What is CEGEP?

CEGEP stands for Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel. Quebec students normally complete secondary school after Secondary V, then may enter a CEGEP program. Two-year pre-university programs are designed to prepare students for university, while three-year technical programs provide occupational training and can also allow later university study.

Both routes commonly lead to a Diploma of College Studies (DEC). A CEGEP graduate may complete many Quebec bachelor’s degrees in three additional years, but engineering and some professional programs can be longer. Quebec universities often use the R-score when evaluating CEGEP applicants, especially for competitive programs.

Quebec residents in full-time regular public CEGEP programs may receive tuition-free education while paying ancillary fees; international and out-of-province students follow different fee rules. Program length, language, admission, transfer credit and PGWP eligibility must be checked for the specific institution and program.