Photo By – Imagn Images.
From cherry blossom season on the West Coast to ivy-covered stone buildings in Ontario and historic campuses in Atlantic Canada, Canadian universities have quietly become some of the country’s most photographed locations.
To see which schools generate the most social buzz, we analyzed Instagram hashtag data tied to major universities across Canada, ranking them by estimated post volume.
The result is a list dominated by large, visually distinctive campuses – and a few surprises outside the usual academic powerhouses.
Key Takeaways
📸 The University of British Columbia leads all schools with approximately 1.43 million Instagram posts, driven by its ocean-adjacent setting, mountain backdrops, and expansive green spaces.
📸 Ontario dominates the top 10 with six universities represented, led by the University of Toronto at No. 2 and bolstered by multiple historic and urban campuses.
📸 Quebec landed just one school on the list: McGill University, which placed fifth thanks to its iconic downtown Montreal campus and Mount Royal views.
📸 Only one Atlantic Canada school appears in the top 10, with Dalhousie University ranking seventh and representing the region’s coastal aesthetic.
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The Most Instagrammed Universities in Canada
(Post counts accurate as of Dec. 25/25)
| Rank | School | Province | Posts (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of British Columbia | British Columbia | 1.43M |
| 2 | University of Toronto | Ontario | 1.18M |
| 3 | University of Western Ontario | Ontario | 816K |
| 4 | Queen’s University | Ontario | 676K |
| 5 | McGill University | Quebec | 561K |
| 6 | McMaster University | Ontario | 520K |
| 7 | Dalhousie University | Nova Scotia | 503K |
| 8 | York University | Ontario | 488K |
| 9 | University of Victoria | British Columbia | 388K |
| 10 | Fanshawe College | Ontario | 334K |
University of British Columbia
📊 Instagram Stats
Rank: #1
Estimated Posts: 1.43M
Popular Hashtags: #ubc, #universityofbritishcolumbia
🌟 Why It’s So Photogenic
Few campuses in North America can match UBC’s natural setting, with forests, beaches, and mountain views all within walking distance. Seasonal changes — especially cherry blossom season — add to its year-round appeal.
🎯 Popular shots
- Wreck Beach and Pacific Spirit Regional Park
- The Rose Garden overlooking the ocean
- Main Mall during cherry blossom season
📝 Fun fact
UBC’s Vancouver campus sits on a peninsula, surrounded by ocean on three sides.
University of Toronto
📊 Instagram Stats
Rank: #2
Estimated Posts: 1.18M
Popular Hashtags: #uoft, #universityoftoronto
🌟 Why It’s So Photogenic
The University of Toronto blends historic stone architecture with a dense urban backdrop, offering a rare mix of collegiate and city photography in one place.
🎯 Popular Shots
- University College and King’s College Circle
- Trinity College courtyard
- Views of campus framed by downtown Toronto
📝 Fun Fact
U of T’s campus architecture spans more than a century of design styles.
University of Western Ontario
📊 Instagram Stats
Rank: #3
Estimated Posts: 816K
Popular Hashtags: #westernu, #westernuniversity
🌟 Why It’s So Photogenic
Western’s campus is known for its consistent architectural style, tree-lined pathways, and scenic Thames River views.
🎯 Popular Shots
- University College hill
- Fall foliage along campus trails
- River-side walking paths
📝 Fun Fact
Western’s campus is often cited as one of the most cohesive in Canada from a design standpoint.
Queen’s University
📊 Instagram Stats
Rank: #4
Estimated Posts: 676K
Popular Hashtags: #queensu, #queensuniversity
🌟 Why It’s So Photogenic
Queen’s limestone buildings give the campus a timeless look, especially when paired with Lake Ontario sunsets just steps away.
🎯 Popular Shots
- Grant Hall
- Summer lakefront views
- Snow-covered historic buildings
📝 Fun Fact
Many of Queen’s most photographed buildings are over 100 years old.
McGill University
📊 Instagram Stats
Rank: #5
Estimated Posts: 561K
Popular Hashtags: #mcgill, #mcgilluniversity
🌟 Why It’s So Photogenic
McGill’s downtown location, paired with Mount Royal rising behind campus, creates one of the most recognizable university skylines in Canada.
🎯 Popular Shots
- Lower campus framed by Mount Royal
- Fall colours along McTavish Street
- Historic campus gates
📝 Fun Fact
McGill’s campus transitions from city streets to mountain trails within minutes.
McMaster University
📊 Instagram Stats
Rank: #6
Estimated Posts: 520K
Popular Hashtags: #mcmaster, #mcmasteruniversity
🌟 Why It’s So Photogenic
McMaster’s mix of modern buildings and natural ravines gives it a quieter, greener feel compared to nearby urban campuses.
🎯 Popular Shots
- University Hall
- Cootes Paradise nature areas
- Campus green spaces in spring
📝 Fun Fact
McMaster is adjacent to one of Canada’s largest urban nature reserves.
Dalhousie University
📊 Instagram Stats
Rank: #7
Estimated Posts: 503K
Popular Hashtags: #dalhousie, #dalhousieuniversity
🌟 Why It’s So Photogenic
Dalhousie benefits from Halifax’s coastal charm, blending historic buildings with ocean-influenced light and scenery.
🎯 Popular Shots
- Studley Campus green spaces
- Spring blooms near the Quad
- Campus views overlooking Halifax
📝 Fun Fact
Dalhousie is one of Canada’s oldest universities, founded in 1818.
York University
📊 Instagram Stats
Rank: #8
Estimated Posts: 488K
Popular Hashtags: #yorku, #yorkuniversity
🌟 Why It’s So Photogenic
York’s large, open campus and modern architecture offer wide-angle shots that contrast sharply with downtown Toronto campuses.
🎯 Popular Shots
- Vari Hall interior
- Open plazas and seasonal installations
- Sunset views across campus
📝 Fun Fact
York is one of the largest university campuses in Canada by land area.
University of Victoria
📊 Instagram Stats
Rank: #9
Estimated Posts: 388K
Popular Hashtags: #uvic, #universityofvictoria
🌟 Why It’s So Photogenic
UVic’s west-coast landscaping and mild climate make it one of the greenest-looking campuses year-round.
🎯 Popular Shots
- Garden pathways
- Spring flowers in bloom
- Coastal-inspired campus scenery
📝 Fun Fact
UVic’s campus was designed to blend into its natural surroundings rather than dominate them.
Fanshawe College
📊 Instagram Stats
Rank: #10
Estimated Posts: 334K
Popular Hashtags: #fanshawe, #fanshawecollege
🌟 Why It’s So Photogenic
Fanshawe’s modern buildings and strong student culture help it stand out among Canadian colleges on social media.
🎯 Popular Shots
- Student life moments
- Contemporary campus architecture
- Event-driven posts
📝 Fun Fact
Fanshawe is one of Canada’s largest colleges by full-time enrollment.