If you’re dreaming of studying in a vibrant, bilingual, and wildly diverse city, Montreal might just be your match made in academic heaven. This gem of Quebec blends old-world charm with high-tech innovation. And when you choose to study in Montreal, you’re stepping into a multicultural universe that ranks consistently among the best student cities in the world. Why? Because it just gets it, affordability, quality education, arts, coffee, and yes, poutine.
With over 35,000 international students calling it home, Montreal isn’t just another university town. It’s a lifestyle. From indie bookstores in Plateau to futuristic AI labs in Mile-Ex, the city lets your intellect and Instagram thrive in harmony. Affordable rent. World-class education. Cultural explosion. Welcome to the Montreal student experience.
Why Montreal is a Magnet for International Students
Let’s cut to the chase, study in Montreal and you’re planting yourself smack in the middle of North America’s most student-friendly hub. It’s not just hype. It’s stats.
Montreal has been ranked Canada’s #1 student city by QS for several years running. And globally? It easily dances into the top 10. That’s not a fluke. It’s the outcome of low tuition fees (especially for Quebec residents), strong post-grad employment opportunities, and an irresistible mix of culture, tech, and academia.
French and English here don’t clash, they collaborate. That dual-language setting? A career flex in any international market. Plus, with some of Canada’s most innovative universities, it’s a paradise for researchers, creators, engineers, artists… basically anyone with a dream and a passport.
Top 10 Universities and Colleges in Montreal
Ready to pick a campus that’ll shape your future? Let’s dive in:
1. McGill University
Arguably Canada’s Ivy League equivalent. Ranked consistently in the top 50 worldwide. Known for its elite research, stunning old-school campus, and programs ranging from Law to Biomedical Engineering. It’s tough to get in, but worth every caffeine-fueled night.
2. Université de Montréal (UdeM)
The largest university in Quebec and the second-largest in Canada. UdeM is a French-language university dominating fields like pharmacology, AI, and neuroscience. Bonus: its architecture department is world-renowned.
3. Concordia University
Bilingual, innovative, and seriously international. Concordia’s John Molson School of Business ranks among the top in North America. A popular choice for digital media, arts, and communications majors.
4. École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS)
If applied engineering is your thing, this is your place. Highly industry-focused, with strong co-op programs. Most students leave with job offers in-hand.
5. HEC Montréal
Top-tier management school affiliated with UdeM. Ideal for those aiming at global business careers and MBA programs. Offers programs in English, French, or both.
6. Polytechnique Montréal
Canada’s top French-language engineering school. Closely tied to industries, which makes internships and work-integrated learning seamless. Known for aerospace and civil engineering.
7. Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
A liberal arts haven. UQAM is perfect if you lean toward humanities, education, or social sciences. Located right downtown, making campus life extra dynamic.
8. Dawson College
A CEGEP (pre-university and technical college) that has a great rep for health sciences, media, and business tech programs.
9. Vanier College
Another major CEGEP, known for its multiculturally rich student body and robust pre-university programs in science and arts.
10. LaSalle College
Private college specializing in design, fashion, hospitality, and tech. Think of it as Montreal’s answer to Parsons or FIT.
Top 10 Student Accommodation Properties in Montreal
- Evo Montreal Downtown
- Campus1 MTL
- The MARQ Montreal
- Résidences UQAM
- Résidences Universitaires McGill
- Jessica’s Student Apartments
- University of Montreal Residences (Les Studios Hôtel)
- The Link Apartments
- HoMa Student Housing
- Saint M Student Residences
Top 10 Student Areas in the City (With Nearby Universities and Housing)
1. Plateau Mont-Royal
Artsy, edgy, and bohemian. Students from UQAM and McGill love the vibe. Easy access to Evo Montreal & Saint M Residences.
2. Downtown (Ville-Marie)
Smack in the middle of everything. Concordia, McGill, and Dawson College students. Nearby housing: Campus1 MTL, The MARQ, Evo.
3. Côte-des-Neiges
Popular with Université de Montréal and HEC students. Affordable rent, close to Résidences UdeM & Les Studios Hôtel.
4. Mile End
Cool, creative, and coffee-saturated. Perfect for art and design students from Concordia or LaSalle. HoMa Housing is nearby.
5. NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce)
Family-friendly, quiet, and very budget-conscious. Ideal for Vanier and Concordia Loyola Campus students. Jessica’s Apartments = top find here.
6. Outremont
Charming, residential, and posh. Close to Polytechnique and UdeM. Expect calm streets and high-end student housing options.
7. Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie
Trendy, affordable, and well-connected. Popular with UQAM and art students. A few coop-style apartments around here.
8. Griffintown
Urban renewal-meets-student-chic. Very close to the downtown campuses. The Link Apartments are hot property here.
9. Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (HoMa)
Up-and-coming. Ideal for students on a tight budget but ambitious spirit. HoMa Student Housing is pretty sought after.
10. Verdun
Affordable, scenic, and calm. On the Green Metro Line to Concordia and McGill. Many share houses and new builds available.
Cost of Living in Montreal for Students
Good news: Montreal is one of Canada’s most affordable big cities.
Here’s a quick monthly breakdown:
- Accommodation: CAD $500 – $1000
- Groceries: CAD $250 – $350
- Public Transport (STM Student Pass): CAD $57
- Phone + Internet: CAD $60 – $80
- Entertainment/eating out: CAD $100 – $200
Overall, you can live well on CAD $1,200–$1,600 per month, depending on your lifestyle and housing choices. Compare that to Vancouver or Toronto, and Montreal wins every time for student budgets.
Local Transport Facilities for Students
Getting around Montreal? Easy, fast, and surprisingly affordable.
The city’s STM network (Société de transport de Montréal) includes four metro lines and over 200 bus routes. The Student Opus card cuts fares down to just CAD $57 per month, way below average for a North American city.
Bonus: Bike lovers, rejoice! BIXI (Montreal’s public bike-sharing program) is wicked cheap with student plans. And when winter kicks in (and it will), those heated underground tunnels between campuses? Lifesavers.
Oh, and walking? Montreal’s downtown is super pedestrian-friendly. Coffee shop to class in 5 minutes flat.
Wrapping It Up: Why You’ll Love Studying in Montreal
To study in Montreal is to live in a city that celebrates students. Seriously, you’re not just a customer here, you’re the culture. World-class schools with global rankings. Housing that doesn’t rob your wallet. Late-night study spots. Multilingual cafés. Poutine with beer at 2 AM. It’s academic hustle meets European-style living.
Add to that a sleek transport system, low living costs, and friendly locals who actually smile at you, and you’ve got a city that doesn’t just accommodate your study abroad plans; it accelerates them.
Know what’s better than dreaming of Montreal?
Living it. And now you know how.
Top 10 FAQs About Studying in Montreal
1. Is Montreal good for international students?
Absolutely. With over 35,000 international students, Montreal is diverse, welcoming, and student-friendly.
2. What is the average cost to live in Montreal as a student?
You’ll need about CAD $1,200–$1,600/month depending on rent, lifestyle, and student discounts.
3. Can I study in Montreal in English?
Yes! McGill and Concordia offer many programs in English. French isn’t mandatory, but it helps.
4. Is Montreal cheaper than Toronto for students?
Yes. Rent and tuition are significantly lower in Montreal compared to Toronto or Vancouver.
5. What’s the weather like?
Crisp winters with snow, warm summers, and colorful autumns. It’s beautiful, just pack a good jacket.
6. Do I need to know French to survive in Montreal?
Nope. But learning French gives you an edge in jobs and makes daily life smoother.
7. Which city area is best for student housing?
Downtown and Plateau are tops. Close to major universities, nightlife, and metro lines.
8. Can I work while studying in Montreal?
Yes. As an international student, you can work 20 hours/week during terms and full-time on breaks.
9. What are the best universities in Montreal?
McGill, Concordia, UdeM, and Polytechnique dominate rankings.
10. Is public transport student-friendly?
100%. With the Opus student card, it’s cheap and efficient, metro, bus, and even night service covered.
