The Québec education system covers several levels of schooling and these are elementary, secondary, college and university. The table below gives an overview of the number of years of study that correspond to each level of education as well as the cumulative duration from one level to another.

For more information about the Québec education system: Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport.

DURATION OF STUDIES

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL NUMBER OF YEARS OF STUDY CUMULATIVE DURATION OF STUDY

Primary 6 6 years Secondary 5 11 years College (CEGEP) 2 (pre-university) 3 (advanced technical) 13 years 14 years Bachelor's 3 to 4 16 or 17 years Master's 2 18 or 19 years Doctorate 3 or more 21 years or more

At the ITHQ, the academic year is divided into three terms: fall (August to December), winter (January to May), and summer (May to July). Some programs may be given continuously over the whole year or include a work-industry placement during the summer term.

Please consult the framework of the Québec education system and the document Studying in Canada (PDF, 20 pages, 916 KB).

Please refer to the overview page for your particular program:

• Secondary Education (vocational training)
• College Education
• University Education
• Advanced Training 

International applicants must follow the three steps described below, in order.

Step 1
Submit your admission application to the ITHQ Registrariat (or to the Service régional d'admission du Montréal métropolitain, or SRAM) with all the required documents, including the Comparative Evaluation for Studies Done Outside Quebec.

Please note that in the case of the following four programs, the admission application must be submitted to the SRAM:

• Gestion d'un établissement de restauration 430. B0 (Applied Restaurant Management)
• Techniques de tourisme 414. A0 (Tourism Management)
• Techniques de gestion hôtelière 430.A0 (International Hotel Management).
• Gestion d'un établissement de restauration 430. B0 (ITHQ-Collège Montmorency Option)

Step 2
Once you have received your official notice of admission from the ITHQ, you must apply as soon as possible for a Quebec Certificate of Acceptance for studies (CAQ) from the Ministère de l'Immigration et des Communautés culturelles (MICC) (Citizenship and Immigration Canada). Please note that a fee of $125 CAD will be required.

Step 3
Once you have received your CAQ, you must apply for a study permit and work permit (for the internships included in the program) and, if necessary, for a temporary resident visa. The latter can be obtained from the Canadian visa office at your country’s Canadian embassy.

Information on line : Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Web site

• A duty completed and signed Admission Application Form (PDF).
• A photocopy of the candidate’s birth certificate(?) or civil status(?). IMPORTANT: An individual is considered an adult in Canada at the age of 18.

• A non-refundable file opening fee of $75, payable by:
  - Visa or MasterCard, international postal money order or bank draft in the name of the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec.
  - Personal cheques or cash are not accepted.
  - NOTE: For credit card payments, please complete the appropriate  section on page 2 of the Admission Application Form.

• Academic results
  - Complete report cards or transcripts as of the 9th year of education.
  - Certificates or diplomas received, as applicable
  NOTE: Send certified(?) legible photocopies of these documents; do not send originals.

• Results from the TFI (?) or TOEFL (?) language test or its equivalent (please refer to the Language requirements page).
• The applicant’s letter of interest demonstrating his/her knowledge of the chosen program and occupation.
• Proof of employment indicating program-relevant professional experience (if applicable) and including the information below:
  - Position held
  - Period of employment (start and end dates)
  - Number of hours worked during this period
  - Type of business (hotel, restaurant, caterer)
  - Name and address of the business and the employer’s signature
  Note: A curriculum vitae is not acceptable as official proof of employment.

• A photocopy of the document Comparative Evaluation for Study Done Outside Québec(?)
  - This document formally establishes the equivalences between the Québec educational system and the official system of education of another country, as well as the main diplomas or degrees.
  - Is issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles (MICC) information on line:
  Request the Comparative Evaluation for Study Done Outside Québec Forms International Students

All documents not in French must be accompanied by an official French translation.

When you arrive at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (Montréal) or at the Canadian border crossing, as a foreign student you will have to present the following official documents:

• Your study permit or letter of authorization from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
• Your Quebec Certificate of Acceptance for studies
• A passport valid for the duration of your stay
• Your official notice of admission to the ITHQ

For customs control purposes, you will also have to make a list of all the personal effects that you are bringing with you or that will be forwarded to you by air or water freight. This list will have to be provided to the CIC agent upon your arrival on Canadian grounds.

HEALTH AND HOSPITALIZATION INSURANCE
For the entire duration of your studies, you must be covered by the group medical and hospital insurance plan offered by the ITHQ for foreign students (approximately $725 CAD per year).

RECIPROCAL HEALTHCARE AGREEMENTS
Certain countries have reached a social security agreement with the province of Quebec allowing their nationals to benefit from the Quebec health insurance plan during their studies. To view the list of countries that have signed this agreement, please visit the Régie de l'assurance-maladie du Québec website. In the event that you can benefit from the Quebec health insurance plan, contact your national or regional health agency before you leave for Quebec in order to obtain a certificate of insurance.

Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec
Registrariat - Admission des étudiants étrangers
3535, rue Saint-Denis
Montréal (Québec) H2X 3P1
CANADA

Telephone : +1 514 282-5113
Or
Without cost, from Canada or the United States only:
+1 800 361-5111, ext. 4315
Fax : +1 514 282-5126
Email : registrariat@ithq.qc.ca