What Should I Know About Concordia University in Montreal?

Concordia University is a comprehensive, research-oriented university in Montreal, Quebec, and it presents itself as a "next-generation university" where students have the freedom to shape and pursue their own academic goals. If you are considering it as a Montreal study option, the practical starting points are: identify your level of study (undergraduate, graduate, continuing education, or executive education), browse programs by faculty or school, and use the open house, information sessions, or campus tours to test the fit before applying.

What kind of university is Concordia?

Concordia describes itself as one of Canada's most innovative and diverse, comprehensive universities, located in what it calls a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Two phrases in its own framing are worth noting:

• "Next-generation university" — the emphasis is on giving students freedom to create and then pursue their own academic goals, rather than prescribing a single rigid path.
• Comprehensive and diverse — it spans arts, science, engineering, fine arts, and business rather than specializing in one domain.

That breadth matters if you are undecided between, say, a science field and a business or fine arts direction, because the program search covers multiple faculties under one institution.

What can you study?

Concordia organizes study options into four levels and groups its academic offerings under faculties and schools.

The faculties and schools listed are:

• Faculty of Arts and Science
• Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science
• Faculty of Fine Arts
• John Molson School of Business
• School of Graduate Studies

If you already know your discipline, going straight to the relevant faculty or school narrows the search fastest. If you don't, the general program search is the better entry point.

How do you find a program that fits?

Concordia provides a Find your program search plus a Browse all programs option. The intended workflow is:

1. Enter the program search or browse the full list.
2. Filter or scan by faculty/school if you have a field in mind.
3. Cross-check the level (undergraduate vs. graduate) so you land on the right admissions path.

The expected result is a shortlist of programs you can then take into an information session or open house for specific questions about admission requirements and curriculum — details the program search itself is not meant to answer.

How can you engage before applying?

Concordia runs several ways to explore the university, both in person and remotely:

• Open House — a campus-wide event where you can meet professionals and students and explore both campuses. A listed example date is Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with registration required.
• Information sessions — offered in person or virtually, covering admissions, academics, and student life.
• In-person tours — campus visits for prospective students.
• Virtual events — remote alternatives if you can't travel to Montreal.
• Updates sign-up — for future students who want to stay informed.

For graduate applicants specifically, there is also a "Connect with our team" option through the graduate information sessions.

A practical way to decide

Use this sequence to move from interest to a decision:

1. Pick your level — undergraduate, graduate, continuing education, or executive education. This determines which admissions process and events apply to you.
2. Shortlist programs — use Find your program, then confirm the faculty or school.
3. Attend an information session or open house — this is where you get answers on admissions, academics, and student life that the program listing won't cover.
4. Visit if you can — an in-person tour lets you see both campuses, which is useful given Concordia operates across more than one location in Montreal.

One caveat: this overview reflects Concordia's own published information. Specific admission requirements, deadlines, and program availability change by program and by year, so confirm them directly through the relevant faculty, school, or admissions session before relying on them.