Le campus de l'Université de Sherbrooke.
1. Sherbrooke, university city
Sherbrooke is one of Quebec's main student cities. With about 40,000 students for a population of 175,000 residents, nearly one in four Sherbrookers is a student.
2. Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS)
The Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) is the main university, French-speaking, founded in 1954. It has over 30,000 students across three campuses:
- Main campus in Sherbrooke
- Health campus near the CHUS
- Longueuil campus (Montréal South Shore)
UdeS is known for its co-op program — alternating study and paid internships.
3. Bishop's University
Bishop's University, in Lennoxville (a Sherbrooke borough), is the region's main English-speaking university. Founded in 1843, it's a small university of under 3,000 students.
It is known for its small-group teaching and attracts many American and international students.
4. Cégep de Sherbrooke
The Cégep de Sherbrooke, French-language, is one of Quebec's largest — over 7,000 students.
Flagship programs:
- Pre-university: Natural Sciences, Humanities, Arts
- Technical: Nursing, Civil Engineering, IT, Pharmacy
Main campus: Boulevard de Portland — accessible by bus from all boroughs.
Champlain Regional College — Lennoxville Campus is the English-language CEGEP on the Bishop's campus — ~1,500 students.
Both CEGEPs offer welcome programs for international students and integration classes.
The UdeS is by far the largest, with three campuses including a health campus near the CHUS and a Longueuil campus. Bishop's stays small and intimate, in Lennoxville. On the CEGEP side, the Cégep de Sherbrooke dominates in size and Champlain offers the English option on the Bishop's campus.
| Institution | Language | Students | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| UdeS | French | ~30,000 | 1954 |
| Bishop's | English | under 3,000 | 1843 |
| Cégep de Sherbrooke | French | over 7,000 | — |
| Champlain — Lennoxville | English | ~1,500 | — |
5. Costs and scholarships for international students
Tuition by category:
- Quebec students: $1,500 to $2,500/session (UdeS and CEGEP)
- Non-Quebec Canadians: $4,000 to $6,000/session
- International UdeS: $8,000 to $16,000/session
- International Bishop's: $15,000 to $25,000/year
Agreements:
- France-Quebec + certain Francophone African countries: Quebec rates at UdeS for French students
Available scholarships:
- Perspective Quebec scholarships for priority programs: $9,000/session
- Internal UdeS and Bishop's scholarships for excellence
- Mobility bursaries for exchanges
Cost of living: 30 to 40% below Montréal — major advantage for students.
6. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on Sherbrooke universities: co-op vs regular program difference, how international admission works, and student residences.
What's the difference between regular and co-op programs at UdeS?
Co-op program:
- Alternates study terms with paid internships (typically 3 to 5 internships over 4 years)
- Internship salary: $400 to $800/week
- Total earning over a bachelor's: $40,000 to $80,000 — significantly reduces student debt
- Duration: 4 to 4.5 years
- Graduates with 12 to 18 months of Quebec experience — major advantage at hiring
Regular program:
- Study only
- 3 years for most bachelor's degrees
- No internships
~75% of UdeS programs offer co-op.
Co-op if: you want savings + experience, mobility OK (internships sometimes far).
Regular if: finish faster, specific reasons to stay near family in Sherbrooke.
How does admission work for international students?
Both universities have international offices.
Standard process:
- Submit application via the university site (or central PCQ system for some programs)
- Official transcripts (translated if needed)
- French test for UdeS (TFI or DELF B2 typical) OR English test for Bishop's (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Application fee: $85 to $150
- Once admitted: CAQ + study permit process (6 to 12 months total)
The UdeS site has detailed program-by-program requirements.
Bishop's is more flexible for English speakers.
Timeline: apply 12 to 18 months before the intended start.
Are there student residences on campus?
Yes at both universities, but limited spots.
UdeS — Camille-Laurin Residences:
- ~600 spots, primarily reserved for first-year and international students
- Cost: $4,000 to $6,000/session for a furnished room
Bishop's:
- More capacity proportionally: ~1,000 spots for 2,800 students
- Priority to international students
- Cost: $5,500 to $8,000/year
Apply EARLY: typically before April for September — demand exceeds supply.
If you don't get an on-campus spot: the city has many student-priced rentals near both campuses — $500 to $800 for a shared apartment is typical.
7. See also
To go further on student life in Sherbrooke:
- Read welcome to Sherbrooke to use SANC and explore boroughs near your campus.
- See STS public transit in Sherbrooke to activate the student pass included in your fees via AGEUS.
- Plan your start with finding housing in Sherbrooke to lock in a lease before the July peak.
8. Official sources
Author's Note: If you arrive as a student, take advantage of UdeS's co-op program — one of the best ways to fund studies while gaining Quebec experience.
