The idea of studying in Canada and studying in a city animated that possesses all the characteristic traits of a major North American city but the’the intimacy and culture of a European city does it seem attractive to you? If so, then Montreal could be exactly what you are looking for. Louise, the founder of Expat, attended the open days of McGill and Concordia to discover what these world-renowned universities Montreal We have to offer.
During her stay, she also met alumni of’Expat Student to get an inside view not only of studies in these prestigious institutions but also to discover how they settled in this vibrant city. When she invited them to dinner and asked them about their life in Montreal, the feedback has been unanimously positive:
- I love the fact that the city is bilingual, so as for me, I can speak French one minute and then English the next – that made me feel at home but also greatly helped to improve my English!
- I feel really safe here, the people are friendly and support each other, and I feel that both on and off campus, which is great!
- I love it here! There is always something to do – whether you prefer relaxing in a cute little café or going to watch an ice hockey match, you will never be bored.
Why study in Canada? McGill University is a very good place to start!
Open days, a very good way to discover the university complex: campus, accommodation, libraries...
From touring the accommodation and discovering the teaching facilities and extracurricular activities, to chatting with students and lecturers, open days offer prospective students and their parents a unique opportunity to explore what each university and campus has to offer. Their aim is to help students see whether this particular university is right for them...
Louise began her exploration on the historic downtown campus of McGill located on the slope of Mount Royal. Founded in 1821 and with an impressive list of alumni, it is easy to understand why this university and its red-brick buildings attract students from more than 150 countries across the world, which then represent 30% of the student body. Enough to convince us to study in Canada.
A very wide range of training courses recognised worldwide
McGill offers a wealth of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, all taught in English and distributed across its two campuses, but it is particularly known for its undergraduate programmes such as the Bachelor of Commerce from her Desautels Faculty of Management with its international outlook and its focus on critical thinking. On top of that, there is a multitude of options within the Faculty of Engineering which focuses not only on the development of knowledge in the fields of science and technology but also places a strong emphasis on teamwork and interpersonal skills, ensuring that engineers are trained from the best possible way.
Student wellbeing at the heart of the university's concerns
In addition to the excellent academic programmes offered, McGill also offers a wealth of support for students through initiatives such as the Student Wellness Hub and the Programme Buddy. International students in particular can benefit from the scheme Mate which pairs them with current students who provide a friendly face and give plenty of advice on life at McGill. As students enter their final years of study, McGill offers invaluable guidance through its Career Planning Service, which offers workshops, job fairs and one-on-one counselling sessions so that students can be sure they are making the right decisions as they enter the world of work. Everything is done to encourage studying in Canada!
Think about Expat Student’s support to apply to McGill!
With such advantages, studying in Canada and more specifically in McGill and its application process is no small feat. That is precisely where’Expat Student can help you. Whether you are exploring your options or ready to apply, we have the expertise and knowledge to guide you through every step of the process. Admission requirements vary from one programme to another, but you must have excellent grades over the last three years of study.
Concordia, the other Montreal university
The university Next Generation
The next stage of Louise’s tour was the’Concordia University with its mix of old and new buildings, reflecting both its history and its focus on what they call the « university« next generation, aligning learning opportunities with the significant challenges facing society. The university itself is split across two campuses, one of the downtown Montreal and the other one easily accessible just outside the town centre.
There are good reasons why Concordia is a particularly attractive option for students to study in Canada. Every undergraduate and postgraduate programme is taught exclusively in English, offers a practical experience, More than 20% of the students come from abroad and the majority of courses have fewer than 60 students enrolled, which creates a warm atmosphere whilst maintaining a diverse student body and a progressive outlook.
A leading university for the arts, engineering and international business
The Faculties of Arts, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science as well as the’John Molson School of Business are the most popular among local and international students. Among the popular undergraduate courses are the political science, mechanical engineering and international trade, to name but a few. Concordia also offers students the freedom to choose a major when applying, but to modify this choice when they start their course if they change their mind.
As part of the open day, Louise attended a Presentation to find out more about a particular aspect of the offer Concordia the undergraduate cooperative education programme. In addition to the regular internship programmes offered, each year, through the cooperation programme, Concordia offers 1,500 students undergraduate a unique form of flexibility in the approach to the structure of their studies. Students who apply to participate are supported to identify and secure 3 paid internships related to their degree. This means not only that when they enter the full-time labour market, they have experimented with different roles and created invaluable connections with other professionals in their chosen field, but also that students leave university equipped with the skills necessary to seek their future employment.
Get help to enter Concordia and study in Canada!
Apply to Concordia may be a long and complicated process as it involves different requirements depending on the chosen course: some require interviews, others work examples and cover letters. That is where’Expat Student can help ensure that students are fully prepared and that every document, or potential interview, reflects them in their best light.
Choose the City of a Thousand Lights to study in Canada
More than just a university town: during her stay in Montreal, Louise fell in love with the city, «from the small independent bookshops and boutiques to the interconnected passageways of the underground city with its many attractions, there is no denying that Montreal has a unique charm.» So, when students are not busy with their studies, there are plenty of ways to spend their free time. With the endless number of art galleries, concerts and sporting events, it is little wonder that Montreal was voted 6th in the QS Best Student Cities index in the world in 2019 (Source).
Do you live in France or have French nationality?
This means that you can benefit from the same tuition fees as Canadian students, making Quebec universities a very competitive option for many students.
