When we were in school, we always thought of education is something that was going to end. Always looking forward to the last day of school, and to the summer vacation that never seemed to last long enough. And yet, as we grow older, we quickly begin to miss those eye-opening day of learning. And when the time comes to learn a new skill, going back to school suddenly looks like a pretty attractive idea. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the many opportunities for continuing education in Montreal.

When you move to a foreign country, education is a wonderful way to integrate and meet new people. It could also be way to keep track of your kids’ education, while you study with them. Whether you choose to learn a new language (Canada is a bilingual country after all), or you decide to take courses that could help you find a job; I’m sure you’ll find something that suits you among Montreal’s many options for continuing education.

Several universities or colleges offer courses, ranging from languages, to digital arts or business. If you already have a job, you might find it inconvenient to take extra courses, as you work all day and can’t easily take days off to study. The schools in Montreal understand that, and therefore many courses are offered in late afternoons or evenings in order to accommodate working professionals.

Here is a non exhaustive list of universities and colleges offering courses in continuing education in Montreal:

  • Concordia University: In 1974, Loyola College and Sir George Williams University merged to form what is now one of the largest universities in the country, with a total enrollment of nearly 50,000 students. Concordia is one of three universities in Quebec to offer instruction primarily in English. Recognized as one of the best business schools in Canada, Concordia has a very good reputation for academics. In 2016-17, about 2,700 students were enrolled there in a continuing education program.
  • Dawson College: An English language technical school located in Westmount, Dawson primarily offers courses to pre-university students and continuing education adults. (See CEGEP.) The school specializes in science and technological areas of studies, but also has a number of creative and applied arts programs.
  • McGill University: One of Canada’s most prestigious institutes of higher learning, McGill offers degrees and diplomas in more than 300 fields of study. Total current enrollment is roughly 40,000 students. For continuing learners, they also have an Executive Institute professional program that provides training in leadership and other special areas.
  • John Abbott College: This small public college on the island of Montreal provides instruction in English, and offers continuing education programs in a wide variety of fields, including business, health and information technology.
  • Vanier College: A smaller public college in the Saint Laurent borough of Montreal, Vanier offers two-year pre-university programs  and three-year technical programs in more than 25 fields of study.
  • Université de Montréal: This French language public university serves nearly 50,000 students and offers more than 650 undergraduate and graduate programs. The university has an excellent academic reputation, especially in areas of medicine and business.
  • Cégep André Larendeau: A public French language college, this small school offers collegiate diplomas in two-year pre-university programs and a three-year vocational studies.
  • Collège Ahuntsic: Another small, public Francophone college, offering in a wide variety of programs in two-year pre-university studies and a three-year technical/vocational studies.
  • HEC (Haute Ecole de Commerce): The graduate business school of the Université de Montréal, HEC offers undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate programs in business management and administration, including certification courses in more than 25 specialized areas of business.
  • UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal): One of Montreal’s two Francophone universities, UQAM offers classes and awards graduate and post-graduate degrees in a great variety of academic fields, including arts, sciences, business, and more.

If you’re looking for more ways to immerse yourself into the culture and community, or to increase your job prospects in Montreal, Quebec, ARIANNE Relocation Specialists have a range of products and services to help you get settled and integrated more quickly. Feel free to contact us, we’re always eager to be of assistance.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia