Best universities in Canada for arts and humanities degrees 2026
Discover the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings for the best schools for arts and humanities in Canada 2026.
This list of universities reveals the top-ranked 28 institutions for arts and humanities including languages, literature and linguistics; history; philosophy; theology; architecture; archaeology; and art, performing arts and design, offering prospective students insights into the highest-ranking universities in the field.
Universities across Canada are evaluated based on teaching, research, and international outlook.
THE’s respected rankings use a robust methodology, created by the in-house data team, relied upon by students, academics, policymakers and industry leaders worldwide.
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Top universities in Canada for arts and humanities degrees 2026
| Canada Arts and Humanities Rank 2026 | Global Arts and Humanities Rank 2026 | University | Overall | Teaching | Research Environment | Research Quality | Industry | International Outlook |
| 1 | 17 | University of Toronto | 78.8 | 75.6 | 86.2 | 71.3 | 68.1 | 77.2 |
| 2 | 49 | McGill University | 64 | 58.5 | 60.9 | 71.7 | 77.2 | 86.6 |
| 3 | 52 | University of British Columbia | 62.8 | 48.4 | 65.3 | 78.4 | 67.6 | 89.6 |
| 4 | 101–125 | Université de Montréal | 47.9–51.7 | 42.2 | 37.4 | 73.2 | 69.6 | 85.7 |
| =5 | 176–200 | University of Alberta | 41.0–43.1 | 30.2 | 29 | 69.9 | 71.8 | 84.7 |
| =5 | 176–200 | Western University | 41.0–43.1 | 32.9 | 25.4 | 74.2 | 90.6 | 88.9 |
| =7 | 201–250 | Simon Fraser University | 37.8–40.8 | 22.9 | 24.9 | 80.2 | 80.5 | 88.3 |
| =7 | 201–250 | Université du Québec | 37.8–40.8 | 34.8 | 29.7 | 59.9 | 67 | 61.8 |
| 9 | 251–300 | McMaster University | 35.4–37.7 | 25.7 | 22.6 | 71.6 | 86.4 | 78.3 |
| =10 | 301–400 | Carleton University | 31.0–35.3 | 23.3 | 17.7 | 70.8 | 52 | 58.8 |
| =10 | 301–400 | Queen’s University | 31.0–35.3 | 23.4 | 18.9 | 63.2 | 70.7 | 62.7 |
| =10 | 301–400 | University of Calgary | 31.0–35.3 | 23.7 | 20.8 | 68.3 | 69.1 | 74.8 |
| =10 | 301–400 | University of Ottawa | 31.0–35.3 | 24.2 | 25.1 | 64.7 | 66.8 | 69.1 |
| =10 | 301–400 | University of Waterloo | 31.0–35.3 | 19.4 | 17.4 | 78.2 | 69.7 | 68.6 |
| =10 | 301–400 | York University | 31.0–35.3 | 24.9 | 22.5 | 66.7 | 82.1 | 66.6 |
| =16 | 401–500 | Concordia University | 27.4–30.9 | 21.6 | 17.6 | 60.7 | 61.3 | 64.4 |
| =16 | 401–500 | Dalhousie University | 27.4–30.9 | 17.4 | 14.7 | 61.6 | 66 | 68.4 |
| =16 | 401–500 | Memorial University of Newfoundland | 27.4–30.9 | 24.9 | 13.7 | 48.5 | 26.7 | 69.9 |
| =16 | 401–500 | University of Saskatchewan | 27.4–30.9 | 17.8 | 14.8 | 76 | 52.9 | 58.6 |
| =16 | 401–500 | University of Victoria | 27.4–30.9 | 17.4 | 16.1 | 70.9 | 68.4 | 66.8 |
| =16 | 401–500 | Université Laval | 27.4–30.9 | 24.7 | 17.9 | 52.4 | 63.3 | 61.9 |
| =22 | 501–600 | Toronto Metropolitan University | 24.6–27.3 | 14.2 | 12.9 | 68.7 | 69.5 | 58.7 |
| =22 | 501–600 | University of Windsor | 24.6–27.3 | 12.5 | 15.2 | 61 | 62.5 | 67.1 |
| =24 | 601–800 | Brock University | 16.8–24.5 | 15.8 | 12.2 | 59 | 34.8 | 41.1 |
| =24 | 601–800 | University of Guelph | 16.8–24.5 | 14.9 | 10.8 | 60.4 | 54.6 | 40.7 |
| =24 | 601–800 | University of Manitoba | 16.8–24.5 | 13.1 | 11.2 | 57.7 | 53.3 | 41.1 |
| =24 | 601–800 | University of New Brunswick UNB | 16.8–24.5 | 16 | 11.5 | 49.6 | 54.6 | 58.3 |
| =24 | 601–800 | Wilfrid Laurier University | 16.8–24.5 | 10.3 | 7.5 | 52.3 | 66.8 | 49.1 |
Key Insights into the top colleges for arts and humanities degrees in Canada 2026
- The University of Toronto is the top university in Canada for arts and humanities programmes.
- Western University scores highly for its links to industry
- Brock University, located in Ontario, is a new entry this year to the arts and humanities ranking.
- The 2026 arts and humanities ranking ranks universities in subject such as languages, literature and linguistics; history; philosophy; theology; architecture; archaeology; and art, performing arts and design.
Choosing the right university for arts and humanities
The arts and humanities is a broad discipline which covers a wide variety of subjects including history, English literature, philosophy and fine art. Courses are generally more essay-based and assessment-based and help students to develop a range of skills including communication, analysis and critical thinking.
An arts degree encourages flexibility, independence and knowledge in a diverse range of disciplines, which students can apply to almost any career. Graduates of arts and humanities degrees have gone on to become successful architects, historians, fashion designers, journalists, photographers and lawyers.
Choosing where to study the arts and humanities in Canada requires considering a range of factors including teaching and research. These rankings provide critical insights based on:
- Research environment – focuses on research reputation and productivity
- Teaching quality – the student learning experience and faculty strength
- Research quality – influence and innovation in the engineering field
- Industry collaboration – how institutions work with businesses and apply practical knowledge
- International outlook – global diversity of students and faculty
The table for the best universities for arts and humanities in Canada was derived from data collected for the THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Arts and Humanities. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics. For more insights and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page. Use the ranking table above to explore the right institution for you.
