Whether you want to attend classes on campus or prefer to study online, you will always find colleges and universities in Canada offering the best academic programs.
In the last few years, we have realised and appreciated the importance of distance learning. A few years ago students were not allowed into campuses across the world because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Many students began looking for alternatives to interact with their faculty members and fellow students. With the help of technology, it was more like students never left the classroom.
Distance learning gives you access to a degree program and offers a flexible schedule.
Canada remains one of the preferred destinations for international. Through these online colleges we will be listing in this article, you will be able to earn a degree from a top institution in Canada.
Online Degree Types Offered at Canadian Universities
Online institutions in Canada offer associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.
Just like anywhere else, an associate degree in Canadian colleges and universities takes two years to complete. Earning an associate degree could be a requirement for admission into a specific bachelor’s degree program.
A bachelor’s degree in any field of study guarantees your transition to graduate school.
Canadian universities also offer master’s and doctorate degrees in different fields of study.
Also Read: 12 Medical School Scholarships for International Students In Canada 2024
What Is the Cost of an Online Degree in Canadian Universities?
The average cost of an online program offered at Canadian universities will vary based on different factors. It may cost you more to earn your online bachelor’s degree at private universities.
Doing a little research about your preferred online degree and institution will help you plan your budget.
List of the Best Online Universities in Canada
The universities listed below are top Canadian institutions with valid accreditation. Please that one of the universities listed here is a French language-accredited online institution.
- Athabasca University
- Thompson Rivers University
- University of New Brunswick
- Laurentian University
- Teluq University Canada
- University Canada West (UCW)
- Royal Roads University
- University of Fredericton
- Memorial University Canada
- University of Manitoba
- Queen’s University
- University of Waterloo
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- Trent University
Best Online Universities in Canada
Let’s explore the best online Canadian universities that offer top academic programs.
#1. Athabasca University
- Location: Athabasca, Alberta
Athabasca University is one of Canada’s top online universities offering degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Established in 1970 by the Alberta government, AU offers online degree programs in business, information systems and management, arts, health, etc.
This online Canadian university is open to applicants who are 16 years or older. AU’s coursework is highly customizable which means you can take classes at your own pace.
#2. Thompson Rivers University
- Location: Kamloops, British Columbia
Also established in 1970, Thompson Rivers University is a public research institution that offers both undergraduate and graduate education.
With its main campus in Kamloops, TRU also has a satellite campus in William Lakes, British Columbia. Its distance education division is known as TRU-Open Learning.
TRU offers over 60 academic programs in health sciences, nursing, social work, education, arts, business and management, trade and technology, and tourism.
TRU also offers adult learners an opportunity to earn a high school diploma online.
#3. University of New Brunswick
- Location: Fredericton and Saint John, New Brunswick
UNB, a public university with a reputable background, offers various undergraduate and graduate programs. The university offers online degrees, certificates and professional development courses in biology, economics, math, recreation and sports studies, anthropology, etc.
#4. Laurentian University
- Location: Greater Sudbury, Ontario
Laurentian University is Canada’s largest bilingual provider of online education. The university offers a variety of online degrees, with 26 programs and over 350 courses available.
Laurentian Online offers online bachelor’s in sociology, forensic identification, business administration indigenous social work, and criminology.
You can also earn an online Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
Also Read: List of Tuition Free Universities in Canada for International Students
#5. Teluq University Canada
- Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Université TÉLUQ was established in 1973 and it remains the only French-language distance-learning university in the entire continent of North America.
This public university offers a variety of courses in over 120 programs in administrative sciences, which incorporates economics, human resources, law and management, languages and sciences, education, accounting, communication, and computer science.
#6. University Canada West (UCW)
- Location: Vancouver
UCW is a private university in Vancouver, one of the best online universities in Canada. Since 2004, UCW has built a remarkable reputation through its online degree programs.
UCW’s most popular online course is the MBA, a two-year graduate program with projects and technology from top sources like Salesforce, Shopify, Facebook Blueprint, Riipen, and the Digital Marketing Institutions
#7. Royal Roads University
- Location: Colwood, British Columbia
Royal Roads University is a top public institution in BC that offers undergraduate and graduate programs. RRU’s students are more graduates, with over 65% of students still active in their respective jobs while they study.
RRU offers up to 20 fully online programs as well as 57 programs in areas like business, environmental science, leadership and tourism, hospitality management, etc.
#8. University of Fredericton
- Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick
The University of Fredericton was established in 2005 and offered its first verified degree two years later.
Since then, this university has offered several MBAs EMBAs, as well as numerous master’s certificates through its School of Business.
#9. Memorial University Canada
- Location: Newfoundland
Established in 1925, Memorial is one of the best online universities, the largest in Atlantic Canada.
This university offers a wide range of courses in degrees, diplomas, and certificated programs. Some of the popular programs offered at this university include education, criminology, human kinetics and nursing, marine and maritime studies, and food safety.
Also Read: Canada Scholarships
#10. University of Manitoba
- Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
UManitoba is one of Canada’s top public research universities.
Currently, the University of Manitoba offers over 80 online courses in disciplines like business, process and technology management, applied social sciences, and finance and management.
#11. Queen’s University
- Location: Kingston, Ontario
Queen’s University provides a variety of online courses through 10 distinctive schools.
Some of the online courses offered at Queen’s include health sciences, engineering and applied science, law, arts and sciences, and education.
#12. University of Waterloo
- Location: Waterloo, Ontario
With its main campus on 998 acres of land in Waterloo, this university also operates three more satellite campuses.
The University of Waterloo offers students a flexible schedule online. The university online degree courses are cohort-based, which implies that an entire class have flexibility within the schedule.
As a student, it’s highly recommended you commit 10 to 12 hours each week for a course to your coursework.
#13. McGill University
- Location: Montreal, Quebec
McGill University is an English-language public institution established in 1813.
The Montreal-based public university focuses mainly on professional development courses as well as certificate programs in disciplines like data analysis for business, agile project management, and applied cybersecurity.
#14. University of British Columbia
- Location: British Columbia
UBC is a recognized public university in Canada one of the best online universities in the country.
The University of British Columbia offers more online undergraduate courses for degree and certificate programs. You can earn a degree or certificate program in education, applied science, arts, dentistry, law, medicine and science.
Also Read: Best Schools for Biomedical Engineering
#15. Trent University
- Location: Peterborough, Ontario
Trent University in Peterborough is a liberal arts university that was established in 1964.
This Canadian university offers more than 100 courses across various disciplines like journalism, physics, social work, forensic science, and business administration.
Conclusion
Canada is a country that usually gets thousands of foreign visitors every academic year.
It offers affordable education compared to its neighbours down south. Whether you wish to earn an online associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate, institutions in Canada offer the best option online.
