Concordia University

Overview

Concordia University was officially founded on August 24, 1974, through the merger of Loyola College and Sir George Williams University. It is a public university that teaches in English, in a mostly French-speaking city. The Sir George Williams Campus is in downtown Montreal, served by the Guy-Concordia metro station, and the Loyola Campus is about 6.5 km to the west. A free shuttle bus links them in about 30 minutes.

Concordia's faculties include fine arts, the John Molson School of Business and the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science.

How to apply

There is no Quebec-wide application. You apply through Concordia's own online application, reached from its how to apply page. Deadlines differ by program and applicant type, and fine arts programs that need portfolios or auditions tend to close earlier, so confirm the 2027 dates on your program page before planning.

Fine arts programs typically require a portfolio, audition or letter of intent. Some other programs ask for a letter of intent or extra documents. These appear on the program's admission requirements page.

How grades are considered

Quebec CEGEP students are assessed mainly by R score in the required courses (see our R score explainer). High school graduates from other provinces and the US are assessed on their Grade 11 and 12 or US high school record, and because Quebec students do a two-year CEGEP before university, applicants who finished secondary school outside Quebec are considered for the Extended Credit Program (ECP), which adds 30 credits to the regular degree requirements. For these students a degree normally takes four years, and some programs take five.

Co-op is offered in a number of programs, including in engineering and computer science and in business; check the program page for how and when to apply.

Choosing between the two campuses

Your program decides your home campus. Business, engineering and computer science, fine arts and many social sciences and humanities programs are mostly downtown at Sir George Williams, while applied human sciences, natural sciences, psychology, communication studies and journalism are at Loyola. Students in the downtown core live with city noise and easy metro access; Loyola is in a quieter residential area. Check where your first-year classes are before choosing a residence or apartment.

Costs and funding

Quebec sets different rates for Quebec residents, students from other provinces and international students, and some exemptions apply. Concordia publishes current figures on its official costs and financial aid page. International students need a Quebec acceptance certificate (CAQ) and a federal study permit; begin at the Government of Canada page on studying in Canada.

Getting ready with StudyBrix

• Fine arts and humanities students write letters of intent: practise with the academic English bridge.
• Engineering and computer science: review calculus readiness and read how to study for first-year calculus.
• Want to work in Quebec later? Start on French with our French learning guide.

See also our guide to universities in Canada.