McGill University attracts bright students from around the world. “We see strength in diversity, and we are proud to welcome talented students from more than 150 countries across the globe,” says outgoing principal Suzanne Fortier. McGill has cultivated more Rhodes Scholars and Nobel Prize laureates than any other school in Canada. Its faculty and graduates have won 12 Nobel Prizes for pioneering work in areas such as economics, radioactivity and fission. As a research-intensive school, McGill is affiliated with more than 100 research centres and networks.

The main campus’s location between Mount Royal Park and downtown Montreal offers students lots of opportunities for off-campus activities (visiting art galleries, festivals and hundreds of restaurants, cafés and bars), and rent is generally cheaper than in most Canadian cities. The smaller Macdonald campus enjoys a scenic location on the island of Montreal, about 35 km west of downtown. It’s home to programs in agriculture, environmental sciences and nutrition. In addition to existing peer support and mentorship programs, including a buddy program for international students, McGill launched the First Friend program in 2020 to help first-year students attend virtual classes in the wake of the pandemic. The program pairs students based on time zone, level and faculty.