Exemption from differential tuition fees or preferential rates under international agreements

An exemption from differential tuition fees or a preferential rate may be granted by the Québec government to students from countries and international organizations that have signed a student mobility agreement.

Under the different student mobility agreements between the Québec and French governments, French students are eligible for exemptions from differential tuition fees or for preferential rates.

Vocational training

French students in vocational training are eligible for exemptions from differential tuition fees or for preferential rates.

College education

French students enrolled in college education pathways pay the fees applicable to Quebecers.

Bachelor’s programs

French students enrolled full-time in a program of study leading to a Cycle 1 degree or diploma (certificate, bachelor’s degree, diploma) may obtain the rate applicable to Canadians who are non-residents of Québec without the additional increase, called the “Preferential CNRQ rate.”

French students who are permanent residents of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon pay the same fees as Québec residents.

University cycles 2 and 3

French students enrolled full-time in a Cycle Two or Three university program leading to a degree or diploma (certificate, diploma, Master’s, Ph.D.) pay the same fees as Québec residents.

Eligibility

To take advantage of these rates, students must have a valid French passport as well as a study permit that meets Canadian immigration regulations. They must also obtain a Québec Acceptance Certificate.

Students with dual Canadian/French citizenship are not eligible for these exemptions or preferential rates.

Process for obtaining an exemption or a preferential rate

The supporting documents provided to the registrar’s office at your educational institution determine the rate corresponding to your situation.

Under the student mobility agreement between the Québec government and the government of the French Community of Belgium, qualifying francophone Belgian university students are eligible for exemptions from differential tuition fees or for preferential rates.

Bachelor’s programs

Francophone Belgian students enrolled full-time in a program of study leading to a Cycle 1 degree or diploma (certificate, bachelor’s degree, diploma) may pay the rate applicable to Canadians who are non-residents of Québec without the additional increase, called the “Preferential CNRQ rate.”

University cycles 2 and 3

Francophone Belgian students enrolled full-time in a Cycle Two or Three university program leading to a degree or diploma (certificate, diploma, Master’s, Ph.D.) pay the same fees as Québec residents.

Eligibility

To take advantage of these rates, students must have a valid Belgian passport as well as a study permit that meets Canadian immigration regulations. They must also obtain a Québec Acceptance Certificate.

In addition, they must fulfill one of the following conditions:

• Be identified as a francophone Belgian on their identity card and provide a copy thereof.
• Have a Certificate of Upper Secondary Education or a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an institution that provides compulsory education or an institution of higher learning, organized or subsidized by the French Community of Belgium.

Students with dual Canadian/Belgian citizenship are not eligible for these exemptions or preferential rates.

Process for obtaining an exemption or a preferential rate

The supporting documents provided to the registrar’s office at your educational institution determine the rate corresponding to your situation.

Under student mobility agreements signed by the Québec government and some 40  countries and one international organization (PDF 353 Kb) exemptions from differential tuition fees may be granted to a predetermined number of university students present in Québec.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must be enrolled consecutively full-time during the fall and winter terms in a program leading to a Cycle One, Two or Three degree at an educational institution in Québec. Students must also have a study permit that meets Canadian immigration regulations and a Québec Acceptance Certificate.

They must be recommended by the person responsible for managing exemptions in their home country or in the international organization.

Process for obtaining an exemption

1. Contact the person responsible for managing exemptions in your home country or international organization (PDF 441 Kb) to learn about the selection criteria that apply to your candidacy.
2. Apply for admission to a Québec university.

3. Once you have been admitted, submit your letter of acceptance (conditional or final) or an up-to-date university registration certificate to the person responsible for managing exemptions. Also send them the duly signed and completed Application form for an exemption from differential tuition fees (Appendix II) (PDF 634 Kb).

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4. The person responsible for managing exemptions in your home country will inform you as to whether your application has been accepted or refused and, where appropriate, if it has been sent to the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur.
5. The Ministère will contact this person and your educational institution to confirm the candidates for whom exemptions will be granted.
6. The person responsible for managing exemptions in your home country will inform you as to whether you have obtained an exemption and its duration.

Any requests made directly to the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur will not be considered.

Duration of an exemption

An exemption may be granted for a minimum of one year and its duration depends on the cycle of study.

• Bachelor’s programs (Cycle One): the maximum duration is three consecutive years for 90-credit programs, and four consecutive years for 120-credit programs.
• Master’s programs (Cycle Two): the maximum duration is two consecutive years.
• Doctoral programs (Cycle Three): the maximum duration is three consecutive years.

The student may be eligible for an exemption for an additional year of preparatory studies, required by their educational institution.

A student cannot benefit from an exemption after the normal duration of their program, even if the exemption comes into force after their first term.

A student may complete a compulsory internship during the fall or winter term. However, if this internship does not allow the student to obtain the credits required to complete their program of study within the scheduled time, an extension of the exemption cannot be granted. Students are responsible for completing their program before the maximum duration of their exemptions. If not, differential tuition fees will be charged.

Clarifications on the exemptions

The student:

• will benefit from an exemption from differential tuition fees for summer classes, provided that the condition of consecutive full-time studies is met in the previous winter term and the following fall term, if applicable.
• cannot obtain an exemption more than once, except when moving up to the next program level.
• must have the prior approval to change programs or institutions from the person responsible for managing exemptions in their home country or international organization and from the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur. The initial duration of the exemption granted cannot be extended.
• may lose their exemption if they:
  • do not meet the requirements of their program
  • violate a regulation of the educational institution they are attending, which results in an interruption of their schooling