Studying in Quebec as an international student offers a unique academic experience. With picturesque landscapes and a distinctive French-speaking culture, Quebec is often viewed as having a European atmosphere in North America. Many students worldwide are drawn to the province for its respected institutions, diverse study options, and welcoming learning environment.
Moreover, Quebec’s well-known universities and colleges provide a wide range of academic programs, and many students find the province comparatively affordable by North American standards. Thanks to its distinct French-speaking atmosphere, students can enrich their learning experience by immersing themselves in a culturally and linguistically diverse setting. That’s why this article will explore some of Quebec’s top universities where students can pursue their studies in the future. Let’s take a look at these schools below!
Top Universities in Quebec for International Students
| INSTITUTION NAME | NOTABLE STUDY AREAS |
|---|
| McGill University | Engineering, Biology, Anatomy and Cell Biology |
| University of Montreal | Law, Economics, Business |
| Concordia University | Communication Studies, Studio Art, Software Engineering |
| Université Laval | Business Administration, Fine Arts, Education |
| Université du Québec à Montréal | Environmental Studies, Arts, Communications |
1. McGill University
McGill University is a public university in Montreal founded in 1821. It is named after Scottish merchant James McGill, whose vision led to the university that bears his name. McGill is home to Canada’s first faculty of medicine, established in 1829. Over the years, it has become known for research and an alumni community that includes Nobel Prize winners, national leaders, inventors, scientists, and athletes.
Moreover, this university is a strong choice in Quebec for international students, particularly for those seeking a major research university in Montreal with a large international student body. Students can choose from a wide range of programs across McGill’s faculties and schools.
A recipient’s path: Yeganeh Habibi, who entered McGill University for a PhD in Chemistry after earning a 3.9/4 bachelor’s GPA at the University of Tehran, approached applications systematically: she built an Excel sheet to score research groups against her priorities, then concentrated on the highest-ranked options while strengthening her statement of purpose, CV, recommendations, English proficiency, GRE, and GRE Chemistry results. Once at McGill, she built toward the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and FRQNT awards by first pursuing smaller departmental funding, sustaining strong research and academics, taking leadership roles, and seeking feedback from mentors and past recipients; she believes her publications, leadership, and coherent personal-to-professional narrative helped distinguish her application. Both major awards required McGill’s institutional nomination. View More McGill University recipients →
2. University of Montreal
The University of Montreal, or Université de Montréal, is a French-language research university in the city after which it is named. It is associated with major research units and institutes, including the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, IVADO, Mila, and the Centre for Research on Public Law.
In addition to research, this top educational provider in Quebec for international students offers higher education through 13 faculties and schools across various disciplines. UdeM’s main Montreal campus is set on Mount Royal and includes about 40 buildings; the university also maintains regional campuses, including Laval, Brossard, Trois-Rivières, and Saint-Hyacinthe.
3. Concordia University
Concordia University is another prominent institution in Quebec and a major English-language research university in Montreal. It was officially founded on August 24, 1974, after the merger of Sir George Williams University and Loyola College. Today, it offers programs across areas such as arts and science, fine arts, engineering and computer science, business, and graduate studies.
Today, the school is recognized for its flexible teaching approach and commitment to addressing societal issues through knowledge and compassion. The Concordia community is anchored to the same values it upholds in academics, where students can find an open, caring, and engaging environment.
In addition, international students can benefit from LEED-certified campus buildings, modern laboratories, research centers, public art installations, and architectural heritage buildings.
4. Université Laval
The Université Laval traces its roots to the Séminaire de Québec, founded in 1663 by François de Montmorency-Laval, Quebec’s first Roman Catholic bishop. The institution became a university in 1852 and is recognized as the first French-language university in North America. While historic, it is also regarded as one of the country’s important research universities.
Université Laval is active with industry and technology partners and supports research across many centers, chairs, institutes, and groups. It has more than 42,500 students and offers a broad academic environment for students who want to study in Quebec City, especially in a primarily French-language setting.
5. Université du Québec à Montréal
The Université du Québec à Montréal is a public French-language university located in downtown Montreal. Its central campus and Pierre-Dansereau Science Complex are located in the Quartier Latin and Quartier des spectacles, placing students close to the city’s cultural and academic life.
In addition, the university offers hundreds of programs through seven faculties and one school, with study areas including arts, communications, education, management, political science and law, science, and social sciences. In fall 2025, UQAM reported 34,845 students, including 4,994 foreign students from 94 countries.
UQAM also maintains international agreements and partnerships with institutions around the world, helping students connect their studies with global academic and research opportunities.
6. Université de Sherbrooke
The Université de Sherbrooke is a public French-language university based in Sherbrooke, Quebec. It operates a main campus and a health campus in Sherbrooke, along with a third campus in Longueuil near Montreal. The university has approximately 31,000 students and eight faculties covering areas such as law, management, education, engineering, humanities, medicine, science, and physical activity sciences.
The university is particularly known for combining classroom learning with practical experience. More than 48 undergraduate programs offer a cooperative format through which students can complete three to five paid work placements in Quebec or elsewhere in the world. This makes Sherbrooke an attractive option for students seeking professional experience alongside their studies.
Research is another important part of the university’s academic environment. Its major research areas include climate change, digital technologies, quantum science, health, aging, and social equity, supported by extensive research infrastructure and international collaboration.
Seunnla Adelusi’s path to Université de Sherbrooke: After an Erasmus Mundus master’s in advanced materials, Seunnla Adelusi sought doctoral projects combining sustainable engineering with industry and became a PhD candidate at Université de Sherbrooke. Her later Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship application began with the university’s internal competition; she prepared by studying how reviewers assess applications, speaking with previous scholars, working with a scholarship support officer, and arranging roughly five or six recommendations early. She says her leadership and volunteering earned her strongest score, while her project proposal, research potential, and consistently strong grades also helped; the award provides CAD $150,000 over three years, after she had initially been funded through a MITACS Accelerate Grant. View More Université de Sherbrooke recipients →
FAQs: Studying in Quebec, Canada
Is Quebec Good for International Students to Study In?
Quebec is an excellent study destination that welcomes more than 60,000 international students each year. It has some of the best universities in Canada and offers recognized academic programs in both French- and English-language institutions.
The best part is that many programs remain comparatively affordable by North American standards. The province notes that tuition fees for international students and the cost of living are among the lowest in North America. However, students should budget carefully: as of January 1, 2026, one foreign student applying to study in Quebec must show at least CAD $24,617 for one year of essential living expenses, in addition to tuition, transportation, health insurance, and other required costs.
Can International Students Work in Quebec While Studying?
Part of the authorization to study in Quebec is demonstrating your capacity to cover tuition fees and living expenses. However, you can still work in Quebec if you meet your study permit conditions. Eligible international students can work on campus without a work permit if they are full-time students at a designated learning institution, have a valid study permit with work conditions, and have a social insurance number. Eligible students can also work off campus without a separate work permit for up to 24 hours per week during regular school terms and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks.
Quebec is an ideal choice for international students who want a rewarding and diverse educational experience. With its famous universities, comparatively affordable cost of living, and multilingual culture, students can grow academically, culturally, and linguistically. Consider this province’s institutions listed above if you want to pursue a degree in Canada!
We hope this article on the best universities in Quebec for international students was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
