Montréal is a dynamic and open-minded city. It is a choice destination for nearly 320,000 post-secondary students, and it welcomes more than 35,000 university students each year. Its institutions of higher learning offer quality educational programs in cutting-edge fields that are recognized worldwide. They include:

• 11 universities
• 13 colleges and public educational centres
• 15 college-level technology transfer centres
• More than 100 private college-level institutions

Montréal is Canada’s foremost university research hub, with:

• More than 150 centres and 1,500 research and development institutes
• 6,000 university researchers
• Investments of 1.2 billion dollars each year

This innovation ecosystem is favourable for small businesses, entrepreneurs, startups and other employers, who enjoy a highly qualified labour force. These companies and organizations also get the benefits of cutting-edge research in fields with tremendous added value, including:

• Life sciences and health technology
• Aerospace
• Advanced manufacturing
• Video games
• Cybersafety

The city has created the Carrefour de la Recherche Urbaine de Montréal (CRUM) to strengthen its ties with institutions of higher learning.