The government of Quebec is investigating whether McGill University is overcharging its international students.

Universities in Quebec are allowed to charge international students a maximum of $10,188 per year in tuition, but McGill's web site lists international fees as high as $15,000.

The seeming discrepancy was brought to the attention of the provincial Education Department by Montreal's Le Devoir newspaper, and an aide to Education Minister Sylvain Simard said the government will be following up on the matter.

"If, once we have spoken with McGill, we deem that they have not honoured the established rules, we will act accordingly," Nicolas Girard told Canadian Press.

Tuition fees in Quebec have been frozen for residents since 1993- 1994, meaning Quebec students pay up to $1,668 per year for an undergraduate program compared with tuition fees of $4,012 per year for out of province students. International students pay tuition fees of approximately $9,200, but no more than $10,188.

McGill's web site lists fees for international students that range from $9,500 to $15,000.