University, campus and class: three different sizes
Before comparing two institutions, ask yourself which enrolment figure you are looking at. The total number of students gives you an idea of a university’s scale; the number at a campus describes a particular location; and the number in a class relates to a specific activity. These figures are not interchangeable.
At The University of British Columbia (UBC), the 2025-2026 report counted, as of November 1, 2025, 60,309 undergraduate and graduate students in Vancouver, compared with 11,791 at Okanagan. These totals exclude the separate category of residents. They show a difference in scale between campuses, but do not tell you how many people will attend a particular course.
To compare your options, first identify the campus where you would study, then look at the required courses in the program that interests you. If you are still unsure about your discipline, take a few representative courses in each area you are considering: that will give you more specific questions to ask.
Small classes: how should you interpret an average?
In its 2026-2027 general information guide, Université de Moncton reports an average class size of 27 people and indicates that 75% of courses are offered in groups of 30 people or fewer.
These figures provide a starting point, not a promise for every course. The guide does not specify the year of measurement or the calculation method, and does not break down the results by campus or discipline. Its publication year therefore does not mean that the data was collected in 2026-2027.
An average is not a maximum, either: some groups may be larger. Ask whether recent enrolment figures are available for the courses that interest you, particularly in first year. Also check whether the figures apply to your campus and include practical sessions.
Look at all course formats
At a campus with many students, not every activity necessarily takes place in a large group. At UBC Vancouver, some courses include smaller discussion sections in addition to the lecture. When such a section is available, separate registration is required; however, one is not offered for every course.
A recent course outline or a sample timetable can help you understand the activities on offer. Use the same questions for each of your options:
| What to examine | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Lecture | What is the usual class size, and how can I ask questions? |
| Discussion or practical session | Is a session in a smaller group offered? |
| Instruction | Who leads the session, and whom can I ask for an explanation? |
| Assignments | How can I get feedback on graded work? |
This framework does not rank universities. It helps you look for the opportunities to interact that matter to you, in the courses you would actually take.
Professors and support: how can you get help?
An institution’s size alone is not enough to determine whether you will be able to meet with an instructor. At UBC Vancouver, most instructors hold office hours; meeting arrangements depend, among other things, on the course. This does not guarantee unlimited availability.
Find out about office hours, whether you need to book an appointment and the options for meeting remotely. Also ask whom to contact to discuss an assignment or request an explanation after class.
Support can take other forms. At the Moncton campus, Université de Moncton describes free peer tutoring, individually or in groups, as well as student mentoring and a French-language learning centre. This information applies to that campus: for another location, check the services, subjects covered, available spaces and access arrangements separately.
If regular support is important to you, compare the specific services available rather than assuming that a small university will necessarily be more accessible.
Scholarships: compare the conditions, not the size
A university’s size does not let you infer your chances of receiving financial assistance. To compare scholarships, look instead at who they are for, their duration, their criteria and the application process.
At McGill, for example, a centralized entrance scholarship of CAD 3,000 for one year is non-renewable. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum requirements are considered automatically, but the scholarship is not guaranteed. Major scholarships require a separate application and renewal is conditional; exclusions apply depending on the program.
McGill also describes needs-based supplementary aid for undergraduate students, including international students. It may take the form of loans or scholarships and is assessed based on the individual’s circumstances. Neither an award nor full funding is guaranteed.
For each form of aid you are considering, note your status, the level of study covered, the deadline, the required documents and the renewal conditions. Financial aid mentioned by an institution is not necessarily available to every applicant.
Prepare a budget with and without a scholarship
For each option, estimate tuition and other study-related fees, then living expenses: housing, food, transportation and start-up costs. Use the fee category that applies to your situation and compare equivalent periods: an academic year does not necessarily represent a full year of expenses.
Then make two calculations:
- Without new aid: subtract aid that has already been confirmed from your projected expenses. The remaining balance must be covered by your other resources.
- With the aid you have applied for: add the expected scholarship separately to see how it would change your budget if awarded.
UBC advises international students who have not received a scholarship to plan for the full cost of their degree. This is the university’s financial planning advice, not an immigration rule. Also check whether confirmed aid covers just one year or whether renewal depends on conditions.
Universities: three places to start
The examples in this guide illustrate different questions; they do not constitute a ranking. StudyCanada profiles can help you identify these institutions. Confirm information directly with them about your campus, the program you are considering and your entry year.
- Université de Moncton: start with the class-size indicators in the 2026-2027 guide, then ask for figures specific to the courses that interest you. The support services mentioned here apply to the Moncton campus.
- The University of British Columbia: distinguish between Vancouver and Okanagan, then examine the formats offered in your program. The discussion sections described above relate to the course information for Vancouver.
- McGill University: compare the terms for entrance scholarships and needs-based aid in light of your profile.
The presence of a profile does not confirm that a particular program is open or that you are eligible.
How do you decide based on your priorities?
If you want to participate often in class, give weight to the size and structure of the groups you will attend. If your priority is being able to ask for help, look at office hours and the support services available. If your budget is a determining factor, compare costs with and without additional aid.
Before deciding, keep the answers to these five questions for each option:
- What are the recent enrolment figures for the required courses that interest me?
- Which courses include discussions or practical sessions in small groups?
- How can I meet with an instructor or access tutoring at my campus?
- Which forms of aid apply to my status and require a separate application?
- How much do I need to fund without counting scholarships that are still pending?
Keep the answers with their date and scope: the campus, courses and year concerned. If information is missing, treat it as a question to ask rather than an assumed advantage. Size is a starting point, not a verdict: the choice depends on the learning and funding conditions you can verify.