Quebec is one of Canada’s most culturally distinctive study destinations. For students interested in studying public health, this French-speaking province has several strong universities to choose from.
In the evolving field of public health, universities in Quebec offer programs that can equip you with skills in population health, epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, community health, and health services. Whether you are drawn to French-language education, bilingual urban settings, or the opportunity to pursue world-class higher education, Quebec should be on your list.
In this article, we will discuss the best schools for public health in Quebec!
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in Quebec
1. McGill University
Located in downtown Montreal, McGill University is one of Canada’s leading public research universities. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, McGill ranked 27th globally and was named the top university in Canada.
McGill’s Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, within the School of Population and Global Health, offers the Master of Science in Public Health and related graduate programs in epidemiology, biostatistics, and occupational health.
One notable option is McGill’s dual-degree opportunity with the University of Bordeaux in France in Public Health Data Science and Digital Public Health. Students in the master’s pathway begin at McGill and complete an international research and practice component, while doctoral students complete study at both McGill and Bordeaux.
McGill students can also explore exchange options through McGill Abroad, including the public health study exchange with the University of Melbourne. Students comparing international study destinations may also find our profiles of Kyoto University and the University of Virginia useful, but current exchange eligibility should always be confirmed through McGill’s official exchange partner tool.
2. University of Montreal
Founded in 1878, the University of Montreal is a major French-language university in Canada. With its affiliated schools, Polytechnique Montréal and HEC Montréal, UdeM has more than 71,000 students and is one of the largest university complexes in North America. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, UdeM is ranked 150th globally.
The University of Montreal is home to one of Quebec’s strongest public health schools. Its School of Public Health, ESPUM, is accredited by both the Council on Education for Public Health and the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation, and UdeM describes it as the only French-language school to hold both accreditations.
Students interested in public health can choose from programs in public health, health services administration, bioethics, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, health technology assessment, and biostatistics, along with doctoral and professional doctorate options.
The city of Montreal is one of the largest and most culturally diverse cities in Canada. Outside of class time, students will have plenty to explore in this global city. Some of the best-known attractions include the Canadian Grand Prix, Notre-Dame Basilica, and the Old Port of Montreal.
3. Laval University
Université Laval traces its origins to the Séminaire de Québec, founded in 1663, and became a university in 1852. It is recognized as the first French-language university in North America. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, Laval is placed in the 251–300 band.
Laval University offers public health study at the master’s and doctoral levels. Its Master of Science in Public Health is a 51-credit program with an estimated two-year full-time duration, and its Doctorate in Public Health and Community Health is a 90-credit program with an estimated four-year full-time duration.
The master’s program covers determinants of health and applied training in the design, implementation, and evaluation of interventions to improve population health and health equity. Students can study topics such as health promotion, environmental health, global health, evaluation, epidemiology, public policy, and community health.
Laval University is home to a wide array of student and extracurricular associations that cover many hobbies and interests. With more than 230 associations, students have many opportunities to get involved.
4. University of Sherbrooke
- Study Program
- Degrees Offered: Master’s, Ph.D., postgraduate medical diploma/residency
Founded in 1954, the University of Sherbrooke is a French-language public university in Estrie. The university currently reports 33,007 students across its programs, along with three campuses, eight faculties, and hundreds of programs.
The Department of Community Health Sciences is connected to Sherbrooke’s public health and population health training. The department lists the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency among its postdoctoral medical studies, while the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences offers research master’s and doctoral programs in health sciences that include areas such as community health, epidemiology, population health, health services, worker health, mental health, and addictions.
The specialized second-cycle medical diploma in public health and preventive medicine is a full-time program mainly composed of stages, with duration and content depending on medical college requirements. This pathway is intended for medical graduates pursuing specialized public health and preventive medicine training.
The main university campus is located in Sherbrooke, a well-known student city in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. While the city is smaller than Montreal, there is still plenty to do, including parks, cultural venues, and outdoor activities around Parc du Mont-Bellevue and the downtown area.
FAQS About Studying Public Health in Canada
Is public health in high demand in Canada?
Yes, public health can be a promising field in Canada, but demand varies by occupation, location, and level of specialization. Government sources identify environmental public health officers as an in-demand profession, and recent federal labor-market data show that many health-related occupations continue to face shortage risks. However, not every public health role has the same outlook; for example, health policy researchers, consultants, and program officers near Montreal recently experienced a major labor shortage, while their 2025–2027 outlook is listed as limited.
With this in mind, Quebec is home to several excellent public health universities. For students interested in this subject, the region offers many great options, both inside and outside the classroom, with which to start your public health education. If finances are hindering your dream to study public health, you can check out the list of free public health schools on our page and sample the various scholarships in Quebec to help finance your degree.
There is no doubt that Quebec stands out as an academically rich region for studying public health. Each institution mentioned above offers unique opportunities that apply to several interests and career goals of international students. Explore these options and begin your studies and future in public health right away!
We hope this article is informative. If you are interested in learning and acquiring more information, check out the Study in Canada and Available Courses for International Students, which contain more articles.
