Studying in Montreal – A Guide for Postgraduate Students

If you’re thinking of studying a PhD in Canada, why not consider the biggest city in the Quebec region, Montreal! From affordable living costs to world-renowned universities and a bustling city life, Montreal has plenty to offer.

We’ve covered everything you need to know about studying in Montreal, including top universities, living costs and career opportunities.

Why study your PhD in Montreal?

Here’s a snapshot of what’s on offer for postgraduate students in Montreal:

• Affordable study: Not only are the tuition fees for international students in the Quebec region among the lowest in North America, but Montreal is also one of the cheaper cities to live in Canada.
• Hub for research: Montreal is known as a hub for Artificial Intelligence research and international companies like Google and Microsoft have invested hugely in the sector.
• Prime location: Located in the south-east of the country, Montreal is at a comfortable distance from cities like Vancouver and Ottawa and also some big US cities!
• Cultural hub: Whether you’re interested in music, arts, theatre or sports, you’ll find that there is never a dull day in Montreal!

Even though living costs in Montreal are fairly average as compared the rest of Canada, they may still be higher than many other countries. With some careful budgeting, you should be able to keep costs down. To get you started, here are some examples of typical expenses in Montreal:

These rent estimates are for private, one-bedroom apartments, but you can cut down on costs by some smart accommodation choices. Living in a student residence or shared house is usually cheaper than renting an entire place privately. For example, the price of a shared room at a McGill University student accommodation varies between CAD$800-CAD$1,000.

International students with a valid study permit can work during their course. However, there might be some restrictions, depending on the kind of work you do. As a student in Canada, you can either work on or off-campus.

There is no limit to the number of hours you can work on-campus. On-campus jobs could include research or library assistant or staff at the university café.

Students who choose to work off-campus can only work 20 hours a week during term time. Casual off-campus jobs include working as a courier or sales assistant at shops.

Read more about working while studying in our guide.

Montreal offers the best of both worlds, combining a modern city with the charm of a quaint old French town.

Roam the cobbled streets of Old Montreal and enjoy the Parisian flair of this historic neighbourhood. You can head to the Bonsecours Market for some shopping or just walk around and take in the stunning architecture.

Another iconic neighbourhood of the city, the Plateau, is one of the best places in Montreal to experience food, theatre and art or to just amble and admire the Victorian architecture

Spend some time outdoors in one of Montreal largest green spaces, the Mount Royal Park, where you can also enjoy canoeing in the summer and skiing during wintertime.

For the sports fans, there’s the Circuit Giles-Villeneuve, home of the Canadian Grand Prix!

With the Canadian government’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you can work in Canada for up to three years, depending on the length of your course. If you’re keen to start your career in Montreal, there’s no shortage of opportunities in sectors like aerospace, technology, artificial intelligence and game development.

Read more about how to work in Canada after your studies in our guide.

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