Interested in pursuing your studies at Université de Montréal or elsewhere, but you don’t have a diploma of college studies (DCS), or have completed your pre-university studies outside Quebec? The preparatory year gives you everything you need to get into an undergraduate university program.
Overview
About this program
A springboard to pursuing studies at UdeM
The preparatory year is a general education program designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills required to pursue undergraduate university studies. This preparatory year is equivalent to the Freshman Program or Freshman Year offered by North American universities. The program is intended for individuals with a Quebec secondary school diploma who have been out of school for 4 years or more, or individuals with a secondary school diploma from outside of Quebec.
The preparatory year also gives you the chance to reflect on the study area you want to pursue by exploring several disciplines before you specialize. You have the choice of 3 areas of study in sciences, humanities and social sciences, or arts and letters.
Université de Montréal does however offer some programs for students who received their education outside Quebec that can be completed in 4 years! Discover more about our 4-year bachelor's degrees.
- Tailored program that allows students to get into a university program
- Some courses offered at the Laval campus
- Student coaching provided by SAFIRE
- Three areas of study to explore several disciplines
- Wide range of courses
Advantages of studying arts and sciences at UdeM
Join the ranks of an internationally renowned university
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Take advantage of the support and coaching available through SAFIRE (Service d’appui à la formation interdisciplinaire et à la réussite étudiante) throughout your pathway
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Benefit from the widest range of undergraduate program choices in Canada that are available upon successful completion of your preparatory year
Courses and specifics
- 24 credits
- Full-time - 1 year
- Part time
- Day course
- Evening course
Admission requirements
Admission requirements
Be sure to select your choices to display the eligibility conditions that apply to you.
To be eligible, you must provide proof of the level of French language proficiency required for this study program. To do so, you must have:
- Passed the Épreuve uniforme de français, langue d'enseignement et littérature, au collégial, from Quebec’s Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur
- Submitted proof of French proficiency recognized by the University (see form)
- Obtained at least a B2 level in oral and written comprehension in a French test recognized by Université de Montréal (page in French) within 24 months prior to the start of the study session for which you have applied
Make sure you respect official deadlines for uploading your supporting documents in the Knowledge of French section in the Centre étudiant after you submit your application. Deadlines may vary based on the study program.
Mandatory upgrading of written French: Once you are admitted, you may be required to take a written French test, and then pass one of the upgrading courses. Refer to the specific regulation for the study program. Find out more about the mandatory assessment of written French.
- Upon successful completion of the preparatory year, students are eligible for the same Université de Montréal undergraduate programs as students with a DCS, except for the following programs:
- Bachelor in Law if admission to the preparatory year is based on a Quebec-issued secondary school diploma or its equivalent
- Undergraduate PhD programs or, if applicable, their preparatory year
- Programs with specific education prerequisites:
- Bachelor in Nursing Sciences (DEC-BAC)
- Major in advanced prehospital emergency care
- Short undergraduate program in integration in nursing
- Qualification programs
- Qualification programs
- Review of applications for a program with limited space available or with a specific level requirement may consider all results from the preparatory year. Therefore, it may take longer to receive a reply about admission than for other categories of students.
- It is strongly suggested that students take the course MAT 1903 to be tested on their skills in mathematics. If their test result does not meet the required level, they are strongly encouraged to take the extracurricular course MAT 1901.
- Most program courses can be taken at the Montreal or Laval campus.
- Individuals interested in this program may wish to contact an academic management advisor at SAFIRE to discuss their academic pathway (514 343-6521).
Costs and financial aid
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$2,111.74 *
Total for a full-time session of 15 credits
Tuition fees: $1,483.65
Other fees: $628.09
These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.
* These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2024-2025 academic year.
Information updated: June 5, 2024 -
$5,258.89 *
Total for a full-time session of 15 credits
Tuition fees: $4,630.80
Other fees: $628.09
These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.
Good news! You may be able to lower this amount!
Under certain conditions, Canadian students who are not residents of Quebec can follow university study programs offered in French while benefiting from the same tuition fees as residents of Quebec.
* These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2024-2025 academic year.
Information updated: June 5, 2024 -
$14,991.94 *
Total for a full-time session of 15 credits
Tuition fees: $14,363.85
Other fees: $628.09
These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.
Good news! You may be able to lower this amount!
As an international student, you have access to exemption scholarships granted by UdeM throughout your university program. Note that for ungraduated programs, you must be enrolled as a full-time student for two sessions and reside in Quebec in the case of exclusively online study programs.
* These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2024-2025 academic year.
Information updated: June 5, 2024 -
$5,258.89 *
Total for a full-time session of 15 credits
Tuition fees: $4,630.80
Other fees: $628.09
These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.
* These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2024-2025 academic year.
Information updated: June 5, 2024 - Calculate tuition fees based on other situations
Available financial assistance
Future prospects Pursuing a career or further studies? The choice is yours!
After completing this first year, you can choose a discipline program, based on the applicable admission conditions. UdeM offers over 250 undergraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, such as health, law, social sciences, letters and languages, planning and music.