Queen's University, in the lakeside city of Kingston, Ontario, is one of Canada's oldest and most tradition-heavy universities, famous for its intense school spirit, tricolour branding, and a Smith School of Business Commerce programme that is consistently ranked among Canada's most selective undergraduate business degrees. Strong Engineering programmes round out its reputation as a destination for career-focused international students.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Kingston, Ontario, Canada (~2.5 hours from Toronto) |
| Type | Public research university |
| Known for | Smith School of Business (Commerce), Engineering, strong school spirit and alumni network |
| Founded | 1841 |
| Global ranking (QS 2026) | ~Top 175-190 overall |
Acceptance Rate
| Programme | Approx. Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| University-wide (undergraduate) | ~40-45% |
| Smith Commerce | ~18-22% |
| Engineering (direct-entry Computer Engineering) | ~20-25% |
| Engineering (general first-year) | ~35-45% |
| Health Sciences | Under 10% (one of Queen's most competitive programmes) |
| Smith MBA (12-month programme) | Competitive; GMAT/GRE and work experience weighted heavily |
Key point: Queen's overall acceptance rate looks moderate, but headline programmes, Smith Commerce, Health Sciences and direct-entry Computer Engineering, are considerably more selective than the university-wide figure suggests.
Tuition Fees (2026)
| Programme Level | Annual Tuition (CAD, International) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate (Arts and Science, 2026-2027) | CAD 44,809.80 |
| Smith Commerce (2026-2027) | CAD 60,839.46 in years 1 and 2; CAD 55,308.60 in later years |
| Engineering and Applied Science (2026-2027) | CAD 59,283.74 |
| Computing (2026-2027) | CAD 54,808.20 |
| Smith MBA (12-month, full-time) | ~CAD 95,000 - 100,000 (our estimate; confirm with Smith) |
| Master's (course-based, most departments) | CAD 30,000 - 45,000 (our estimate; varies by programme) |
Undergraduate figures are tuition only, as published by Queen's Registrar for 2026-2027. The student activity levy, ancillary fees and UHIP health insurance add roughly CAD 2,500 a year.
IELTS and TOEFL Requirements
| Programme Level | IELTS Min | TOEFL iBT Min |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) | 88 (no section below 20) |
| Smith Commerce | 7.0 overall (no band below 6.5) | 100 |
| Master's (most departments) | 6.5 - 7.0 overall | 88-100 |
Queen's also accepts PTE Academic (60+ for undergrad, 68+ for Smith Commerce) and Duolingo English Test in many departments.
Why Queen's Is Popular with Indian Students
- Smith Commerce's reputation: direct-entry from high school (unlike Ivey's internal 2+2 model) with a tightly cohort-managed, highly ranked business degree that places well into Canadian finance, consulting and accounting
- Strong Engineering placement: Queen's Engineering has a long history and close employer ties across Ontario's industrial and tech sectors
- Famous school spirit and alumni network: Queen's tricolour traditions create an unusually tight-knit alumni community that many students find translates into strong career networking after graduation
- PGWP eligibility: degrees qualify for Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit, matching programme length up to 3 years
- Smaller city, lower cost of living than Toronto: Kingston offers a safer, quieter, and more affordable student experience while remaining within reach of Toronto and Ottawa
Application Tips
- Apply directly to Smith Commerce from high school: unlike Ivey, Queen's does not require an internal transfer process, so your original application is your one shot; polish it accordingly
- Highlight leadership and extracurricular impact: Smith Commerce admissions weighs a supplementary application (essays, activities) alongside grades
- Engineering applicants should demonstrate strong physics/maths performance and, where possible, relevant hands-on projects or competitions
- Apply early: Queen's operates on a rolling-ish review within Ontario's January 15 deadline system, and competitive programmes fill consideration slots faster than the deadline suggests
Queen's vs Western University - Quick Take
| Factor | Queen's | Western |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Kingston, Ontario | London, Ontario |
| Flagship business programme | Smith School of Business (Commerce, direct entry) | Ivey Business School (HBA, 2+2 entry) |
| Business admission route | Direct entry from high school | Internal pathway after years 1-2 |
| Best known beyond business | Engineering, school spirit/traditions | Broad undergraduate experience, Schulich Medicine |
| Best for | Students confident they want Commerce immediately | Students who want to build their profile before committing |
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble: Queen's requires IELTS 6.5 (undergraduate) up to 7.0 for Smith Commerce. AI-powered speaking and writing feedback with instant band scores to help you reach your target.