Colleges Concordia University

Concordia University www.concordia.ca

Concordia University is a next-generation public research university known for its fresh approach toward the future of higher education. It was established in 1974 following the merger of Sir George Williams University and Loyola College. Concordia is located in the vibrant and multicultural city of Montreal, Quebec, recognized as one of North America’s preferred student cities, and has two campuses that comprise 175 acres: The Sir George Williams Campus in downtown Montreal and the Loyal Campus in the residential west-end district of Notre-Dame-de-Grace. Both campuses are located at a 7 kilometers distance from each other and are connected via a free shuttle-bus service for students and staff. The university typically registers upwards of 50,000 students annually including approximately 10,000 international students from over 150 countries, and the school maintains formal ties with nearly 200 institutions worldwide. Concordia offers students opportunities for experiential learning and extracurricular involvement through non-academic facilities that include a campus radio station, three student-operated news publications, a television station, and a literary arts magazine. The university is also committed to decolonization and indigenization, and being sustainably responsible.

Academics

Concordia University is a member of the Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate, the Canadian University Press, and the International Association of Universities. Concordia’s educational structure comprises 21 departments and seven colleges and schools across its four faculties: Faculty of Arts and Science, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, John Molson School of Business, and the Faculty of Fine Arts. Concordia also offers more than 400 undergraduate programs, and 70 masters and doctoral courses at its School of Graduate Studies, including Supply Chain and Business Technology Management, Accountancy, Film Studies, and Software Engineering. The student-faculty ratio at Concordia University is 13:1. Popular majors include Education, Business, Management, Marketing, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

Special Highlights

Future Bound. Future Bound is the Student Success Centre’s skill development program for undergraduate students. Develop the skills needed to be successful in university today and thrive in the workplace of tomorrow. We offer more than 100 workshops per year on the current and future world of work, so students can be confident, adaptable, and forward-thinking in their academic and professional endeavors. In addition, through core skill modules, students work toward earning a certificate by completing activities in each module. Topics have included: Career Development, Communication, Digital Capabilities & Mindsets, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Collaboration, and Financial Literacy. Participating students can also take advantage of networking events, career planning workshops, and the Connect Concordia mentorship program, which allows you to experience a day-in-the-life of a university staff member.

Student-Life Learning. As part of Concordia’s experiential learning initiative, students are invited to join groups related to their interests or try something new. There are also competitions, workshops, festivals, and other special events. Under the moniker of “Ways to learn by doing,” student life opportunities are categorized as Design Challenges: Develop technologically innovative work, entrepreneurial ideas, or projects that enact social change to design and implement solutions to existing challenges; Entrepreneurship: Students can create a business plan, increase knowledge and proficiency in starting a company, or pursue a personal business venture; Event Organization: Gain experience planning and executing events; Mentorships: Learning partnerships that pair students with professionals. Students may receive guidance, take part in job shadowing, or work alongside mentors in internships or placements to prepare for a career; Student Societies: Associations, groups, and clubs on campus organize a wide range of activities including conferences, speakers, social events, volunteering, competitions, and other projects.

School Mission & Unique Qualities

Concordia University’s strategic directions set a vision for the future and exemplify a daring and transformative outlook to some of the most important issues of our time. The university strives to be forward-looking, agile, and responsive while remaining rooted in the community and globally networked. Concordia is widely recognized for its dedicated research work in the fields of computer science, engineering, and psychology, with researchers active in global conferences and symposiums. Its most cited publication is Gagné and Deci’s (2005) “Self‐determination theory and work motivation.” This was published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior and cited 23,510 times to date. Other university research facts and figures include its research units, which provide training in diverse areas. These research units include the Centre for Biological Applications of Mass Spectrometry, the Centre for Microscopy and Cellular Imaging, and the Centre for Pattern Recognition and Machine Intelligence. Concordia also houses the Gail and Stephen A. Jarislowsky Institute for Studies in Canadian Art, which provides an avenue for anyone interested in visual arts to express their passions.

Student Reviews…

“Concordia has been a transformative experience. Diversity on campus and in Montreal creates an inspiring, inclusive atmosphere. I’ve grown academically and personally, especially from hands-on opportunities. The school fosters innovation and encourages interdisciplinary work. The mental health services need improvement from long wait times and limited resources.”