College course

Come and take a college course in Québec City

You will be studying at a private or public college, also called a Cégep (general and vocational education college). The Cégep is a specific feature of the educational system in the province of Quebec and is an institution where the first level of higher education is provided (after high school and before university studies, for example).

Important to know

Programs of less than 6 months do not require a study permit, but are not eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
Only certain eligible programmes lasting 8 months or more AND comprising more than 900 hours are eligible for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). On 1 November 2024, the eligibility criteria for the PGWP were amended.

Prerequisites

Level of French: intermediate (CEF level: minimum B2). An evaluation will be done by the SRACQ or the private college.
Level of education required: Secondary 5 in Quebec (11 years of study from the first year of elementary school). An evaluation will be done by the SRACQ or the private college.

See comparisons of school systems with the Quebec system

College studies

Accessible: After secondary school (11 years of study from the first year of elementary school);

Specifics: This is the first level of higher education. It is also the gateway to university studies;

Institutions that offer college education: private or public colleges called Cégeps.

College education offers three types of training

Pre-university training

Duration: 2 years;

Targeted diploma: DEC (diplôme d’études collégiales): College diploma issued by the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (MES);

Objective: Access to undergraduate studies (university “first cycle”).

Technical training

Duration: 3 years;

Targeted diploma: DEC (diplôme d’études collégiales): College diploma issued by the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (MES).

Objective: Enter the job market or access undergraduate studies (university “first cycle”).

Continuing education

Duration: Variable – from 6 to 18 months;

Targeted diploma: AEC (attestation d’études collégiales): Attestation of collegial studies issued by the College/Cégep;

Specifics: This training is different from one institution to another, as each program is made up of a set of courses specific to each institution and with technical characteristics aimed at immediate preparation for employment. These programs are specifically created to meet labour market needs;

Objective: Enter the job market.

Cost of registration for college studies

The following is an estimate of the average annual tuition, not including related fees (learning guide, equipment, tools, etc.):

Students of French nationality: free of charge, in accordance with the agreement signed in 2001 between Quebec and France (except for private AECs);
Non-French students: between $15,000 and $24,000 (CAD).