Study Costs and Financial Aid | DESS, Master's, PhD

Study costs and financial aid

When talking about a study project, financial planning always comes with it. At Polytechnique, tuition fee accessibility is made possible by different measures to help you financially. The goal? To allow you to fully focus on your studies and projects, without having to worry about your study budget.

study costs

The following information represents an estimate of costs to consider to study at Polytechnique Montréal in 2024-2025. Amounts are indicated in Canadian dollars. They are provided for reference and are subject change without notice. Tuition and associated fees are reevaluated and revised each year.

Tuition and associated fees - Non-thesis PROGRAMS

The tuition1 due each term is calculated based on the number of credits. A normal workload is between 9 and 12 credits per term. A DESS is 30 total credits and a non-thesis master’s degree is 45 total credits. 

Microprogram
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada with Quebec resident status

French and French-speaking Belgian students
1 credit: $99
Total cost (9 to 15 credits): Between​ $900 - $1,500
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada without Quebec resident status2
1 credit : $309
Total cost (9 to 15 credits): Between $2,800 - $4,650
International students
Not eligible
DESS
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada with Quebec resident status

French and French-speaking Belgian students
1 credit: $99
Total cost (30 credits): $2,970
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada without Quebec resident status2
1 credit: $309
Total cost (30 credits): $9,265
International students
1 credit: $996
Total cost (30 credits): $29,875
Non-thesis Master's
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada with Quebec resident status

French and French-speaking Belgian students
1 credit: $99
Total cost (45 credits): $4,455
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada without Quebec resident status2
1 credit: $309
Total cost (45 credits): $13,895
International students
1 credit: $996
Total cost (45 credits): $44,810

1 Tuition fees are billed each term. Full-time students should expect to pay additional fees of approximately $400 for each fall and winter term and $40 for each summer term.
2 Some students may qualify for an exemption from the Quebec government allowing you to study in French while paying the same tuition fees as Quebec residents. 

Tuition and associated fees - RESEARCH-BASED PROGRaMs

Tuition1 is calculated based on the academic status and the number of credits completed. The approximate duration for a research-based master’s degree is 6 terms (4 terms of coursework followed by 2 terms to pursue your research), and a doctorate is 12 terms (8 terms of coursework followed by 4 terms to pursue your research).

Research-based Master’s
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada with Quebec resident status

Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada with Quebec resident status
Terms 1 to 4: $1,115 / term
Terms 5 and 6: $965 / term
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada without Quebec resident status2
Terms 1 to 4: $3,475 / term
Terms 5 and 6: $965  / term
International students
Terms 1 to 4: $7,620 / term
Terms 5 and 6: $965 / term
Doctorate
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada with Quebec resident status

Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada with Quebec resident status

Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada without Quebec resident status

International students
Terms 1 to 8: $1,115 / term
Terms 9 to 12: $965 / term

1 Tuition fees are billed each term. Full-time students should expect to pay additional fees of approximately $400 for each fall and winter term and $40 for each summer term.
2 Some students may qualify for an exemption from the Quebec government allowing you to study in French while paying the same tuition fees as Quebec residents. 

LIVING COSTS AND OTHER EXPENSES

The following costs represent an approximate budget to consider on an annual basis. 

HEALTH INSURANCE (amounts re-evaluated every year)
Mandatory international student health insurance1 $975
Dental insurance (ASEQ)2 $200
Health insurance (ASEQ)2 $235
ARRIVAL AND SET-UP COSTS (1st year)
Immigration (temporary residents) $500
Arrival from abroad (hotel, meal, etc.) $800
Winter clothing $900
Furniture (if accommodations are not furnished) $1,300
ACCOMODATION
University residence3-4 $5,000
Shared apartment3 $8,400
Unshared apartment3 $12,000
PERSONAL EXPENSES
Food and hygiene $5,600
Transportation (see stm.info) $678
Books and supplies $1,000
Recreation, clothing and miscellaneous $2,500
Telecommunications
Cellular telephone
High-speed Internet

$650
$650

1 All temporary residents are automatically signed up for this mandatory insurance. For details: polymtl.ca/etudiants-internationaux/en/preparing-your-stay.
2 Full information at aseq.ca
3 These amounts include furniture, utilities (water, electricity, heating) and access to high-speed Internet. You are responsible for finding your own accommodation. To learn how and where to look, visit polymtl.ca/etudiants-internationaux/en/housing.
4 Residences are managed by the Université de Montréal. The spots are very limited, and it’s best to book early (starting from March 1st): zumresidences.ca.

FINANCIAL AID AND BURSARIES

Each year, Polytechnique students receive close to $3 million in internal and external scholarships to recognize academic excellence, involvement in different spheres of society, academic perseverance, etc.

Students are also offered other financing options (ex: government loans, exemptions, work on campus, etc.)

To learn more: polymtl.ca/aide-financiere (in French only)

Exemption from differential tuition fees

In keeping with the regulations in effect in Québec, all international students and the Canadian students from outside of Québec must pay differential tuition fees, which are higher than tuition fees for Québec students.

EXEMPTION BURSARY PROGRAM AT POLYTECHNIQUE MONTRÉAL

Polytechnique provides exemption bursaries (in French only)to cover the differential tuition fees for international graduate students and Canadian PhD students from outside of Québec. These exemptions help reduce these students’ tuition fees to the same level as Québec students.

  • Doctorate: all students enrolled in a doctoral program at Polytechnique Montréal are exempted from differential tuition fees1.
  • Research-based master’s: a limited number of exemptions for master’s students are available.

Polytechnique Montréal offers international students registered in a doctoral program an exemption from differential tuition fees. With this scolarship the student ends up paying the same amount of tuition fees as Québec’s students (scholarship value of approximately $5,560 per semester). The scholarship is awarded from the first year of study and is renewed each semester until the end of the 8th semester if the student successfully completes at least 9 credits of mandatory courses (at Polytechnique or at a Québec university) included in the study plan during the 3 first semesters of registration, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 / 4.0. Failure to respect these conditions will result in the scholarship automatically ending the following semester.
Accordingly, a student is not entitled to take advantage of this scholarship exemption if, under Article 73.1.1 of the Règlements généraux des études supérieures (in French only), the student is being exempted of more than 6 credits throughout the doctoral program.

QUÉBEC GOVERNMENT EXEMPTION PROGRAM

The Québec government has made an agreement with more than forty countries and organisms in which students that come and study in the province benefit from a differential tuition fee exemption. The quotas vary according to the country. To obtain one of these exemptions, eligible students need to undertake the necessary process with the people in charge of this program in their country of origin.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Differential tuition exemption program (in French only)

Research Funding

Financial aid may be granted, at the discretion of the research supervisor, to students registered in a doctorate or research-based master’s (suggested funding amount – MAFS).

  • Doctorate: $25,000 per year
  • Research-based master’s: $21,500 per year

This financial aid IS NOT AUTOMATICALLY given to each student. It’s up to the research supervisor to determine, according to the availability of funds, student’s academic record, status and performance, if financial support will be granted and then maintained.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Recommended funding amount guide (in French only)

WORKING ON CAMPUS

No matter your status, many part-time jobs are offered on campus. However, for international students, a number of rules and procedures apply and it’s important to follow them. You will find all the details on the international students’ website.

JOBS AVAILABLE AT POLYTECHNIQUE

In teaching, there are a lot of work possibilities for you. These jobs start at the beginning of the semester:

  • Lecturers;
  • Teaching Assistants;
  • Tutors;
  • Laboratory Assistants;
  • Correctors.

Throughout the semester, you can also find a one-time job such as:

  • Correctors;
  • Exam supervisors.

You must consult your professors, department and student council (AÉCSP) (in French only) for more information on these jobs.

Other financial opportunities

International students are invited to look at the Canadian government website where all international awards are listed by country.

For more information: International Awards

For Chinese students only

China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarships - CSC Doctoral Scholarships

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) is a non-profit institution with legal person status affiliated with the Ministry of Education of China. The objective of the CSC is to provide, in accordance with the law, statutes and relevant principles and policies of China, financial assistance to the Chinese citizens wishing to study abroad

In collaboration with Université de Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal (POLY-MTL) agree to collaborate with the China Scholarship Council on providing scholarship opportunities and placements to selected Chinese graduate students who either study for POLY-MTL’S PhD Degree Program or conduct research as Visiting PhD Student/Research Intern.

Programs

Type Activity Length Eligibility Conditions Immigration Status
PhD Degree Program As a CSC scholar, you will be enrolled in a full PhD program at POLY-MTL.

You will have a student status.

 

4 years Eligibility conditions at the Doctorate (PhD) set by POLY-MTL.

If you are already enrolled at POLY-MTL in a PhD program for less than a year, you can also apply to CSC.
Study permit
Visiting PhD Student / Research Intern As a CSC scholar, you will work on your thesis and research project in POLY-MTL’s laboratories under the supervision of a Canadian supervisor and your thesis supervisor in China.

You will have the status of research intern at POLY-MTL.
12 months or less Eligibility conditions for research internships and steps to undertake. Work permit

 

Funding

The CSC will cover return airfare, visa application fees, and annual living allowance including the Student Health Insurance Plan for up to 48 months for the PhD Degree Program or up to 12 months for a Visiting PhD Student/Research Intern. 

The admission offers from POLY-MTL will specify that if and when you are granted a scholarship from the China Scholarship Council, you will be exempted from paying tuition fees. To qualify for this exemption, you must submit proof of the received scholarship to the Registrar’s Office. However, scholarship holders must still pay the administrative and miscellaneous student fees.

 

Application procedure

Please note that candidates for Polytechnique Montréal should register under the ‘China Scholarship Council - Université de Montréal Joint Scholarship Program’ banner.

 

Deadlines

Admission and scholarship applications will be accepted for the Fall Semester only. The deadlines* for the admission procedures in fall are:

Admission Application to POLY-MTL February 1st
Submission of admission/invitation or refusal letter to the applicants by POLY-MTL March 15
List of applicants provided by POLY-MTL to CSC March 31
On-line PhD application deadline to CSC March 20 – April 5
CSC Evaluation April - May
Results announcement by CSC to candidates and POLY-MTL May

* Note that the deadlines for students applying to the CSC scholarship are different from the regular admission deadlines.

Eligibility Conditions 

Please consult the eligibility conditions in the admission section.