The University of Victoria has earned second place in Maclean’s annual comprehensive Canadian university rankings, after Simon Fraser University.
The two universities shared first place last year.
SFU has been named Canada’s top comprehensive university by Maclean’s 15 times over the past 16 years, only losing out to UVic in 2013.
UVic and Simon Fraser University both compete in the comprehensive category, which includes 15 research-oriented universities with a wide range of graduate and undergraduate programs, but no medical school.
In compiling its rankings, Maclean’s looks at five categories, including student achievement, faculty performance (based on factors such as awards and grants), student supports, university resources and reputation.
UVic, SFU and the University of Waterloo are often in a close race for the top three spots in the comprehensive university category.
UVic also ranked first in number of awards and grants garnered by faculty, number two in research activity and student awards, and number three for the quality of its scholarships, bursaries and library resources.
“I’m proud of our faculty and the national and international recognition that they receive, as shown by these rankings,” Elizabeth Croft, vice-president academic and provost at UVic, said in a statement.
Besides comprehensive, other overall categories include universities with a medical school, and primarily undergraduate universities.
