Montréal boasts four universities, of which two are French-speaking (Université de Montréal and Université du Québec à Montréal) and two are English-speaking (McGill University and Concordia University). In addition, highly reputed specialized schools and institutes are affiliated with these universities: École Polytechnique, École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC), École de technologie supérieure (ETS), École nationale d'administration publique, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and the INRS's Institut Armand-Frappier.

The presence of a great many foreign students makes a substantial contribution to the development of Montréal's cultural, social and scientific life. In the fall of 2003, there were roughly 17,000 foreign students attending different institutions of higher learning in the Montréal area. These students hailed from about 165 countries, including France, the United States, Morocco, China, Tunisia and Mexico.

We are hosting a growing number of foreign students. In 2003, their number was up by about 80% in comparison to 1997, which speaks volumes of the reputation for excellence enjoyed around the world by our universities and educational institutions.