Best Online Universities in Canada of 2026

6.8% December 2025
0.3 (monthly change)

Remote and hybrid work are now a fixture of Canadian life—and postsecondary education has evolved to match. Today, students can access everything from coding bootcamps and beauty schools to computer science degrees and MBA programs without setting foot on campus. Online learning isn’t just convenient; it’s become a strategic advantage for anyone looking to build credentials while balancing work, life, or geographic barriers.

Whether you’re a high school graduate starting your first degree or a working professional sharpening your skills while employed full-time, online programs offer the flexibility to learn on your schedule while still developing the digital collaboration, self-management, and communication skills employers increasingly expect in a plugged-in world.

To keep pace, Canadian universities are investing heavily in next-generation platforms, immersive tools, and innovative teaching models that make online learning more active, personalized, and engaging than ever before.

Prefer self-paced lectures or real-time classes? Thrive in group interaction or independent study? Want to commit to a full degree or stack micro-credentials as you go? With so many pathways, choosing the right fit can feel overwhelming. To help you find the school that’s right for you, CourseCompare analyzed Canada’s evolving online education landscape and identified the best online universities of 2026.

CourseCompare’s annual school rankings are determined using a process that considers several core metrics and principles. Read more about our methodology here.

1.

Athabasca University

3.45
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2.

Laurentian University

5
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3.

University of Fredericton (UFred)

4.95
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4.

Thompson Rivers University

4.75
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5.

Mount Royal University

4.35
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6.

University of Waterloo

5
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7.

Royal Roads University

5
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8.

Memorial University

4.85
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9.

University of New Brunswick (UNB)

5
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10.

University of British Columbia (UBC)

4.9
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11.

McGill University

5
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12.

Yorkville University

4.75
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13.

Queen's University

5
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14.

Trent University

4.85
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15.

University of Manitoba

3
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16.

Université TÉLUQ

5
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17.

Royal Military College of Canada

5
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1

Athabasca University

best online universities canada - athabasca university
3.45/5
$ $ $ $

A true pioneer in distance learning, Alberta-based Athabasca University launched as Canada’s first open, correspondence-based university back in 1973.

Now, Athabasca offers more than 850 courses across 100-plus undergraduate, graduate, and professional development programs. Students can earn diplomas, degrees, and certificates in business, health, humanities, and sciences, including programs in architecture, accounting, human resources, data analytics, criminal justice, marketing, nurse practitioner, and counselling. In the professional development realm, courses and microcredentials include specialties such as project management, regenerative design, accessibility and inclusion, data governance, and AI ethics.

What Students Are Saying

I had an amazing experience at Athabasca U! I was able to finish my graduate degree in nursing, which was fully online and keep my full-time job. I did not lose any pay from work, or any seniority at work. I only had to work around taking my vacation/stat days off, and needed to do homework in my spare time, usually on weekends. Although, it was challenging to juggle my time, I found my professors to be fair and understanding, and I could always get the support when needed. I felt that I made the best decision for my career by choosing a online degree, and it has made me a more rounded person, and it opened a lot of doors for me! I would recommend AU for any busy working professional!!!

Sheldon Hubert, Master of Nursing: Generalist

The Online Experience

Athabasca boasts a highly flexible “open” model, designed to make higher education easier and more accessible from admission to the final exams. Admission is open to anyone age 16 or older, regardless of previous education. Most courses have no prerequisites and there is no competition for entry into undergraduate programs. Classes begin on the first day of every month and never fill up. Coursework can be completed on your own schedule, and even final exams can be booked at your convenience.

Because of AU’s open online model, many of the traditional barriers to higher learning have been removed, providing greater accessibility for students. According to school statistics, 65 percent of AU students are the first in their family to earn a university degree, and 92.5 percent of graduates are employed.

In 2018, AU partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to design and manage cloud education programs, improving access to education for international students and learners in remote communities.

Locations

Athabasca, Alberta

2

Laurentian University

best online universities canada - laurentian university
$ $ $ $

Laurentian University has a unique educational vision that is reflective of its location in Northern Ontario. It is the only university in Canada with both a bilingual and tricultural mandate, which means that it provides courses in English and French along with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.

With a diverse menu of 26 degree programs and nearly 400 courses, Laurentian Online offers undergraduate degrees in criminology, sociology, forensic identification, business administration, and Indigenous social work, as well as an MBA program.

Online certificate and professional development micro-credentials cover specialties such as fingerprint detection and analysis, fire scene management and investigation, end of life doula, gerontology, cardiac care, and effective survey design.

What Students Are Saying

Laurentian, being remote and having to serve students from its Sudbury location, has been fine-tuning its online programs for a long time. I was skeptical about doing a BBA online, but I was a bit older and working and needed the flexibility. Laurentian definitely delivered. I secured a loan and a small grant for this program, even though it was online. I encourage everyone to look into these opportunities. Years ago, CourseCompare helped me with this so the university or CC staff can set you in the right direction.

Jonathan Moses, Business Administration (online BBA)

The Online Experience

Laurentian’s online learning format is primarily asynchronous, with no scheduled classes. Students can work at their own pace but assignments do have deadlines and courses must be completed within designated academic semesters. Some courses require students to do their final exam in person, although individuals meeting certain distance requirements can write a supervised exam at an approved location.

Courses are delivered through the Desire2Learn or D2L Brightspace platform, a popular and intuitive Canadian-born learning management system (LMS) that makes communication among students and faculty easy.

Locations

Sudbury, Ontario

3

University of Fredericton (UFred)

best affordable mba in canada - university of fredericton ufred
4.95/5
$ $ $ $

Founded in 2005, University of Fredericton (UFred) has built its name on the strength of its business and leadership-focused programs. The university and its programs are all 100 percent online, delivering a focused selection of 12 certificate, degree, and diploma programs across business, occupational health and safety, and most recently, computer science.

UFred’s flagship program is its Master of Business Administration, a recurring leader among CourseCompare’s best online MBA programs. This comprehensive and flexible program gives students the choice between 11 leadership specialty streams including artificial intelligence, business analytics, health and safety, human resources, social enterprise and marketing. Pre-MBA courses and an Executive MBA are also available to suit leaders at every stage of their career.

Over in the department of OHS, students can earn certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees in subjects including psychological health and safety, integrated disability management, and ergonomics. And the school’s newest degree—a Bachelor of Computer Science—has secured strong early praise, earning its spot on our ranking of the best online computer science degree programs.

What Students Are Saying

Just completed the EMBA at UFred. I have done other Online Educational programs in the past (Certified Management Consultant and CPA) UFred's platform was by far the best. The professors especially Dr. Babb (Consulting) were excellent and very open to answer questions related to what I have experienced. Overall a great experience and the value definitely exceeds the price of admission. Perfect for someone with a solid work experience to further develop their understanding of Business.

Dustin Burke, Executive MBA

The Online Experience

Your educational experience at UFred will vary depending on the program or course you’ve selected. Some are entirely self-paced while others, including several MBA courses, are instructor-led with live virtual classes, discussions and presentations delivered through online collaboration tools like WebEx. However, even programs with live components provide ample flexibility to accommodate your schedule; the online MBA, for example, can be finished in as little as 18 months.

Interactivity and peer-to-peer learning are key components of UFred’s business courses. Students collaborate on projects in cohorts via online platforms and use cloud-based tools like Google Docs and Google Sheets. Instructor-led courses and programs are capped at 25 students to allow effective student-to-faculty interaction and networking opportunities.

Locations

Fredericton, New Brunswick

4

Thompson Rivers University

best online universities canada - thompson rivers university
4.75/5
$ $ $ $

Accessibility, flexibility, choice, and credibility are the four pillars that inform Thompson Rivers University’s approach to learning. Accordingly, the B.C.-based school operates on the open model, requiring minimal admission requirements and continuous enrollment for most programs. Courses and programs can be completed anytime, anywhere on a full- or part-time basis.

TRU students can choose from 55-plus programs in the arts, business and economics, education, social work, nursing, science, tourism, trades, and technology. Tuition-free adult basic education courses can help students meet TRU program requirements or earn a high school diploma.

What Students Are Saying

I recently completed the online MBA program at Thompson Rivers University, and it was a great experience overall. The flexibility of the program made it easy to balance my studies with full-time work, and the courses were practical and relevant to real business situations. The professors were supportive and responsive, which made the online format feel more personal. It wasn’t overly fast-paced, but that worked well for me since I could learn at my own speed. Overall, I found the program affordable, well-structured, and a solid choice for professionals looking to move forward in their careers.

Brett Foley, Master of Business Administration

The Online Experience

TRU gives students maximum flexibility in their learning style, offering a choice of self-paced or paced programs. Self-paced programs allow students to begin anytime and learn at their own pace within a 30-week timeframe, with flexibility even around final exam dates. Paced programs are cohort-based with defined semesters. Some individual courses, such as microbiology and anatomy, include lab sessions that require in-person attendance.

Robust faculty interaction is a key component of TRU’s online courses. Students work and communicate directly with instructors via email through the school’s course management system and by phone for discussion and motivation. TRU also employs dedicated program advisors who consult with students to design education plans to best achieve learning goals.

Locations

Kamloops, British Columbia

5

Mount Royal University

best online universities canada - mount royal university
4.35/5
$ $ $ $

An early adopter of self-paced learning, Calgary-based Mount Royal first introduced the concept in 1996. Students in a politics class were allowed to choose whether to attend classes and had the option to complete work at their own pace. The catch? The highest achievable grade in the self-paced option was a C+.

Fortunately, the university has widely expanded its approach since then and now offers more than 50 fully online certificate and diploma programs in business, health sciences, education, and the arts. Specific areas of study include fields as diverse as cybersecurity, children’s mental health, digital marketing, addiction studies, interior decorating, neonatal nursing, supply chain management, and funeral services. Some programs are also offered in a fast-track format, using a more intensive learning schedule to achieve your learning goals more quickly.

MRU introduced micro-credentials in 2022 to offer additional career-enhancing options for online students, including ESG reporting, impact assessments, mediation, and project management.

The Online Experience

MRU offers a blend of online learning methods, with both synchronous and asynchronous courses and programs. Asynchronous pacing can vary; some courses may be largely self-paced but others will have set schedules and assignment deadlines. Asynchronous courses include no live interaction but may still involve group projects and discussion forums to connect with classmates.

Programs are offered with accommodating schedules to help students complete their studies while balancing life responsibilities. For example, the addiction studies program can be completed in just two semesters, but students can take up to three years to finish their studies. Similarly, the leadership development certificate requires just four courses within three years, allowing for a flexible learning pace.           

Locations

Calgary, Alberta

6

University of Waterloo

best online universities canada - university of waterloo
$ $ $ $

It’s no surprise that the University of Waterloo is a leader in online education. UWaterloo is consistently recognized as one of the most innovative postsecondary institutions in Canada and has been delivering web-based learning since 1997—four years before the birth of Wikipedia.

Since then, UWaterloo’s Centre for Extended Learning has built a sprawling course catalogue with over 525 courses and 25 fully online programs across 40 undergraduate and postgraduate disciplines, including engineering, health informatics, social work, social development, philosophy, management, planning, and digital experience innovation. Courses explore a vast array of topics, such as history of the Internet, tactics for workplace success, applied epidemiology, business law, and Vikings! (Yes, the course name includes an exclamation point.)

Beyond its range of degree programs, Waterloo delivers more than 100 online professional development courses and certificate programs in categories such as technology, business and leadership, project management, health care and pharmacy, cybersecurity, networking, and cloud computing.

The Online Experience

Waterloo’s online degree courses are cohort-based, meaning an entire class moves through a syllabus and schedule at the same pace. While there is flexibility within the schedule, it’s recommended to dedicate 10-12 hours per week per course to your coursework, whether that’s course readings, lectures, group discussions or assignments. Assignments, quizzes, and exams are scheduled at set times although most tests can be taken within a 24-hour period.

Professional development courses and certificates are more independent, with lessons released at regular intervals and no scheduled online attendance.

Locations

Waterloo, Ontario

7

Royal Roads University

best online universities canada - royal roads university
$ $ $ $

Post-graduates and mature students will find a welcoming home at Royal Roads University, a public, applied research university located in Victoria, B.C. Learning models are designed to accommodate jobs and busy lifestyles—approximately 70 percent of RRU students remain in their jobs while studying in the school’s online and blended programs, which have been running since the 1990s.

RRU delivers a focused menu of 60 online and blended programs, including coaching, disaster and emergency management, environmental practice, justice studies and child wellbeing. In keeping with RRU’s focus on mature and working students, the course catalogue has an emphasis on business, management, and leadership-focused education.

What Students Are Saying

Royal Roads has polished the online degree from many years of experience, and many course offerings. If your schedule is tight, you will find their approach flexible. They maintain a high level of academic rigor, which, while you are a student means effort, but as a graduate means respect. Recommended for the busy professional.

David Hogg

The Online Experience

RRU’s offers mostly blended courses, which have both online and on-campus components. Blended programs tend to be mainly online but require an immersive on-campus residency which includes intensive in-class work and team assignments. While demanding, students tend to describe the highly interactive residency component as a highlight of the program.

Fully online courses typically consist of synchronous and asynchronous lectures and assignments with set deadlines. Even with fully online courses, collaborative work is key; group assignments and meaningful participation in discussions and online forums are considered foundational and an important part of the learning experience.

 

Locations

Victoria, British Columbia

8

Memorial University

best online universities canada - memorial university
4.85/5
$ $ $ $

Memorial University has a rich history of distance education. Founded in 1925—before its home province of Newfoundland and Labrador was officially part of Canada—Memorial has been delivering for-credit distance education since 1969.

Based in St. John’s with additional campuses in Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Harlow, UK, Memorial is the largest university in Atlantic Canada. Its online course catalogue is sizable as well, with more than 475 courses in 40 subject areas. Students can pursue degree, diploma and certificate programs online in a wide range of specialties, including business administration, marine and maritime studies, education, criminology, food safety, human kinetics, and nursing.

Memorial offers 27 programs that are fully online, and another 10 programs in what the school calls “mixed mode,” which are 75 percent online with some on-campus components.

The Online Experience

Online learning at Memorial is designed with flexibility in mind. Most courses are asynchronous and built to support a self-directed learning experience. Learning, coursework, and communication are done through cloud-based learning platform Brightspace, its mobile app enabling students to communicate easily while on the go.

While self-directed and flexible, online courses still make room for meaningful interaction with faculty and classmates. Instructors and students meet for regular check-ins to provide feedback and monitor academic progress. Memorial’s Brightspace platform also includes “online rooms” where students can attend office hours and meet for presentations, group work, language practice and collaboration.

Locations

St. John's, Newfoundland

9

University of New Brunswick (UNB)

best online universities canada - university of new brunswick unb
$ $ $ $

Founded in 1785, the University of New Brunswick is Canada’s oldest English-language university and an educational pioneer on several fronts. It launched Canada’s first programs in engineering, forestry, and the country’s first faculty of computer science.

Students will find those specialties among UNB’s wide range of online educational opportunities. Additional degree, certificate and professional development courses include anthropology, biology, criminology, economics, management, family violence issues, math, statistics, and more. The online LPN-BN Nursing Pathway program provides the education needed for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in New Brunswick to apply to UNB’s four-year Bachelor of Nursing program.

Continuing education at UNB includes online university prep courses that students can take to help them get into their desired university program.

What Students Are Saying

Just finished the online MBA at UNB and I’d say it was totally worth it. The flexibility was a huge win — I could juggle work and classes without losing my mind. Profs were super helpful and responsive, and the content felt relevant, not just textbook stuff. Only thing is, networking isn’t as easy online, and you’ll need to be self-motivated to stay on track. But if you’re looking for a solid, flexible MBA that won’t break the bank, UNB’s a great option.

Elliott Tschke, Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The Online Experience

UNB has something for every type of learner, whether they want to learn independently or would prefer more structure in their online education.

The university operates a partially open model, meaning many programs and courses are available for enrolment at almost any time and with no prerequisites. You pick your own start date and learning is entirely self-paced; the only deadline is that you must finish each course within six months.

Other online courses are term-based, with scheduled weekly classes and assignments, and must be finished within an academic term. Term-based programs feature more interactivity, such as collaborative work and participation in online discussions.

Locations

Fredericton and Saint John, New Brunswick

10

University of British Columbia (UBC)

best online universities canada - university of british columbia ubc
$ $ $ $

Vancouver-based University of British Columbia has a long and innovative track record in distance learning. In 1976, UBC launched an independent study program delivered on TV. Its online learning programs debuted in 1995 when only about 10 percent of Canadians had home internet.

Now, UBC delivers more than 100 mostly undergraduate online courses across 33 degree and certificate programs spanning 10 faculties, including applied science, arts, dentistry, education, land and food systems, law, medicine, and science.

The university’s extended learning faculty also offers online microcredentials in studies such as anti-racism, cybersecurity, career coaching, languages, AI ethics, data science, writing, and equitable systems design.

The Online Experience

UBC offers online courses in several different modes to suit each learner’s preference. Some are fully online, some are hybrid (a mixture of mandatory online and in-person components) and some are multi-access, which means students get the choice to attend in person or online. The course catalogue allows you to search all courses by delivery format, making it simple to find courses that fit your learning style and schedule.

Self-paced courses have no specific start or end dates, assignment deadlines or scheduled classes. Cohort-based models have defined semesters but vary in the level of faculty involvement and student demands. For example, a course may have real-time classes but no set deadlines, or asynchronous classes with timed assignments. The choice is yours, and it makes for a highly personalized educational experience.

Locations

Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia

11

McGill University

online-universities-canada
$ $ $ $

Renowned worldwide as one of Canada’s top universities, McGill University’s online offering offers a mix of undergraduate, graduate, professional development, and certificate programs. Its broad range includes an online Bachelor of Nursing open to graduates from Quebec’s CEGEP nursing program and a Bachelor of Social Work Adapted to Cree Needs and Knowledge. Graduate subject areas include international health leadership, chronic pain management, and health data analytics.

Online certificate programs offered by the School of Continuing Studies include applied cybersecurity, legal translation, data analysis, public relations, and communication.

The Online Experience

Online programs at McGill are built to accommodate individual schedules. Courses are largely asynchronous and self-paced, with some courses including live online sessions. Assignments include screencasts, videos, readings, and individual and group assignments, with collaboration facilitated through McGill’s learning platform, myCourses. Online learners have access to the same student services and privileges as on-campus learners.

When it comes to evaluation, most online assignments and exams can be found in myCourses. They can take a variety of formats, including open book tests, simulations, quizzes, research papers, and group projects.

Locations

Montreal, Quebec

12

Yorkville University

best online universities canada - yorkville university
4.75/5
$ $ $ $

Yorkville University is a private, for-profit school based in New Brunswick delivering professional skills training since 2004. Yorkville offers an expanding catalogue of undergraduate programs and graduate programs in disciplines including business, counselling psychology, interior design, and educational leadership. Yorkville also offers a program that allows students to transfer into the third year of a bachelor’s degree at leading Canadian universities after completing their two-year university level study equivalent program. 

The undergraduate Bachelor of Business Administration is among Yorkville’s most popular offerings, with specializations in accounting, project management, energy management, and supply chain management. Its Bachelor of Interior Design is the only fully-online, CIDA-accredited program in Canada, among the top five best interior design programs across the country. The Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology is another popular option which is taught fully online but does require a hands-on, supervised practicum lasting about 30 weeks at the end of the program.

What Students Are Saying

Yorkville’s online BBA program allowed me to work while obtaining my degree. It also gave me the skills to launch my own business after graduating. I would highly recommend the online program!

Samantha Margetson, Bachelor of Business Administration

The Online Experience

Online programs at Yorkville are built with a flexible schedule to fit learners’ busy lives. Program start dates are offered year-round and students have the option to graduate faster via an “accelerated” degree where you also study year-round without extended breaks.

Classes are small to encourage active participation and promote peer interaction, as well as networking opportunities and career advice from faculty.

Yorkville students report course loads can be heavy and intensive, but the school’s elastic scheduling options help keep academics manageable. The Student Success Centre offers students access to writing and math labs, tutoring and one-on-one academic support.

Locations

Fredericton, New Brunswick and Toronto, Ontario

13

Queen's University

best online universities canada - queen's university
$ $ $ $

It’s safe to say that Queen’s University was the first university in North America to offer distance education—this Kingston, Ontario-based university began introducing courses by mail more than a century ago in 1889. Today, thousands of students “attend” Queen’s online to earn diplomas, degrees, certificates, and microcredentials.

Though Queen’s discontinued its popular Arts and Science Online programs in 2024, learners can still take advantage of a wide range of subject areas. For example, the Bachelor of Health Sciences online degree is a flexible option for learners interested in applying to medical school and includes an optional internship in your home city.

For industry professionals looking to fill knowledge gaps, Queen’s microcredentials program offers a convenient way to learn through dozens of online courses. Highlights include courses in neuroscience, continuing teacher education, entrepreneurship, AI in health care, human resources, wellness in the workplace, and negotiation skills. Queen’s also offers numerous online executive education courses through its prestigious Smith School of Business.

The Online Experience

Online courses at Queen’s are designed with interactivity and collaboration in mind. Peer and professor engagement is prioritized, and there’s an emphasis on communication and teamwork through group projects and online discussions.

Courses are delivered through the school’s customized OnQ platform, which is built on the popular Desire2Learn system in use at many universities across Canada and internationally. Some programs and faculties also have custom tools to foster collaboration.

Queen’s online courses are largely asynchronous. While some live events take place, students can access recordings at any time to schedule their own learning. Courses do have set start and end dates, and assignments have fixed deadlines as well. Some programs and individual courses involve in-person elements to provide experiential learning and hands-on skills development that can’t be replicated online.

Locations

Kingston, Ontario

14

Trent University

best online universities canada - trent university 2
4.85/5
$ $ $ $

Trent University is a public university, originally established in 1964 with two separate colleges for male and female students. The now-fully coed school has a reputation for experiential learning and small class sizes to deliver an intimate, personal learning experience.

The Peterborough, Ontario-based school offers more than 100 online courses covering a vast range of subject areas: genetics, personal finance, science fiction, cyberethics, comics, and wonders of the ancient world. Online degree programs at Trent include a master of bioenvironmental monitoring and assessment (MBEMA), a master of science in nursing (MScN), delivered in collaboration with Ontario Tech University, and a diploma in circumpolar studies, one of the few programs of its kind anywhere in the world.

The Online Experience

To provide a flexible yet interactive learning experience, Trent offers asynchronous, self-paced learning combined with interactive activities such as group discussions, group projects and lab simulations. Online courses are delivered through Trent’s Blackboard Learning System, with a low student-to-faculty ratio to ensure you won’t get lost in the crowd.

Some online programs do include experiential and hands-on learning opportunities. The MScN program, for example, requires a one-week, on-campus residency.

Locations

Peterborough and Oshawa, Ontario

15

University of Manitoba

best online universities canada - university of manitoba
$ $ $ $

The University of Manitoba was the first university in western Canada. In 2008, the school pioneered a digital first when a UM instructor launched the world’s first massive open online course (MOOC), attended by 2,300 students around the world.

Today, UManitoba offers more than 30 certificate and microcertificate programs through its extended education programming. Subject areas include change management, human resources, process and technology management, counselling, artificial intelligence, and public sector and municipal administration. One unique offering is the professional development in higher education administration program, providing skills to build a career in postsecondary education.

The Online Experience

UManitoba’s online experience is largely asynchronous, giving students maximum flexibility to study at their own pace. Courses are still a defined length, ranging from anywhere between 2-12 weeks. The one exception is the applied counselling program, where each course involves multiple synchronous online sessions over the length of the course.

Even while studying independently and asynchronously, UManitoba provides extensive support and resources to set students up for success. Its Academic Learning Centre provides tutoring and workshops to develop essential student skills like academic writing, time management and study plans. Students needing group support and motivation can join virtual study halls or group study sessions for select courses.

Locations

Winnipeg, Manitoba

16

Université TÉLUQ

online computer science degree programs - universite teluq
$ $ $ $

Université TÉLUQ is the only French-language university in North America that offers all its courses via distance learning. Founded in 1972 as an exclusively distance learning university named Telé-université, it has grown substantially since then, with 20,000 remote students taking online classes with TÉLUQ each year.

TÉLUQ currently delivers 100-plus programs in a wide range of subject areas: business administration—which includes accounting, economics, HR, law, and management—as well as computer science, education, entrepreneurship, communication, languages, sciences, and more. A multidisciplinary BA allows students to earn a certificate or degree while studying multiple areas. There’s also a dedicated course to teach strategies for successful online education.

The school recently created seven graduate diplomas to address teacher shortages, including specializations in arts education and science and technology education. In addition, they offer free MOOCs open to anyone on topics including gender-inclusive writing, promoting the success of students with autism, and retaining educational staff.

What Students Are Saying

A university establishment truly adapted to the reality of people wanting to pursue university studies in a context of balancing work and family. The teachers are available and the services offered are excellent and above all human!

Stéphanie Bérubé

The Online Experience

As a distance university since its inception, TÉLUQ has a long history of building educational programs that strike an effective work-life-school balance and position online students for success. Registration is open year-round and you can start your courses when ready at any point during the academic term.

Courses are asynchronous and generally timed to take 15 weeks, with 6-9 hours of coursework per week. While learning is self-directed, there are set deadlines for tasks and assignments. Instructors will provide a roadmap of the work to be completed each week.

TÉLUQ emphasizes that learning independently doesn’t mean you are on your own. For each course you take, you are assigned a resource person to monitor and facilitate your learning, and help you overcome difficulties with your studies.

Locations

Quebec City, Quebec

17

Royal Military College of Canada

royal-military-college-of-canada
$ $ $ $

Royal Military College of Canada trains and educates officer cadets for all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The Kingston, Ontario-based college debuted its distance learning program in 1997 to cater to the unique time demands that come with a military career. As a result, RMC online courses are only available to enrolled full-time or part-time RMC students.

Through RMC Online, students can pursue a selection of undergraduate and graduate certificate and degree programs, including military arts and sciences, bachelor of arts, military leadership and management, war studies, and master of business administration.

The Online Experience

To best suit the operational commitments of a military life, RMC Online delivers fully asynchronous instruction. Some courses are formatted as dual-delivery, using both synchronous and asynchronous instruction and allowing students to choose whichever mode suits them best. The course can still be totally asynchronous if you prefer, but comes with the opportunity to access real-time learning to enhance the online learning experience.

RMC Online uses Moodle, a popular open-source learning platform where students access course materials and submit assignments. RMC’s Moodle platform also features courses on academic integrity and “how to succeed in online learning,” which covers essential bases like time management and effective study techniques.

Locations

Kingston, Ontario

CourseCompare Editorial Team

CourseCompare is Canada's marketplace for education. Its editorial staff consists of award-winning journalists, visual storytellers, data analysts and web developers working together to help prepare people for the future of work.

4 thoughts on “Best Online Universities in Canada of 2026”

  1. I am a senior citizen, and I wondered if any of these online cross programs were free to seniors? I’m looking mostly into English.

    1. Hi Cynthia,

      Some universities do offer programs free-of-charge for senior citizens (over 65), although application fees are still required. You’ll have to check each school for details. McMaster, for example, covers tuition fees while UofT waives non-academic fees and ancillary fees. If you’d like to learn more, you can email us at hello@coursecompare.ca and we can help map out a learning plan based on your program(s) of interest and location.

      Happy (lifelong) learning!
      CourseCompare

  2. Thank you for posting this helpful article. Do you know of any universities listed in this article that allow students to design their own curriculum for Master’s/ Graduate programs?

    Thank you again

  3. What distinguishes Athabasca University’s online learning model, and how has the university adapted to the changing landscape of online education, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?

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