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© Leo Films - Tourisme Montréal
Montreal has an exceptional reputation. It is an innovative business centre, an urban hub of knowledge and culture, and a wonderful place to live. It offers a stimulating environment that is ideal for your personal development. But do you know what sets it apart from other major student cities?
Top rankings, every year
1st
in Canada
2nd
in North America
18th
in the world
Every year, the QS Best Student Cities ranking places Montreal among the best cities for students. What are the criteria? The size of its student population, the possibility of finding a job after graduation, and efforts to promote inclusion, among others. But it is, above all, the opinion of current students that makes the difference. Most describe it as a friendly, sustainable, and diverse city. Many choose to live there after graduation. HEC Montréal is proud to contribute to this excellent reputation.
A diverse and welcoming economic hub
Montreal's energy is the envy of many cities. The city stands out in several cutting-edge economic sectors, including artificial intelligence, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and video games. This ecosystem of innovation and research gives Montreal a powerful appeal. World-renowned employers operate here, forge research partnerships, and recruit on our campus. These include Airbus, Bombardier, Fujitsu, Google, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and the largest accounting firms.
“The diversity of student profiles creates a dynamic and culturally enriching atmosphere. Studying in Montréal also allows me to grow in a bilingual environment, which is ideal for developing my professional skills and introducing me to international finance.”
–
Coline Destrée, student at the Solvay Brussels School (Belgium) and in the dual diploma program at HEC Montréal.
A youthful, safe city of knowledge
Montreal has four major universities and 12 public CEGEPs (colleges). It is home to nearly 200,000 students, including 40,000 international students. The largest campuses are located on the wooded slopes of Mount Royal, the symbolic center of the island of Montreal. They welcome cohorts of young researchers to leading centers such as IVADO, MILA, and HEC Montréal's Tech3Lab. Active and studious, the city is renowned for its friendly neighborhoods and relaxed lifestyle, influenced by its culture of terraces and cafés. It is also one of the safest cities in North America.
“Montréal is home to world-class universities with solid reputations. It is a research hub with internationally recognized institutes. This ecosystem of excellence creates an ideal environment for advancing my doctoral research and establishing links with leading specialists in various disciplines.”
–
Maedeh Sharbaf, PhD student
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© Sylvie Li @ shoot Studio - Tourisme Montréal
A multicultural and stimulating environment
Over the centuries, Montreal has forged international ties that make it a bridge between Europe and America. French-speaking and largely bilingual (French and English), its population forms a veritable human mosaic of more than 180 cultural communities. This diversity is expressed in a vibrant arts scene, with more than 80 annual festivals, 50 museums, and an impressive entertainment district. From the music scene to the visual arts, from the circus to comedy, the city offers a seductive effervescence all year round.
Nature and athletics
The Greater Montreal area is close to nature, with its legendary river, national parks, and Mount Royal. It has hundreds of kilometers of bike paths and numerous sports facilities, including those at CEPSUM, which are accessible to the HEC Montréal student community. In winter, it transforms into a playground: ice skating in the heart of downtown, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in urban parks, and ski trails just a few minutes' drive away. Not to mention major events such as Igloofest, Montréal en lumière, and Canadiens hockey games.
“Montréal is one of the best student cities in North America, especially for athletes. Every university offers incredible sports facilities, such as CEPSUM at Université de Montréal. For me, being so close to the mountains is a major plus. In less than an hour, I can be on the ski hills, which makes it easy to combine my studies and training.”
–
Patrick Lebeau, undergraduate student and member of the Carabins downhill ski team
