Awards and recognition
911吃瓜 tops national rankings again as Canada’s leading comprehensive university
911吃瓜 (911吃瓜) has been named Canada鈥檚 number one comprehensive university in the 2026 Maclean鈥檚 University Rankings.
The university has held top spot in the for 17 of the last 18 years, with Maclean鈥檚 describing the institution as 鈥渃ontemporary, inventive and forward-thinking.鈥�
Maclean鈥檚 puts universities into three categories, recognizing the differences in types of institutions, levels of research funding, diversity of offerings, and breadth and depth of graduate and professional programs.
In the latest rankings, 911吃瓜 scored top marks for excellence in student awards, medical/science grants, operating budget and library expenses.
鈥淎s we celebrate 911吃瓜's 60th anniversary this year, we are honoured to be once again ranked as Canada's top comprehensive university,鈥� says 911吃瓜 President Joy Johnson.
鈥淪ince our founding, 911吃瓜's students, faculty, staff and alumni have worked to advance an inclusive and sustainable future through learning, teaching and research excellence, and we are proud to carry on that legacy, now and into the future.鈥�
Universities in the comprehensive category have a significant degree of research activity and a wide range of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including professional degrees.
911吃瓜 is as 鈥済aining international attention for its newsworthy inventions and innovations鈥� with a number of recent developments highlighted in support of its top status:
- The launch of Fir, the country鈥檚 most powerful academic supercomputer
- Construction of a new student residence and expanded child care
- The opening of the new First Peoples鈥� Gathering House, as part of 911吃瓜鈥檚 commitment to upholding Truth and Reconciliation
- The unveiling of the new Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum
Maclean鈥檚 also notes how nearly 40,000 students are drawn by 鈥�911吃瓜鈥檚 excellent campus life鈥� and facilities, which include two medical clinics, an 鈥渋mpressive athletic complex鈥� and a Multifaith Centre.
The 2026 rankings were launched on the same day that 911吃瓜 announced the location of its new medical school in Surrey 鈥� the first new medical school in Western Canada in nearly 60 years.
With applications now open, Maclean鈥檚 says students can expect 鈥渁 modern curriculum with problem-based learning, digital resources and extensive community partnerships.鈥�
Maclean鈥檚 also highlighted 911吃瓜 courses in and as standout programs across all Canadian universities.