Colleges in Québec

The Québec education system is made up of public and private institutions in both the Francophone and Anglophone sectors. It includes four levels of instruction:

– Elementary education
– Secondary education
– College education
– University education

College education is a particular feature of Québec’s education system. It constitutes an intermediary level between compulsory elementary and secondary education and university education. The general and vocational colleges, known as CEGEPs – Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel, offer two-year pre-university programs or three-year technical programs. There are three types of programs in Quebec colleges: DEC (a Diplôme d’études collégiales techniques), AEC (attestation de spécialisation professionnelle), DVS (a Diplôme d’études professionnelles).

DEC is the acronym for “diploma of college studies” in French.

There are 2 types of programs that can lead to a DEC:

1- Pre-university programs. Two years in length for a total of four semesters, these programs prepare students for university studies.
2- Technical training programs. Three years in length for a total of six sessions, these programs allow students to directly access the work place.

All pre-university or technical programs leading to a DEC have the following courses:

1. general education courses common to all programs:

three language and literature courses in the language of instruction for a total of 7 ⅓ units
one second language course of 2 units
two philosophy or humanities courses for a total of 4⅓ units
three physical education courses for a total of 3 units

three language and literature courses in the language of instruction for a total of 7 ⅓ units

2. general education courses specific to the program:
one language and literature course in the language of instruction for a total of 2 units
one second language course of 2 units
one philosophy or humanities course for a total of 2 units

3. complementary general education courses:
2 courses for a total of 4 units in one of the following fields that are not covered in the specific program:

– Humanities
– Science and Technology
– Modern Languages
– Math and Computer Science
– Arts and Aesthetics

4. training specific to the program:
28 à 32 units from pre-university courses
45 à 65 units in technical training courses
N. B. One unit = 45 hours of learning activities (theoretical courses, lab work and assignments)

AEC is the acronym for “attestation of college studies” in French.

AEC programs are part of continuing education and are destined primarily for adults who wish to add value to their skill set or reorient their career. Based on DEC program curricula, AEC programs do not have general education courses like French, English or Philosophy. AEC’s are generally more flexible that DEC or DEP programs. Often offered during the evening , flexible class times allow students to maintain their professional endeavors and study at the same time.

With an acquired skills recognition system, program coordinators can give academic credit to a student’s prior professional experience. AEC programs can last anywhere between two and six semesters.

Pre-requisites
In order to be admitted in an AEC program, the student must have sufficient experience in the field and satisfy one of the following conditions:

– To have interrupted his or her studies for at least 2 consecutive semesters or for one academic year
– To fall under an agreement between the College and an employer or a government program;
– To have done at least one year of full-time post-secondary studies, consecutively or not.

You are also admissible to an AEC program if you have a diploma of secondary studies (DES) or a diploma of vocational studies (DEP), and so long as one of the following conditions are satisfied:

– The program allows you to receive a technical training that is not available in a DEC program.
– The program is a part of a training agreement between the ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport and another ministry or organization of the Quebec government.
– To be admitted into an AEC program, you will need, if applicable, to satisfy the particular pre-requisites of a particular program or course, meaning having completed specific secondary level courses and/or any other pre-requisites. Should you be missing any pre-requisites, you may be able to take some remedial courses.

– Finally you need to satisfy the particular conditions established by the college. Please not that if you do not have the pre-requisites, your file may still be assessed and considered. If you have any questions, contact Admissions.

DVS is the acronym for “diploma of vocational studies” in French.

A DVS program can last anywhere from 600 to 1800 hours and prepares students to train in a profession to directly enter the job market.

Pre-requisites
In order to be admitted to a DVS program, you must satisfy one of the following conditions:

-To hold a diploma of secondary studies (DES) or equivalent;

or

– to be 16 years old or less on September 30th on the academic year the DVS program begins and have obtained the units for secondary IV language of instruction, second language and math from a study program established by the ministère de l’Éducation, du loisir et du sport du Québec or equivalent;

or

-to be 18 years old or more at the beginning of the program and have passed the general development test and all FRA 2033-1 courses or equivalent ;

or

-to have obtained units for secondary III language of instruction, second language and math courses from a study program established by the ministère de l’Éducation, du loisir et du sport du Québec.

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