Have your sights set on Canada’s cultural capital? With Student.com, booking student housing in Montreal has never been easier! We have plenty of options catering to every budget – and our mapping feature allows you to browse for properties near your university.
Whether you’re looking for a shared space or private apartment, there are several types of student residence available in Montreal to suit your needs. So, get started and find the perfect base to experience the joie de vivre that cultured Montreal is famed for.
Universities in Montreal
Montreal is home to some of Canada’s best universities and routinely ranks among the top student cities globally. Around 250,000 post-secondary students are based in the city, representing one of the largest student populations in the world.
McGill University
The prestigious McGill University is perennially rated as one of the best in the world. The university offers courses in over 300 fields of study, with some of its best-known faculties being science, engineering and medicine.
McGill University has two campuses – one in downtown Montreal on the slope of Mount Royal and the other around 30 minutes away by shuttle bus in the charming waterfront suburb of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
The university is primarily an English-language institution, however with certain programs there is a growing emphasis on communicating in French. It’s known for its diverse student body, with international students making up over 30% of the population.
Interested in studying at this top-ranking institution? Check out our range of options for student housing near McGill University.
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is North America’s leading French-language university and one of the best French-speaking universities in the world. It offers a varied selection of programs with several top-ranking courses in science, medicine, business and engineering.
The main campus is located on the other side of Mount Royal to McGill University, in the neighborhood of Côte-des-Neiges – a popular student area known for having some of the most affordable student apartments in Montreal.
The Université de Montréal is home to more than 10,000 international students, many of whom hail from French-speaking countries. It prides itself on its impressive research output, which is among the best in Canada.
Ready to enroll at the university? Browse our range of student apartments near the Université de Montréal.
HEC Montréal
HEC Montréal is Canada’s largest and oldest business school and consistently ranks as one of the best places in the country to study business. Globally, the school is recognized for its programs in international business and business management.
The school is centrally located in Côte-des-Neiges, just steps away from the Université de Montréal’s main campus. It’s primarily a French-language institution however some courses are also offered in English.
Keen to further your studies one of Canada’s top business schools? Explore different student accommodation near HEC Montréal.
Concordia University
With around 50,000 students, Concordia University is one of the biggest universities in Canada. This English-speaking institution offers a multidisciplinary course of study covering business, engineering, fine arts, public health, humanities and education.
The university’s main campus is based in the downtown neighborhood of Quartier Concordia in Ville Marie – home to the city’s central business district and one of the main hubs for student housing in Montreal.
Applying for a place at the university? Take a look at our options for student rentals near Concordia University.
Other universities
From large universities to specialized schools, there are many other places to study that are well worth considering. As one of Canada’s biggest engineering schools, Polytechnique Montréal is a great choice for students pursuing a career in the field.
The Université du Québec à Montréal is a major French-speaking university with courses offered in a range of fields and a campus located in the vibrant neighborhood of Quartier des Spectacles.
Another option for engineering students, the École de Technologie Supérieure is known for its practical focus with courses in areas such as electrical engineering, construction and software engineering.
Things to do in Montreal
With its rich history, cosmopolitan culture and great outdoor spaces, Montreal offers plenty for students to do and see. Whether you’re looking for a bite to eat or a big night out, the city has something for everyone.
Getting to know Montreal
With its mix of youthful energy and old-world charm, Montreal differs from the more conventional, metropolitan Toronto. The cobblestone streets and narrow alleys have the signifiers of elsewhere, with Montreal often described as North America’s ‘most European’ city.
The sophisticated chic and joie de vivre vibe of Montreal are a reflection of its French heritage. The city has one of the largest French-speaking populations in the world, however English is still widely spoken.
Along with its French connection, the island city also has several smaller ethnic communities — Chinatown, Little Italy and Little Portugal are some of the more established ones. All these groups contribute to Montreal’s unique cultural landscape.
Arts & culture
Montreal is packed with historic buildings, fascinating museums and top art galleries. The Notre-Dame Basilica — a marvel of Gothic Revival architecture — is a treasure and of the most visited sites in the city.
Art enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with Montreal home to Canada’s oldest and biggest art museum in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts as well as the Musée d'art Contemporain de Montréal.
The Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History is another highlight and a must-visit attraction for those looking to learn more about the city’s long-spanning history from the First Peoples to the present day.
Food & drink
Montreal really is a dream come true for foodies. The city has one of the highest numbers of restaurants per capita in North America and the best places in the world to sample French-Canadian cuisine.
Poutine — french fries and cheese curds topped with gravy — is undoubtedly Quebec’s most iconic dish and can found across the city. Two of the most popular spots for poutine are La Banquise and Ma Poule Mouillée.
One of Canada’s largest open-air markets, Jean Talon Market offers a huge selection of locally grown foods. Another highlight of Montreal’s food and drink scene is its café culture, with neighborhoods like Mile End great for catching up with friends over a brew.
Nightlife
Whether you prefer pubs, clubs or bars, Montreal has a diverse nightlife with plenty of venues dotted around the city. Rue Crescent and Boulevard St. Laurent — both based downtown — are two of the main arteries for nightlife in the city.
Nightclubs like Stereo and New City Gas regularly host international DJs and are great options for those looking to dance the night away. For a more sophisticated vibe, Le 4e Mur and Le Distillerie are two trendy spots known for their craft cocktails.
Many restaurants in Montreal also operate a BYOB (bring your own bottle) policy, allowing you to bring your own bottle of wine with you for a meal – great news for thrifty students looking to save when dining out.
Outdoors
From hikes and bike rides to watersports, Montreal has plenty to keep outdoor enthusiasts occupied. A walk up Mount Royal for its incredible views of the Montreal skyline serves as a great introduction to the city.
The Lachine Canal, a 14km-long route that runs between the Old Port and Lake Saint-Louis, is a favorite for cyclists and joggers. The canal is also a great spot for kayaking, paddleboarding and canoeing.
The spectacular Montreal Botanic Garden, situated in Maisonneuve Park, houses more than 22,000 species of plant. Further afield, Parc Oméga is a popular safari experience and day trip from Montreal.
Festivals
With over 120 annual parades and festivals in Montreal, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a month in the social calendar without some sort of event or celebration being held.
If music is your thing, Osheaga takes over Parc Jean Drapeau and thrills mainstream music lovers in early August, while Pop Montreal draws big crowds of indie music fans in mid-September.
For arts lovers of art there are the Montreal en Lumiere all-night art festivals in February. The week-long Mural Festival, where artists from around the world plaster blank walls with artwork that will remain for the rest of the year, is held in mid-July.
Best student neighborhoods in Montreal
From the artsy and international vibe of Plateau-Mont-Royal to the vibrant, family-friendly Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montreal has some great areas for students to explore.
Plateau-Mont-Royal
Known for its trendy cafes, boutiques and colorful row houses, Plateau-Mont-Royal is a charming, student-friendly neighborhood on the eastern side of Mount Royal and overlooking downtown Montreal.
Its proximity to McGill University and the Université du Québec à Montréal makes it a popular choice for students at these universities. However, the neighborhood is generally considered one of the more expensive areas for student housing in Montreal.
Ville-Marie
Neighboring Plateau-Mont-Royal to the east and south, Ville-Marie encompasses the downtown area as well as large parts of the Old Port, giving students the chance to experience the bustling city life.
Its central location and excellent transport links make it one of the top areas for student rentals in Montreal, with the neighborhood especially popular for students at McGill University, Concordia University and Université du Québec à Montréal.
Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
Montreal’s most populous borough, Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce is a standout choice for students at HEC Montréal, Université de Montréal or Polytechnique Montréal — which are based on the northern side of Mount Royal.
The area is known for its ethnic diversity and strong community feel. Being further away from the downtown area, Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce is on the more affordable side for students living in Montreal.
Montreal cost of living
Students weighing up a move to Montreal will be happy to know that the island city is very reasonable in cost compared to other cities in Canada and international cities like London, Paris, Tokyo and Berlin.
Food is affordable. A slice of pizza can be bought for as little as $2 CAD and Montreal’s world-famous dish (poutine) can go for as low as $4 CAD. Renting a student residence in Montreal can also be very affordable depending on the neighborhood.
Various student discounts are also available to help keep costs to a minimum. Some grocery stores provide a discount when you show your student ID at the checkout, while discounts are also offered on public transport.
Montreal public transport
While a beautiful city to walk around, public transport in Montreal is generally very reliable. The bus and metro networks are clean, fast, safe and accessible, with discounts also available to students.
Metro
The Montreal Metro (STM) system has four color-coded underground subway lines that cover most of the city, including popular areas for student housing like downtown and Plateau-Mont-Royal as well as the main campuses at McGill University and Université de Montréal.
Services are generally available every 5-10 minutes, and often even quicker during peak hours. Students can access cheaper fares than the standard rate with the special student pass.
The Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) system operates above ground and covers the wider metropolitan area, making it popular for commuters travelling from the suburbs.
Bus
The STM metro system is complemented by an extensive bus network with over 200 routes that extend from downtown into the suburbs, offering an alternative to the REM system for reaching Montreal’s more remote areas.
As with the subway, discounts are available to students and it’s usually cheaper to buy tickets in bulk. Night services also operate on select lines which are handy for getting home after the subway closes at around 1am.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book student housing in Montreal?
Found your dream student home in Montreal? Applying for the lease with Student.com is simple:
- Choose your room – browse our properties and find a place that suits your needs. Our team of experts are on hand if you need some help!
- Request to book – let us know which property you are interested in & our booking consultants will guide you through the next steps.
- Sign your contract – once your contract is signed you will pay your rent. Student.com does not charge you anything for our booking service: you’ll only need to pay the rent to your chosen landlord.
Learn more about how the booking process works here.
What are the different types of room you offer in Montreal?
The student residences we list in Montreal are categorized into three different types of rooms:
- Shared room – two or more people sleeping in separate beds in the same room. The living room, kitchen, and bathroom are all shared with other rooms.
- Private room – additional facilities are also shared with other rooms but you’ll have a private bedroom. In some properties you can also have private rooms with a private bathroom.
- Entire place – this is a fully self-contained property. This means you don’t have to share with anyone. Your bedroom, as well as living, cooking and bathing facilities, are exclusively for you.
Are bills included in the rent?
It depends on the property you choose. In most cases, bills are included in the total cost of the property so you’ll only have to pay the rent and nothing else. However, make sure you check to see if this is the case with the property you choose.
Can I see the property before I move in?
Yes. If you'd like to see the property before booking it, you can contact us on the phone or via live chat and our booking consultants will be happy to set up a viewing for you.
What are the best student neighborhoods in Montreal?
Montreal has several great student areas. Ville-Marie and Plateau-Mont-Royal are standout choices due to their central location, while Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce is a vibrant suburban area with more affordable student housing.
Do I need to get a visa to study in Canada?
To apply for a study permit in Canada as an international student, you’ll need a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institute – McGill University and Université de Montréal both fall into this category – along with proof of identity and financial support. The study permit is typically valid for the length of the program plus an additional 90 days.
For full details on requirements, click here.
What if I didn’t get an answer to my question here?
If you have any other questions, you can check our FAQ page or contact one of our booking consultants. They are always happy to help!
