Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal overview
Université de Montréal (UdeM), located in the province of Quebec, Canada, is one of the country's leading research universities and a major institution in the Francophone academic world. It was officially founded in 1878 as a branch of Université Laval in Quebec City and became an independent institution in 1919.
It gained full autonomy in 1942 and received a papal charter. The university moved to its current location on Mount Royal in 1943. As a French-language public university, it plays an important role in education and research in Quebec and beyond.
Affiliated with two specialized schools — Polytechnique Montréal (engineering) and HEC Montréal (business) — the university together with these institutions forms one of the largest university complexes in North America.
Known for its contributions to science, medicine, and technology, the university ranks among Canada's top universities in terms of research funding. It is home to more than 600 research units and one of the world's most productive neuroscience research centers.
Notable alumni and faculty include former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Yoshua Bengio, a pioneer in artificial intelligence and a key figure in deep learning who received the 2018 Turing Award.
About Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal (UdeM), located in the province of Quebec, Canada, is one of the country's leading research universities and a major institution in the Francophone academic world. It was officially founded in 1878 as a branch of Université Laval in Quebec City and became an independent institution in 1919.
It gained full autonomy in 1942 and received a papal charter. The university moved to its current location on Mount Royal in 1943. As a French-language public university, it plays an important role in education and research in Quebec and beyond.
Affiliated with two specialized schools — Polytechnique Montréal (engineering) and HEC Montréal (business) — the university together with these institutions forms one of the largest university complexes in North America.
Known for its contributions to science, medicine, and technology, the university ranks among Canada's top universities in terms of research funding. It is home to more than 600 research units and one of the world's most productive neuroscience research centers.
Notable alumni and faculty include former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Yoshua Bengio, a pioneer in artificial intelligence and a key figure in deep learning who received the 2018 Turing Award.
Université de Montréal faculties and programs
Université de Montréal scholarships and financial aid
Université de Montréal offers scholarship opportunities for students with international status. That said, it should be noted that scholarship programs are limited in terms of funding and available slots, that scholarships are awarded based on financial need and academic merit, and that admission standards are high. Students wishing to apply to scholarship programs offered by Université de Montréal can access the relevant programs through the link below.
Université de Montréal Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal offers a French-language preparatory program called the "Intensive University French Program" to help students new to university studies prepare for higher education and develop French language proficiency.
Prospective students who wish to apply to undergraduate programs offered by Université de Montréal must meet the admission requirements listed below.
- 4-Year High School Diploma
- Only high school diplomas from schools recognized by Université de Montréal are accepted.
- High GPA
and - Successful completion of the "Preparatory Program" offered by Université de Montréal
or - International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
or - French Baccalaureate Diploma
- French Proficiency Certificate
- The language of instruction for undergraduate programs offered by Université de Montréal is French. Prospective international students applying to the university are required to demonstrate their French language proficiency through an internationally recognized language proficiency exam such as DELF or DALF.
- Official academic transcripts listing the courses taken and grades received during high school
Prospective students who wish to apply to graduate programs offered by Université de Montréal must meet the admission requirements listed below.
- 4-Year Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- High GPA
- Official academic transcripts listing the courses taken and grades received during undergraduate studies
- English Proficiency Certificate for programs taught in English
- An English proficiency certificate obtained through proficiency exams such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE, or CPE
- French Proficiency Certificate for programs taught in French
- A French proficiency certificate obtained through proficiency exams such as DELF or DALF
- A GRE/GMAT score may be required depending on the program-specific admission requirements.
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
Take a closer look at Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal operates across several campuses, with its main campus located on the northern slope of Mount Royal in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough of Montreal. This main campus is distinguished by its Art Deco architecture — most notably the iconic Roger Gaudry Building, which serves as a landmark on the city's skyline.
Spanning 65 hectares, the campus features various academic buildings, libraries, and research facilities, along with green spaces and pedestrian-friendly areas. This central location offers students and faculty easy access to public transportation and Montreal's vibrant cultural life.
The main campus is home to most of the university's faculties, including Arts and Science, Law, Medicine, and Theology. In addition to the main campus, Université de Montréal also oversees various satellite campuses and affiliated institutions.
The MIL Campus (Campus MIL), which opened in 2019 on a former Outremont railway yard, is a modern, interdisciplinary science complex that houses the departments of Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Geography.
A pioneering example of sustainable architecture and innovation, the complex was designed to foster collaboration and urban revitalization. The university is also affiliated with Polytechnique Montréal and HEC Montréal, both of which are located adjacent to the main campus and function as specialized schools in engineering and business, respectively.
Additionally, UdeM has various affiliated hospitals and research centers in the greater Montreal area, forming part of one of the largest health and life sciences networks in Canada.
The university is home to more than 250 student organizations catering to a multilingual and multicultural student body, including academic clubs, cultural associations, advocacy groups, and recreational clubs.
The Fédération des associations étudiantes du campus de l'Université de Montréal (FAÉCUM) is the primary student union, representing approximately 70,000 students and organizing various services, campaigns, and social events.
UdeM's student groups reflect the rich cultural fabric of Montreal, with a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity, offering spaces for Francophone, Anglophone, and international students to connect and thrive. Students can also engage in academic and political involvement, as well as activities such as Model UN, debate clubs, and artistic collectives.
The university's athletics teams, known as the Carabins, compete in a variety of intercollegiate sports including soccer, football, volleyball, and swimming. The Carabins have earned national recognition, particularly in football, having won multiple championships in recent years.
UdeM's CEPSUM (Centre d'éducation physique et des sports de l'Université de Montréal) is one of the largest sports complexes in Quebec, featuring fitness centers, swimming pools, and arenas accessible to both varsity athletes and the general student population. Throughout the academic year, the campus hosts numerous traditional events — such as orientation week (La Rentrée), cultural festivals, career fairs, and winter-themed gatherings — that help students connect and celebrate the university's vibrant community.
Université de Montréal has an extensive alumni network made up of individuals who have achieved distinction in a variety of fields. Notable alumni of the university include:
- Philippe de Gaspé Beaubien
- Louis R. Chênevert
- Patrice Désilets
- Arnaud Détrans
- Lise Fournel
- Pierre Lassonde
- Pierre Nadeau
- Pierre Karl Péladeau
- Denis Pisonneault
- Michel Bastarache
- Marie Deschamps
- Jules Deschênes
- Johanne Gauthier
- Pierre Eliott Trudeau
Université de Montréal cost of living
Université de Montréal Frequently Asked Questions
Université de Montréal Location
Montreal, Quebec
Université de Montréal Contact
Université de Montréal
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