Montreal stands out as one of North America's premier destinations for international students, hosting some of Canada's top-ranked universities. This guide explores the five best institutions in Montreal for international students. ## 1. McGill University **World Ranking:** Top 50 globally **Language of Instruction:** English **International Students:** 30% of student body ### Why Choose McGill? - Prestigious reputation recognized worldwide - Located in downtown Montreal - Strong research programs - Excellent post-graduation employment rates ### Popular Programs: - Medicine and Health Sciences - Engineering - Business (Desautels Faculty) - Arts and Sciences ### Admission Requirements: - Strong academic record (85%+ average) - English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90) - Program-specific requirements ## 2. Université de Montréal **World Ranking:** Top 150 globally **Language of Instruction:** French **International Students:** 20% of student body ### Why Choose UdeM? - Largest French-language university in North America - Beautiful campus on Mount Royal - Strong francophone network - Lower tuition fees than English universities ### Popular Programs: - Medicine and Dentistry - Law - Computer Science - Business (HEC Montréal) ### Admission Requirements: - Academic transcripts - French proficiency (TEF or DELF B2) - Letter of motivation ## 3. Concordia University **World Ranking:** Top 500 globally **Language of Instruction:** English **International Students:** 25% of student body ### Why Choose Concordia? - Innovation and entrepreneurship focus - Flexible programs and co-op opportunities - Two campuses (downtown and residential) - Strong industry connections ### Popular Programs: - Engineering and Computer Science - Business (John Molson School) - Fine Arts and Design - Communications ### Admission Requirements: - Minimum 75% average - English proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 90) - Portfolio (for arts programs) ## 4. HEC Montréal **World Ranking:** Top 100 business schools **Language of Instruction:** French and English (some programs) **International Students:** 40% of student body ### Why Choose HEC? - Top business school in Canada - International accreditations (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) - Strong corporate partnerships - Trilingual environment (French, English, Spanish) ### Popular Programs: - MBA - Finance - Marketing - International Business ### Admission Requirements: - Bachelor's degree - GMAT/GRE scores (for graduate programs) - Work experience (for MBA) - Language proficiency in French or English ## 5. Polytechnique Montréal **World Ranking:** Top engineering school in Canada **Language of Instruction:** French (some English programs) **International Students:** 30% of student body ### Why Choose Polytechnique? - Premier engineering school - Strong research facilities - Industry partnerships - High graduate employment rate (95%+) ### Popular Programs: - Aerospace Engineering - Computer Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Civil Engineering ### Admission Requirements: - Strong math and science background - French proficiency (most programs) - Competitive GPA ## Comparing Costs | University | Annual Tuition (International) | |------------|--------------------------------| | McGill | CAD $25,000 - $50,000 | | UdeM | CAD $20,000 - $35,000 | | Concordia | CAD $25,000 - $45,000 | | HEC | CAD $30,000 - $60,000 | | Polytechnique | CAD $25,000 - $40,000 | ## Campus Life in Montreal All universities offer: - International student support services - On-campus housing - Student clubs and associations - Sports and recreation facilities - Career services ## Application Timeline - **Fall Admission:** Apply by January-March - **Winter Admission:** Apply by September-October - **Processing Time:** 2-4 months ## Conclusion Each university offers unique advantages. Consider: - Your language preference (English vs French) - Program specialization - Campus location and lifestyle - Budget and financial aid options - Post-graduation goals Need help choosing the right university? DOCERE can help you evaluate your options and prepare a strong application.