Study in French in Canada
As of January 22, 2024, most students need to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study. Some exceptions apply. Find out more.
Canada’s bilingualism gives students a strong advantage. International students can find Francophone communities and study options across the country. By studying in French in Canada, you can choose from French and bilingual programs that can lead directly to employment.
Why study in French at a Canadian college or university
Welcoming Francophone communities
Canada ranks first in the world for quality of life. International students in Canada enjoy our human rights, equality, stability and peaceful society. Our Francophone communities are also known to be friendly, welcoming and safe. You can feel part of a community, which makes us an ideal study destination.
Hands-on learning during your studies
You can get practical skills and work experience while studying in Canada. Gaining work experience as a student will help you build a professional network before even entering the job market. Many French study programs include internships and co-operative education options. This means you can apply your classroom knowledge and get practical experience.
Career opportunities after your studies
Francophone talent is in high-demand for many Canadian industries and communities. You can take advantage of immigration programs to stay and work in Canada after your studies. A Canadian degree combined with bilingual language skills will also help you stand out in fields such as science, engineering, education and communication.
Learn more about services and resources for immigrating to Francophone communities and the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Practice English
In Canada, you have the opportunity to study in French while improving your English language skills daily. No matter your current skill level, you will have opportunities to learn.
Programs
Match your interests with Canadian postsecondary institutions and programs. You’ll find opportunities for a high-quality education and multicultural experiences. Learn more about francophone programs:
Business
Communications and public relations
| Study level | Programs | Name of institution |
|---|---|---|
| College | Media communication (French only) | Community College of New Brunswick (CCNB) |
| Undergraduate | Communications | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Undergraduate | Drama and creative arts | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Undergraduate | French Studies | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Undergraduate | Linguistics and Language Studies | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Master's | Conference Interpreting | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Master's | Translation Studies | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Undergraduate | Translation | Glendon Campus, York University |
| College | Advertising and Marketing Communications (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Public Relations (Toronto) (French only) | La Cité |
| Undergraduate | Communication | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | Digital Journalism | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | Public Relations and Communication | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | Communication and Political Science | University of Ottawa |
| Master's | Communication | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | Information – Communication (French only) | University of Moncton |
| Master's | Public Administration (French only) | University of Moncton |
| Undergraduate | Translation (French only) | University of Moncton |
| Undergraduate | Translation (French only) | University of Saint Boniface |
| Undergraduate | Social Communication | Saint Paul University |
| College | Techniques in Media and Digital Communications (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Journalism (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Television Production (French only) | La Cité |
| Undergraduate | Human Plurality (French only) | L'universite de l'Ontario francaise |
| Undergraduate | Digital Cultures (French only) | L'universite de l'Ontario francaise |
| Undergraduate | Economics and Social Innovation (French only) | L'universite de l'Ontario francaise |
Engineering
Technology
Sciences
Humanities
| Study level | Programs | Name of institution |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Arts | Saint-Jean Campus, University of Alberta |
| Master's | Arts | Saint-Jean Campus, University of Alberta |
| College | Social Work | Boreal College |
| College | Law Clerk | Boreal College |
| College | Fitness and Health Promotion | Boreal College |
| College | Mental Health and Aging Intervention (French only) | Community College of New Brunswick (CCNB) |
| College | Human Services | Island College |
| College | Youth Worker | Island College |
| College | Practical Nursing (French only) | Mathieu College |
| College | Health Care Attendant (French only) | Mathieu College |
| Undergraduate | Philosophy and Theology | Dominican University College |
| Master's | Philosophy and Theology | Dominican University College |
| PhD | Philosophy and Theology | Dominican University College |
| Undergraduate | Sociology | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Undergraduate | International Studies | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Undergraduate | Political Science | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Undergraduate | Philosophy | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Undergraduate | Undecided Major | Glendon Campus, York University |
| College | Autism and Behavioural Science (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Community Integration – Co-op (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Intervention with Persons with Disabilities (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Pre-Social and Human Science (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Mental Health and Addiction (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Social Work (French only) | La Cité |
| College | 911 and Emergency Services Dispatch (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Transportation Safety and Security (French only) | La Cité |
| Undergraduate | Francophone and Intercultural Studies | La Cité universitaire francophone of the University of Regina |
| Master's | Francophone and Intercultural Studies | La Cité universitaire francophone of the University of Regina |
| Undergraduate | French as a Second Language | La Cité universitaire francophone of the University of Regina |
| Undergraduate | Psychology and linguistics | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | Environmental Studies | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | International Development and Globalization | University of Ottawa |
| Master's | Criminology (double degree) | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | Human and social issues study (French only) | Hearst University |
| Undergraduate | Psychology (French only) | Hearst University |
| Master's | Psychotherapy (French only) | Hearst University |
| Undergraduate | Political Science (French only) | University of Moncton |
| Undergraduate | Sociology (French only) | University of Moncton |
| Master's | MA in Sociolinguistics (French only) | University of Moncton |
| PhD | PhD in Sociolinguistics (French only) | University of Moncton |
| Master's | MA in Literary Studies (French only) | University of Moncton |
| PhD | PhD in Literary Studies (French only) | University of Moncton |
| Undergraduate | Social Work (French only) | University of Saint Boniface |
| Undergraduate | Sociology | Laurentian University |
| PhD | Human Studies | Laurentian University |
| Undergraduate | Law and Justice | Laurentian University |
| Undergraduate | Conflict Studies (Honours Bachelor of Arts with Major) | Saint Paul University |
| Undergraduate | Public Ethics | Saint Paul University |
| Master's | MA in Public Ethics | Saint Paul University |
| Master's | MA in Conflict Studies | Saint Paul University |
| PhD | Conflict Studies | Saint Paul University |
| PhD | PhD in Conflict Studies | Saint Paul University |
| Undergraduate | Social Work (French only) | Sainte Anne University |
| Master's | Francophone Cultures and Spaces (French only) | Sainte Anne University |
| Undergraduate | Arts (no major) (French only) | Sainte Anne University |
| Undergraduate | Arts (major in history) (French only) | Sainte Anne University |
| Undergraduate | Arts (major in acadian studies) (French only) | Sainte Anne University |
| Undergraduate | Arts (major in Canadian studies and minor in English, French or History) (French only) | Sainte Anne University |
| Undergraduate | Public and International Affairs (French only) | Simon Fraser University - Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs |
| Undergraduate | French and English Literatures | Simon Fraser University - Office of Francophone and Francophiles Affairs |
| Undergraduate | French and English Literatures | Simon Fraser University - Office of Francophone and Francophiles Affairs |
| Master's | French Literature (French only) | Simon Fraser University - Office of Francophone and Francophiles Affairs |
| Undergraduate | Human Plurality Studies (French only) | University of French Ontario |
| Undergraduate | Economics and Social Innovation (French only) | University of French Ontario |
| Undergraduate | Digital Culture (French only) | University of French Ontario |
| Undergraduate | Urban Environments (French only) | University of French Ontario |
Education
| Study level | Programs | Name of institution |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Education (Elementary Route) | Campus Saint-Jean de l'Université de l'Alberta |
| Undergraduate | Education (Secondary Route) | Campus Saint-Jean de l'Université de l'Alberta |
| Undergraduate | Education/Science Combined | Saint-Jean Campus, University of Alberta |
| Undergraduate | Education – After Degree | Saint-Jean Campus, University of Alberta |
| College | Early Childhood Education | Boreal College |
| College | Child and Youth Worker | Boreal College |
| College | Childhood Education (French only) | Community College of New Brunswick (CCNB) |
| College | Special Education and Autism Intervention (French only) | Community College of New Brunswick (CCNB) |
| College | Early Childhood Educator | Island College |
| College | Teacher's / Special Education Aid (French only) | College Educacentre |
| College | Early Childhood Education (French only) | College Educacentre |
| College | Early Childhood Education (French only) | Mathieu College |
| College | Teacher's Aid (French only) | Mathieu College |
| Undergraduate | French as a Second Language | Glendon Campus, York University |
| Master's | French Studies | Glendon Campus, York University |
| College | Early Childhood Education (French only) | La Cité |
| College | Special Education (French only) | La Cité |
| Undergraduate | Education in French | La Cité universitaire francophone of the University of Regina |
| Master's | French Education | La Cité universitaire francophone of the University of Regina |
| Undergraduate | Teaching English as a Second Language | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | Teaching French as a Second Language | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | French Literature and Education | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | Education in French | University of Ottawa |
| Master's | Education (Counselling Psychology) | University of Ottawa |
| Undergraduate | Elementary Education (French only) | University of Moncton |
| Undergraduate | Secondary Education (French only) | University of Moncton |
| Master's | Education Administration (French only) | University of Moncton |
| Master's | Education – Teaching (French only) | University of Moncton |
| College | Early Childhood Education (French only) | University of Saint Boniface |
| Undergraduate | Education | Laurentian University |
| Undergraduate | Elementary Education: French First Language (French only) | Sainte Anne University |
| Undergraduate | Bachelor of Education, Secondary Education (French only) | Sainte Anne University |
| Undergraduate | Elementary Education: French Second Language (French only) | Sainte Anne University |
| Undergraduate | Bachelor of Education/Science, Secondary Education (French only) | Sainte Anne University |
| Master's | Teaching and Learning in French: Plurilingualism, Francophonies and Education | Simon Fraser University - Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs |
| Master's | French Education - Graduate Diploma | Simon Fraser University - Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs |
| PhD | French Education – Doctorate Degree in Education | Simon Fraser University - Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs |
| Undergraduate | Preparation for the Teacher Education Program | Simon Fraser University - Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs |
| Undergraduate | Professional Development Program (Teachers) – French Module | Simon Fraser University - Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs |
Featured Video
From Côte d’Ivoire to Canada - Why I chose to study abroad in Canada
Yannick studies automated systems electromechanics at the Edmundston campus of the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC). Hear why he chose to study in Canada, what he likes about his instructors and why he enjoys studying in Canada.
Transcript
Yannick: My name is Yannick. I grew up in Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan to be precise. I am in my second year of studying automated systems electromechanics at the Edmundston campus of the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC).
The best part of this adventure for me was the day I received my acceptance letter for my visa. I was overcome with emotion… I was the happiest man in the world because I was finally going to the country of my dreams, the country where I have always wanted to go.
I decided to leave my home country because I wanted gain better knowledge education-wise. And the teaching in Africa, specifically in Côte d’Ivoire, is more theory-centric. I like the Canadian system more because it is more focused on practice. Canada is truly the best country to help me learn a lot of things in my field of studies: electromechanics.
Electromechanics covers three areas: electricity, industrial mechanic and instrumentation.
I chose NBCC in particular because they have instructors with experience in factories, who have hands-on experience with the subjects they are teaching, who have spent their time, practically years of their lives, working in their field. So they bring more experience, more advice about the work we will certainly do later.
What I like most about Canada, specifically New Brunswick, I mean the city of Edmundston where I am, is the warmth of the people, people who are very welcoming and who do not hesitate to lend you a hand. What I also love is the different types of seasons. Fall is magnificent! Winter here is also amazing, but a little cold.
It was my childhood dream to come to Canada, and when I see that I am here in the country of my dreams, it’s… I still can’t believe it. I often wake up and say, “Am I really in Canada?” And I am fitting in so well… that I really want to have a life here, to move here to live my full life.
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