Starting a first degree in Canada gives international students more responsibility for their studies. They plan courses and make time for assignments between classes while learning their way around a new country and university.
The early courses can also help them discover which questions they want to pursue over the next several years. Choosing a university for that stage means considering how the degree begins, what it allows students to explore and where they can get help with the first decisions.
For international students comparing Canadian universities, undergraduate program choices, first-year academic support, campus locations and student services are important factors to consider. The seven universities below offer different approaches to these areas, helping students compare their options before applying.
Universities to Compare for a First Undergraduate Degree
1. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto offers more than 700 undergraduate programs across three campuses. Applicants can compare several interests, though each route has its own prerequisites and senior-level English requirements. First-year international applicants apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre, then submit the required material in the applicant portal.
St. George is downtown Toronto, Mississauga is west of downtown and Scarborough is east. The location affects the first-year experience, so students need to compare the campus where their intended program operates.
First-Year Learning Communities and First-Year Foundations seminars provide smaller learning settings. Optional, for-credit Ones Programs combine academic themes with experiential work. Some require a separate application. These learning groups give students a more defined academic setting alongside ordinary courses.
Mississauga Peer Mentorship and Scarborough First Year Peers have distinct local roles, while St. George offers its own mentorship programs. The Registrar's Office advises on course enrolment and degree requirements. Students should identify their course-planning contact before registration.
2. McGill University
McGill University's program finder covers more than 300 undergraduate programs. Applicants need to match their educational background to the chosen program's requirements. Not every school leaver can enter every route. Some require more documents or English- or French-language evidence.
Downtown McGill is in Montréal near Mount Royal. Macdonald is in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and has different academic units. Applicants need to check their program's campus before using downtown photographs or residence descriptions to judge the setting.
International Student Services offers pre-arrival webinars, orientation, a New Student Buddy Program and life-preparation resources. The service explains international health insurance and offers immigration-advising appointments. That information helps students prepare for arrival; they remain responsible for their application and registration requirements.
Downtown students can explore Activities Night, while Macdonald has Club Night. Faculty student societies and volunteering provide other ways to meet people once classes have begun.
3. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia organizes its undergraduate program finder around Vancouver and Okanagan as well as fields of study. The filters help applicants find degree choices at each campus, where offerings differ.
The Vancouver campus is on a Pacific peninsula and offers broad undergraduate choice. Its campus activities include student clubs, peer programs, community experiences and intramurals. Students can choose activities that fit their first-year timetable.
Vancouver International Student Advising answers questions about study-related immigration and work requirements. It also helps students understand health coverage and adjust to Canada. Appointments can take place in person or through Zoom. The service does not give permanent residence advice or influence government processing, so applicants should keep its role clear when preparing questions about future plans.
Students considering the Okanagan campus should check its separate program offerings and student support services before making their choice.
4. The University of Guelph
The University of Guelph offers undergraduate international student programs across many fields, with degree and co-op choices. Its Bachelor of Arts includes an undeclared route with courses across fields for students who want to explore several interests before choosing a major.
Global Pre-Arrival Support advisors help new students with course registration, housing, arrival and study-permit matters. Once university begins, START U of G supports the whole first year through reminders, academic transition information and connections with services. Gryphons Nest gives incoming students a way to connect before reaching campus.
START International introduces new international and exchange students to campus and its academic expectations. They also meet upper-year students and staff. Students should check the current intake schedule for available orientation sessions. The main O-Week adds a separate fall program.
The Bachelor of Arts offers a wide range of majors and minors. Students can use the program information to plan their first courses, then discuss the path toward a major as their interests become clearer.
5. University of Alberta
The University of Alberta's prospective-student advisers help applicants consider more than 200 programs. Its faculty directory spans several broad degree areas for applicants comparing academic interests. Each faculty offers different access to advising. International applicants outside Canada have a separate recruitment contact.
The university's undeclared Bachelor of Science route belongs to Augustana in Camrose. Its International Service Centre is on North Campus in Edmonton. Applicants need to confirm the program's campus and use information for that location.
International Student and Visitor Services helps students with orientation and adjusting to Canada. It also helps them connect with the community and answers study-related immigration questions. Prospective admissions enquiries go to the Student Service Centre. The right contact depends on whether the question concerns admission or the transition to study.
6. McMaster University
McMaster University offers undergraduate choices across Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Social Sciences. Its first-year transition programs help new students prepare before ordinary coursework begins. Mac101 is open to all incoming first-year students, with customized sessions for international students, transfers, students with disabilities and families.
Ignite provides pre-orientation for incoming first-year international students. Welcome Week adds academic and social programming, faculty events and opportunities to meet incoming and upper-year students. Applicants should check the registration instructions for their intake.
7. University of Calgary
The University of Calgary asks applicants to select two major choices. Its undergraduate finder spans several degree areas and includes options such as minors, combined degrees and embedded certificates. Each program still sets its admission prerequisites, so the two choices need to be checked against the student's actual school subjects.
Faculty advisers help with registration, degree requirements and program-specific planning. The Student Success Centre helps with major choice, academic planning and learning support. Students unsure about their academic direction can bring different questions to each service.
International Student Services also offers advice and programs to help students adjust to university and life in Canada. This includes immigration information before arrival.
Turning a First-Degree Shortlist into Applications
Before applying to Canadian universities, international students should record the campus, required school subjects, language evidence and extra documents for each intended undergraduate degree. The second program choice needs the same review as the first. A broad directory cannot confirm whether the student's record meets a particular degree's conditions.
The course-planning contact can explain whether first-year choices allow students to pursue their later major interests. Where the application already requires a specific degree, those interests need to fit its rules. A future transfer cannot be assumed.
Students should also compare tuition fees, living costs and available scholarships using current university information before making their final decision.
Registration and transition dates for the current intake belong beside the application record. Each university on the shortlist should have a chosen degree, a confirmed campus and a contact for the remaining questions.
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