Le campus de l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.
1. UQAC at a glance
The UQAC is one of the ten institutions in the Université du Québec network. About 6,000 students, including a significant share of internationals.
Flagship programs: engineering, management, forestry sciences, arts, computer science.
2. International students: advantages
UQAC is very welcoming to international students.
Several agreements grant reduced tuition fees — equivalent to the Quebec rate for France, Belgium, and several countries of francophone Africa.
3. Student life
The campus is compact and human-scale.
- Pavillon sportif: pool, gym, gymnasiums, ice rink
- MAGE-UQAC: student association (activities, integration events, rights)
4. Student housing
On-campus residences:
- About 200 units — furnished rooms with kitchen and common-room access
- Cost: $450 to $650/month depending on room type
- Book at admission if international — several months before start
Private nearby:
- Shared room: from $400 to $500
- Studio: $600 to $800
- 4½: $750 to $1,100
The UQAC housing service maintains a vetted partner-landlord list — use it if you're arriving from abroad.
5. Tuition fees and scholarship programs
UQAC tuition varies sharply by your residency category. The table below shows the per-session range.
Scholarships available:
- Perspective Quebec scholarships for priority programs: $9,000/session
- Internal UQAC scholarships for excellence
- Mobility bursaries for those doing exchanges
The international office can guide you.
| Category | Fees / session | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec students | $1,500 to $2,500 | Depending on program |
| Canadians outside Quebec | $4,000 to $6,000 | Depending on program |
| Internationals | $8,000 to $16,000 | Depending on program and nationality |
| Internationals — entente | Quebec rate | France, Belgium, francophone Africa |
6. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on UQAC: required French level, work during studies, and international diploma recognition.
What French level do I need to study at UQAC?
Most undergraduate programs require Quebec Level 8 (B2 CEFR) or equivalent — TFI or DELF B2.
Some graduate-level (M.Sc./Ph.D.) programs in sciences or engineering may accept candidates with strong English + oral commitment to learning French.
UQAC offers free French support for international students.
Don't underestimate the gap between conversational French and academic French — even bilingual candidates often need 6 to 12 months of upgrading.
Can I work during my UQAC studies?
Yes.
- Quebec students: can work freely
- International students with a study permit: 24 h/week off campus during sessions, full-time during breaks (federal rules 2024)
On-campus jobs (library, IT support, research assistant) are easier to find and don't count toward the hour cap.
Many Saguenay businesses hire students.
With the low cost of living in Chicoutimi, 15 to 20 h/week typically covers groceries and entertainment.
Will my UQAC degree be recognized internationally?
Yes for most programs.
UQAC is accredited and its degrees follow standard Quebec and Canadian norms.
- Engineering programs: accredited by Engineers Canada — recognized in most countries via the Washington Accord
- Computer science, sciences, management: translate well internationally
Regulated professions (medicine, law, accounting):
- Verify with the destination country's professional order BEFORE choosing UQAC
- Local accreditation may still be required
Non-regulated fields: UQAC degrees compete well with those of larger universities — what matters most is what you've done with it (internships, projects, publications).
7. See also
To go further on student life in Chicoutimi:
- Read first steps in Chicoutimi for services and francisation at the start of term.
- See finding housing in Chicoutimi to target a student apartment near campus.
- Discover Cégep de Chicoutimi if you start your studies at DEC level before university.
8. Official sources
Author's note: UQAC offers easier integration and more direct contact with professors than a large university.
