Overview of the General Education System

The education system in Quebec, a province of Canada, is shaped by both historical reforms and cultural particularities. The system is supervised by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur), which reflects Quebec’s civil law tradition and francophone identity. The public education system is secular, as it has undergone several reforms to separate denominational influences to promote inclusive and accessible schooling.

Educational system is organized into preschool, elementary, secondary, college, university, and post-doctoral studies. Preschool is available for children at ages four and five and attendance remains voluntary. Compulsory schooling begins in Grade 1 at age six and continues until students turn sixteen. At this point, students are either awarded a Secondary School Diploma or reach the final year of mandatory attendance.

Elementary school covers Grades 1 to 6, while secondary education spans Grades 7 to 11. Throughout their schooling, students must complete Ministerial Examinations, standardized assessments that contribute significantly to their secondary school diploma qualifications. Language of instruction is delivered primarily in French, the province’s official language. Publicly funded English schools are also available for children whose parents are native English speakers. In addition to the public system, Quebec has private institutions, international schools, and religious schools such as Catholic schools, which are no longer supported through public funding.

Vocational education has a significant role in Quebec as it has 181 vocational training centers offering 144 programs across 21 occupational sectors. These programs, developed in close collaboration with industry partners, integrate practicums and practical experiences to align with regional economic needs and boast high job-placement rates. Students completing vocational training may earn credentials such as the Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS), Attestation of Vocational Studies (AVS), or Skills Training Certificate (STC).

Compulsory education in Quebec begins at age six. It corresponds to the first year of elementary school, and continues through to age sixteen or the completion of the Secondary School Diploma. This structure ensures that all students complete a minimum of eleven years of formal education, which covers six years of elementary schooling and five years of secondary education.

Higher education in Quebec is organized into a three-tiered system. It encompasses colleges, universities, and post-doctoral research institutions. Colleges own a distinctive role in Quebec’s system as they serve as the bridge between secondary and university studies. In fact, there are two main tracks within college education. The first is the pre-university program, which spans two years and culminates in a Diploma of College Studies (DCS). This program provides students with the academic foundation required for undergraduate university entry. Meanwhile, the second is technical training, which is a three-year program also leading to a DCS and equips students with specialized skills for direct entry into the workforce market. What makes this training distinct is that it still leaves the option open for university admission if the prerequisites are met.

In addition to these options, short-term college studies are available for adults with prior work experience, which leads to an Attestation of College Studies (ACS) after six to eighteen months of study.

At the university level, programs are structured into three cycles that align with international higher education frameworks. First-cycle programs lead to a Bachelor’s degree, while second-cycle programs correspond to Master’s degrees, and third-cycle programs involve doctoral studies that last three years or more. Beyond these cycles, universities also offer post-doctoral opportunities as well as specialized certificates and diplomas in graduate studies.

Quebec’s higher education landscape comprises 19 universities and offers more than 350 programs across disciplines. The majority of these institutions primarily uses French, but several universities, including McGill University and Concordia University in Montreal, provide programs in English. In particular, McGill University is recognized as a leading global institution as it is consistently ranks highly in international rankings.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education maintains supervision of higher education. The agency ensures that programs remain aligned with both academic standards and Quebec’s regional labor market demands.