COVID-19 FAQ for prospective and newly admitted undergraduate students
(Graduate students, please see the School of Graduate Studies COVID-19 FAQ.)
I am an applicant:
In light of the government's directives, we have suspended campus tours and in person appointments for now. But, we'd love to speak with you! You can book a guided virtual tour or a chat with a recruiter.
There are several options for taking your English Proficiency Test online, including IELTS, TOEFL, and Duolingo. Find out more about our English language proficiency requirements.
We understand that schools across the globe are making many adjustments. We will assess your application with this in mind.
I have received an offer of admission for Fall 2021:
Requests for a deferral are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Students admitted to programs in the Faculty of Fine Arts, Communications, Communications and Cultural Studies Journalism, TESL and Early Childhood Education are not normally eligible for deferral – they will need to submit a new application for the term they wish to attend.
International students may be eligible for a deferral if they are unable to travel to Canada due to restrictions including not getting their study permit in time. Deferral requests for your Fall 2021 admission will be considered from August 1 to September 30.
Deferrals are not available for students who do not require a study permit or who plan to take courses at another institution.
Our admissions staff are processing official documents received electronically or by mail.
Depending on your school’s curriculum, official documents are sent either by mail or electronically. When possible, electronic documents are preferred, but our admissions staff are processing documents received by mail. Review your options for submitting official documents.
If you think you may not be able to meet the conditions, please email the admissions officer indicated in the Offer of Admission.
Cegep students who have been admitted can start their program if they are missing a maximum of one component to complete their DEC. A component can include a course, the language exit exam, or the comprehensive assessment. The requirement to provide proof of DEC is extended by one term. If you know that you are missing one component for your DEC, you must contact your Cegep and obtain confirmation from them that you only have one missing component and that you will indeed be obtaining your DEC by the appropriate deadline.
I am starting in Fall 2021 and have questions:
Academic advisors are helping and support students remotely until it is safe for in-person meetings to resume. Read more about advising.
Health
At this time, travelers do not require a vaccine to travel to Canada (see our travel and quarantine page for more information) however, travel and health regulations are continually being updated.
Ultimately, it is your decision. However, based on the lengthy delays in obtaining the vaccines in Canada, and the possibility of travel regulations changing in the future, some students are opting to be vaccinated at home where possible.
If you are unable to get a vaccine in your home country, or require a second vaccination after you arrive in Canada, you will be able to receive one once your age group becomes eligible in Quebec, based on Quebec’s COVID-19 vaccination program.
Yes, your student health insurance would cover hospitalization for COVID-19.
According to the Canadian government, individuals with health conditions that put them at heightened risk will be given priority for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. For this reason, Concordia hopes to welcome everyone, including students considered high-risk, to campus in the fall term.
Traveling to Montreal
In-person classes will not have an online option. Based on our current expectations of government requirements, international students are expected to be in Quebec, even if courses are offered remotely.
All travelers entering Canada by land or air, must quarantine for 14 days.
Canada currently requires travelers arriving in Canada by air to quarantine in a hotel for 3 days upon arrival in Canada. Travelers are responsible for booking their quarantine hotel accommodations prior to arrival. The cost of hotel quarantine for three days can be as high as $2000.
Following the hotel quarantine, travelers must complete the rest of a mandatory two-week quarantine in a private residence or hotel of their choosing. The two-week quarantine requirement applies to everyone, regardless of citizenship, who enters the country by air or land. Read about the full quarantine requirements.
You should plan to arrive in Canada at least two weeks before your classes start, so that you can complete your quarantine before coming to campus. Do not visit campus if you are in quarantine or have COVID-19 symptoms.
Yes, those who have travelled together, may share accommodation. Room rate will include base room rate plus an additional fee for each additional person staying in the same room.
You must quarantine in a private residence or hotel room. Reduced hotel rates may be available through Hotel Management International, although Concordia cannot guarantee availability. Per health and safety protocols, Concordia residences will not be available for quarantine use.
Unfortunately, this is not something we are able to provide.
While we wait for confirmation from the Quebec government, we are encouraging students to plan to be in Quebec by the start of Fall 2021 term. It is possible, that failure to reside in Quebec, may have future negative impacts on immigration applications such as CAQ renewals or eligibility to the PEQ program.
Although we are still awaiting confirmation from the Quebec government, it is possible that failure to reside in Quebec may have future negative impacts on immigration applications such as CAQ renewals or eligibility to the PEQ program. For this reason, we are asking international students to plan to be in Montreal for the fall term.
Returning to campus
While we wait for confirmation from the Quebec government, we are encouraging students to plan to be in Quebec by the start of Fall 2021 term. It is possible, that failure to reside in Quebec, may have future negative impacts on immigration applications such as CAQ renewals or eligibility to the PEQ program.
Currently, masks are required in all indoor public spaces in Quebec, including classrooms. The university has also instituted occupancy and cleaning protocols to reduce the risk of viral spread from contact and aerosols.
The provincial government’s guidelines determine how Concordia manages in-person activities, with rules expected to evolve in accordance with the public health situation.
Recreation facilities, including Le Gym, are currently closed. When permitted to do so, Concordia will gradually reopen its recreation facilities, ensuring compliance with all applicable public health directives for the Montreal region and for higher education.
In the meantime, please visit concordia.ca/recreation for online fitness, home workouts, nutrition information, personal training and esports.
Please consult our information about living in Residence.
Concordia’s plan for course delivery will be announced in in the coming weeks.
As the public health situation is expected to improve in the late summer and fall of 2021, we expect to be able to welcome more student life activities back to campus. Even if most (or all) of your courses are online for the fall term, you will be able to access libraries, certain common spaces and study areas, and attend certain events on campus, depending on health and safety measures. We would like all students to join us in taking part in this unprecedented reunion with our community, as we expect to gradually be able to gather together safely over the course of the fall.
See also:
If you have questions that are not addressed by the FAQs, please contact covid19info@concordia.ca.
