Educads

North America

Europe

Asia

Oceania

South America

Africa

See all destinations →
All universities in Canada Public universities156
Business & Management77 Medicine & Health Sciences67 Social Sciences & Psychology65 Arts, Design & Architecture64 Education62 Computer Science & IT61 Science58 Engineering47 Media & Communication45 Agriculture & Environment44 Professional Accounting & Finance43 Life Sciences43 Languages & Linguistics39 Economics & Public Policy37 Law35 Music & Performing Arts29 Sports & Recreation21 Built Environment19
Bachelor's universities83 Diploma universities39 Master's universities36 Professional universities26 PhD universities18 Foundation universities10 Bachelor's programs2,297 Diploma programs574 Master's programs253 Professional programs89 Foundation programs78 PhD programs40 Bachelor's Business & Management63 Diploma Business & Management28 Master's Education15 Bachelor's Social Sciences & Psychology57 Diploma Social Sciences & Psychology19 Master's Computer Science & IT12 Bachelor's Medicine & Health Sciences51 Diploma Professional Accounting & Finance18 Master's Business & Management12 Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture49 Diploma Medicine & Health Sciences18 Master's Social Sciences & Psychology10
All scholarships Deadlines closing soon Social Sciences & Psychology101 Medicine & Health Sciences96 Agriculture & Environment86 Life Sciences84 Economics & Public Policy81 Science80 Professional Accounting & Finance78 Engineering76 Languages & Linguistics66 Law60
Student visa Student life Cost of living Working & jobs Guides

19 Best Public PhD Universities in Canada

Of the 19 Public PhD universities in Canada, University of Toronto, Scarborough ranks highest at #29 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Next come Sauder School of Business (QS World #40) and University of British Columbia (QS World #40). Across the whole list there are 40 courses to choose from.

19 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
11Ranked
UP University of Prince Edward Island logo
#65 in Canada Canada

University of Prince Edward Island

Public University · 6 courses in PhD

All 6 courses →
—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#65 in Canada · by research impact
408,119 citations · h-index 189
View university → Add to compare
18Ranked
SP St. Paul University logo
#97 in Canada Canada

St. Paul University

Public University · 4 courses in PhD

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#97 in Canada · by research impact
43,980 citations · h-index 90
View university → Add to compare

Universities at other levels

Bachelor's Universities Diploma Universities Foundation Universities Master's Universities Professional Universities

By university type

All universities

Popular collections

Public Universities Public Bachelor's Universities Bachelor's Universities Public Business & Management Universities Business & Management Universities Public Medicine & Health Sciences Universities Medicine & Health Sciences Universities Public Social Sciences & Psychology Universities Social Sciences & Psychology Universities Public Arts, Design & Architecture Universities

How these universities are ranked

6 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #29 (University of Toronto, Scarborough) to #465 (Concordia University); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: University of Toronto, Scarborough is cited most (59,684,471 citations).

Public, private and where they are

19 are public and 0 private (100% public). By location, British Columbia (1) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is University of British Columbia, founded in 1908. University of British Columbia is the largest, with 60,000 students.

Inside the course list

The most common subjects are Education (8), Medicine & Health Sciences (8), Business & Management (5) and Social Sciences & Psychology (4). The usual length is 4–6 years and 5 Year. 92% are full-time and 1 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Fall (97% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (3% of courses with a stated intake). University of Prince Edward Island offers the widest choice, with 6 of these courses.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best university in Canada for Public PhD?

University of Toronto, Scarborough (QS World #29), Sauder School of Business (QS World #40) and University of British Columbia (QS World #40) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

How many public universities offer Public PhD in Canada?

19 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a Public PhD course take in Canada?

Most listed courses run 4–6 years, with 5 Year the next most common.

When do Public PhD courses start in Canada?

Fall is the main intake — 97% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Can I study Public PhD online with a university in Canada?

1 of these courses are listed as online.

Which university has the most Public PhD courses in Canada?

University of Prince Edward Island, with 6, ahead of Wilfrid Laurier University (5).

Get your destination country university & scholarship updates

New scholarships, application deadlines and admission guides — a couple of emails a month, no spam.

Stay updated

Get admission alerts, scholarship deadlines & university news — free.