An enriching, complete approach
In Québec, college is the first level of postsecondary education. College is also the first level of education at which schooling is not compulsory and is a matter of personal choice. Elsewhere in Canada, institutions known as community colleges are structured somewhat differently from the colleges in Québec, which are called CÉGEPs – a French acronym for collège d'enseignement général et professionnel. In addition to schools in the private and public sectors that offer both pre-university studies in general education and technical studies, those that offer only one or the other include colleges, institutions, conservatories, and so on.Currently, there are 48 public colleges (CÉGEPs) in Québec, 25 subsidized private institutions, including two institutions governed by an international agreement, 27 private colleges with permits, and 11 government schools. Among the public colleges, five institutions offer instruction in English and 43 in French. These institutions offer two-year pre-university programs and three-year technical programs leading to a diploma of college studies (DCS). They also offer other shorter technical programs certified by an attestation of college studies (ACS).
A DCS is required for admission to university. In general, pre-university studies prepare students for university, while technical training studies prepare students for the job market, but the latter also provide access to university.
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Admission
The college education regulations stipulate that there are three requirements for admission to a program leading to a DCS: students must hold a secondary school diploma (SSD) or a diploma of vocational studies (DVS); meet the specific admission requirements of the program; and meet the specific admission requirements determined by the educational institution (a college or CÉGEP may admit a student who is considered to have equivalent qualifications). Students who have not accumulated the required number of credits for certain secondary school subjects for their SSD must complete remedial activities for these subjects during their college studies. A person who holds a DVS must have accumulated credits for three subjects before being admitted to college.
It is possible to enroll at the college level without initially choosing a program of study. Students may be admitted into an explorations program, which generally lasts one semester, is made up of courses common to all the programs, and includes guidance counselling, remedial courses, and so on. CÉGEPs cannot impose tuition fees on full-time students enrolled in a college-level program. However, nonresidents of Québec, be they Canadian or permanent residents, must pay tuition fees of $990 per semester in 2008-2009. All private educational institutions charge tuition fees. Foreign students who wish to attend a public or private educational institution must pay tuition fees, the amount of which is determined by the government.
Admission
The college education regulations stipulate that there are three requirements for admission to a program leading to a DCS: students must hold a secondary school diploma (SSD) or a diploma of vocational studies (DVS); meet the specific admission requirements of the program; and meet the specific admission requirements determined by the educational institution (a college or CÉGEP may admit a student who is considered to have equivalent qualifications). Students who have not accumulated the required number of credits for certain secondary school subjects for their SSD must complete remedial activities for these subjects during their college studies. A person who holds a DVS must have accumulated credits for three subjects before being admitted to college.
It is possible to enroll at the college level without initially choosing a program of study. Students may be admitted into an explorations program, which generally lasts one semester, is made up of courses common to all the programs, and includes guidance counselling, remedial courses, and so on. CÉGEPs cannot impose tuition fees on full-time students enrolled in a college-level program. However, nonresidents of Québec, be they Canadian or permanent residents, must pay tuition fees of $990 per semester in 2008-2009. All private educational institutions charge tuition fees. Foreign students who wish to attend a public or private educational institution must pay tuition fees, the amount of which is determined by the government.