Choosing an educational institution and a program of study

Before choosing a program of study that reflects your academic level, there are several factors you need to consider. Find out about them!

Where can you find information on educational institutions and their programs?

University institutions and programs
College institutions and programs
Primary and secondary schools and programs

University institutions and programs

There are eight universities in Québec, four francophone (comprising some 15 establishments) and three anglophone. They are located in the following eight cities: Gatineau, Montréal, Québec City, Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda, Saguenay, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, not counting sub-branches that offer a limited number of programs.

On each university’s website, you will find a “Programs” section describing the structure, content and prerequisites of each program offered, as well as the type of diploma awarded on completion of the program concerned.

	USEFUL INFORMATION
	There are numerous agreements or student exchange programs that allow you to come to study in Québec for either one term or two consecutive terms, while remaining registered in your home university. To find out more, consult your home university’s International Relations department or visit the website of the Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec (CREPUQ).

Useful links

• List of universities
• Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec (CREPUQ)

College institutions and programs

The college education network comprises:

• 48 public colleges (CEGEPs – collèges d’enseignement général et professionnel) under the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport
• 11 institutions under another ministry (e.g., music conservatories under the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications)
• approximately 68 private institutions, some of which are government subsidized and two of which are governed by an international agreement.

For a list of college institutions as well as a list of the programs offered, visit the website of the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport.

	PRACTICAL ADVICE
	Since the same program is often offered at several different CEGEPs, you need to find out where these institutions are located.

Useful links

• List of all college institutions (ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport)
• List of college (CEGEP) programs and contact information for the corresponding institutions
• Public CEGEPs directory
• List of subsidized private colleges

Primary and secondary schools and programs

Primary and secondary education programs are offered through a network of 2,444 public schools (providing primary and secondary instruction), 199 vocational centres and 208 adult education centres. These institutions are incorporated within 69 school boards (60 francophone and nine anglophone) based on territorial divisions, and within three special-status school boards.

The choice of school is generally determined by the student’s place of residence.

There are also 277 private education institutions authorized to dispense preschool, primary and secondary instruction.

For a list of all secondary vocational education programs and their corresponding institutions, visit the Inforoute FPT website on vocational and technical training in Québec.

	USEFUL INFORMATION
	Under the Charte de la langue française (Charter of the French Language), all students must be educated in French until the end of their secondary studies. Students who are residing in Québec temporarily may, however, obtain a temporary authorization to receive instruction in English from the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport.

Useful links

• Inforoute de la formation professionnelle et technique
• Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec
• Search tool for an education organization
• Fédération des établissements d’enseignement privés
• Charte de la langue française (Charter of the French Language)