Concordia University Welcomes African Students: What You Need To Know

Concordia University is a diverse and bilingual institution that welcomes students from all over the world, including Africa. The university has an entire page dedicated to African students, detailing the minimum qualifications for admission and the certificates they recognize. Additionally, the university has an African Students' Association, which was founded in the late 1980s to represent the African diaspora within the university. The association aims to be a haven for international African students and those of African descent, promoting African culture through various academically driven and socially focused events. Furthermore, the Concordia Africa Initiative seeks to establish relationships and collaborations with Africa, focusing on youth employability and entrepreneurship.

African Students' Association of Concordia

The African Students' Association of Concordia (ASAC) is a student-led cultural organisation that represents African culture at Concordia University in Montreal. Founded in the late 1980s, ASAC is a society representative of the African diaspora within Concordia University. The association is inclusive and welcomes students of all races, creeds, and colours. ASAC's mission is to enable Concordians to discover and explore African cultures. It serves two main purposes: to provide a home away from home for Concordians of African descent, and to give non-African students the opportunity to learn about the 54 African nations and their cultures.

ASAC achieves its mission through academically driven events and social gatherings, seeking to share the essence of African cultures with the Concordia student body. The association values inclusivity and promotes African culture through a range of cultural shows, conferences, and evening socials. The versatility of the organisation enables it to encompass the diverse aspects of the rich African background. ASAC holds high regards for its shared roots and respect for Africa, which is the bond that unites its members.

ASAC's goal is to exemplify its core values of scholarship, empowerment, and unity. It aims to uplift and embolden students to be part of an eclectic community that shares a common thread of African heritage and interest.

The association is a non-profit organisation with a presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. It also has a website and a mailing list to which students can subscribe to receive updates about upcoming events.

Country requirements

Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, recognises several certificates as a minimum qualification for admission. The university states that, in general, if you have completed the level of education required to be admitted to a university in your home province, state or country, and have achieved good grades, then you should be eligible to apply for admission.

The following certificates are recognised by the university:

• 12th Grade Graduation Certificate
• 'Dëftesë Pjekurie' Diplomë e Maturës Shtetërore - Diploma of State Matura
• Baccalauréat de l’enseignement secondaire
• Bachiller or Bachiller especializado or Titulo de Bachiller
• Certificate of [Complete] Secondary General Education; MijnaKarg Krtutyan Attestat; ԱՏԵՍՏԱՏՄԻՋՆԱԿԱՐԳ (ԼՐԻՎ) ԸՆԴՀԱՆՈՒՐԿՐԹՈՒԹՅԱՆ or Certificate of Maturity: Hasunutian Vkaiakan or Araratian Baccalaureate
• Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs diploma (HAVO) or Diploma Voobereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
• Year 12 upper secondary school certificate or Certificate VI for Vocational Education and Training (VET)
• Reifeprüfungszeugnis Maturity Certificate or Berufsreifezeugnis Vocational Education Certificate or Diplomprüfungszeugnis (Senior Secondary and vocational education) or Abschußzeugnis einer berufsbildenden mittleren Schule Completion Certificate of Intermediate Vocational School
• Certificate of Complete Secondary Education
• Completion of Grade 12 + BGCSE (Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education)
• Tawjihi, Academic Stream
• Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or Alim Certificate or Vocational Certificate or Technical HSC in Business
• Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs/Certificate of Higher Secondary Education
• CXC or BGCSE plus one year of college or CAPE
• Baccalauréat de l'Enseignement Secondaire
• High school diploma or GCE A levels
• Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate or Senior Secondary School Certificate
• Certificado de Ensino Medio or Certificado de Técnico de Nivel Médio or Certificado de Ensino Médio com Habilitação
• Brunei-Cambridge Advanced Level Certificate of Education
• Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie or Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie i Svidetelstvo za Profesionalna Kvalifikatzia
• Upper Secondary School Diploma
• Baccalaureat (Francophone system) or Cameroon GCE A-level (Anglophone system) or Cameroon GCE Technical A-level (Anglophone)
• Caribbean (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands)
• CXC (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination Certificate (CAPE). Minimum of 6 CAPE units required.
• Licencia de Educacion Media
• Senior Middle School Graduation Certificate (普通高中毕业证书 putong gaozhong biye zhengshu) or General Secondary Education Certificate or Upper Middle School Graduation Certificate
• Bachiller Academico/Bachiller Tecnico/Bachiller Comercial
• Bachillerato/Bachiller, rama academica
• Bachiller or Bachillerato General (Academic Stream)
• Secondary School Leaving Examination (SSLE) or Ethiopian University Entrance Examination (EUEE)
• Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (lukion päästötodistus/ gymnasiets avgånsbetyg)
• Baccalauréat général or Baccalauréat technologique or Diplome d’Access Etudes Universitaire
• Gambia (The Republic of)
• West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)
• Zeugnis der Allgemeine ii Hochschulreife
• West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)
• Apolytirio Lykeiou and Apolytirio EPAL (Upper Secondary School Certificate)
• Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras/ (Baccalaureat in Sciences and Letters)
• B

English language proficiency

Regardless of citizenship, if your first language is not English, you may be required to write an English language proficiency test. This is a requirement for many international students applying to universities in English-speaking countries.

Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, is a diverse and bilingual institution that welcomes students from all over the world. To ensure that all students can fully participate in their academic programs, the university may require proof of English proficiency as part of the application process for non-native English speakers.

There are several English language proficiency tests recognised by universities and educational institutions worldwide. These tests assess the applicant's ability to understand and communicate in English at a level necessary for academic study. The specific tests and scores required for admission to Concordia University can be found on their website or by contacting their admissions office.

Some of the commonly accepted English language proficiency tests include:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• Duolingo English Test
• Cambridge English exams (C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)

It is important to note that the specific requirements may vary depending on the program you are applying to and the country where you completed your prior education. Therefore, it is essential to review the admissions requirements for your specific program of interest at Concordia University. Additionally, there may be alternative ways to demonstrate English proficiency, such as completing an English language program or providing evidence of prior education in English.

Student visas

International students are required to obtain a number of documents before studying at Concordia University. The first of these is a valid passport, which must be valid for at least six months or more. Students must also demonstrate their ability to support themselves, and any accompanying dependents, for at least one year. This includes showing financial capacity to cover tuition fees and living expenses.

The next step is to obtain a CAQ (Quebec Acceptance Certificate) from Quebec's Ministry of Immigration. This is required for students studying in Quebec for more than six months. The CAQ acts as a Pre-Arrival Letter (PAL) if it contains the following statement:

> "Cette lettre d’attestation confirme que le demandeur dispose d’une place dans la part du Québec de la répartition des demandes de permis d’études ou en est exempté". ("This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Quebec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it.")

Following this, students must apply for a Study Permit, which is required for students studying in Canada for more than six months. This is done through a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or online. The Study Permit is issued for the duration of the student's program. Students will need to show a Letter of Introduction from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) entitling them to a Study Permit upon entry to Canada.

Citizens of certain countries will also require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Entry Visa to enter Canada. Students can check with Canadian authorities in their country to find out the requirements. Additionally, visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Students can apply for their study visas as soon as they have an offer of admission from the university. The International Students Office at Concordia can provide support throughout the process.

African students' testimonials

African Students Testimonials

"I was drawn to Montreal because I knew it's a very diverse and bilingual place. Still, I was amazed by the cultural diversity at Concordia. I have friends from Asia, Latin America, and all over. When you come to class, you feel inspired to study. The academic experience has been very helpful: professors, teaching assistants, student mentors — the support is there. Everything is set up for you to succeed." - Oreoluwa Albert Ajayi, Cameroon, pursuing a BComm in Finance with Co-op

"The work experience I got during my degree through the Co-op program was instrumental in helping me land a job in my field, and now I’m working as an engineer in the aerospace industry. No other university I was considering offered paid internships for my program. When I first visited Montreal, it seemed like a pretty friendly city for students, easy to get around, not too big and not too small." - Oreoluwa Albert Ajayi, Nigeria, BEng in Electrical Engineering, 2017

"The African Students' Association of Concordia, founded in the late 1980s, is a society representative of the African diaspora within Concordia University. Our association aspires to be a haven for international African students, as well as all who are of African descent. We value inclusivity and welcome all students regardless of race, creed, or colour. Through a range of cultural shows, conferences, and evening socials, we encompass the diverse aspects of our rich background." - African Students' Association of Concordia

"I was very happy to find out that I could apply to Concordia as an international student from Africa. The university's reputation as a friendly, inclusive place to learn, create, and do research was very appealing to me. I felt welcomed and supported throughout my time at Concordia, and I'm grateful for the opportunities it has provided me." - Anonymous, Africa

"I chose to attend Concordia University because of its diverse community and commitment to international students. As an African student, I felt welcomed and valued during my time at Concordia. The university offered excellent academic programs and provided me with a supportive network of peers and mentors. I'm grateful for the opportunities I had at Concordia and believe it has prepared me well for my future endeavours." - Anonymous, Africa

Frequently asked questions