Key takeaways
- Statistics Canada average for international undergraduates in Quebec, 2026/2027: $36,879 (graduate: $24,694)
- McGill 2026-27, new international students: $54,000 (BA) to $71,687.40 (BCom), fixed for the program
- Concordia Fall 2026: $1,160 per credit for Arts & Science and $1,400 for business, international rate
- McGill’s Quebec rate is $103.92 per credit; French and Belgian (francophone) students with a CAQ can pay the Canadian rate
- Since Fall 2026, Quebec grants no new French-program regional tuition exemptions
How much is international tuition in Quebec?
Statistics Canada (StatCan) released preliminary 2026/2027 averages on September 16, 2026.
| Quebec, 2026/2027 | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $4,156 | $36,879 |
| Graduate | $4,395 | $24,694 |
StatCan’s Canadian average for Quebec mixes Quebec residents and students from other provinces, who pay more. The gap between Canadian and international students is the largest in Canada: about 8.9 times. The international average rose about 5.4% from 2025/2026. Compare provinces in tuition fees in Canada.
What does McGill charge new international students?
McGill publishes a fee sheet for international undergraduates admitted and enrolled from Fall 2026. Tuition is guaranteed for the length of the program if you do not take a break or change degree. McGill says this means the cost per credit stays the same. Other fees rise about 3% a year.
| McGill degree, 2026-27 | Tuition | Total with fees and insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) | $54,000.00 | $57,569.02 |
| Bachelor of Arts and Science | $56,000.10 | $59,546.32 |
| Bachelor of Science (BSc) | $64,785.90 | $68,322.91 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) | $65,167.50 | $69,196.93 |
| Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) | $71,687.40 | $75,321.21 |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $35,561.10 | $39,008.48 |
| Bachelor of Education | $31,836.60 | $35,335.48 |
The totals include international health insurance ($1,155) and dental insurance at 2025-26 rates. McGill says the fees and insurance are estimates, so the totals are estimates too.
What does Concordia charge?
Concordia charges international students per credit. Its rates for Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 are:
| Concordia program area | Per credit | 30 credits (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Arts & Science | $1,160 | $34,800 |
| Fine Arts | $1,010 | $30,300 |
| Engineering and Computer Science | $1,285 | $38,550 |
| John Molson School of Business | $1,400 | $42,000 |
The 30-credit figure is our estimate for a typical full year. Compulsory fees and health insurance are extra. Université de Montréal, Université Laval and other Quebec universities set their own international fees, so check each school’s fee page.
Who pays the Quebec or Canadian rate instead?
McGill’s 2026-27 rates show the three-level system:
| Student group (McGill) | Per credit | 30 credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec rate | $103.92 | $3,117.60 |
| Canadian rate A (admitted since Fall 2024) | $432.85 | $12,985.50 |
| Canadian rate B (see below) | $324.35 | $9,730.50 |
Rate B covers Canadians admitted before Fall 2024, and French or Belgian (francophone) citizens with a valid CAQ. Programs in Management, Engineering, Law, Dentistry and Medicine use different rates. The Government of Quebec also lists other exemptions from the extra fees that international students pay. Ask your school’s fee office if one applies to you.
Change from Fall 2026. Quebec used to exempt some international students in French-language programs outside Greater Montreal, in fields like IT, engineering and health. The Government of Quebec says no new exemptions are granted starting with the Fall 2026 term.
What else do international students in Quebec need?
- A CAQ. Most international students need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before applying for a study permit. See Quebec study permit and CAQ.
- Health insurance. Universities charge international students for a health plan. McGill’s fee sheet shows $1,155 at the 2025-26 rate.
- A PAL. IRCC gave Quebec 93,069 application spaces for 2026, with about 39,474 permits expected. Master’s and PhD students at public schools are exempt. See study permit cap and PAL.
What mistakes do students make with Quebec fees?
- Assuming you get the Quebec rate. The Quebec rate is for students who prove Quebec residency. International students pay the international rate unless an exemption applies.
- Comparing tuition only. McGill’s totals add more than $3,500 in fees and insurance to a BA. Ask every school for its full-year total.
- Missing the program rules. Management, Engineering, Law, Dentistry and Medicine use different rates at McGill, even for Canadian students.
- Breaking your enrolment. McGill’s fixed tuition only applies if you do not take a break or change degree.
- Counting on a French-study exemption. New exemptions under the program and region measure end in Fall 2026.
- Mixing up the CAQ and the study permit. Quebec sets its own proof of funds for the CAQ. IRCC’s amounts for other provinces do not apply. See study permit proof of funds.
Worked example: McGill BA vs Concordia Arts
Lin compares first-year costs in Montreal for 2026-27:
- McGill BA: $54,000 tuition, or $57,569.02 with McGill’s estimated fees and insurance
- Concordia Arts & Science: 30 credits × $1,160 = $34,800 tuition, plus fees and insurance
The tuition gap is $19,200 in year one. McGill’s rate is fixed per credit for her program. Concordia’s page lists rates for one year only, so ask Concordia how fees may change. Rent is the same city either way. See the Montreal city guide.
Tuition in other provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Atlantic Canada.
Common questions
How much is McGill tuition for international students?
Do French students pay less at Quebec universities?
What is the average international tuition in Quebec?
Can I still get a Quebec tuition exemption for studying in French?
Is Concordia cheaper than McGill?
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Table 37-10-0045-01, Canadian and international tuition fees by level of study (2026/2027 preliminary)
- McGill University: 2026-27 tuition rates, international undergraduate students admitted 2026-27 (PDF)
- McGill University: Undergraduate tuition rates Fall/Winter 2026-27
- Concordia University: Undergraduate tuition fees
- Gouvernement du Québec: Exemption des droits de scolarité supplémentaires selon le programme d’études et la région
- Government of Quebec: Tuition fees and cost of living
- IRCC: 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap