Montreal

With 188,000 students – including 40,000 from around the world – Montreal is a cosmopolitan and dynamic hub that is ideal for students. At ESMA Montréal, students benefit from a stimulating work environment, state-of-the-art equipment and enriching collaborations with professionals in the digital arts industry. With the presence of renowned companies such as Ubisoft, Square Enix, Eidos Montréal, Behaviour Interactive, TFOU! Productions and Warner Bros. Games, the city is a veritable breeding ground for talent, attracting professionals and creators from all horizons every year. This environment of innovation and collaboration, which Montreal has fostered for many years, has given rise to a rich and dynamic ecosystem, making it a key destination for the creative and cultural industries. ESMA students benefit from all these opportunities for internships and professional encounters, enabling them to integrate easily into their future professional environment!

Throughout the year, Montreal offers a rich and varied cultural offering, always striving for innovation and diversity. With over 100 festivals taking place in its neighbourhoods, the city that owes its nickname of “city of a hundred steeples” to Mark Twain is now an international cultural crossroads. Some of the most notable events include the Biennale de Montréal, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and the Just for Laughs Festival, which bring together artists and audiences from all over the world every year. In a field more specifically aligned with the interests of ESMA students, the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma (FNC), the Sommets du Cinéma d’Animation, the Festival International du Film pour Enfants de Montréal (FIFEM) and the Montreal International Game Summit (MIGS) are all major gatherings where creators and innovators from the film, animation and video game industries meet, exchange ideas and celebrate their achievements. They’re all great opportunities to meet new people, exchange ideas and make inspiring discoveries in the work of our young artists.

Anyone who has visited Montreal knows the pleasure of strolling the cobbled streets of Old Montreal, and enjoying the nightlife of the Plateau, Mile End and Quartier Latin. With its many festivals, spellbinding concerts and the multitude of sporting and cultural events that punctuate the year, Montreal is unrivalled for offering a vibrant and diverse urban life. Students from other parts of the world will appreciate the city’s temperate climate, with its fascinating winters and deep snow, perfect for activities such as dog sledding, visits to sugar shacks and other Quebec traditions. As soon as spring arrives and the warm weather sets in, the city comes alive with an infectious energy, aided by the cultural diversity and festive spirit that are the hallmarks of Montreal. Until the Indian summer, when the city lights up in shimmering colours, Montreal remains a great place to live and study, offering a unique experience combining tradition, modernity and creativity.

When it comes to transport, Montreal reflects the characteristics of large North American cities, accustomed to wide open spaces and at the cutting edge of innovation in urban mobility. With its interconnected network, expanding cycle paths and efficient public transport system, the city is responding to the growing need for mobility, with even greater investment planned for 2024. For ESMA Montréal students, this is reflected in the proximity of bus stops and self-service bicycle stations on the school’s doorstep, as well as access to several metro stations just a stone’s throw away. Students with vehicles are also well catered for, with public parking spaces available in the basement. All of which makes getting around and getting around the city much easier.