This is a comprehensive list of the best 8 highly ranked Canadian universities in 2020 ideal for a master’s program in architecture. These universities offer some of the best professional master’s programs in architecture just like Canada that Nigerians and international students seeking admission can explore. The admission requirement for most of the listed schools is a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture.
According to the World University Ranking conducted by the Times Higher Education (a very influential university ranking body globally), Canada proudly boasts of some of the highest-ranked universities in the world. These Canadian universities are ranked according to their standards in Teaching (the learning environment), Research (volume, income and reputation), Citations (research influence), International outlook (staff, students and research), and Industry Income (knowledge transfer).
| S/N | Canadian Universities | Canada Rank 2020 | World University Ranking 2020 | Master’s program in architecture |
| 1 | University of Toronto, Ontario | 1 | 18 | MArch |
| 2 | University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia | 2 | 34 | MARCLA MArch |
| 3 | McGill University, Quebec, Montreal | 3 | 42 | MArch MArch |
| 4 | University of Montreal, Quebec | 5 | 85 | MArch MLA |
| 5 | University of Calgary, Alberta | 8 | 201 – 250 | MArch |
| 6 | University of Waterloo, Ontario | 8 | 201 – 250 | MArch MArch |
| 7 | Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia | 11 | 251 – 300 | MArch |
| 8 | University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba | 15 | 351 – 400 | MArch MLA |
List of the 8 Best Canadian Universities to Kickoff a Master’s program in Architecture
The Canadian universities featured in this list are derived from the 2020 World University Ranking between the 1st and the 400th position. You will also find the respective links to the professional master’s programs in the architecture of these universities;
University of Toronto, Ontario
Master of Architecture (MArch)
The Master of Architecture at the University of Toronto is a professional degree program offered by the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. This program provides a thorough base of knowledge in history, theory, technology, ecology, society, and professional practice, while developing skills in design through an intensive sequence of design studio courses. Learn more.
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
Master of Architecture and the Master of Landscape Architecture (MARCLA)
The dual degree option is a four-year program to pursue the Master of Architecture and the Master of Landscape Architecture at the same time. The dual degree is certified by both the Canadian Architectural Certification Board and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. The dual degree program harmonizes architectural design with ecological consciousness to create an inclusive understanding of built and natural environments. Learn more.
Master of Architecture (MArch)
The Master of Architecture (MArch) graduate degree program offers an accredited three-year curriculum. This professional course of study is highly demanding with a large proportion of the curriculum being required coursework. Design studios are integrated with courses in architectural history and theory, technical and material systems, and design media and representation. Learn more.
McGill University, Quebec, Montreal
Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) Professional (Non-Thesis): Design Studio
This concentration is a 45-credit, three-term (Fall, Winter, and Fall) program based on a design-intensive professional curriculum and centred on the design studio. Students work in a traditional studio format for the first two terms and with individual advisers in the terminal design project course in the third (Fall) term. Learn more.
Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) Professional (Non-Thesis): Design Studio-Directed Research
The Directed Research concentration is a 60-credit four-term (Fall, Winter, Summer, Fall) program that complements the regular 45-credit three-term concentration with a supervised 12-credit individual research report in the summer term. This forms the basis of the terminal design studio in the fourth (Fall) term. Learn more.
University of Montreal, Quebec
The University of Montreal offers two master’s programs in architecture. Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture. Both are taken in French.
University of Calgary, Alberta
Master of Architecture (MArch)
This three-year accredited professional degree takes a broad approach to design and sustainability. Our students and alumni become leaders in the field as a result of the program’s innovative curriculum, organized around the design studio, delivered by an energetic and dedicated group of faculty members, sessional instructors and guests. Learn more.
University of Waterloo, Ontario
The University of Waterloo offers 2 master’s programs in architecture; Master of Architecture (MArch) and a Master of Architecture (MArch) Water.
Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia
Dalhousie University offers a Master of Architecture (MArch) which is typically completed in 2 years times.
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Master of Architecture (MArch)
The core of our curriculum is the design studio. This is the place where thinking and doing converge in heuristic acts of making and world-making. In the studio, students work through a variety of challenging questions, media and scales to explore vital tensions between technical and natural processes, cultural and artistic practices, experiential qualities and worldly phenomena. Learn more.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program was established in 1972. It was the first graduate program in Landscape Architecture in Canada. It has graduated more than 300 students, many of whom now occupy senior positions in the profession. The program requires a minimum of two full years of study to complete. Learn more
Let me know what universities abroad you are interested in, and drop a comment below.
I must admit you are really doing a great job with this platform. Though I’m a graduate architect and a self taught tyrant! This platform is really enlightening and educating almost in the same parallel or rather even beyond the four walls of the classrooms. I wanna say more grace and wisdom to you sir.
This is swell. Sir, can you please do a list of Universities in the UK?
Great Jeff. Look out for it. Your will need to subscribe in order to receive an email as soon as it is published. To subscribe, fill in your email address at the bottom of this page. Cheers.