Study in Québec (Canada) – Complete Guide and Scholarships

Keywords: Study In Quebec, Study In Canada, Reasons To Study In Quebec, Quebec Education System, Steps To Study In Quebec, Scholarships In Quebec, Scholarships In Canada, Study Abroad Scholarships In Canada, Work In Quebec, Stay In Quebec After Graduation

Advantages of studying in Québec

The quality of life in Quebec is exceptional. Students from all over the world are drawn to the province because of its outstanding advantages. Each year, more than 50,000 students from different countries choose to study in Québec. Discover what makes Québec the place you want to be. 

Excellence in education
Québec’s education system is set apart by its many internationally recognized programs.

Ultramodern infrastructures
Institutions of higher learning all across Québec are equipped with high-tech laboratories, computer labs, sports facilities, and performance halls.

Affordable cost of living
Tuition fees for international students and the cost of living in Québec are among the lowest in North America.

Safe living conditions
Québec is recognized as a just, respectful, egalitarian, inclusive, and democratic society. The crime rate is one of the lowest in North America.

Lively cultural scene
Every year, a multitude of large-scale cultural and international events—festivals, carnivals, art exhibitions, and sports events—take place all across Québec.

The charm of city living
Québec’s major cities offer an exquisite blend of North American modernity and European charm.

Wide-open natural spaces
The province offers an abundance of impressive vistas as well as numerous lakes and rivers, a vast boreal forest, a fjord, and a majestic river. There are several provincial parks where visitors can admire unique landscapes while taking part in sporting and leisure activities that vary with the seasons. 

Also Read: Comprehensive Guide to Study in Canada

Most Popular Colleges in Quebec

1. CDI College – Longueuil
2. CDI College – Pointe-Claire
3. CDI College – St. Leonard
4. LaSalle College – Montreal
5. Herzing College – Downtown Montreal
6. Herzing College – Montreal East (St-Leonard)
7. CDI College – Montreal
8. CDI College – Laval
9. Musitechnic
10. Canada College
11. Montreal College of Information Technology (MCIT)
12. Matrix College
13. CDE College
14. Greystone College – Montreal 

Québec education system

Québec education system has four levels: 

• preschool education also called kindergarten
• elementary and secondary school education, which includes general education and vocational training
• college education, which includes two streams: pre-university education and technical training
• university education, which includes undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate studies as well as postdoctoral studies 

Public and private educational institutions recognized by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur exist at every level. The school system is divided along linguistic lines: instruction is given in French or in English, depending on the institution. The three levels of education most popular with foreign students are vocational training, college, and university. 

Also Read: List Of Scholarships To Study In Canada 

Vocational training
Vocational training is part of the secondary school education system and is available to both youth and adults. Students can enrol in vocational training after having successfully completed Secondary III or Secondary IV (9 or 10 years of schooling). Vocational training programs of study lead directly to the job market, with students receiving one of the following official diplomas: 

• Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS)
• Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS)
• Skills Training Certificate (STC) 

College
College-level education is provided by public institutions known as CEGEPs as well as by private colleges. Unique to Québec, this level may serve as a bridge between compulsory schooling (elementary and secondary) and university. 

College-level institutions offer: 

• 2-year pre-university education programs that ready students for university studies and lead to the Diploma of College Studies (DEC)
• 3-year technical training programs that ready students for the job market and lead to the Diploma of College Studies (DEC)
• technical training programs for adults that are under 3 years in length. These programs ready students for the job market by providing them with specialized training in a technical field and lead to an Attestation of College Studies (ACS) 

University
University-level education is provided by universities and follows graduation from a pre-university education program at the college level. The structure of university education in Québec is similar to that found elsewhere in North America.

There are 3 levels of university studies: 

• Bachelor’s (cycle 1), takes 3 or 4 years, depending on the subject
• Master’s (cycle 2), takes 1 or 2 years
• Doctoral (cycle 3), takes 3 years or more 

Also Read: Study MBA without work experience in Canada

Steps to take to study in Québec 

Step 1: Choosing a program of study and an educational institution
To study in Québec as a foreign student, you must choose a program of study and a designated learning institution that fits your interests and level of education. 

Because there is no single source that provides a list of the programs of study available in Québec, you need to research the educational institutions themselves or consult the websites of main partners. 

Step 2: Obtaining admission to a program of study
To find out the admission criteria, the time required to process applications and the deadlines to be met, please contact the educational institution of your choice or our team.

Merit Scholarship and exemptions from differential tuition fees are also available to foreign students enrolled in vocational training, college, or university. 

Step 3: Obtaining an Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies
As soon as you receive your letter of acceptance, you must apply for an Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies. This Acceptance Certificate must be obtained for studies that last more than six months, with certain exceptions, and this requirement applies to all foreign students, regardless of the level of education. 

To apply for a Québec Acceptance Certificate for studies, go to the website of the Ministère de l’Immigration. 

Step 4: Obtaining a study permit
You must obtain a study permit if your program of study lasts more than six months in total. This permit is issued by the Government of Canada. 

At this stage, you may be asked to provide a temporary resident visa and, in certain cases, undergo a medical examination. 

You must also provide your biometric data, i.e. your fingerprints and a photograph. This process must be completed before you arrive in Québec. 

Go to the website of the government of Canada for more details:

Step 5: Obtaining health and hospitalization insurance
It is compulsory for you to have health and hospitalization insurance coverage for the entire duration of your studies in Québec. The fees are set by private insurers and can vary depending on the services provided. To get more information on this, you should communicate directly with your educational institution.

Please note that even if you already have coverage in your home country, you must still obtain Québec-issued insurance. 

Some countries have signed reciprocal social security agreements with Québec. Under these agreements, students can be protected under the Québec health insurance system free of charge during their studies. You can find the list of these countries on the website of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

Also Read: Cost to Study in Canada

Merit scholarships for foreign students

The Merit Scholarships program for foreign students is offered to students who pursue vocational training, technical training at the college level, or studies at the university level. The program is offered in order to attract the best international candidates for studies in Québec and to encourage student recruitment in programs with good job and research prospects.

The Merit Scholarship program allows recipients to benefit from:

• a scholarship that provides financial assistance during their studies
• an exemption from the differential tuition fees payable by foreign students
• health insurance protection provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

Eligible candidates – Vocational Training Students

To be eligible, students need to pursue full-time studies in a vocational training program leading to one of the following:

• Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS)
• Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS)
• Applicants enrolled in a program with good job prospects are given priority.

In addition, priority is given to international students from leading markets in Asia (China, India, and Japan) and the Americas (Brazil and Mexico), and from developing countries that are part of the Francophonie.

Please note that students from France are not eligible for this program since they benefit from distinct regulations through an agreement between Québec and France.

Value of the scholarships

The Merit Scholarship for 900-hour programs is valued at $14,000. An extra amount of $1,400 is added for every additional 100 hours, to a maximum of $26,000 for 1,800-hour programs. Programs of fewer than 100 hours are not eligible.

In addition to the scholarship, all recipients are entitled to an exemption from the differential tuition fees payable by foreign students, and to the health insurance protection provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

How to apply

To submit a Merit Scholarship application, please visit the Québec métiers d’avenir online platform provided by Éducation internationale.

Once your application has been submitted, Éducation internationale will verify that it is complete and that all documents are up to date. Relevant educational institutions will then make their selections from all submitted applications.

Eligible candidates – Technical training students at college level

To be eligible, students need to pursue full-time studies in a technical training program leading to a Diploma of College Studies (DCS). The public or private college where the studies take place must be accredited for the purposes of funding and be located in a Québec region outside the Greater Montréal area.

Students must also be citizens of a member country of the espace francophone.

Value of the scholarships

The Merit Scholarship is valued at $14,000 per year. The scholarship recipient must re-apply for the scholarship on a yearly basis, up to a maximum of three years, which is the normal duration of a technical training program.

In addition to the scholarship, all recipients are entitled to an exemption from the differential tuition fees payable by foreign students, and to the health insurance protection provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

How to apply

All applicants must be preselected by an educational institution. Scholarship applications to be preselected by public colleges are submitted to the Fédération des cégeps, while scholarship applications to be preselected by subsidized private colleges are submitted to the Association des collèges privés du Québec (ACPQ).

To apply for a Merit Scholarship, please contact the public or private college in question.

Eligible candidates – University students

To be eligible, students need to pursue studies or research activities at a Québec university. Scholarships are available for:

• doctoral (PhD) programs
• postdoctoral studies
• Short-term research or professional development scholarships 

Value of the scholarships

Doctoral research scholarships: $25,000 per year. The maximum duration for this scholarship is three years, with a possible extension of up to 12 months. In the case of an extension, a monthly allowance of $1,000 is provided.

Postdoctoral scholarships: $35,000 for one year, non-renewable.

Short-term research or professional development scholarships: $3,000 per month for a period of up to four months.

In addition to the scholarship, all recipients are entitled to an exemption from the differential tuition fees payable by foreign students, and to the health insurance protection provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

How to apply

All applicants must be preselected by an educational institution. Preselected applications are then submitted to the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT).

Also Read: How to apply for Student Visa in Canada

Exemptions from foreign student differential tuition fees

This exemption ensures that selected international students are not required to pay the differential tuition fees usually required of foreign students in Québec. This measure allows students to benefit from the same tuition rates as Québec students who pursue vocational training, technical training at the college level, or studies at the university level.

Eligible candidates

To be eligible for exemption from the differential tuition fees, students must meet one of the following conditions:

• be exempt as part of the exemption quotas, managed by Éducation internationale Cet hyperlien s’ouvrira dans une nouvelle fenêtre. for vocational training students, and by the Fédération des cégeps (public colleges) and the Association des collèges privés du Québec (ACPQ) (private colleges) for technical training students
• be a recipient of a Québec Merit Scholarship
• be a university student from a country or international organization that has a signed agreement to this effect with the Québec government
• be enrolled in French Language and Literature or Québec Studies courses and be a full-time student in a degree program (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral)
• be a person holding diplomatic status, or a spouse or child of that person
• be a staff member of an international governmental or non-governmental organization in Québec
• be a national of France or the French Community of Belgium covered by a signed agreement with the Québec government [available in French only] that grants special provisions
• be a refugee, protected person, person to be protected, or holder of a Québec Selection Certificate (QSC)
• be a spouse or child of certain temporary workers
• be a person who is authorized to apply for permanent residency in Canada and holds a Québec Selection Certificate (QSC)

During your studies

Learning French
If you have a Certificat de sélection du Québec (Québec selection certificate) (CSQ) and you are attending a designated learning institution, you are entitled to self-directed francization services. Francisation en ligne (FEL), which offers online French courses, and the Online integration (SIEL), are two free websites.

FREE French courses for immigrants living in Québec 

• Immigrants taking a part-time French course are entitled to the financial assistance of $15 per day of training, a first!
• Temporary workers, foreign students, as well as their spouse, are now eligible for part-time French courses as well as the accompanying financial assistance. Prior to this, individuals who were temporarily residing in Québec did not have access to in-class French courses offered by the Government of Québec. 

Working while studying
If you are attending a designated learning institution as a foreign student, you may work part-time (a maximum of 20 hours per week) during the school year and full-time during the summer. You do not have to apply for a work permit if you adhere to these conditions. 

Also Read: How much does it cost to apply for PR in Canada?

Staying in Québec after graduation

Québec offers good job prospects in numerous fields. If you wish to work in Québec after earning your diploma and to settle here permanently, you must obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (Québec selection certificate—CSQ). 

After having obtained your Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), you may apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence. 

The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion offers free information sessions on immigration procedures for foreign students currently enrolled in Québec educational institutions. These sessions are also available online.

For more information regarding funding opportunities to study in Quebec or Canada, contact our team at Road to Abroad. For more general information about studying in Canada, visit our complete guide to studying abroad in Canada. You may also be interested in our list of the top universities in Canada.

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