Study Abroad Programs in Toronto, Canada

The city is home to many universities including the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, the University of Guelph-Humber, and York University, to name a few. With several accredited universities in Toronto, you’ll be getting the most out of your education here. 

Popular Subjects to Study. Fields of study in Toronto revolve around literature, English, languages, humanities, and ESL. If you’re a non-native English speaker, you could choose to participate in a homestay program to learn the language in a cozy setting. For those interested in learning French, you’ll be learning from top professors in smaller class settings. 

Short Term vs. Summer vs. Long Term Programs. You could opt to take short-term courses (spring break, May term), seasonal courses (fall, spring, winter), or longer-term courses (trimester, full academic year). How long you decide to study in Toronto can depend on your course needs, visa requirements, and financial support. If you’re studying a language, it’s best to stay at least for a full academic year.

Attending Universities vs. Other Program Types. Courses could include providers through your own university, universities in Canada, or an outside program provider. Some students might choose to directly enroll in University of Toronto or one of its many other higher education institutions in Toronto. Talk to your university study abroad advisor to help you determine your goals and credit needs before choosing a program that will be the right fit for you. 

Perhaps one of the most popular activities in Toronto is visiting the CN Tower, the second tallest building in the world (behind the Burj Khalifa in Dubai). This iconic piece of the Toronto skyline is 553 meters tall and offers visitors a glass elevator ride all the way up to the observation deck.

Those who prefer history over heights should visit one or more of the many museums in Toronto. If art is your fancy, take an afternoon to explore the Art Gallery of Ontario or 401 Richmond, which boasts more than 130 art and design galleries. Toronto has several options for entertainment including sports, theatre, comedy shows, and live music.

Some other popular activities for those studying in Toronto include biking the Don Valley, which has great trails, visiting Toronto Island Park to see the Gibraltar Lighthouse’s museum, and tasting gourmet food at Winterlicious. For some nonstop fun, tap into your inner childhood and explore Canada’s Wonderland, where you could ride coasters, play games, and watch live shows.

While the city experiences fairly milder weather than the rest of the country, make sure you still keep the weather in mind for the time of year you decide to study abroad in Toronto. Between November and March, the weather in Toronto can be below freezing and experience snow, so if you love snow sports like skiing, consider coming this time of year. Otherwise, between late spring and early fall, the weather is more pleasant for attending outdoor festivals, concerts, and open-air dining, but tourists are also at the peak this time of year as well.

As far as transportation goes, renting a car won’t be necessary unless you plan to drive outside of the city. Paying for parking fees and gas isn’t worth it when Toronto offers taxis and a reliable public transportation system called the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) — streetcars, buses, and an extensive subway system, which you can use to see some of the popular landmarks. 

With half its population born outside Canada, this is an incredibly diverse city with much to offer while studying abroad. Not to mention the beach boardwalk, nonstop shopping, an evolving food scene in one of the world’s most multicultural cities (Little Italy, Little Iran, Koreatown, Chinatown, Greektown, and more). Toronto’s history, academics, hospitality, markets, and activities make it one of the best study abroad locations in Canada.

Read our comprehensive guide on studying abroad in Canada.