College education

In the Québec education system, colleges are the first level of higher education. To be eligible, you must hold a Secondary School Diploma (SSD) or a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS).

The collège d’enseignment général et professionnel (CEGEP) and certain private colleges offer students a choice between:

• pre-university studies that last two years and serve as a preparation for university;
• technical studies that last three years and lead to employment as a technician or technologist. In some cases, technical studies can also lead to university.

Whatever their choice, students must take general education courses, some of which are common to both programs. The Diploma of College Studies (DCS) is awarded on completion of pre-university studies programs and technical studies programs.

There is a broad range of pre-university programs: natural sciences, social sciences, dance, music, fine arts, liberal arts, science, history and civilization. Some CEGEPS also offer an international baccalaureate. There are also several technical studies programs, divided into five fields: biotechnology, physics technology, social technology, administrative technology and arts. In fact, these fields touch every sector of economic activity.

In addition, there are specialized educational institutions, such as institutes and conservatories, that offer a wide variety of study programs: circus, music, agri-food technology, tourism and hotel management, fashion design, horticulture, etc.

Useful links

• Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport:
  • Les programmes d’études collégiales
  • L’enseignement collégial
  • Les établissements collégiaux
• La Fédération des cégeps