Top Medical Schools in Canada 2027: Rankings & Fees

The top medical schools in Canada include the University of Toronto, McGill University, the University of British Columbia (UBC), McMaster University and the University of Alberta. These institutions occupy the first five Canadian places in the latest available Times Higher Education (THE) Medicine subject ranking, released for 2026.

A ranking is useful, but it cannot tell you whether a medical school will accept your application. Some programmes prioritise residents of a particular province. Others require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the Casper assessment or French-language proficiency. Most Canadian entry-to-practice MD programmes also have strict applicant-status requirements.

This guide compares the best medical schools in Canada for 2027 entry using published rankings alongside verified admissions criteria, tuition and programme features. It also explains which options may be realistic for international students.

Top 10 Medical Schools in Canada for 2027

The following positions come from the THE Medicine subject ranking for 2026. They are 2026 subject-ranking positions used to compare schools for 2027 entry, not a separate 2027 medical-school league table. Equal positions are preserved.

Quick answer: Toronto leads the current Canadian Medicine subject ranking. McMaster and Calgary offer accelerated three-year MD programmes, while McGill and Ottawa do not require the MCAT. None of these features makes admission automatic or necessarily easier.

Canadian Medical School Rankings: How to Read Them

A key distinction often gets lost in lists of the top medical universities in Canada. THE ranks universities for performance across medicine-related disciplines, drawing on teaching, research and other indicators. Its subject table is not an official ranking of admission selectivity or accredited MD programmes. Universities can excel in medical research without offering a qualifying MD at all.

For actual programme requirements, consult the AFMC's 2027 medical admissions guide and the relevant faculty. The Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) programme overview also publishes current class targets, MCAT conditions and applicant categories for Ontario schools.

This article uses THE for the ranking order and official institutional sources for admissions facts. It does not invent an additional weighted score. That keeps academic reputation separate from the much more personal question of applicant eligibility.

The 10 Best Medical Schools in Canada Compared

1. University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Toronto combines a strong medical research profile with clinical education across a major network of teaching hospitals. Its four-year MD is especially attractive to students interested in academic medicine, specialist care and research.

For 2027 entry, Toronto lists 289 target seats. The MCAT is a screening requirement rather than a competitive scoring tool: applicants generally need 125 in each section, with 124 allowed in one section. For the standard 2027 MD route, the current Toronto admissions requirements list Canadian citizens and permanent residents as eligible applicant categories.

Published 2026/27 first-year tuition at the St George campus is C$23,550 for Ontario domestic students and C$28,880 for non-Ontario domestic students, before incidental fees.

Best for: Eligible applicants seeking research depth, major teaching hospitals and a four-year medical programme.

2. McGill University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

McGill offers a four-year MDCM degree in Montreal, combining clinical education and research. Unlike most leading Canadian MD programmes, it publishes a small international applicant category. For Fall 2027, McGill anticipates one international place; its published category statistics show an average of 73 applicants. This is an unusually narrow route, not a generally accessible overseas intake.

McGill does not require or consider MCAT scores. French proficiency is nevertheless important: its published language criteria generally specify B2 for Montreal and C1 for Campus Outaouais, subject to exemptions. The language of instruction in Montreal is English, but clinical learning can involve francophone patients.

McGill's international MDCM admissions information lists 1 November 2026 as the deadline for Fall 2027 entry.

Best for: Strong applicants who satisfy the relevant residency category, academic criteria and French-language conditions.

3. University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine

UBC operates a distributed four-year MD programme across British Columbia. Its clinical network brings students into metropolitan centres, regional communities and rural practice settings, offering a different experience from a single-city medical campus.

For the 2026/27 admissions cycle leading to 2027 entry, UBC requires an MCAT total of at least 496 on one test sitting. That is a minimum, not the typical competitive score. The programme has applicant-status rules and favours BC residents; international applicants are not eligible for the standard route. Consult the official UBC MD admission requirements before assessing your chances.

The university's 2026/27 fee schedule lists C$21,219.27 in domestic MD tuition, excluding additional student charges and living costs.

Best for: Eligible students interested in community-based medicine and clinical learning across different regions.

4. McMaster University, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine

McMaster's three-year MD uses problem-based learning, early patient exposure and an intensive academic calendar. Students typically study for about 11 months annually, so the shorter degree is not necessarily a lighter one.

Its 2027 target class is 217 across Hamilton, Niagara and Waterloo. According to its 2027 admissions requirements, McMaster uses the MCAT CARS section, with a published minimum of 123, alongside GPA, Casper and interviews. The remaining MCAT sections do not contribute to its stated selection formula.

For an applicant who enjoys self-directed learning, the compressed curriculum can be compelling. Someone who prefers longer scheduled breaks may find a conventional four-year programme more suitable.

Best for: Independent learners suited to case-based teaching and accelerated medical study.

5. University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry

Alberta combines extensive clinical teaching with medical research and experience linked to the province's healthcare needs. Applicant residence makes a substantial difference here.

The university publishes 192 MD positions, allocating 85% to Alberta residents and 15% to non-Alberta residents for the current cycle. It has announced a different 90% Alberta allocation for Fall 2028 entry, so the two years should not be confused. The university's admission criteria explain its degree, MCAT and residence rules.

A slightly lower research ranking can be irrelevant if provincial eligibility makes this school a better choice for a particular student.

Best for: Eligible Alberta residents and other candidates who meet its competitive admissions rules.

6. University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine

Ottawa offers a four-year MD in English and French and does not require the MCAT. Its teaching includes biomedical learning, clinical placements and practical experience across healthcare settings.

For 2027, the published English-stream target is 122 places. Applicants still need strong grades, required university coursework and success in the selection process. No MCAT does not mean open admission. The 2027 Ottawa admissions profile sets out the current course and applicant-category conditions.

Best for: Eligible applicants with strong academic preparation who prefer a no-MCAT route or bilingual training environment.

7. University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine

Calgary offers a three-year MD with an accelerated schedule and clinical education connected to Alberta communities. It requires the MCAT, but its screening rules vary significantly by applicant residence.

Published minimums are 3.20 GPA for Alberta residents and 3.80 GPA plus at least 128 in MCAT CARS for non-Alberta residents. These figures establish eligibility for review rather than a likelihood of receiving an offer. Calgary accepts specified Canadian and protected applicant categories, not the standard overseas international category.

The Calgary MD eligibility guide is essential reading for anyone outside Alberta.

Best for: Students who meet the regional criteria and want an intensive three-year degree.

7. Université de Montréal, Faculty of Medicine

Université de Montréal shares seventh place in the Canadian Medicine subject ranking. It delivers medical education in French and is closely connected to Quebec's healthcare system.

The medical programme normally includes four years of professional study, with an additional preparatory year for certain educational backgrounds. The route depends on previous qualifications, so an overseas applicant should not assume direct entry on the same terms as a Quebec student. The faculty's admission requirements explain these pathways and the Casper assessment. The standard MD admission route does not use the MCAT.

Best for: Eligible francophone candidates who meet Quebec's academic and applicant-category requirements.

9. Queen's University, School of Medicine

Queen's offers a four-year MD in Kingston. Its relatively compact university setting may appeal to students who prefer a close academic community while retaining access to clinical teaching and research.

For 2027, Queen's lists 145 target seats and requires the MCAT and Casper under its published admissions rules. Published 2026/27 Medicine tuition is C$23,983, before ancillary charges and a small additional first-year fee. Competitive screening still applies even where an applicant meets published minimums.

Best for: Applicants who meet the academic and assessment requirements and prefer a smaller university environment.

9. Western University, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

Western's four-year MD includes training linked to London and Windsor, Ontario. It combines medical science, clinical experience and opportunities within regional teaching hospitals.

The 2027 class target is 187, and the MCAT is required. The current selection process also examines academic results and non-academic information. Western's OMSAS admissions profile provides the requirements for this cycle.

Best for: Applicants with competitive academics and MCAT performance who value clinical exposure in a regional teaching network.

Complete List of Medical Schools in Canada

The phrase medical schools in Canada can refer either to research-ranked universities or to faculties offering entry-to-practice MD degrees. They are not identical groups. The AFMC reports admissions information from 19 faculties of medicine, including newer programmes. This is the guide's reporting scope, not a claim that all have identical accreditation status.

Programme accreditation is separate from admission and university rankings. The Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) lists SFU and TMU under preliminary accreditation and currently identifies McGill as accredited with probation. Check the official list for the status at the time you apply.

For broader university choices outside MD training, consider Canada's other public higher education institutions. Students comparing prestige internationally may also find it useful to explore medical universities in other countries.

GPA, MCAT and Casper Requirements for 2027

There is no national GPA or MCAT cut-off for admission to Canadian medical schools. Each institution sets requirements, and tests often play different roles in assessment.

Is a 3.8 GPA enough for medical school in Canada? It depends. A minimum may let you enter a school's assessment process without making you competitive. This distinction is easy to miss when you compare eligibility thresholds. Equally, a good MCAT score cannot overcome an applicant-category restriction. Compare each school's actual criteria before drawing up a shortlist.

Medical Schools in Canada for International Students

Canadian medical schools for international students are extremely limited at MD level. Many leading programmes accept only Canadian citizens, permanent residents or specified protected categories. Someone applying from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan or another country should check this before comparing tuition or prestige.

McGill is a notable exception with a published international category, but its anticipated one place for Fall 2027 puts the level of competition into perspective. UBC and the standard Ontario MD programmes do not provide a broadly available overseas application route for this cycle.

A second complication is the degree structure. In Canada, medicine is generally a professional MD entered after university study, rather than the direct-entry undergraduate MBBS model used in several other countries. Understanding how MD and MBBS qualifications differ will help you compare educational routes without treating the names as interchangeable.

If a Canadian MD is not open to your applicant category, assess other destinations offering medical education rather than spending time on programmes for which you are ineligible.

Medical School Tuition Fees in Canada

Tuition varies by university, province, applicant category and academic year. The following are verified 2026/27 published figures. They are not fixed quotes for the 2027/28 academic year.

These amounts exclude some additional charges. Toronto's official medical fee schedule lists C$2,535.05 in St George incidental and ancillary fees on top of first-year tuition, as well as indicative C$1,000 books and equipment and C$17,577 living expenses. Queen's 2026/27 fee schedule separates tuition from ancillary charges.

McGill fees differ markedly by Quebec, non-Quebec and international category, so a single generic cost is misleading. Its published MDCM tuition information is the better reference for individual fee status.

Individual universities may offer scholarships or bursaries, but professional medical programmes have their own eligibility rules. Check any award directly with the awarding institution rather than assuming a general undergraduate scholarship covers an MD.

New Medical Schools and 2027 Admission Deadlines

Two additions deserve attention even though they do not have the long research record of Toronto or McGill.

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) opened its MD programme in 2025. Its 2027 programme profile lists 94 seats, a minimum 3.5 OMSAS GPA, and no MCAT requirement. Its 2027 rules prioritise Ontario residents, with at least 95% of places reserved for that category.

Simon Fraser University (SFU) plans its first 64-student cohort in Fall 2027, with a strong emphasis on primary care and community-based medicine. Its official admissions FAQ confirms that applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Important for 2027 applicants: The standard Ontario OMSAS deadline was 1 October 2026, and SFU's was 7 October 2026. Both have passed as of 26 October 2026. McGill lists 1 November 2026 for its Fall 2027 international MDCM category. Université de Montréal also lists 1 November 2026 for certain university-qualified applicants and those educated before university outside Quebec, while Quebec CEGEP applicants follow a different deadline. Confirm the deadline for your exact category with the university.

What Are the Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into in Canada?

There is no single easiest medical school in Canada. Published Canadian medical school acceptance rates can hide province-based allocations, language requirements and different admissions pathways.

Consider two academically identical applicants, one resident in Alberta and the other outside the province. Alberta's published seat distribution means their opportunities are not equivalent. McGill's tiny international category creates a different challenge again.

The more useful question is not which school has the lowest apparent competition, but which schools accept your category and fit your academic record. Start there, then compare location, teaching style and cost.

How to Choose the Best Medical School in Canada for You

Begin with applicant eligibility, then check GPA, MCAT, Casper and language requirements. Once you have a realistic shortlist, compare the way the programmes teach medicine. McMaster and Calgary use three-year formats; UBC emphasises distributed clinical placements; Toronto offers a particularly large research and teaching-hospital network.

Fees deserve attention, but professional qualification and future training pathways matter too. A Canadian MD alone does not automatically confer permission to practise independently. Residency matching and medical licensing have separate requirements, which applicants should verify through the relevant official bodies.

If you are weighing Canada against another education system, a comparison with medical programmes in Australia can clarify why undergraduate-entry and graduate-entry routes should not be treated as direct equivalents.

FAQs About the Top Medical Schools in Canada

What are the top medical schools in Canada?

Toronto, McGill, UBC, McMaster and Alberta are the top five Canadian universities in THE Medicine 2026. Ottawa, Calgary, Université de Montréal, Queen's and Western complete the top ten, with tied positions retained.

What is the best medical school in Canada?

The University of Toronto ranks first in Canada in the latest available THE Medicine subject ranking. For an individual applicant, however, the best choice depends on admission eligibility, curriculum and location.

What are the top five medical schools in Canada?

The top 5 medical schools in Canada are the University of Toronto, McGill University, UBC, McMaster University and the University of Alberta, according to THE Medicine 2026.

Which medical schools in Canada do not require the MCAT?

McGill, Ottawa, NOSM University and Toronto Metropolitan University are examples. Applicants still face academic, non-academic and category-specific requirements.

How many medical schools are there in Canada?

The AFMC currently gathers admissions information from 19 Canadian faculties of medicine, including newer programmes. Their accreditation stages are not all identical.

Can international students study medicine in Canada?

Some can, but direct MD places for overseas applicants are exceptionally limited. McGill lists an international MDCM category with one anticipated place for Fall 2027; many other schools restrict entry to specified Canadian applicant categories.

How much does medical school cost in Canada?

Published 2026/27 domestic tuition at several leading schools is roughly C$21,000 to C$29,000 per year, depending on institution and residence status. Ancillary fees and living expenses increase the total.

Which of the best med schools in Canada offer a three-year MD?

McMaster University and the University of Calgary offer established accelerated three-year MD programmes. Neither is automatically easier than a four-year course.

Final Thoughts

The top medical schools in Canada offer impressive academic and clinical opportunities, but ranking alone is a poor way to build an application list. Toronto leads the current Medicine subject table, McGill has a narrowly defined international route, and McMaster and Calgary offer intensive three-year programmes. Each attracts different kinds of applicants.

For 2027 entry, your first decision should be practical: which programmes actually accept your applicant category? Compare academic requirements, language expectations and MCAT rules before spending time on prestige or tuition. Then assess the programme's teaching style and its published costs. A shorter, realistic shortlist is more useful than ten famous names without a viable route to admission.

If you are exploring wider university and course options in Canada, you can contact the BHE UNI education team to discuss published academic pathways and course-selection questions. For an MD application, check eligibility, deadlines and the selection process directly with the medical faculty. Only the institution can decide whom to admit.