Université du Québec
A public network of ten French-language universities spread across Quebec, from UQAM in Montreal to UQAT in Abitibi.
- Students
- 100,505
- Student–faculty
- 21:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- CA$29,415
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1968
About UQ
The Université du Québec (UQ) is not a single campus but a public network created by Quebec's National Assembly in 1968 to widen access to French-language university education across the province. Its headquarters are in Quebec City, and it has ten establishments: six general universities (UQAM in Montreal, UQTR in Trois-Rivières, UQAC in Saguenay, UQAR in Rimouski, UQO in Gatineau and UQAT in Abitibi-Témiscamingue), plus INRS (graduate research), ENAP (public administration), ÉTS (engineering) and the distance-learning Université TÉLUQ.
Together they enrolled 100,505 students in fall 2024 and offer more than 1,400 programmes in close to 40 municipalities. UQ's own vision statement calls the network 'the largest French-language university in the Americas' (reseau.uquebec.ca, general presentation page). Its student body is distinctive: the network reports that one student in two is the first in their family at university, 44% study part time, and the average age is 29.8. Research grants across the network reached $404.9 million in 2024-25.
You never apply to 'UQ' as such: you choose a programme and apply directly to the establishment that offers it, and your degree carries that establishment's name. The network suits French-speaking students who want an affordable Quebec degree, including in regional cities with lower living costs, and adults returning to study.
Why students choose UQ
Ten establishments to choose from, from a large downtown university (UQAM, 34,431 students in fall 2024) to specialised schools such as ÉTS for engineering and ENAP for public administration.
Low fees for Quebec residents: UQAM estimates 2026-27 full-time bachelor's tuition and fees at CAD 3,928 a year.
French and Belgian francophone students pay the Canadian out-of-province rate at UQAM (CAD 10,541 a year for a bachelor's in 2026-27) instead of the full international rate.
Campuses across the regions, with the network adding about 375 residence rooms in 2024-25 for a portfolio of around 1,400 managed rooms.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry (deadlines, fees and requirements shown are UQAM examples; UQAM is the largest of the ten establishments)
Selectivity
The network publishes no overall admission rate. Each establishment admits programme by programme; many programmes are open to all qualified applicants, while limited-enrolment (contingentés) programmes select on grades and sometimes a portfolio, interview or test. UQAM publishes admission statistics and cut-offs for its limited-enrolment programmes.
Typical entry requirements
| Quebec DEC (Diplôme d'études collégiales) | The standard basis of admission to bachelor's programmes, with programme-specific prerequisites; other bases include prior university study or relevant experience. |
|---|---|
| Diplomas from outside Quebec | Assessed against country-specific access conditions published by each establishment (for example UQAM's conditions by country). |
Deadlines
- UQAM bachelor's, winter 2027 Non-binding Next deadline · In 30 days1 November 2026
Only for programmes that admit in winter. This is the date for Quebec and Canadian applicants; per UQAM's deadline page, international applicants had until 1 August 2026 for winter entry (law and psychology are not open to international applicants), so that route has closed.
- UQAM bachelor's, fall 2027 (limited-enrolment programmes and international applicants) Non-binding In ~5 months1 March 2027
1 March is the fall deadline for international applicants and for many programmes, some of which set an earlier date.
- UQAM bachelor's, fall 2027 (other programmes) Non-binding In ~7 months1 May 2027
Many administration and communication programmes accept Quebec and Canadian applications until 1 May.
Dates are from UQAM's undergraduate deadline table (updated 22 September 2026). Each UQ establishment sets its own deadlines, so check the establishment that offers your programme. UQAM advises international applicants to allow 3 to 6 months or more for immigration steps.
How to apply
Choose a programme in the UQ programme directory or on an establishment's website, then apply online directly to that establishment (UQAM, UQTR, UQAC, UQAR, UQO, UQAT, INRS, ENAP, ÉTS or TÉLUQ). If admitted, you register for courses with that establishment. International students also need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and a study permit.
What admissions looks for
- The right basis of admission for the programme: usually a Quebec DEC or an equivalent diploma, with the programme's prerequisites.
- For limited-enrolment programmes, a competitive academic record, and in some cases a portfolio, interview or test.
- Sufficient French: applicants who don't meet the proficiency criteria must submit a recognised French test result.
- For international applicants, full-time study plans: UQAM requires international candidates to choose full-time programmes.
Tips for applying to UQ
- 1 Decide on the establishment first: fees, deadlines and entry conditions are set by UQAM, UQTR, ÉTS and the others, not by the network.
- 2 International applicants to UQAM should apply by 1 March for fall entry and start CAQ and study-permit steps immediately.
- 3 If you hold a French passport or are a Belgian francophone, check the reduced fee rate: at UQAM it is CAD 10,541 instead of 29,415 for a bachelor's in 2026-27.
- 4 Check UQAM's admission statistics for limited-enrolment programmes to see recent selection thresholds.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CAD
Fee and aid examples here are UQAM's unless stated. Quebec students can use the provincial loans and bursaries programme, and each establishment runs its own scholarships; the Fondation de l'Université du Québec also funds awards. At UQAM, doctoral fees are the same for everyone thanks to tuition-exemption scholarships for international students and fee agreements for French students.
- CAD 4,526 for all students, including international
- UQAM doctoral fees, year 1 (2026-27)
- CAD 404.9 million
- Research grants across the network (2024-25)
Academics
Academic calendar: Trimesters (fall, winter, summer)
Engineering at ÉTS (Montreal)
The network's engineering school, with 9,218 students in fall 2024 and 95.9% of enrolments in applied sciences.
Film and communication at UQAM
UQAM's communication programmes include cinema, journalism and television profiles; director Denis Villeneuve studied cinema there.
Graduate research at INRS
A graduate-only institute where half of enrolments are doctoral, with CAD 71.8 million in research grants in 2024-25.
Public administration at ENAP
A graduate school for public administration, with 97% of its students in administrative sciences.
Marine science at UQAR (Rimouski)
UQAR's Institut des sciences de la mer runs oceanography research and partnerships, including with the University of Tokyo.
Distance learning at Université TÉLUQ
The network's distance-education university, with 10,605 students in fall 2024.
Research
- Research grants across the network totalled CAD 404.9 million in 2024-25, up 4.2% on the year before, with 2,588 active researchers.
- The establishments are developing a new undergraduate medical degree focused on family and primary-care medicine, Quebec's first new medicine programme in nearly 60 years.
- A Réseau national d'observatoires, based at UQTR, UQAC, UQAR, UQO and UQAT, supports 87 regional municipalities with land-use monitoring.
Schools & faculties
- Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC)
- Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR)
- Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO)
- Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS)
- École nationale d'administration publique (ENAP)
- École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)
- Université TÉLUQ
Student life
Student life depends on the establishment you join: UQAM is a big downtown Montreal university, ÉTS is an engineering school in Montreal, and UQAC, UQAR, UQO and UQAT are regional universities in smaller cities. Every establishment has student residences, housing help and temporary accommodation for new arrivals. The student body is older and more varied than at many universities: the network reports that one in two students is first-generation, 44% study part time, and about 1,200 Indigenous students were enrolled in 2019, more than half of those at Quebec universities.
- About 1,400 residence rooms managed by the network's property company, with plans for more than 2,000 more over five years.
- One student in two is the first in their family to attend university.
- A network-wide student mental health initiative (ISMÉ) won a Quebec public administration excellence award in November 2024.
- Around 1,200 Indigenous students enrolled (2019 figure), supported by Indigenous student advisers.
Housing. All UQ establishments have student residences on or near campus and a service to help students find off-campus housing.
Location
UQ's headquarters are in Quebec City, but its establishments are spread across the province: Montreal (UQAM, ÉTS), Quebec City (INRS, ENAP, TÉLUQ), Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, Rimouski, Gatineau and Rouyn-Noranda/Val-d'Or. Life ranges from big-city Montreal to smaller regional towns with lower rents. Everyday life is in French, and winters are long and cold.
Nearest airport: Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) for the headquarters; Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) for UQAM and ÉTS
Notable alumni
- DV Denis VilleneuveFilm director (Arrival, Dune); studied cinema at UQAM
- PP Patrick PichetteChief financial officer of Google from 2008 to 2015; BBA from UQAM (1987)
- PK Pierre Karl PéladeauPresident and CEO of Quebecor and former Quebec MNA; philosophy degree from UQAM
- DL Daniel LangloisFounder of 3D animation company Softimage; bachelor of design from UQAM
- GN Gabriel Nadeau-DuboisFormer co-spokesperson of Québec solidaire and 2012 student-protest leader; humanities degree and master's in sociology from UQAM
- HR Hery RajaonarimampianinaPresident of Madagascar from 2014 to 2018; trained in finance and accounting at UQTR
- FP Fred PellerinStoryteller and musician; UQTR graduate
- BD Boucar DioufComedian and TV presenter; PhD in oceanography from UQAR
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply to the Université du Québec?
You apply directly to the establishment that offers your programme, such as UQAM, UQTR or ÉTS, through its own online application. The network itself does not run a central application.
How much does it cost to study at the Université du Québec?
Fees are set by each establishment. At UQAM, 2026-27 full-time bachelor's tuition and fees are estimated at CAD 3,928 for Quebec residents, CAD 10,541 for other Canadians and French or Belgian francophone students, and CAD 29,415 for other international students.
Do I need to speak French to study at UQ?
Teaching at the network is mainly in French (check each programme's language of instruction, as some graduate programmes may differ). At UQAM, applicants who don't meet the French proficiency criteria must attach a recognised French test result to their application.
What is the application deadline for fall 2027?
At UQAM, the fall deadline for international applicants and many programmes is 1 March 2027, and some programmes accept Quebec and Canadian applicants until 1 May 2027. Other establishments set their own dates.
What is the Université du Québec's QS ranking?
The network is in the 951-1000 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027 and the 501-600 band of the THE World University Rankings 2026.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to UQ in the QS World University Rankings 2027.