Diploma of College Studies (DCS)
Regular applicants
Admission requirements are established by the ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur du Québec. In certain situations, the CEGEP may also add requirements of its own.
To be eligible for a program leading to a Diploma of College Studies (DCS), an applicant must meet the three (3) following requirements:
1. Hold one of the following secondary school diplomas/be in one of the following situations:
Hold a Quebec Secondary School Diploma (SSD)
Hold a Quebec Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) and have successfully completed specific additional high-school classes
Possess training deemed equivalent by the CEGEP
Possess training and experience deemed sufficient by the CEGEP and have interrupted full-time studies for a cumulative period of at least 24 months.
2. Where applicable, meet the admission requirements established by the Ministère, specifying the prerequisites required for the chosen program of study.
Prerequisites in the Québec school system
Prerequisite courses completed in another Canadian province
Prerequisite courses completed in a country other than Canada
3. Where applicable, meet the admission requirements established by the CEGEP for the chosen program of study.
Information regarding these requirements is available from the educational institution you wish to attend.
Important note
When submitting an application for admission, if the applicant is still in school (completing high school), the academic results provided by the school must demonstrate that he/she is on track to completing all courses required to obtain a SSD and meet the admission requirements. For more information on your eligibility for a program leading to a DCS, consult a guidance or academic counsellor or contact the CEGEP you are interested in attending.
International applicants
To study in a SRAM-affiliated CEGEP in Québec, applicants are required to have a level of education equivalent to a Quebec Secondary School Diploma (SSD); in other words, applicants are required to have completed at least 11 years of study. Note that the number of years required may vary depending on the school system in the applicant’s country.
The following table provides you with a brief overview of whether your level of education could qualify you to apply for a program leading to a Diploma of College Studies (DCS):
| Country | Minimum requirement | Equivalence in terms of years of education |
| France | Première level successfully completed in the Baccalauréat général or Baccalauréat technologique | 11 years |
| Maroc | First year of Baccalauréat de l’enseignement secondaire successfully completed | 11 years |
| Algeria | 2nd year of Baccalauréat de l’enseignement secondaire successfully completed | 11 years |
| French Cameroon | Classe de Seconde of the Baccalauréat de l’enseignement secondaire successfully completed | 11 years |
| Haiti | Classe Rhéto or First part of Diplôme d’études secondaires successfully completed or NSIII of the Bac unique | 11 years |
| Tunisia | Second year of Baccalauréat de l’enseignement secondaire successfully completed | 11 years |
| Mexico | 2nd year of Bachillerato successfully completed or Grade 11 of High School Diploma successfully completed | 11 years |
| China | Grade 11 or Second year of High School/Middle School/Senior High School successfully completed | 11 years |
| United States | Grade 11 of High School Diploma | 11 years |
| India | Senior/higher secondary examination of Higher Secondary School Certificate (Standards XI-XII) or All India Senior School Certificate successfully completed | The threshold is also set at 11 years for this country, but since there is no documentation attesting to the successful completion of 11 years of schooling, it is impossible to qualify before grade 12. |
| Pakistan | Senior School Certificate or Intermediate Examination Part I and II or Higher School Certificate (Annual, Class XII or Part I & II) successfully completed | 12 years |
| Russia | General secondary school certificate | 11 years |
Specific admission requirements may also apply depending on the program of study or CEGEP of your choice. For information on the specific requirements that apply to your program, refer to the Table of Available Programs.
Important note
We strongly recommend that you complete the diploma equivalent to a high-school diploma in your country before beginning a DCS in a CEGEP in Québec. For those studying in France, this means that we recommend that you obtain your Diplôme du baccalauréat before beginning a DCS program in a Québec CEGEP.