## [Canada’s best engineering program](/spotlight/why-engineering/canadas-best-engineering-program) UBC comes out on top. Find out why. ![Campus](/sites/default/files/styles/max_480w/public/spotlight-images/2023-04/29468400874_92a284e42d_o.jpg.webp?itok=wWRICqP-) ## Share- [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F"e= "Share on Facebook") - [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https%3A%2F%2F&text=:%20https%3A%2F%2F "Tweet") - [ ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F&title=&summary=&source=https%3A%2F%2F "Share on LinkedIn") - [ ](mailto:?subject=&body=:%20https%3A%2F%2F "Send email") ## Coming out at the top of the list In Maclean’s University Rankings 2023, [UBC Engineering took top place for the best engineering program in Canada](https://engineering.ubc.ca/news/2022/ubc-engineering-tops-canadian-university-rankings). UBC is recognized as one of the best places for teaching and research in the world, and we are [consistently ranked in the world’s top 40 universities.](https://www.ubc.ca/about/our-place.html) But what does this mean for you as a student? Do these or other rankings really mean anything when it comes to your actual experience as a UBC Engineering student? Remember: a number is a number. Behind every ranking are countless variables that went into the final calculation. That’s why it’s worth taking a look at the criteria that different ranking organizations use – because like any other kind of assessment, each organization uses its own rubric to rate universities. ## How universities are ranked – and where UBC ranks among them Maclean’s does its ranking by looking at how many students win national academic awards, student-faculty ratios, faculty success in securing research grants, how a university allocates its resources (i.e., to research, libraries and students) and how faculty at other universities – as well as business people – rate the university in terms of quality, innovation and leadership. [Maclean's Ranking](https://www.straight.com/education/statistics-canada-study-show-engineering-degrees-pay-most-arts-and-humanities-least) The Times Higher Education World University Rankings are based on five measures, including teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry outcomes. They also conduct impact rankings, which is a measure of how a university is contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. For example, the [Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking) place UBC: - 40th globally and second in Canada - 48th globally for engineering and technology - 19th in impact rankings overall (this is a measure of how the university is contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals). [The Ranking](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking) And in 2023, UBC was once again ranked within the top universities in the world in the [2023 QS World](https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2023/engineering-technology) University Rankings by Subject, coming in: - 47th globally and third in Canada - 33th globally in Engineering & Technology [QS World University Ranking](https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-british-columbia) Image ![aerial](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-04/aerial_moa_panorama-1920x700.jpg.webp?itok=RGEcxTEO) ## What rankings mean for you We at UBC are proud of these results because they recognize the exciting and important impact we are having through our education and research. For you as a student, UBC’s consistently high rankings let you know that this is a university where great things are happening. When you choose to study at UBC Engineering, you are learning from professors who are successful year after year in securing funding for [innovative research](https://engineering.ubc.ca/research-in-action). They will be sharing this research with you in their classes and there may be opportunities to join their labs as part of an undergraduate research experience. You’ll be studying within a university that is globally recognized for making an impact on some of the world’s most challenging issues, from climate change to social inequality. If you want to make a difference in the world, UBC is the place to be. You’ll also be graduating from a university whose name is recognized the world over. That can help open doors – to new academic opportunities, jobs and friendships. [Research In Action](https://engineering.ubc.ca/research-in-action) ## Make your own ranking criteria While a university’s national and international ranking can help you narrow down the list of where you might like to study, it’s only one element among many to consider. You might want to create your own personalized university ranking system that looks at the criteria most meaningful to you and your personal and professional goals. The following questions are a good starting point: - Does the university offer a [foundation year](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate/foundation-year) so you can make a more informed decision about the engineering specialization you want to pursue? - What [engineering specializations](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate) are offered? - What opportunities are there to get involved with [student clubs and design teams](https://engineering.ubc.ca/student-experience/clubs-and-teams)? - Does the program offer [work experience](https://engineering.ubc.ca/student-experience/work-experience)? - What do [current students](https://engineering.ubc.ca/student-and-alumni-spotlights) have to say? - [What kinds of projects do students work on](https://engineering.ubc.ca/student-project-spotlights) as undergraduates? ## Join us and be part of something great! UBC Engineering students are part of an exciting learning and research environment that attracts the world’s best and is recognized the world over. When you join us, you are also contributing to our global reputation through your contributions as a student, member of a design team, researcher in a lab, paid employee in a co-op work term and all-around innovator. [Apply Now](https://apply.educationplannerbc.ca/) ### Want to know more? - [Engineering](/topics/engineering "Engineering")