The Université de Moncton might be small, but it punches above its weight. Graduates include the chief justice of the province, a former lieutenant governor and three past premiers. Most faculties compete in French-language competitions, such as the renowned Jeux du commerce, against much larger francophone universities. Meanwhile, small is good when it comes to class size: Moncton has one of the lowest student-faculty ratios in Canada. Home of the world’s biggest archive of Acadian materials, Moncton is a must-visit for historians. And while the university serves its Acadian roots well, it also attracts students from beyond the region. International students make up 20 per cent of the student population.

“The Université de Moncton is unique because of its Acadian identity,” says president Denis Prud’homme. “Our institution stands out for its student-centred teaching, as well as for our research in health innovation, the environment and Acadian studies. The university enhances the vitality of the surrounding communities through the social involvement of its students and faculty.”

Moncton’s research funding has seen an annual growth of 15 per cent over the past five years. One area of growing research is in collaborative artificial intelligence projects. The main campus is located in Moncton. The Shippagan campus, which offers courses in the sustainability of marine ecosystems, is located on the Acadian Peninsula. The forest management program is housed at the Edmundston campus, nestled among the skiable Appalachian Mountains. All three campuses are exclusively French-speaking.