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Study in Montréal: A Multicultural Metropolis for International Students

Vibrant, safe, affordable and inclusive, Montréal is a city made for student life.

Mar 25, 2022
  • Study Abroad in Canada

Looking for the perfect city to call home sweet home while you study? Vibrant, safe, affordable and inclusive, Montréal is a city made for student life.

An accessible gateway to North America

With world-class universities and colleges, countless eateries and bars, eclectic boutiques and a jam-packed calendar of festivals and activities year-round, you’ll never run out of things to do in Montréal. Located in southern Québec, less than an hour’s drive from the U.S. border, Greater Montréal is one of the most exciting cities in North America, with a population of 4 million.

Did you know that 34 percent of Montréal’s inclusive and multicultural population is made up of people born outside of Québec, from all four corners of the globe? And thanks to its ideal location, it’s easy to explore other top North American cities on weekends or between semesters—from Toronto and Boston to New York and Philadelphia.

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Take your pick of schools and programs in Montréal

Whether you’re pursuing a post-doctorate in sociology or looking to take a practical mechanics program, you’ll find the training to turn your ambitions into reality. Greater Montréal is home to 11 internationally renowned universities, with courses in every field and for all levels. The city also has 60 CEGEPs (general and vocational colleges) along with private pre-university and technical colleges to prepare students for working in the real world.

Montréal’s student community includes around 50,000 students from around the world, all here to take advantage of the rich learning environment with opportunities to study in several languages.

Speak French, English and more in multilingual Montréal

In Montréal, 55 percent of the population is bilingual while an impressive 20 percent of residents call themselves trilingual. The city has both French and English educational institutions, with bilingual and trilingual programs available. So whether you’re in the classroom or grabbing coffee with friends, you can work on your Québec accent and improve your English all at the same time!

A safe and affordable city made for adventure

Montréal offers the very best of big-city life … without the financial stress! Less expensive than New York, Vancouver or Paris, Montréal is one of the most affordable cosmopolitan cities in the world when it comes to housing, tuition, public transport and everything in between. Buying a loaf of bread here will set you back significantly less than it will in Berlin, Tokyo or Beijing. Even sweeter? You can dip it in maple syrup for a fraction of the cost!

With the lowest crime rate of the 20 largest cities in Canada and the United States, Montréal combines the best of both worlds: the buzz of a big city and the safety of a small town.

Inspired? Check out these real stories from international students who love to study in Montréal.

Study in Montréal

Montréal is a great, diverse place to study abroad. Home to people from all over the world, you'll be sure to find what you're looking for in Montréal. Find out more about Montréal and what it's like to study there in this section.

An Inspiring Place to Learn

Want to learn more about what it's like to study in Montréal? This section tells you what you need to know about student life in Montréal, from learning French to festivals and activities held in the city, as well as Montréal's world-famous food scene.

A Range of Programs with Promising Prospects

With great opportunities for work and internships during and after your studies, programs in Montréal have promising prospects for your future career. Find out more about that in this section.

Study in Canada

Want to find out more about what it's like to study in Canada? Click here to find out what you need to know about studying in Canada.

A Montréal International Student Interview

Want to learn more about opportunities to stay in Montréal after graduation? This section introduces you to a Q&A session with Hasti, an international student from Iran who is staying in country at the end of her Master's degree.

The Immigration Process

Already decided to study in Montréal? Find out everything you need to know about study permits and the immigration process for international students in Québec.

Why Montréal? A graduate's perspective

This interview with Wanda, a recent graduate from Concordia University, sheds light on the various opportunities for international students in Montréal after graduation.