It is not surprising that Montreal is a popular place for students to study. As Canada’s second most populous city and Quebec’s main metropolis, Montreal offers something for everyone.
Montreal is rich in French colonial history that dates back to the 16th century, and the majority of the city’s population speak French as their first language. In fact, Montreal is considered the second largest French-speaking city in the world, after Paris.
Home to more than 50 research chairs, two English-language and two French-language universities, Montreal is an important hub for higher education. If you are interested in studying in this vibrant city, these are the best universities in Montreal according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022.
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1. McGill University
McGill University in 1885.
There are 11 faculties and schools on campus, including the faculty of agricultural and environmental sciences, faculty of dentistry and Schulich School of Music among others. Within each of these are a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
The university is known for its research and innovation. In 1908 Ernest Rutherford was awarded a Nobel Prize in chemistry for his research into radioactivity that he carried out at the university. Since then McGill has developed partnerships with 99 research nations to facilitate academic and scientific exchange.
Students have the opportunity to participate in the university’s exchange programme, which encourages global learning. Undergraduates can study abroad at one of McGill’s partner institutions for a semester or an entire academic year. As part of this exchange, McGill welcomes a number of international students from more than 150 countries every year.
Alongside their studies, students are encouraged to get involved in the various events, clubs and societies on offer at the university.
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The University of Montreal was founded in 1878 in the city’s Quartier Latin. In 1942 it moved to its current premises on Mount Royal.
There are eight campuses around the city. The main campus covers 65 hectares and has three metro stations nearby. The university encourages sustainability on this campus, with its environmentally friendly resources and biodiversity.
When the university was first established it had only three faculties: law, medicine and theology. It has since expanded to 13 faculties including arts and science, environmental design, optometry, and veterinary medicine among others. The university is also affiliated with two schools: HEC Montréal (School of Business) and Polytechnique Montréal (School of Engineering). All undergraduate courses are taught in French.
Outside the classroom students have the opportunity to get involved in a diverse range of leisure activities, from live music to art exhibitions. There are also various academic, cultural and sports clubs for students.
The university is one of Canada’s leading research institutions.The university’s research centres include the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer and the International Centre for Comparative Criminology.
In 1974 Loyola College merged with Sir George Williams University to form Concordia University.
The university’s two campuses are named after its founding institutions. Sir George Williams Campus in Quartier Concordia, downtown Montreal, is the university’s main campus. Loyola Campus is located in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district, a quieter and more residential area.
The university is organised into four faculties and schools: faculty of arts and science, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, faculty of fine arts, and John Molson School of Business. Within these there are a range of undergraduate and graduate courses. The university is one of three in Quebec that uses English as the primary language of instruction.
There are about 47,000 students, 20 per cent of whom are international, representing 150 countries between them. The university has developed partnerships with higher education institutions around the world to facilitate student exchange programmes.
Concordia carries out research in aerospace, AI, cities, digital arts, health, and synthetic biology, among others. The university has 21 research centres and 118 research chairs.
The top universities in Montreal 2022
Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2022
| World University Rank 2022 | Montreal Rank 2022 | University |
| 44 | 1 | McGill University |
| =88 | 2 | University of Montreal |
| 601–800 | 3 | Concordia University |
Read more: Best universities in Canada
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