Why consider Montreal?
Greater Montreal is home to operations by Bombardier, Airbus, Pratt & Whitney Canada, CAE and Bell Textron Canada. Aircraft, engines, simulators and helicopters give an idea of the diversity of technologies found in the region.
Across Quebec, the aerospace sector employed 43,100 people in 2024 and generated nearly C$22.8 billion in sales, according to the provincial government. These figures cover the province as a whole and all occupations in the sector, not just engineering.
The proximity of companies can help guide your research and questions about internships. However, it guarantees neither a placement nor a job, and it does not mean that each of these companies is a partner of the programs below.
Universities and programs
Here are three examples to help you compare two undergraduate programs and one master’s program. This is neither an exhaustive list nor a ranking. The features presented reflect the documentation reviewed on November 5, 2026; verify the requirements and program structure that apply to the intake you are interested in.
Concordia: a specialized bachelor’s degree in Montreal
At Concordia University, the BEng in Aerospace Engineering offers three options: aerodynamics and propulsion, structures and materials, and avionics and aerospace systems. These options are not three separate degrees.
The university also describes a co-op format that allows students to complete paid work terms of 12 to 16 weeks. Ask about eligibility requirements and the support provided: the opportunity to participate in the program does not guarantee an individual placement.
Sherbrooke: a master’s degree after a first degree
The Master’s in Aerospace Engineering at the Université de Sherbrooke comprises 45 credits and leads to a Master of Engineering degree. It offers, among other options, pathways with an industrial internship, a project, and product development and systems integration.
The main location is Sherbrooke, but some credits must be completed at a partner institution; courses may be held in Montreal or Quebec City, among other locations. Check the locations and schedules for your chosen pathway before planning your travel. The faculty states that an internship is not guaranteed.
Toronto Metropolitan University: an option in Ontario
At Toronto Metropolitan University, the Aerospace Engineering - BEng (Hons) program is listed as full-time over four years, or five years with co-op. The areas of study presented are Aircraft, Avionics and Spacecraft. These advertised formats do not guarantee the same duration for every student.
How should you choose between these pathways?
Start with your current level of education. If you are looking for your first university-level engineering program, compare bachelor’s degrees and their options. If you already have a relevant degree in engineering, focus instead on the requirements and pathways for the master’s program.
| If your interest is in… | One option among the examples presented |
|---|---|
| Aerodynamics and propulsion | The corresponding option at Concordia |
| Structures and materials | The corresponding option at Concordia |
| Avionics | The options presented at Concordia and Toronto Metropolitan University |
| Space vehicles | The Spacecraft area of study at Toronto Metropolitan University |
| Product development and systems integration | A pathway in Sherbrooke’s master’s program |
Use this table to start your research, not to identify the “best” institution. Review the required courses, available choices and when you must select an option: a program title does not describe an entire course of study.
Also compare the type of practical experience. A master’s project, an industrial internship and a co-op format may serve different goals and schedules. Ask what is required in the specific pathway you are interested in.
Preparing your application
For each program you are considering, note the prerequisites, language requirements, requested documents and deadlines that apply to your profile and intended intake. If you studied abroad, ask the university how it assesses your degree and results rather than converting your average yourself.
For example, Sherbrooke’s master’s program lists, among other requirements, a first degree in engineering or equivalent, a minimum average of 2.7 out of 4.3 or the equivalent, and functional knowledge of French. Other conditions may apply depending on your previous education and chosen pathway.
These criteria are partial and specific to this example. Meeting a threshold does not guarantee admission: consult the institution’s complete requirements before preparing your application.
Internships: questions to ask
The terms “co-op” or “industrial internship” alone do not describe the experience you will receive. Before choosing a program, ask the institution:
- Is an internship mandatory in the pathway I am interested in?
- What conditions must I meet to access the proposed format?
- What support is available to help me find a placement?
- What happens if I do not find an internship?
- How do locations and dates affect my budget and authorizations?
At Sherbrooke, the faculty states that the master’s internship is not guaranteed and indicates that a student without a placement is invited to complete a project. Confirm the arrangements that apply to your pathway. As a precaution, do not base your budget on internship income that has not yet been secured.
International students: studies and internships
Immigration procedures are separate from university admission. For a program lasting more than six months in Quebec, the general process for a foreign national includes a CAQ for studies and a federal study permit. Exemptions and special situations exist. Quebec’s process does not apply to a program in Ontario.
Since April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for an internship required by their program. The measure is conditional: it does not automatically authorize independent employment or an optional internship.
IRCC requires, among other things, a letter from the institution confirming that the internship is required, and limits the internship to 50% of the total program duration. Other conditions include having an initial study permit that authorizes on-campus work and an employer accepted by the institution’s internship program. There are also conditions relating to full-time enrolment at a designated learning institution.
Before starting an internship, review all federal conditions and confirm with your institution whether the experience you are considering is required. The rules presented here apply to eligible post-secondary international students; they do not replace a review of your individual situation.
Sensitive projects: a security screening may be required
Some projects may provide access to controlled goods. In situations covered by the Controlled Goods Program, a person registered in the program may need to apply for an exemption for an international student, with a security assessment.
This process is separate from authorization to study or work. It does not automatically apply to all aerospace projects and does not mean that all internships are closed to international students.
For a specific opportunity, ask the employer whether the assignment involves controlled goods, who arranges the screenings and whether other tasks are available during the process. Assess the project’s requirements rather than drawing a conclusion based solely on the name of the sector.
Set your budget and consider what comes next
Compare costs based on your status, institution and pathway. Budget separately for tuition, housing, food, transportation, books and other personal expenses. For Sherbrooke’s master’s program, also consider possible travel to partner institutions.
Two figures illustrate why it is important to distinguish between categories:
- For applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, Quebec sets the required resources for a person’s basic needs at C$24,617 per year. This administrative threshold is not the full cost of a year: tuition and round-trip transportation, among other expenses, are additional.
- For 2026-2027, Toronto Metropolitan University lists a range of C$44,375 to C$44,675 in fees for full-time international students in the program presented. This is neither a rate for Canadian students nor the total cost of a stay.
These amounts do not measure the same thing: do not add them together to calculate the cost of a particular program. Instead, prepare a separate budget for each option.
Finally, to put the sector in context, Canada’s aerospace industry had 94,200 direct jobs in 2025, in manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul services. These are existing jobs, not vacancies. In Quebec, the process for dealing with the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec is separate from immigration and work authorizations: find out what applies based on your degree and the professional title you are seeking.
Before applying, find answers to four questions: Does the content match your interests? Do you meet the entry requirements? How is practical experience organized? Can you finance the pathway without relying on an uncertain placement?