Everything International Students Need to Know About Studying in Québec

Québec is a mostly French-speaking province but has many English colleges and universities and is a popular destination for international students. This is no surprise considering the general cost of living is one of the lowest in Canada and the cost for international students to study is usually $6,000 a year, with some eligible to pay a lower tuition starting September 2023.

Want to learn more about student life in Québec? Let’s dive in.

What is Living in Québec Like?

Geography

Québec is a flat landscape with some mountain ranges, made up of several lakes and rivers. It is known for the St Lawrence River, considered the heart of Québec and flows past Québec City and Montréal.

What is the Weather and Climate Like?

Québec’s weather is known for its extremes, with winters being quite cold and summers categorized as wet and warm.

What are the Largest Cities in Québec?

Québec’s land mass rivals Alaska’s and is nearly double the size of Texas. It is home to many big cities, including:

• Montréal - The second most populated city in Canada, Montréal is on the unceded and traditional territory of the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk). The city sits on an island in the St Lawrence River and is known for its old city European charm and stunning architecture.

• Québec City - The capital city of Québec, Québec City is home to Old Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of North America’s oldest European settlements.

• Gatineau - Part of Canada’s National Capital Region, Gatineau is home to many of the province’s museums and cultural centres.

• Sherbrooke - Sherbrooke city is 90% francophone and part of the Estrie Administrative Region of Québec.

What are the People of Québec Like?

Québec has a primarily French-speaking population, with English-speaking people making up a minority of its residents. 78% of its population speak French a majority of the time at home, while only 10% of people prefer English.

Visible minorities make up 16% of Québec’s population, with the majority living in Montréal or its surrounding areas. Following Ontario, Québec is the province with the second-largest number of visible minorities in private households in Canada. Indigenous peoples make up less than 3% of Québec’s population. Of the visible minorities in Québec, the largest groups are South Asian, Chinese, Black, and Filipino.

What are the Top-Ranking Colleges and Universities for International Students in Québec?

Every year, Maclean’s releases its Top University Rankings, a nationally recognized rating system based on comprehensive data about each institution’s students, reputation, faculty, student support, and resources. According to Maclean’s 2023 rankings, the top Québec universities for international students are:

• McGill University** - Located in Montréal, this English-speaking public research university is ranked second for Highest Quality. McGill is recognized internationally for its leadership in chemistry, medicine, and biology and is rated #31 in the world according to QS World Rankings 2023.

• Université de Montréal (University of Montréal)***- The University of Montréal is the second-best research university in Canada and 11th in Maclean’s Most Innovative Universities. It is world-renowned as a top centre for artificial intelligence.

• Université Laval (Laval University)**** - Located in Québec City, Laval University is a research-intensive university that is home to four prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs for Arctic climate change, cardiometabolic health, optics and photonics, and neurophotonics.

• Concordia University**** - Located in Montréal, Concordia is an English-speaking university and one of the biggest in Canada. Concordia’s John Molson School of Business is ranked 10th in the top 10 Business Schools in Canada and in the top 100 in the world, according to The Economist (2022).

• Université de Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke University)**** - Home to over 1,600 international students from 88 countries, Sherbrooke University is a French-language university considered one of the top public research universities in Canada.

• Université du Québec à Montréal (University of Québec)**** - Located in Québec City, this French-language institution is made up of ten public universities and is known for its focus in the scientific field.

• Bishop’s University**** - Offering small, intimate learning environments, Bishop’s is known for one of the best overall experiences for students in Canada.

*Ranked in #1 in Maclean’s Top 10 Overall, Highest Quality, Most Innovative, and Leaders of Tomorrow
**Ranked in Maclean’s Top 10 Overall, Highest Quality, Most Innovative, and Leaders of Tomorrow
***Ranked in Maclean’s Top 10 Overall, Highest Quality, and Leaders of Tomorrow
****Ranked in Maclean’s Top Overall, Highest Quality, Most Innovative, and Leaders of Tomorrow

The best colleges in Québec for international students¹ are:

• LaSalle College - North America’s largest bilingual college, 40% of LaSalle’s student population is made up of international students. The college is ranked in the top half of colleges in Canada.

• John Abbott College - A pillar of the English colleges in Québec, John Abbott offers hands-on learning centred on skill development.

• TAV College - A bilingual college with smaller classrooms to encourage student and faculty relationships and focused learning.

• Vanier College - The second largest English language college in Québec, Vanier College is known for cultivating a multicultural student environment.

• Dawson College - Located in Westmount, Dawson College was Québec’s first English-speaking institution in its public college system and is the largest CEGEP (College of General and Professional Training) in Québec. Dawson College specializes in Social Sciences and Business Technologies.

• Ahuntsic College - A major francophone college in Québec, Ahuntsic has hosted international students for over 50 years.

• O’Sullivan College of Québec - A small, private bilingual college, O’Sullivan offers its programming in both English and French and encourages students to become bilingual.

• Marianopolis College - The only English language private college in Québec with a specialty in pre-university academics.

• Montmorency College - A francophone college offering both technical and pre-university courses.

• Rosemont College - A French public college that is known for its affordable fees and technical courses.

• Champlain College Saint-Lambert - A public English-speaking college offering both pre-university and career programs with small classes to foster personalized feedback and learning.

¹Note: All of the colleges in this list are Designated Learning Institutes and have been approved by Canadian government standards to host international students.

Do I Need a CAQ to Study in Québec?

In order to study in Québec for a duration longer than six months, students are required to obtain:

• Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies, issued by the government of Québec;

• Study permit, issued by the government of Canada.

To receive the CAQ or Québec Acceptance Certificate, you must apply for temporary selection online. Information about the Québec Acceptance Certificate requirements can be found here.

What Can International Students Do on Weekends in Québec?

There is lots to take in as a student in Québec. Don’t miss these must-see sights:

Old Québec - A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Québec’s fortifications date back to the 17th century. The city is a snapshot back in time and is home to many of the province’s well-known attractions.

Montmorency Falls Park - This breathtaking waterfall is 30 m higher than Niagara Falls and just a few minutes away from downtown Québec City.

Ile d'Orleans - An island in the St Lawrence River, Ile d’Orleans was one of the first sites of French colonization and still retains its idyllic pastoral character.

Quartier du Petit Champlain - One of the most beautiful areas in Québec City, claimed to be North America’s oldest commercial district.

Montréal Botanical Garden - Offering 75 acres of gardens and greenhouses, this botanical garden has been attracting tourists for over 80 years.

The Canadian Museum of History (previously Canadian Museum of Civilization) - This natural museum of anthropology contains over 3 million artefacts and documents, with a mandate on celebrating Canadian identity and history.

Mont-Tremblant - Recognized as one of the best ski resorts in Eastern North America, Mont-Tremblant is home to one of the best pedestrian villages outside of the Rockies.

Old Montréal - Known for its cobblestone streets and inviting cafes, Old Montréal is the place to soak in some European charm.

Mount Royal - Referred to as “The Mountain” by locals, Mount Royal offers stunning panoramic views of Montréal.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac - Considered one of the oldest and most beloved hotels in Canada.

What is the Job Market and Local Economy Like in Québec?

Québec has the lowest unemployment rate of all the provinces in Canada (2022) and has retained this standing for 43 years. Impressively, nearly half of the jobs in Québec are held by women, making it one of the highest percentages in the world.

It is projected that, in future years, Québec will continue this trend, with a very positive job market outlook for recent grads and immigrants.

What are the Top Industries Offering Employment in Québec?

The top employment industries in Québec are:

1. Service Industry

2. Government and Public Service

3. Consumer Goods Industry

4. Production Services

What are the Top Job Skills Desired in Québec?

The following are the top job skills in Québec sought after by employers:

• Business

• Finance

• Administration

• Sales and Services

How can one apply for Permanent Residency in Québec?

From 2015-2022, Québec had an annual average of 48,100 permanent residents. In 2022, 163,400 people gained permanent residency.

To apply for permanent residency in Québec, you must get a Québec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec) from the provincial government.

Québec offers two programs for permanent residency:

1. The Regular Skilled Worker Program

For skilled workers whose job history, skills, and training meet program requirements. Applications must go through Québec’s online immigration services portal, Arrima.

1. The Québec Experience Program (PEQ)

For temporary foreign workers and recent foreign graduates who meet program requirements.

Québec is also currently offering pilot programs for permanent residency closing on January 1 2026:

• Permanent immigration pilot program for workers in food processing

• Permanent immigration pilot program for orderlies

• Permanent immigration pilot program for workers in the artificial intelligence, information technologies and visual effects sectors

For more information about these pilot programs please visit Québec’s immigration website.

Regardless of where you study, be aware of immigration fraud. While Canada is a safe place to study, it is important to educate yourself with these tips from the Government of Canada or resources at your college or university. Trust your gut. If you are contacted for money or with extreme urgency, stop and reach out to immigration officials first before acting.

Ready to Study in Québec?

We hope that this information has helped you decide if Québec is the right place for you to study as an international student.

Have questions about studying and staying in Canada? IDP Canada offers free, personalized consultations from student counsellors with over 100 years of combined experience. Get in touch here.

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