Concordia University
Université Concordia
An English-language university in downtown Montreal, known for engineering, business, film and fine arts.
- Students
- 43,973
- 36,456 undergraduates
- International
- 17%
- of students
- Tuition
- CA$30,300
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1974
About Concordia
Concordia University was formed in 1974 by merging Loyola College (founded 1896) and Sir George Williams University (founded 1926); its name draws on Montreal's motto, Concordia salus. It is one of Montreal's two English-language universities and teaches about 44,000 students in credit courses, around 36,500 of them undergraduates, plus several thousand more in continuing education.
Teaching is organised into four faculties: Arts and Science, Fine Arts, the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, and the John Molson School of Business, plus a School of Graduate Studies and a School of Health. Engineering and computer science account for about a quarter of enrolment and about 45% of international students. Concordia is also known for fine arts and film through the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, and its Institute for Co-operative Education runs co-op versions of more than 70 bachelor's and master's programs.
The university has two campuses about 7 km apart: the Sir George Williams Campus in downtown Montreal, nearly 40 buildings around Guy-Concordia metro station, and the leafy Loyola Campus in Notre-Dame-de-Grace, linked by a free shuttle bus. Concordia suits students who want a big-city, English-language university in a French-speaking city, clear published cut-off averages, and tuition set by Quebec that is lower than at many Canadian universities for international students.
Why students choose Concordia
Program pages publish minimum cut-off averages for each qualification, for example IB 29 with math for Computer Science and IB 27 for Mechanical Engineering.
The Sir George Williams Campus is connected by tunnel to Guy-Concordia metro station in downtown Montreal.
Co-op versions of more than 70 bachelor's and master's programs include 12 to 17 week paid work terms.
Canadian applicants with strong grades can get a guaranteed $4,000 Concordia Undergraduate Excellence Award, and all applicants are automatically considered for entrance scholarships.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry (September 2027)
Selectivity
Concordia does not publish an acceptance rate. Each program lists minimum cut-off averages by qualification, which it says are indicators that can change with the applicant pool; meeting them does not guarantee admission.
Typical entry requirements
| Quebec CEGEP (CRC / R-score) | Computer Science 25 overall, 26 math; Mechanical Engineering 25 overall, 23 math, 22 physics; Accountancy 26 overall, 26 math; Psychology 27.5 |
|---|---|
| Canadian or US high school | Computer Science B overall, B+ math; Mechanical Engineering B- overall, B in math and physics; Accountancy B overall, B in math; Psychology (BA) B |
| IB Diploma | Computer Science 29 with 4 HL or 5 SL math; Mechanical Engineering 27 with 4 HL or 5 SL math and 5 in physics; Accountancy 29 with 4 HL or 5 SL math; Psychology (BA) 29. IB students enter the 120-credit Extended Credit Program with transfer credit for HL scores of 4+ |
| Baccalaureat francais | Computer Science 13 overall, 14 math; Mechanical Engineering 11 overall, 12 math and science; Psychology (BA) 13 |
| GCE A-levels | Two A-levels required; you may apply with lower-sixth results and predicted A-level grades |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 70 TOEFL iBT 70 (tests from January 2026 on the new scale: 4.0 with no section below 3.5); IELTS Academic 6.0 with no component under 5.5; Duolingo 105 with no subscore under 90; CAEL 50. |
Deadlines
- Recommended date for US and international applicants (Fall 2027) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 monthsFebruary 1, 2027
Concordia asks international applicants to apply no later than February 1 to allow time for immigration documents, and recommends applying earlier.
- Fall entry deadline Non-binding In ~5 monthsMarch 1, 2027
Official deadline for September entry for programs such as Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Accountancy and Psychology. Admission may close after the deadline without notice.
Program pages give March 1 for fall entry and November 1 for winter entry (August 1 recommended for international applicants to the winter term). Some programs set their own deadlines and supplementary requirements, so check your program page.
How to apply
Apply online directly to Concordia (Quebec CEGEP students include their permanent code; Ontario students can add their OUAC number). Upload unofficial transcripts with current courses and mid-year grades; official transcripts are requested only after admission. Some programs, especially in Fine Arts, need extra documents such as a letter of intent, portfolio, interview or audition.
What admissions looks for
- An overall average at or above the program's published cut-off in your qualification (CRC, letter grades, IB points or equivalent).
- Program prerequisites, such as pre-calculus or calculus for business, computer science and engineering, and physics for engineering.
- Proof of English proficiency where required, without which the file cannot move forward.
- For some programs, extra material such as a letter of intent, portfolio, interview or audition.
Tips for applying to Concordia
- 1 Treat the published cut-offs as minimums: Concordia says they change with the applicant pool and do not guarantee admission.
- 2 International applicants should submit by February 1, not March 1, so there is time to obtain immigration documents before September.
- 3 Upload mid-year grades and your current course list when you apply; it speeds up the review.
- 4 Check whether you qualify for an international fee exemption: some students, such as French and Francophone Belgian citizens, pay much lower rates.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CAD
All applicants are automatically considered for entrance scholarships, which the faculties award on academic ranking through the winter and spring. Canadian students who show academic excellence receive a guaranteed C$4,000 Concordia Undergraduate Excellence Award, and there are bursaries and a work-study program for students in financial need. Some international students qualify for fee exemptions, and students from outside Quebec pay reduced fees for French courses.
- Guaranteed C$4,000 entrance award
- Concordia Undergraduate Excellence Award (students in Canada)
- Up to 20 hours a week on campus for students in financial need
- Work-study program
Academics
Academic calendar: Fall and winter terms, plus summer
Computer Science (BCompSc)
Offered by the Gina Cody School, with a Computer Games option and cut-offs of B overall and B+ in math (IB 29).
Mechanical Engineering (BEng)
Part of an engineering school that enrols about 45% of Concordia's international students; graduates have been hired by GE Healthcare, Dassault and Ford.
Accountancy (BComm)
A John Molson School of Business program leading to careers in auditing, taxation and forensic accounting.
Film Production (BFA)
Taught in the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema and admitted with a portfolio; alumni of Concordia include Academy Award-winning animator Torill Kove.
Psychology (BA or BSc)
Available as an arts degree without math or as a science degree requiring calculus, biology, chemistry and physics.
Research
- The Applied Science Hub on the Loyola Campus (opened 2020) brings together Arts and Science, the Gina Cody School and the District 3 Innovation Centre.
- The District 3 Innovation Centre supports student and community start-ups.
- The Milieux Institute hosts research clusters such as TAG, where students explore games and machine learning.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Science
- Faculty of Fine Arts
- Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science
- John Molson School of Business
- School of Health
- School of Graduate Studies
Student life
Most students live off campus and commute, so daily life is spread across downtown Montreal. The Sir George Williams Campus is nearly 40 buildings, from glass towers to century-old row houses, linked underground to the metro; Loyola, a free shuttle ride west, has early-20th-century architecture, science facilities and green space. The Stingers compete in U Sports, Le Gym sits in the EV Building, and dedicated student centres support Indigenous, Black and francophone students. Concordia's student groups, galleries and performance venues give the downtown campus an arts-school side.
- Stingers varsity teams compete in the Quebec conference of U Sports.
- The Leonard and Bina Ellen Art Gallery is in the Hall Building.
- The historic Grey Nuns reading room is a silent study space.
- Free shuttle buses link the downtown and Loyola campuses.
Housing. Residence rooms cost C$5,352-12,920 for the 8-month year and require a C$6,705 meal plan; most students rent apartments, which Concordia budgets at about C$1,100 a month.
Location
Montreal is a bilingual city known for its festivals, food and neighbourhood life, with a metro system that makes a car unnecessary. Concordia's downtown campus is built around Guy-Concordia metro station, and the Loyola Campus is in the residential west-end district of Notre-Dame-de-Grace. French is the language of everyday life, but you can study entirely in English at Concordia. Winters are cold and snowy, and the underground tunnels to the metro help.
Nearest airport: Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Notable alumni
- RC Regine ChassagneMusician and co-founder of Arcade Fire
- TK Torill KoveAnimator and Academy Award winner for animated short film
- GC Gina CodyEngineer and businesswoman; Concordia's engineering school is named after her
- AP Antoni PorowskiChef and television personality
- MM Mohan MunasinghePhysicist and Vice-Chair of the IPCC, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
- RD Rosie DouglasFormer Prime Minister of Dominica
- SM Stuart McLeanBroadcaster and author
- RB Rene BalcerScreenwriter and producer of Law and Order
Frequently asked questions
What average do you need to get into Concordia?
It depends on the program. Computer Science lists B overall with B+ in math (IB 29, CEGEP R-score 25), Mechanical Engineering B- overall (IB 27) and Psychology (BA) B (IB 29). These are minimum cut-offs and do not guarantee admission.
What is Concordia's application deadline for fall 2027?
March 1, 2027 for most programs. US and international applicants are asked to apply by February 1, 2027 to leave time for immigration documents.
How much does Concordia cost for international students?
At 2026-27 rates, a full-time year of tuition is C$30,300 in Fine Arts, C$34,800 in Arts and Science, C$38,550 in Engineering and Computer Science and C$42,000 in Business, before compulsory fees and health insurance.
Do I need to speak French to study at Concordia?
No. Concordia teaches in English and requires proof of English proficiency (for example IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 70) from applicants whose first language is not English.
Does Concordia require the SAT or ACT?
No. SAT and ACT are not required; AP exams are optional and can earn advanced standing.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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