Top 7 Smallest Universities in Canada

Bishop’s University, Acadia University, and 5 other universities on this list are the smallest universities in Canada currently. I’ve listed them here alongside some of the amazing things you need to know about them.

For an institution of higher learning, like a university, to be termed as “small” doesn’t in any way mean that the quality of education in such school is poor nor put any negative light on the institution.

The “small” means that it is not large in the space area and does not offer as many degree programs as other large universities and therefore has a smaller number of enrolled students.

These small universities can also provide world-class education, and offer different majors and their degree certificates are equally internationally recognized. They also offer both undergraduate and graduate degree programs mostly in major fields, unlike larger universities that provide every major and minor program in all fields.

So, that is how these universities are categorized as “small” and because they aren’t popular, not many people go there, thus, they have no huge population.

The total number of students in these small universities in Canada ranges from 2000 to 5000 on average. Due to this, these schools also receive small funding annually since they don’t do much after all; but they are well equipped with just the necessary things to see their students through.

Do not let the word “small” used with these universities make you belittle them and maybe grade them as incapable, some of them are actually high-ranking institutions.

For example, Bishop University is one of the smallest universities in Canada but for the past two years, it ranks among the top universities in Canada.

So, if you enjoy places with little populace and want to attend a higher institution in Canada then you may consider applying for one of these small universities in the country.

These universities equally admit international students, as long as they meet the admission requirements. Another advantage of small universities is that they aren’t very competitive, this is not true for all of them though.

Most of them easily admit students, including international students into any of the available programs of study. Their requirements aren’t tough and this is because they aren’t popular so most people don’t even know they exist and instead apply more to these larger, popular schools. So they let their requirements easy to achieve, so more people may come in.

Check out below for a list of these universities in Canada counted among the smallest universities in the country which have been provided along with details to help you know more about the schools.

7 Smallest Universities in Canada

The following are the smallest universities in Canada by landmass and number of student enrollment;

  1. Bishop’s University
  2. The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
  3. University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)
  4. First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv)
  5. Acadia University
  6. Francis Xavier University
  7. Mount Allison University

Bishop’s University

Established in 1843 and located in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Bishop’s University is one of the smallest universities in Canada with approximately 2,867 students comprising of both undergraduate and graduate students.

Yes, this is a small citadel of higher learning and it does offer a variety of graduate degree programs including an M.A and M.Ed in education and an M.Sc in computer science and physics.

The undergraduate section offers a variety of programs through her five academic divisions; Williams Business School, Division of Humanities, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Division of Social Sciences, and School of Education.

The university accepts international students into all her programs and teaches all her classes in the English language.

The school is well equipped both in facilities and renowned professors ever ready to help develop your potential, create opportunities for hands-on learning, and providing you with the tools you require to be successful in life.

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)

The University of Prince Edward Island is one of the smallest universities in Canada established in 1860 and has gone through some name change over the years, Prince of Wales College and Saint Dustan’s University were what it used to be called. Before named UPEI in 1969, it is located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and the only university in the province.

Although one of the smallest universities in Canada, this post-secondary citadel of higher learning offers a wide variety of programs in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. UPEI has eight faculties and one School of Mathematics and Computer Sciences that provides these degrees to her students. The eight faculties are Arts, Education, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Science, Sustainable Design Engineering, Business, and Graduate Studies.

UPEI accepts students from walks of life to enjoin in her quality education and empower themselves with skills that will make them resourceful in life after school.

University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)

This school is not the same as the University of British Columbia, but they are both located in the same province.

Even though being found in the same province as one of the top universities in Canada, UBC, the University of Northern British Columbia is not popular and is also listed as one of the smallest universities in Canada.

UNBC is a research-intensive institution located in British Columbia and established in 1990 and has always ranked, number one in 2015 and 2016 respectively, among the top smallest universities in Canada. This school is small but it offers a wide range of degree programs to undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate students.

The school has different faculties including the faculty of Arts, Commerce, Education, Health Sciences, Science, Applied Science, Nursing, Planning, Social Work, and Graduate Studies. There are also state-of-the-art facilities designed to facilitate the student learning experience and provide them with practical skills.

First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv)

First Nations University of Canada is the smallest university in Canada currently. The school was established in 1976 and is located in Saskatchewan, Canada.

FNUniv is actually a federated college of the University of Regina and degrees earned at FNUniv are conferred by the University of Regina.

The First Nations University of Canada has three campuses namely; Regina Campus located in the University of Regina, the Saskatoon Campus which is on the campus of the Saskatchewan Institute of Technologies, and lastly the Northern Campus located in Prince Albert.

The university offers undergraduate and graduates academic programs in Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences, and Business and a wide range of programs focused around aboriginal practices. It aims to have an ongoing transformative impact through education based on a foundation of Indigenous Knowledge.

Acadia University

Acadia University founded in 1838 and located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia is one of the smallest universities in Canada holding less than 4000 students in various degree programs.

The university has a wide range of undergraduate programs and 17 rigorous graduate-level programs as well. All of these degree programs are offered via the faculties of Arts, Pure and Applied Science, Professional Studies, and Theology.

Despite being a small university, Acadia is big when it comes to innovation and was a pioneer in the use of mobile computing technology in a post-secondary environment.

The school accepts students from all walks of life to enjoin in her quality education and help students to develop teamwork and leadership skills.

St. Francis Xavier University 

Another of the smallest universities in Canada located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia established in 1853 with a populace of fewer than 400 students in undergraduate and graduate programs.

St. Francis Xavier University does offer a wide range of academic programs to undergraduate and graduate students through her faculties of Arts, Science, Education, Gerald Schwartz School of Business, and graduate studies.

The university accepts local and international students from all walks of life to work alongside her renowned lecturers, professors, and researchers and enjoy a truly unique academic experience. Top-notch facilities are also available for students to use to develop them in the practical aspect and leave them with skills that will become useful for them in life after school.

Mount Allison University

Like I mentioned earlier, a small university doesn’t make it a “dumb” one and Mount Allison University proves just that.

This university has for the past 29 years ranked 21 times as one of the best undergraduate universities in Canada, and yet it is one of the smallest universities in the country. This is a record unmatched by any other university in Canada.

The university is located in Sackville, New Brunswick, and was established in 1839 and has not wavered in providing excellent education to students from all over the globe.

Mount Allison University offers both various academic programs in undergraduate and master’s degrees through its Arts, Social Sciences, and Science faculties.

Mount Allison University is dedicated to keep offering students the best possible academic experience and developing students to become leaders and contribute positively to their respective fields.

Conclusion

This brings an end to this article on the smallest universities in Canada; the necessary links have been provided to reduce your search and help you easily apply for your choice. If there are any unclear details during your application do not hesitate to contact the school for further information and clarity.

These universities in Canada despite being small and unpopular, have some sort of ranking, achievements, or contribution which the world has benefitted from.

Sometimes, as a student, you also stand to gain a lot from a less populated school than a more populated one, as the school resources will reach everyone, and having access to your lecturer becomes easier as well.

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