CEGEPs

CEGEPs, or Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel, are a distinct tier of public colleges in Quebec, Canada. Established during the Quiet Revolution in the 1960s, they reorganized the province’s post-secondary education to provide broader access, secular instruction, and a structured transition between secondary school and higher education or the workforce. They are publicly funded and operate under the Quebec Ministry of Education.

The system offers two main types of programs, both leading to the Diploma of College Studies (Diplôme d'études collégiales, DEC). Pre-university programs typically last two years and cover subjects such as sciences, humanities, or social sciences to prepare students for university study. Technical programs last three years and focus on practical, job-oriented training in fields such as nursing, information technology, engineering technology, and trades. Completing either track results in a DEC, a credential recognized for entry into universities or for professional employment.

Admission generally follows secondary school completion, with program-specific prerequisites. CEGEPs operate in both French and English, with some institutions offering bilingual or English-language options to serve Quebec's linguistic communities.

Pathways after a DEC vary: students may pursue university admission through the Quebec university transfer system, or enter the workforce directly with their technical DEC. CEGEPs also offer continuing education and adult learning opportunities, expanding access to post-secondary education across age groups and career stages.

As a province-wide system, CEGEPs are a core element of Quebec’s education landscape and remain distinct from the college systems in other Canadian provinces.