Montreal carries more than 60,000 international students a year across Quebec's institutions, and the choice between them is rarely about prestige alone. Language of instruction, how tuition is set, and whether a school even appears in the world rankings all change the calculation.
This guide compares the five institutions international students ask about most, using the QS World University Rankings 2027 published on June 18, 2026, and each university's own published fees.
How the five compare
| Institution | QS World University Rankings 2027 | Main language | International students |
|---|---|---|---|
| McGill University | 30 | English | 33% |
| Université de Montréal | 162 (tied) | French | 23% |
| Concordia University | 497 (tied) | English | 31% |
| Polytechnique Montréal | Not ranked | French | See below |
| HEC Montréal | Not ranked | French | See below |
McGill University
McGill is the highest-ranked institution in the city and one of the highest in Canada, sitting at 30th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. A third of its students come from outside Canada, the largest international share of the five.
Teaching is in English, and the main campus sits downtown at the foot of Mount Royal. QS scores McGill particularly strongly on academic reputation and employment outcomes.
It is also the most competitive of the five to enter. Admission requirements differ by faculty and by the school system you are coming from, and published cut-offs move from year to year, so check the requirements for your specific programme rather than relying on a general average.
Université de Montréal
UdeM is the largest French-language university in North America and ranks 162nd (tied) in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with 23% international students.
It is the natural choice if you intend to study in French and build a francophone network in Quebec. That matters beyond the classroom: French ability feeds into several Quebec immigration pathways after graduation.
Applicants are normally asked to demonstrate French proficiency. Requirements vary by faculty, and some programmes accept coursework in place of a test.
Concordia University
Concordia ranks 497th (tied) in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and has a 31% international student body — proportionally close to McGill.
Its reputation with international applicants rests less on ranking than on structure: English-language teaching, two campuses, co-op options in many programmes, and strong fine arts, communications and engineering offerings.
Polytechnique Montréal
Polytechnique is an engineering school affiliated with Université de Montréal, teaching mainly in French.
It does not appear in the QS World University Rankings, and that absence says nothing about quality — see the next section.
HEC Montréal
HEC Montréal is Université de Montréal's business school, founded in 1907. It teaches mainly in French and holds the triple accreditation — AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA — that only a small group of business schools worldwide carry.
Like Polytechnique, it is not in the QS World University Rankings.
Why two of them have no world ranking
The QS World University Rankings measure comprehensive universities. Specialised institutions — a standalone engineering school, a standalone business school — are not assessed on the same basis, so they are simply absent from the table.
Reading that absence as a quality signal is a mistake, and it is the reason we no longer publish a single "top 5" ordering. For HEC and Polytechnique, accreditation and subject-level standing are the meaningful comparisons, not a world rank they were never eligible for.
What tuition actually costs
Quebec does not set one international tuition rate, which is why any range you read on a blog goes stale quickly.
According to Quebec's own guidance on tuition and cost of living:
- For undergraduate programmes, and graduate programmes leading to professional practice, tuition is determined by each university.
- For research-based graduate and post-graduate programmes, a lump-sum charge is added on top of basic tuition.
- Exemptions from the differential tuition fees exist, through scholarships and international agreements among other routes.
So the only reliable figure is the one your institution publishes:
- McGill University
- Université de Montréal tuition rates
- Concordia tuition and financial aid
- HEC Montréal tuition fees
- Polytechnique Montréal tuition fees
Separately from tuition, Quebec requires you to show CAD 24,617 for one person for one year to cover basic needs. That amount excludes tuition and travel, and it rises with each accompanying family member.
The immigration steps are the same wherever you go
Your choice of institution does not change the paperwork. For any of the five you will need a CAQ from Quebec first, then a federal study permit — and the institution must be a designated learning institution.
Two things about the school you pick do matter. Quebec now caps the number of temporary selection applications it accepts per institution, so a popular school can reach its ceiling. And your programme has to run at least six months and lead to a degree, diploma or certificate for you to work off campus.
Our complete guide to Quebec study permits walks through the sequence, the fees and the current processing times.
Frequently asked questions
Which Montreal university is easiest to get into?
None of the five publishes a single admission threshold, because requirements are set per faculty and per programme. Compare the requirements for your intended programme rather than the institution as a whole.
Can I study in English in Montreal?
Yes. McGill and Concordia teach in English. UdeM, Polytechnique and HEC teach mainly in French, though HEC offers some programmes in English.
Does studying in French help my immigration prospects?
French proficiency is weighted in several Quebec pathways after graduation, so studying in French can help. It is one factor among several, not a guarantee.
Is a lower-ranked university a weaker choice?
Not necessarily. Rankings measure research-heavy comprehensive universities, and two of the five institutions here are not eligible for them at all. Programme fit, language, co-op availability and cost usually matter more to an international student's outcome.
Key takeaways
- In the QS World University Rankings 2027, McGill sits at 30, Université de Montréal at 162 (tied) and Concordia at 497 (tied).
- HEC Montréal and Polytechnique Montréal are not ranked in the QS World University Rankings because it measures comprehensive universities. That is not a quality judgment.
- Language of instruction is the biggest practical split: English at McGill and Concordia, mainly French at UdeM, Polytechnique and HEC.
- Quebec lets each university set undergraduate international tuition, so only the institution's own fee page is authoritative.
- Whichever you choose, you need a CAQ then a study permit, and the institution must be a designated learning institution.
Plan your application
If you want help comparing programmes and mapping the immigration steps that follow, book a free consultation. Submitting the form starts a conversation; it does not send an application to any authority and does not promise an outcome.
DOCERE provides technological and administrative support and coordinates your project. Regulated legal work — advice, filing and representation — is handled by our partner lawyers (members of the Quebec Bar) or a regulated immigration consultant. DOCERE is not a law firm and not an authorized immigration representative.
All sources were verified on August 13, 2026.