Where is Concordia? | Ultimate University Guide

So, where is Concordia?

Located in the vibrant and multicultural city of Montreal, Concordia is the top-ranked university in North America founded within the last 50 years and annually registers some 51,000 students through its innovative approach to experiential learning and cross-functional research.

Montréal is the largest city in Canada’s Québec province. It’s set on an island in the Saint Lawrence River and includes neighbourhoods ranging from cobblestoned, French colonial Vieux-Montréal – with the Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica at its centre – to bohemian Plateau.

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Concordia Campuses

Where is Concordia? Well, the answer depends on the campus! Concordia has two campuses; each is fantastic in their own way, and each of them have a very different feel. Sir George Williams campus has that heart-of-the-city downtown energy versus Loyola’s rich history, self contained community-campus vibe. Where you’ll spend most of your time will depend a lot on the courses you choose. To get back and forth between the two campuses, you can take a quick free shuttle bus that runs several times a day.

Sir George William Campus:

The Sir George Williams Campus (SGW) is located in the downtown core of Montreal, in an area known as Quartier Concordia (around the Guy–Concordia Metro station). The SGW Campus houses the Faculty of Fine Arts,  The John Molson School of Business, and the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. Included on this campus is The Grey Nuns residence, along with the Webster Library, home to the Technology Sandbox, a place to try out emerging technologies and equipment including 3D printers and virtual reality!

Life on SGW Campus

The Quartier Concordia neighborhood and larger downtown area acts as the centre of activities in the city, with plenty of shops, museums, bars and restaurants. For outdoor leisure, Mount Royal and Parc Jean-Drapeau are great places to enjoy a picnic with friends or short walks during study breaks.

Other popular cultural areas include Place des Arts and the Quartier des spectacles, which are the centre of Montreal’s festivals and cultural events.

Loyola Campus:

The Loyola Campus is located 7 km west of Sir George WIlliams Campus in the neighbourhood called Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG). Students can get there on the free Concordia shuttle bus, or take public transit, bike, or even walk! The Loyola Campus houses the departments of Psychology,  Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physics, Health Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, Applied Human Sciences, Communication studies and Journalism. All the sports and recreation facilities are located on the Loyola campus, as well as the Vanier Library, Jesuit and Hingston Hall residences, and The Buzz Cafeteria. The Administration Building houses important student services including health services, academic advising and the Student Success Centre.

Life on Loyola Campus:

Catch a Stingers game, work out on the conditioning floor of the PERFORM Centre or take in a performance at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, all within steps of your room. There’s a lot going on at Loyola!

With roots going back to the 19th century, the campus is known for next-generation research facilities like the Applied Science Hub. Loyola is also home to Concordia’s journalism and communications students, and their varsity athletes.

Surrounded by the leafy west-end neighbourhood of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Loyola has its own beautiful green space called The Quad.

Check out the Campus Maps to learn more about the buildings, directions, shuttle bus and parking!

What to Do in Montreal

Tourist Attractions:

  • Notre-Dame Basilica
  • Old Montreal
  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
  • Sainte Catherine Street
  • The Underground City
  • Space for Life
  • Pointe-à-Callière Museum

Sports and Concerts:

Whether it’s attending a Canadiens’ game, a concert with a world famous artist or a family show, the Centre Bell is clearly at the top of anyone’s venue list.  Every year, the home of the Montreal Canadiens attracts more than 1 million spectators to their hockey games, while 650,000 people walk through the doors to watch over 120 shows, for a total of 1.5 million spectators.

Winter Activities:

  • Igloofest
  • The Nordic Terrace (Top of S.A.T)
  • The Cabane à Sucre au Pied de Cochon
  • Montréal en Lumière Festival
  • Ice Skating at the Old Port (Outdoor) Skating Rink
  • Winter Lights Photo Walk

Culture:

The city attracts some of the best acts on the planet to festivals like Osheaga, Just for Laughs, Francos de Montréal, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Nuits d’Afrique . . . the list goes on. Montreal has also become a destination for emerging artists from across Canada.

Wayfinding

Air: Flights arrive at the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (also known as YUL), 22 kilometres west of downtown Montréal.

By taxi (from the airport): Taxi fare to downtown Montréal is approximately $40, payable by cash or credit card. The Welcome Centre is at the corner of De Maisonneuve Boulevard West and Bishop Street. The full address is 1400 De Maisonneuve Boulevard West.

By STM public bus (from the airport): Bus number 747 runs 24 hours per day, 7 days a week between the airport and downtown Montreal. One-way cash fare is $10 payable in Canadian coins (no bills) or by fare card, which you can buy at the airport’s international arrivals exit.

By Via Rail train: If you’re travelling to Montreal from Ottawa, Toronto or beyond, consider taking the train. You’ll arrive in Montreal at Gare Centrale, which is a 20-minute walk from the Welcome Centre, or an eight-minute cab ride.

By metro: The university has its very own metro station, Guy-Concordia on the green line.

By EXO commuter train: Lucien-L’Allier is the commuter rail station nearest to the SGW campus, and is the terminating station of the Vaudreuil-Hudson, Saint-Jérôme and Candiac commuter rail lines. The Lucien-L’Allier station is a 14-minute walk to the Welcome Centre, or a quick five-minute taxi ride.

By bike: Designated spots to lock up your bike are plentiful and the De Maisonneuve Boulevard bike path runs right past the Welcome Centre.

You can also rent a Bixi bicycle. You’ll find a Bixi bicycle docking station outside the Mackay entrance to the J.W. McConnell (LB) Building.

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