Concordia University: Bringing Business, Technology and Creativity into the Real World in Montréal

For students who enjoy hands-on learning, hope to gain work experience during university and are drawn to life in a diverse city, Concordia University is worth a closer look.

Located in Montréal, Quebec, the university emphasizes experiential learning. Business students can engage with companies through co-op, engineering students bring their learning together through design projects, and arts students have opportunities to take part in exhibitions, performances and film festivals. Different disciplines offer their own practical pathways, allowing students to begin applying their knowledge and skills before graduation.[1][2][3]

One university, two campus experiences

Concordia was established in 1974 through the merger of Loyola College and Sir George Williams University. It now has four principal faculties and schools: the Faculty of Arts and Science, the John Molson School of Business, the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, and the Faculty of Fine Arts.[4]

Its two campuses offer different rhythms of daily life.

The Sir George Williams Campus is in downtown Montréal, near Guy-Concordia metro station. Most classes for business, engineering, computer science and fine arts students are concentrated here. Teaching spaces are integrated into city blocks, while nearby cafés, restaurants and cultural activities become part of student life.

The Loyola Campus is in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood, with more green space and a traditional campus setting. Natural sciences, psychology, communication studies and journalism are among the disciplines primarily taught here. The university provides a free shuttle bus and estimates the journey between campuses at about half an hour. Confirming where most classes will take place before arranging accommodation can help reduce the burden of daily commuting.[5]

The university and its predecessor institutions have also educated creators in different fields. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx earned a master’s degree in history in 1973. Director Kim Nguyen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1997; his film Rebelle was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.[6][7]

Understanding program strengths, from business and engineering to digital arts

John Molson School of Business: Taking classroom learning into the workplace

For students considering business studies, John Molson’s professional accreditations and practical learning opportunities are worth noting. The school holds AACSB and EQUIS accreditation. Students can compare the curriculum, internship options and career directions of individual majors.[8]

Eligible students admitted to co-op can complete three paid work terms during their degree. These placements offer an early introduction to the workplace, help students understand how classroom knowledge applies at work and allow them to gradually identify the direction they wish to pursue.[1]

Engineering and computer science: Bringing technical knowledge together through design

The Gina Cody School offers options in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, civil and software engineering, as well as computer science. Aerospace engineering has three streams: Aerodynamics and Propulsion, Aerospace Structures and Materials, and Avionics and Aerospace Systems.[9]

The aerospace engineering curriculum also includes aircraft design, modelling and control systems, and a capstone design project. Students gradually bring mathematics, science and engineering knowledge together to address a single problem, moving from analysis to design and validation.[10]

Capstone design projects require students to define a problem, conduct research and design work, and present their results. For students who enjoy models, programming, experiments and collaborative problem-solving, this approach to learning is an important consideration when assessing whether a program is a good fit.[2]

Film and fine arts: Building a body of work and learning to engage an audience

Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts offers pathways in film, design, performance and visual arts. Students can gain experience through the Art Matters festival, the student-run VAV Gallery, and theatre, dance and music productions within their programs. Some also take part in Montréal’s arts and film festivals.

These activities give students’ work opportunities to move beyond the classroom and reach audiences and creative communities. Students considering a creative career should look at production resources, opportunities to exhibit or perform, and professional support after graduation when comparing universities.[3]

Computation Arts: Where art meets programming

For students interested in both visual creation and technology, Computation Arts is a field worth exploring. The program uses algorithms and computational thinking to create interactive multimedia. The university also offers degree options that combine Computation Arts and Computer Science.

When comparing programs, students should examine the balance between artistic practice and technical training, as well as the type of degree awarded, to determine whether it aligns with their interests and goals.[11]

Co-op provides a structure, but students must take the initiative

Concordia’s Undergraduate Co-op normally includes three internships. The university requires each placement to be paid, full-time work related to the student’s field of study, with at least 35 hours a week over approximately 12 to 17 weeks.[1]

Admission to the university and admission to co-op are separate decisions. Co-op has a competitive admission process. Students must meet their program’s academic requirements and have enough credits remaining to accommodate the work terms.

The university provides job-search training and opportunities, but students must still compete for internship positions. Maintaining their grades and preparing résumés and interviews are important parts of pursuing this pathway after enrolment.[1]

Fine arts students have other internship options as well. For example, some design, Computation Arts and film programs offer one relevant, paid, full-time internship through Career Edge. Students should check the internship options available in their intended major when planning their studies.[3]

Students from Hong Kong, Taiwan and British Columbia should check program length first

Quebec’s university admissions system differs from those in other Canadian provinces. Students coming from secondary school systems outside Quebec are generally considered for admission to the Extended Credit Program (ECP), which includes additional foundation credits.

A typical degree usually takes four years. The ECP pathway in engineering, however, is a five-year, 150-credit program. Any transfer credits or exemptions approved for an individual student are subject to the offer of admission and the faculty’s assessment. Applicants with IB, A-Level or similar qualifications should also confirm which credits they may receive.[12]

When comparing programs, students should consider the credits required for graduation, prerequisite courses, co-op arrangements and actual time to completion together. They should also check the English-language requirements for their intended major before applying. Applicants to fine arts programs should separately review portfolio and other selection requirements.

Which students might find Concordia a good fit?

Based on its programs and learning arrangements, Concordia is worth exploring for students who enjoy learning through projects or creative work, are willing to take the initiative in applying for internships and want to experience different cultures. City life offers many opportunities to explore, while also requiring students to develop independence and time-management skills.

The university’s Student Success Centre provides support with time management, learning strategies and careers. The International Students Office assists international students with life in Canada, insurance and related documentation. Making active use of these services early on can help students build a support network.[13][14]

Students who hope to develop their careers in Quebec should consider planning French-language learning early. Some of the French-language employment support listed by the university is intended primarily for international engineering students and has specific eligibility or invitation requirements. Students should confirm whether they can participate before including this support in their study and job-search plans.[15]

When considering Concordia, families can start with a question: What creative work and projects would their child like to complete at university, and what work experience would they like to gain?

Comparing these goals with program content, internship arrangements, program length and campus life can make it easier to judge whether Concordia is a good fit.

Information and sources

This version was revised based on the verification record dated November 6, 2026. Programs, internship eligibility, transfer credits and study arrangements are subject to the university’s latest published information and individual assessments.