What makes University of Toronto one of the world's top 20

The Times Higher Education World Rankings is the largest and most diverse university rankings, compiling information on nearly 1,400 universities across 92 countries to provide a data-driven list for prospective students around the world. With competition so fierce, it’s an achievement cracking the coveted top 20, where world-famous schools like Oxford, MIT, and Harvard consistently rank.

Here’s why University of Toronto is a top 20 university worth checking out.

A totally unique student life in one of Canada’s most exciting cities

The St. George Campus in downtown Toronto is one of the oldest in Canada, dating back to the 19th century. Buildings here are stone edifices, beautifully preserved with gorgeous ivy snaking up their historic walls—like something on a movie set. Philosopher’s Walk, a meandering green space with a footpath that runs across campus, is a popular place for students and staff to kick back and relax, surrounded by the old beautiful architecture.

For a break from the majestic campus buildings, visit the nearby neighborhoods of Annex Koreatown, two neighborhoods combined to become one of Toronto’s oldest and most diverse neighborhoods and the epicentre of Toronto trendiness. It’s a lively, student-filled area packed with cool restaurants, independent bookshops, cafes, and live music venues. You should also check out famous Toronto cultural attractions like the Hot Docs movie theatre, which screens documentaries and independent films from around the world, and the Royal Ontario Museum, the largest museum in Canada and one of the biggest in North America. With the largest population of Koreans outside South Korea, this is also the best place to track down authentic Korean barbecue the next time a bulgogi craving hits.

It’s not all about the academics

There are over 1,000 clubs and student-run organizations, so students at the University of Toronto can pursue hobbies and personal interests outside the classroom. From mahjongg to mixed martial arts, there’s something for everyone to get involved with and find a new group of like-minded friends.

With nearly 13,000 students from China, the largest contingent of international students at the U of T, the number of clubs offered for Chinese students is massive. Groups like the Mandarin Debate Association, the Asian Gaming Association, and the Chinese Entrepreneurs Group are just a few examples of the offerings for Chinese students. The University of Toronto Chinese Students and Scholars Association (UTCSSA) is the largest Chinese students’ association in Toronto; it’s one of the main organizers behind the annual Spring Festival Gala, bringing together Chinese students from across the city to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

It’s amazing at basically everything

The University of Toronto has long been considered arguably the best school in Canada, but it can be hard to quantify why. According to the Times Higher Education rankings, which looks at metrics like teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook, U of T ranks highly in some pretty impressive categories, like how often its research was cited globally and its overall international reputation. The University of Toronto ranks so well, in fact, that with a score of 85.5 out of 100, it was only ten points behind the top university on the list, Oxford.

According to another university ranking, QS World University Rankings, U of T also came out on top in a wide variety of subjects, like engineering, nursing, and pharmacy pharmacology. It was one of a handful of universities that ranked in the top 25 globally for 34 taught subjects; only six other universities could beat that, including Cambridge and Stanford, which makes it safe to say that U of T is excellent across the board.

Cracking the top 20 is no small feat, but Canadian schools really are among some of the best in the world. If you’re interested in studying at one of the world’s best universities, Study Abroad Foundation offers several programs at the University of Toronto.