Studying in Quebec City – A Guide for Postgraduate Students (2024)

Quebec City is the capital of Canada’s French-speaking Quebec province, and one of the oldest European settlements in North America. It has all the charm of a historic French town and is surrounded by sweeping Canadian landscapes such as lakes, rivers, and glacial valleys, making it a unique place to live and study.

This guide covers everything you need to know about studying in Quebec City as a postgraduate student, including top universities, living costs, and career opportunities.

Contents

Why study in Quebec CityTop universities in Quebec CityLiving costs in Quebec CityWorking while studying in Quebec CityThings to see in Quebec CityCareers in Quebec City

Here’s a snapshot of what’s on offer for postgraduate students in Quebec City:

• Affordable programmes: As of September 2023, a new initiative will reduce fees for international students studying certain programmes in priority areas. If you’re successful in applying for this scheme, you could study your Masters/ PhD for the same cost as a Quebec City resident, which is just CAD$3,000 per year.
• Improve your language skills: Quebec is the largest French-speaking province in France, so studying there could be an excellent opportunity to learn a new language, or to brush up on your existing French skills!
• Enjoy the great outdoors: Quebec is famed for its natural beauty, and there is no shortage of gorgeous scenery within a short distance of the city. For example, the Jacques-Cartier national park is home to a spectacular, 550-metre-deep glacial valley, and Montmorency Falls is an impressive waterfall just 15 minutes from the city’s Old Town.

The top university in Quebec City for postgraduate study

The top university in Quebec City, according to the Times Higher Education 2023 World Rankings, is Université Laval, which places within the top 300 institutions worldwide. The university is home to over 8,000 international students from 120 countries, and half of doctoral candidates hail from overseas! It boasts partnerships with over 300 universities across the globe, allowing for a high level of international mobility.

The cost of living in Quebec City is fairly middle-of-the road compared to the rest of Canada, but still may be higher than in many other countries. However, you should be able to keep costs down through your choice of accommodation and some careful budgeting.

Here are some examples of typical expenses in Quebec City:

International students in Canada can work unlimited hours in an on-campus role, or up to 20 hours per week off-campus.

On-campus jobs could include research or library assistant, or staff member at a university café. Many students work off-campus in casual roles such as waitressing or working as a courier.

You can read more in our guide on working while studying in Canada.

A visit to Quebec’s Old Town will allow you to explore some of the oldest streets in North America. A capsule to over 400 years of history, there’s plenty to discover in this UNESCO World Heritage site. For example, Petit-Champlain which is Canada’s oldest commercial district and still contains no shortage of trendy boutiques and restaurants.

The Montmorency Falls stand at an impressive 272 ft, which is even taller than Niagara Falls! Just a 15-minute walk from the Old Town, this waterfall is one of the most striking sites in Quebec. You can even take a cable car to the top for incredible views of the city skyline.

Make sure you catch the Festival d’été de Quebec, which is amongst Canada’s biggest outdoor musical events and takes places every July. It costs just CAD$140 to access all 11 days of the festival, and acts have included some of the world’s best-known artists, from Elton John to Lorde.

The Notre Dame de Québec Basilica Cathedral is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and dates back to 1647. It holds the title of oldest church in Canada and is the burial site of many important religious figures including first ever bishop of Quebec.