlab.
On top of it all, the campus is hugged by the Red River, providing stunning views from campus. Between its history, and modern and historic buildings, the University of Manitoba certainly belongs on our list of the most beautiful universities in Canada.
Courtesy of Lakehead University.
Lakehead University
Located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Lakehead University is a beautiful hidden gem. Given its distance from larger city centres, the campus doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
Lakehead’s campus features an array of stunning architecture. The Port Arthur Collegiate Institute (PACI) is a gorgeous limestone building that houses the Faculty of Law. Students are exposed to breathtaking natural views on campus, such as Lake Tamblyn, which is undoubtedly the centrepiece of the university. A small but stunning campus, it’s definitely one of the most beautiful in Canada.
Courtesy of Queen’s University.
Queen’s University
What we like about Queen’s University is the consistent look of its architecture. Similar to many of the institutions mentioned above, the older buildings are made of limestone. To help achieve that consistent look we love so much, the new buildings blend the limestone style with modern architecture. The new Faculty of Law building is a perfect example of this blend. There is plenty of greenery throughout the campus as well, especially at the Snodgrass Arboretum. Here, students can enjoy epic nature walks for hours on end.
Located in Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s also has wonderful views of Lake Ontario. For its great community feel and mixture of nature and lovely architecture, Queen’s University makes our list of the most beautiful universities in Canada.
Courtesy of St. Francis Xavier University.
St. Francis Xavier University
Located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, St. Francis Xavier University’s campus has undergone extensive revitalization over the past 15 years or so. Residences are either brand-new or newly renovated. The university built a state-of-the-art recreational facility in addition to the existing Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living. Some of the campus’ latest additions include new science, business, and leadership buildings. Through this revitalization, they’ve created a unified look across the campus’ architecture.
Last, but certainly not least, we want to mention that the university owns a plot of land on beautiful Crystal Cliffs beach. This gives the campus a resort-like setting and is one of the many reasons St. Francis Xavier University is on our list.
Canada is home to some of the most beautiful universities and campuses in the world, making it the ideal study abroad destination for international students like you!
If you’re interested in studying abroad at a Canadian university, check out more schools and programs on the ApplyBoard Platform today!
